We have compiled a list of what we think is the best walks around Midlothian. If you enjoy family friendly walks that are surrounded by history and beautiful woodlands then you are sure to enjoy our guide.
It is our opinion that the best walks in Midlothian are Roslin Glen, The Pentland Hills, Dalkeith Country Park, Crichton Castle and Vogrie Country Park. These areas are the best places in Midlothian to walk through as they are steeped in history and have amazing scenary.
Roslin Glen
Roslin Glen is Situated between Dalkeith and Penicuik, its a great route for walking your dog and there is some amazing history throughout the walk aswell.
Some of the things to see whilst on a walk here include Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin Castle, Wallace’s Cave, Hawthornden Castle, Roslin Gunpowder Mill.
Also Sir Walter Scott’s poem ‘Rosabelle‘ makes reference to Roslin.
Postcode – EH25 9PX
Free car parking
Rosslyn Chapel
Rosslyn Chapel
Rosslyn Chapel was built in the 15th century
Rosslyn Chapel attracts visitors from all over the world, back in 2017 a record breaking 181,000 paying visitors attended Rosslyn Chapel.
The chapel became very famous after Dan Brown’s book ‘The Da Vinci Code’. The book looks into the symbolism within the chapel and claims that the holy grail could be buried underneath it.
Experts have many differing and intriguing interpretations of what all the carvings and sybolism within the chapel means.
Why not visit the chapel yourself and form your own opinion?
If you are visiting with your dog unfortunately you will not be allowed inside.
However Rosslyn Chapel is worth seeing from the outside aswell even if your just passing by.
Roslin Castle
Roslin Castle
Roslin Castle was built in the 14th century, the location of the castle is intriguing as it was built near the area where the ‘Battle of Roslin’ took place.
The Battle of Roslin:
The Battle of Roslin took place on the 24th of February 1303 and the battle was a great victory for the scots army.
The battle is often overlooked but its historical significance shouldn’t be as it helped the scottish army gain momentum in its wars with the english.
This victory also led to the the Battle of Bannockburn and ultimately Scotland gaining its independence.
The castle sits atop the river esk, it is steeped in both history and beauty.
If you love history and beautiful scenary then be sure to pass by this landmark as it has both in abundance.
Wallace's Cave
Wallace’s Cave
Wallace’s Cave, sometimes known as the Hawthornden Castle Cave was a place where William Wallace hid when being chased by an english army.
William Wallace is a national hero of Scotland, when visiting the cave its easy to be transported back in time when Wallace was using the cave as refuge.
For some people the cave can be hard to find but that is part of the fun when going this walk, good luck on your hunt for Wallace’s Cave.
Hawthornden Castle
Hawthornden Castle
The original owners of the property
was the Abernethy family and the earliest parts of the castle date back to the 15th century.
The Abernethy family occupied the property from the 13th century before it was then passed to the douglases in the 14th century.
Walter Scott’s poem ‘Rosabelle’ also makes reference to Roslin.
- “O’er Roslin all that dreary night
- A wondrous blaze was seen to gleam;
- ‘Twas broader than the watch-fire’s light,
- And redder than the bright moonbeam.
- It glared on Roslin’s castled rock,
- It ruddied all the copsewood glen;
- ‘Twas seen from Dryden’s groves of oak,
- And seen from cavern’d Hawthornden.
- Seem’d all on fire that chapel proud
- Where Roslin’s chiefs uncoffin’d lie,
- Each baron, for a sable shroud,
- Sheath’d in his iron panoply.”
The castle stands on a cliff overlooking
the river esk.
There are Caves and passageways beneath Hawthornden Castle which were used by Robert the Bruce and Sir Alexander Ramsey whilst fighting the English in the 14th century.
Gunpowder Mill
Roslin Gun Powder Mill
The Gunpowder Mill first opened in 1801, the mill produced gunpowder for over 150 years before being closed in 1954
The material from the mill would have been exported all around the world.
When the Mill first opened it was powered only by the water from the river esk, however during the mid to late 1800s it became steam powered.
The idealic setting was also used in series 1 of the tv programme ‘outlander’
Pentland Hills
The Pentland Hills Region Park is situated nearby the towns of Penicuik and Loanhead.
Postcode – EH26 0PP
Free car parking
The hills are around 20 miles long and they run south west from Edinburgh towards Biggar.
The pentland hills is a great place explore, its a great day out for you and your dog.
If your planning to walk up one of the hills you will be greatly rewarded once you reach the summit of your walk.
Once you reach the top you will be immersed in the surrounding beauty.
If your a keen walker you should try giving the pentland hills a try.
There are many hills to climb and its views which allow you to see Edinburgh from a far are really spectacular.
Remember to keep your dog on a lead if you see livestock.
Dalkeith Country Park
Dalkeith country park has a shopping area, cafe and brilliant adventure playground for kids. It is surrounded by a forest that is over 900 years old.
Dalkeith Country Park is very family friendly. Entry is free and if you bring along a picnic you will be in for a brilliant and very cheap day out, the adventure playground which includes a zip wire will also keep the kids happy.
There is also a shopping area and a cafe that serves very tasty food
Dalkeith Country Park has amazing history surrounding it, the forest is hundreds of years old and within the park there are also secret old tunnels and caves to find.
The park stretches 1000 acres so there is lots to explore.
The walk also has a surfaced path which makes it accesible for wheelchairs, bikes and buggies.
Crichton Castle
Crichton Castle is situated two miles from Pathhead.
Postcode EH37 5XA
Free parking
The walk consists of a path that leads you to Crichton Castle where you can walk around the historic ruins of Crichton Castle and the church that is beside it.
A mile southwest of Crichton Castle lies Borthwick Castle, built in the 15th century and still in use.
In 1406 John De Crichton built a tower house here, his son William served as Lord Chancellor of Scotland and in 1443 he was made Lord Crichton. As the Crichton grew to prominance so did the Castle.
The Crichton family fell out of favour in the 15th century and the castle was passed over to the Earls of Bothwell. The Bothwells added to the castle but after the Earl of Bothwell was accused of witchcraft the castle began to get neglected.
The ruins of Crichton Castle are now in the hands of Historic Enviroment Scotland.
Crichton Castle sits atop a hill, the surrounding views and history of the castle makes this walk worthwhile visiting.
Vogrie Country Park
Vogrie Coutry Park is situated beside Gorebridge.
Opens between 10am and 4pm
Postcode EH23 4NU
Free parking
Vogrie Country Park has a cafe, woodland walks, golf course, adventure play area and a minature railway.
The walk is great for kids with huge sculptures that can be climbed up on, their is also a pond with tadpoles and a childrens play area.
Their is eleven miles worth of walks within the woodlands and the surronding area. The walks are also sign posted throughout.
Some of the trees around Vogrie are hundreds of years old and the woodlands are thriving with wild life.
Vogrie House is another beautiful attraction, it was the home of the Dewar family and was built in 1876 by Andrew Heiton.
During the cold war Vogrie House was used as a control center for communications and before that in 1926 it was used as a nursing home.
There is so much that you can do at Vogrie Country Park including the 9 hole golf course.
The golf course is surrounded by woodland and is a great course to go to if your just a golfing beginner although the putting on the greens is still quite difficult.
Anytime i’ve been the golfers and the people in the area have always been very friendly.
Whether your going to Vogrie Country Park to explore the historic woodlands or having a walk around the golf course with a set of clubs you are sure to enjoy yourself.
Thanks for reading.
If you have walked through these areas why not leave a comment below and tell us what your opinion?
