Dryden Tower Circuit
- Blackford and Braid Hills
- Carnethy
- Cockenzie to Aberlady
- Dalkeith Country Park
- Dalmeny
- Dryden Tower Circuit
- Dunbar cliff-top trail
- Dunbar to Dunglass
- East Linton to Hailes Castle
- Edinburgh city centre to Royal Botanic Garden
- Edinburgh Old Town
- Fala Flow
- Fisherrow to Cockenzie
- Gifford Community Path Network
- Gladhouse Reservoir Circuit
- Gore Glen Woodland Park
- Hill End Trail
- Holyrood Park and Arthur's Seat
- Mount Lothian
- Newtongrange Mining Museum Town Trail
- Nine Mile Burn - West Kip - Nine Mile Burn
- North Berwick Law
- North Esk Reservoir
- Pencaitland and Ormiston Community Path Network
- Penicuik to Musselburgh Cycleway
- Pentland Peaks
- River Esk
- Rosewell to Roslin Glen Circuit
- Roslin and the North Esk Valley
- Roslin Glen
- Stobshiel - Lammer Law - Longyester
- Vogrie Country Park: Tyne Valley Path
- Vogrie: Blinkbonny Circuit
This short walk hidden away behind houses, industrial estates and science parks is well worth seeking out. Not only is it a gem of farmed countryside and wooded copse but also the site of one of Scotland's most epic battles.
Distance: 5.8 km
Approximate time: 2 hours
Height gain: 0 m
OS Map: Explorer 344 Pentland Hills
A tiny Scottish army slaughtered a much larger English force on 24th February 1303, a defeat which would not be repeated until Bannockburn. To begin the Dryden Tower Circuit, start at the cross roads in Roslin village, walk north east along Manse Road until the memorial to the Battle of Roslin is reached, shortly after crossing an old railway bridge. From here a narrow woodland path goes north-west passing Dryden Mains after a few hundred metres. Continue in the same direction along a track between fields until Langhill Farm is reached.
Branch off north-east towards Dryden Tower, a 19th century Gothic folly, which stands in the middle of a grassy field. Do not enter as it is structurally dangerous. Dogs must kept firmly under control where livestock are being farmed.
Rejoin the path and descend to the Bilston Burn, well known for its wildlife and a site of special scientific interest for its geology. Follow the burn for 150m then take the wide set of steps back out of the glen. From here, head east towards the spectacular Bilston Viaduct restored in 1998. Cross the viaduct, take the first left turn along a wide beaten earth path and on reaching a farm track after 150m, take a right turn. The farm track leads back past the battle memorial and back to Roslin.
Access
Walk starts at the centre of Roslin Village, in Midlothian near Edinburgh. There is a bus service to Roslin.
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Edinburgh and the Lothians sits on the eastern side of Scotland's central belt, in the heart of the country.
