Roslin and the North Esk Valley
- 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 village, seven miles south of Edinburgh, was the setting for the Battle of Roslin, where a force of 8,000 Scots defeated an English army numbering about 30,000.
Distance: 8 km
Approximate time: 3 hours
Height gain: 100 m
OS Map: Explorer 344 Pentland Hills
The wonderful Roslin and North Esk Valley walk is packed with history. Local place-names such as Stinking Rig and Shinbanes Field attest to the blood spilt during the three fierce engagements on 24th February 1303 which together constituted the Battle of Roslin. The Roslin Institute, passed in the early stages of the walk, cloned poor Dolly, whilst the denouement of Dan Brown's international bestseller takes place in Rosslyn Chapel, which has stimulated an increase in 'cult' tourism.
This exquisite 15th Century chapel contains the famous 'Apprentice Pillar', plus evidence that Henry St Clair, Earl of Orkney, reached America a hundred years before Columbus. This fine river and woodland walk was apparently a favourite of Wordsworth's sister Dorothy and packs a lot of interest and variety in its five-mile length. Classified 'moderate' because of several long flights of steps, some paths will be slippery after rain, especially in the beautiful Roslin Glen, where the undulating path also needs care as it rises high above the sometimes fast-flowing River North Esk.
Access
Park either on the main street in Roslin village or in the car park of the original Rosslyn Inn at Roslin Cross, by arrangement with the landlord. The walk starts from Roslin Cross, map ref NT 273633.
Additional information
This walk is not considered suitable for dogs, because of sheep and some high stiles and narrow paths.
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Edinburgh and the Lothians sits on the eastern side of Scotland's central belt, in the heart of the country.
