Roslin Glen, Midlothian
- Distance: 9 1⁄2km / 6 miles
- Time: 2 1/2hrs
- Type: Countryside
- Where: Circular walk through Roslin Glen and along the River North Esk in Midlothian.
- Start / End: Roslin Glen car park (NT273628). TERRAIN: Woodland and riverside paths and tracks, cycle track, pavement and quiet roads.
- Maps: OS Explorer 344 and 345; Landranger 66.
Click map for larger version.
Just a few miles from Edinburgh’s hustle and bustle is the peaceful setting of Roslin Glen. Less than a century ago the glen was the site of heavy industry, including bleaching and gunpowder mills, but today it contains only a few relics of its manufacturing past. As well as these industrial remains, this picturesque walk also passes the stunning Rosslyn Chapel – built in the 15th century and made famous the world over by Dan Brown’s The Da Vinci Code. Tourists aside, present-day Roslin Glen is a beautiful, peaceful woodland gorge cut in two by the gorgeous River North Esk. Beech, oak and sycamores provide an incredible canopy of colours during autumn, and a broad selection of wildflowers – such as wood anemone, wood sorrel and wild garlic – flourish during spring and summer. Wildlife is also plentiful throughout the walk: look out for red squirrel, dipper and kingfisher in particular.
Routecard, GPX and further information
- Click here to download a route card [PDF download]
- Click here to download GPX [GPX download]
- Click here for instructions on how to use Walk's Routemaster Guides
- Click here to upload photos taken along this route
