Dalkeith, Musselburgh and Cockenzie

Edinburgh Road as seen from the bridge over the River North Esk, facing NW towards the city.

An unusual wedge-shaped building on the east side of the main street.

Another view from the east side of South Street showing Pettigrews Close.

An old water tower converted by the architect occupant into a home. There's an inquisitive dog in the foreground.

A closer look showing the front door.

Zoomed in the top storey complete with circular balcony. The date of construction (1879) is now visible.

Second visit, larger picture.

Buccleuch Street is on the right, Old Edinburgh Road is on the left. The High Street continues straight on.

The town centre of Dalkeith. The High Street bus stop is where you'd catch a number 3 bus to Edinburgh.

Looking across Ironmills Park from the old railway viaduct (now a cycleway and footpath). The River North Esk flows below, soon to link up with the South Esk before heading north to Musselburgh and the Firth of Forth.

Looking up-river from the viaduct we can see Elginhaugh Bridge carrying Melville Road up to Eskbank Roundabout. This road is quieter these days since a new road and bridge were built further up between Bonnyrigg and Gilmerton.

Zoomed in with the camera panned right slightly. Beyond Elginhaugh Bridge the new road is visible in the mist.

Dalkeith Country Park April 2017

Dalkeith Country Park April 2017

Montagu Bridge

Montagu Bridge

Dalkeith Country Park April 2017

Dalkeith Country Park April 2017

Dalkeith Country Park April 2017

Meeting of the Waters. River North Esk joins with River South Esk.

Dalkeith Country Park April 2017

Dalkeith Country Park April 2017

The sign indicates the John Muir Way: 2 miles to Fisherrow Harbour, 2¼ miles to Prestonpans and a third of a mile to Levenhall Links. The pyramid-like feature in the distance is North Berwick Law; the chimneys belong to Cockenzie Power Station.

The lagoons have created new land from the sea using ash from nearby Cockenzie Power Station. There is a bird sanctuary (possibly threatened by a golf course) and lakes / ponds as well as interesting views.

The perimeter road follows the sea wall along the southern shore of the Firth of Forth, gradually curving south to meet the mouth of the River Esk. This wide angle shot shows the gritty texture of the road. The crystals are not frost, but dissolved salt(s) precipitating out.

Further west, getting nearer to the mouth of the Esk. Arthur's Seat and Calton Hill can be seen across the bay behind Portobello Beach.

The lower slopes of Whinny Hill (part of Arthur's Seat) are on the left. Calton Hill is on the right with the Nelson Monument and the pillars of the National Monument silhouetted against the sky. Calton Hill is 8.5Km away.

The telephoto lens has been panned to the left in this shot. The beach on the west bank of the Esk is only a few hundred metres away whereas Caerketton Hill (behind the artificial ski slope) is 14Km distant.

The sand in the foreground is part of a sort of delta, visible only at low tide. Portobello Beach is just across the bay. The ancient man-made terraces and more recent footpaths can be seen on the slopes of Arthur's Seat.

This and the following 7 photos were taken on 3rd February 2007. Here we see a close-up look at the ash from Cockenzie Power Station, used to create then fill in the lagoons.

Looking back westwards, past the lagoons to the city of Edinburgh. On the horizon are the Pentland Hills and Arthur's Seat with their distinctive outline. This is part of the John Muir Way a coastal walk named after the great conservationist.

Smooth, rounded, grassy hills remind me of The Teletubbies and that horrible wallpaper picture in Windows XP. Red kites (not the feathered variety) zigzag to and fro.

On rounding the artificial hill it becomes apparent that the kites are being flown by grass surfers on boards, like skateboards with large wheels.

A closer look at two of the grass surfer guys.

The last stretch of footpath approaching the power station. On the left you can see the open gate which features in the next picture.

Beyond these open but nonetheless forbidding-looking gates is a pier, perhaps used for importing coal from overseas.

At the landward end of the pier the entrance is closed and festooned with razorwire to deter intruders.