Bilston Glen and Roslin Glen

Photographed in the late '70s or early '80s when there was still some activity at the factories / warehouses beside Polton Bank.

The village near Milton Bridge near Penicuik as it looked in the late 1970s or early 1980s.

Craigesk Dancing is the sign above the entrance to this establishment, long since closed. This was situated under the railway viaduct between Eskbank and Newtongrange near Edinburgh.

This shot makes use of reduced depth of field. I opened up the lens in order to throw the background out of focus. I scanned the original negative again in July 2005 and obtained an improved image with more detail.

Another view

An old negative scanned.

The 2nd picture of Lasswade village. On the left of the bridge is Elm Row, on the right is the High Street.

A glacial remnant at the River North Esk near Lasswade, just outside Edinburgh. N.B. The following pictures are not necessarily in sequence, nor are they intended as a guide to what could be a dangerous walk.

The precipitous footpath to the Maiden Castle. There's no castle here, only an interesting and possibly challenging walk to Roslin Glen. Wear good walking boots.

The same path but facing east towards the steep descent to Polton Road and the junction of the Bilston Burn and the River North Esk. This particular tree is doing its best to hold a steep embankment together here. The ground drops away steeply on both sides of the path.

Another view, using the Nikon CP900 with its wide angle adapter attached. Taken March 2000. On the horizon, Bonnyrigg is just visible.

Further west and a second look at the bend in the river here, looping around the peninsula marked on maps as the Maiden Castle. The ridge is nearer now.

The footpath to Roslin Glen continues along the bare sandy ridge, but turns sharply right at a crossroads, after descending a gentle slope through a tunnel of bushes. If you intend to come back this way, take careful note of your surroundings, so you won't get lost.

Late March 2000 sunshine reveals this tortuous little lane, a shortcut between Loanhead and Lasswade. A little red car is visible through the still-bare branches.

Opposite the old Gunpowder Mills the rock strata is exposed beside the River North Esk. (more Gunpowder further on)

This old tree is perched on top of one of the highest cliffs on the north-west side of the Esk, opposite Hawthornden.

Nearer Roslin, the path splits into two paths which eventually meet up again. The lower path actually has an old metal handrail set into the cliff-face at one point. This picture shows the past effects of water-erosion, as seen from the bottom path beside the river.

The Scots Pine tree perches precariously on the cliff edge.

Not looking particularly red here, but it is a Red Birch rather than Silver Birch. Under the ridge where the tree is growing, are the remains of a dry stane dyke.

Another shot of the water-eroded cliff. Bright November sunshine reveals the textures and colours.

These ancient trees sit astride an even older stone wall not far from Roslin Castle. The roots all but conceal the wall which looks as if the weight of the trees has forced it into the ground.

A little further along another three similar trees have their roots intertwined. They also sit on top of the wall, but more of the wall is visible in this picture.

This negative was scanned again in 2005 and showed better shadow and highlight detail.

1 Kilometre south of Roslin is this weir in the River South Esk. Water power was used in the manufacture of gunpowder at the nearby mill. There is a footbridge here and the path leads up to the old railway line from Rosewell to Auchendinny.

From the back cover of ROSSLYN Country of Painter and Poet: The picturesque and romantic locality of Rosslyn lies near the Pentland Hills, seven miles from the city of Edinburgh.

Construction was commenced in 1446 by William St Clair, Prince of Orkney. This is certainly an old door and, should you visit Rosslyn Chapel, you may pass through it.

The first of three pictures of this ornately carved pillar. For an explanation of how it got this name I've quoted the text from page 21 of the ROSSLYN book mentioned earlier:

Instead of being delighted at having trained such a workman, the mason was so overcome by jealousy that he immediately killed the apprentice with a blow of his hammer,

The third picture featuring the Apprentice Pillar, and showing more of the interior of the chapel. All three photos were taken with the existing interior lighting.

A small part of the immense amount of detailed stone carvings. The exterior ones have been eroded by time and weather and are now protected by a temporary roof canopy.

The best shot I could get of the carved interior ceiling using the available incandescent light.

A stained glass window dating from much more recent times. It features Saint Francis and features, amongst other creatures, what appears to be a kangaroo. Information is provided within Rosslyn Chapel.

The text on this metal plaque starts: This viaduct carried the Glencorse branch railway line which took coal and ironstone from mines at Penicuik, Roslin, Bilston, Loanhead and Gilmerton. It was also a busy passenger line, especially for excursions to Roslin.

This one is more artistic with less text. I particularly like the way the metal leaves lie over the rivets.

A view of the viaduct as it crosses over the glen. If you're walking to or from Roslin then this route saves a climb up the narrow, twisty Polton Road.

Hazy sunshine and autumn colours feature in this photo taken from the old railway line path between Auchendinny and the old Gunpowder Mill.

In 2005 there's increasing interest in this area largely because of Dan Brown's best selling book The Da Vinci Code. Rosslyn Chapel features at the end of the story, but not Roslin Castle.

This second picture was taken from the same vantage point on top of the stone arch as the previous picture. It shows more of the view down below.

Again, photographed from the top of the stone arch. If you want to walk through Roslin Glen and have walked down the hill from Rosslyn Chapel then take the footpath to the right of the arch. This descends the embankment and curves left under the arch.

This is the way downstream beside the River North Esk, through the arch and turn left. If you avoid the arch and go to the right of the castle here then you can take a footbridge over the river and head upstream.

Having walked through the arch and down a few steps, this is the view when you look back and up. The walk downstream to Polton or Bilston Glen is spectacular but precipitous. Good boots are essential.

On the path down from Rosslyn Chapel to Roslin Glen. The wall has been built or rebuilt to accommodate the tree. At the bottom of the path you can continue over the bridge to Rosslyn Castle, or under it to more footpaths.

The castle lies ahead but there's a path leading down to the right. It splits left under the bridge or right to a footbridge across the River North Esk.

There's a precipitous drop to the glen below. Our visit this day was through Roslin Glen, downstream to Polton - so we passed under the bridge shown here.

Already featured but I couldn't resist another wide angle shot. Overhead is the bridge where the previous shot was taken from.

The sides of Roslin Glen are steep and bad weather or erosion can cause trees to fall, sometimes blocking the path. This one's been cut away and it's been colonised by moss.

Moss adorns the broken root on a fallen tree, making a feathery green cone shape.

Through a gap in the trees Hawthornden Castle is visible on the other side of the glen. It's now used as a retreat for writers such as Ian Rankin.

One of the many kinds of fungus which thrive under the damp trees in autumn.

The start of the climb up to Loanhead affords this view back along the glen.

The main footpath has been diverted because of erosion to the sandy ridge connecting to the Maiden Castle peninsula. It's now less easy to get totally lost here. Steps continue down from here on the old path but it's totally overgrown with brambles and thorns. The way up is clear, however. At the end of this path turn left to find the Bilston Glen Viaduct, or right to descend a steep path to Polton. 2006 October

This is the view from the top of the steps in the last picture. Lasswade is down the North Esk Valley, round 1 or 2 bends in the river. Bonnyrigg is hidden behind the trees at top right.

If walking from Roslin to Loanhead then this is the way across Bilston Glen - without having to descend to Polton then up the steep, twisty Polton Road. The fallen leaves contrast with the wet reflection of the blue sky.

Halfway across the viaduct is this view down Bilson Glen which merges with Roslin Glen where the Bilston Burn joins the North Esk. Polton Road West and the western end of Bonnyrigg lie far ahead in the distance.

Looking back across the bridge. It's a short walk from here to Loanhead town centre and buses to Edinburgh.

Photos taken one day in October 2007 on a walk from Penicuik to Loanhead. At Penicuik, walk a few yards towards Edinburgh from the foot of Mauricewood Road to find the footpath down through the woods.

The path follows the River South Esk on its journey towards Dalkeith. The Esk Valley becomes more like a gorge further downstream. The old train line crosses the river here and cuts below the main road at Auchendinny village.

Sunlight can be seen at the end of this short, curved tunnel. The Esk can be seen through the cobwebbed girders, as can the bridge carrying the main road.

A close-up of the cobwebs glinting in the sunshine.

This is where the paper mill used to be.

Now you can see the trees and where the river was diverted through a brick-lined channel.

Once again the old railway line cuts through one of the peninsulas created by the river's meanders. The tunnels now have lights making it safer for walkers, horses and cyclists.

The more picturesque route is to leave the old railway line after a while and take the path on the left down to the riverside.

The weir has been repaired since I last photographed it. The reflection is like a mirror.

Dappled sunshine filters through the Scots Pines. The one at the centre sits on top of tall cliffs which plunge to the river below.

Through a gap in the trees it's possible to see an area of comparatively young trees on the opposite side of Roslin Glen. There was a landslide here a few years back.

Same view but zoomed in for a closer look at the Autumn colours. Although it's October, the weather has continued to be quite mild this year.

Further downstream, this is a view of the Polton area. Bonnyrigg is up on the right somewhere, and Lasswase is downriver, behind all those trees.

Facing the opposite direction towards the peninsula known as the Maiden Castle. The river is hidden by the trees.

The last sequence featured the walk from Penicuik to Loanhead. If you get off the LRT 15 bus at the bottom of Auchendinny Brae then a slightly shorter walk starts here. This view of the tunnel is facing back (west) towards the village from Woodhouselee.

If you're walking from Auchendinny to Roslin then it's easy to miss the turning off the main track (former railway line). If you take a left turn just after passing under a small bridge then you'll descend these steps to the bridge shown in the next picture.

If you descend the steps then you'll come down past the footpath signpost shown here before crossing the River Esk to the old Gunpowder Mill buildings.

The two parallel arched windows shown here accomodated the axle for the waterwheel which powered the mill.

Looking up the channel down which water once flowed. The waterwheel stood vertically between the parallel walls. If you would like to know more about the Gunpowder Mill then there is a CD available. See Roslin Heritage Society for more information.

Stepping back a few paces reveals a wider view of the scene.

Two more pictures of the cliffs on the opposite bank of the river.

The same rectangular orifice appears in both photos. To reach the next photographed location it's necessary to follow the path downriver then fork right at the hairpin bend for a few yards before entering the park on the left.

This footbridge connects the carpark / picnic area (next to the B7003 between Roslin and Rosewell) to Roslin Castle and the path down to Polton.

Fallen trees in Roslin Glen are normally left untouched so that nature can recycle them. The moss covering often has clover and wood sorrel growing amongst it.

There are two possible routes when walking through the glen. The higher path can be muddy and precipitous; the lower path can be slippery and damp and sometimes underwater.

The lower path is clearly defined here. The water has a brown tinge due to the wet weather this summer but the level isn't too high.

The previous two shots were looking upstream; this one's facing downstream. The path is narrow here but there is a short handrail attached to the cliff face on the left. Once past this point you'll see the higher path on your left.

Walking from Polton towards Roslin. The path hugs the river for a while before climbing up to the top of the cliffs opposite Hawthornden.

Once the path descends again there's a short path leading to this spot beside the Esk.

Before climbing the hill to Rosslyn Chapel there's this view of the trees and the entrance to the castle.

Here's the history cast in heavy metal. This is one of the plaques at the Loanhead end of the former railway viaduct, now a footpath and cyclepath.

Some of the stops on the old railway lines.

Gilmerton used to have a coal mine. My father would open his shop in Gilmerton village early in the morning to catch the miners working the early shift.

Having crossed the viaduct over Bilston Glen, turn left (east) along this track towards Polton district.

If you look back over your shoulder you might get a glimpse of the viaduct if the trees are bare.

Photographed round the curve in the distance in the previous picture [Viaduct east to Polton], looking back for another glimpse of the viaduct. Turn right through a gate and follow a narrower path south. Farmland on your right, trees on your left.

The path is level and doesn't yet descend. This view is left of the path and shows Polton, nestled in the Esk Valley between Loanhead and Bonnyrigg.

At one time the main path took this route straight along the sandy ridge. Erosion has been accelerated by adolescent males jumping off the ridge onto the steep sandy slopes below. The new path has wooden steps and is easier to find if coming the other way, downstream from Roslin.

These are the steps you would come down - or climb up if coming the other way. In 2010 they've been edged with yellow grips which makes them more visible.

The farmland on the right side of the path will soon disappear from view to be replaced by woodland. This tree looks like it was struck by lightning.

I first photographed this birch tree in January 2000. The path starts to climb more steeply soon after passing this point.

Another look at the river before the climb up the gorge. There will be some dangerous cliffs on the left.

About 800m from the start of the riverside walk is this view across the gorge to Hawthornden Castle.

There are one or two forks in the path when you're high up. At this particular point bear right otherwise you will find yourself at the top of the dangerous cliffs.

The path continues to follow the top of the gorge. Look out for a left fork which will take you safely back down a long slope to the bottom.

Just beyond these twisted branches is a long drop down to the bottom of high cliffs. The safe path down is further on.

It's not a bottomless chasm over the cliff edge - but it could certainly be fatal if you fell over.

Because it's still March there aren't yet any leaves on the feathery looking birch trees on the other side of the gorge. These were all planted a few years ago after a major landslide.

We were delighted to find this work of art on the riverbank. It's not quite Fibonacci but I prefer it to pretentious concepts that emanate from some alleged artists.

A wide angle view showing the River South Esk and the cliffs on the other side. This is about half way to Roslin and is a good spot for a picnic or a paddle if it's warm enough.

Looking downstream. Beyond the trees on the left are the high cliffs.

Eroded by water - recently, geologically speaking.

Many trees have fallen across the path causing obstructions that walkers have to negotiate. This log has been cut to clear the way and a new tree sapling has taken root in the damp moss.

This is the lower of two alternate paths. The high path is often muddy and precipitous; this one can be tricky too, especially if the water is high.

The path gets closer to the water.

A handrail was set into the cliff face many years ago - but it doesn't continue all the way along.

On this day the water wasn't too high.

A vertical shot of the same scene showing more of the path.

Looking back showing one of the tricky bits. The rocks may be slippery and any vegetation won't take your weight if you hang onto it. All the same, it's usually not too difficult if you take care!

Some of the rocks are crumbling due to winter frost.

Further along and the end of this waterside part is in view.

The path climbs upward again.

This is a popular place to sit and maybe carve your name into the rock. It's quite high over the river and isn't that far from Roslin Castle.

October 10th 2012 saw us trying the walk up Roslin Glen again, mindful that the wet summer may have made the going difficult due to landslides and fallen trees. The walk begins at the Bilston Glen viaduct beside Loanhead. The black and white shots are infrared.

A view from the former railway viaduct. Autumn colours hadn't really appeared properly yet, hence the emphasis on monochrome.

Looking back along the viaduct towards Loanhead.

The sign points the way to Roslin - but that route avoids Roslin Glen. We headed down towards Polton.

The path through the gate leads to Maiden Castle and Roslin Glen.

Bright orange colour caught my eye, exposed in the roots of this toppled tree beside the River Esk. The largest trumpet shaped fungus is about 5cm across. Also notable are the blue patches on the roots and sandy soil.

After following the River Esk for a while the path climbs high up the side of the valley and along near the edge of a cliff.

Through a gap in the trees we can see younger trees far below on the opposite bank where there was a landslide a few years before.

A long gently sloping path goes down near the river again. A fallen tree partially blocked the way ahead. We diverted to the river bank for a short break.

The tree trunk we once sat on to eat our lunch had vanished, washed away by a torrent.

Shortly after passing under the fallen tree in Bilston ir12 above, we reached this familiar landmark.

The hollowed out shapes in the sandstone have obviously been caused by water erosion long ago. We were to pass this way again on our way back - see next photo.

Not a good photo but I was preoccupied with thoughts of safety and recent news stories of rescues and missing walkers. It might have been possible to straddle the wet, slippery log without hurtling down to a steeper, muddier slope. We turned around and retraced our steps.

At the top of the long slope we took another path which ended in a marsh. We cut across two fields to reach this point and a tarmac path into Roslin. The Pentland Hills are visible in the distance.

After passing by the chapel and descending the path down to the cemetery we kept to the right, avoiding Roslin Castle today. This is the view back up to the houses bordering the main road.

A splendid red paint job on the eaves of this house.

After a while the path emerges onto the Roslin - Rosewell road. This was closed for some time due to landslides. A little further down the path leaves the road and descends some steps.

The steps take you down to the river again beside a small sewage treatment plant. A right turn leads to this hairpin bend and the entrance to the Gunpowder Mills area.

A broad track leads to the Gunpowder Mills (featured on previous Local pages). This is the remnants of one of the outbuildings, currently being used to store timber for walkway repairs.

Beside the mill building on the river bank. The overhanging tree conceals the strata on the exposed cliff face opposite.

Three infrared views of the cliff face.

The rectangular orifice looks like a tunnel entrance...

...but it isn't man-made.

Three normal colour views of the cliff face.

A closer look at the rock.

Harder rock on top of crumblier layers.

An infrared look at the mill building.

After climbing the path on the other side of the river walkers join up with the former railway line. The signposts show destinations and distances.

There are also informative notices giving information about the history and wildlife. In this view the left route is to Auchendinny and Penicuik. The path on the right passes through the gate at the top before heading down to the gunpowder mill.

After crossing a short viaduct the path leads through this tunnel.

On the left of the walkway the embankment slopes down to the river.

A closer view of the tunnel.

At the other end there's a driveway up to a private house.

Approaching Auchendinny and the new Miller housing development where a paper mill used to be.