Visit Midlothian

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Midlothian On Edinburgh’s Doorstep Borthwick Castle

Prentice Pillar at Rosslyn Chapel

Welcome To Midlothian

Where To Find Out More

Easy to reach – so close, in fact, that you can see the Pentland Hills from many parts of Edinburgh – but though you are near the city, Midlothian can feel very different. Listen to the birdsong ringing out from the wooded glen by the famous Rosslyn Chapel, or feel the wind in your hair in the wide-open heathery spaces of the Pentland Hills, and it’s hard to believe Scotland’s bustling capital is only minutes away. Thanks to a certain Hollywood blockbuster movie, Rosslyn Chapel is now Midlothian’s most famous historic site, but there are lots more places of interest. For example, discover the castle where Mary Queen of Scots was once a wedding guest, or take a ‘magical helmet tour’ at a restored colliery, now a museum. Stay in a 15th century tower house – or a hotel with its own dungeon! Midlothian is full of surprises, with plenty to entertain you from country parks to exotic butterfly displays.

The Great Outdoors

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History & Heritage

Things to See & Do

FREE ENTRY with your Edinburgh Pass, available at our Tourist Information Centres We grade businesses that try to work in a sustainable, environmentally friendly way bronze, silver or gold.

VisitScotland operates a seasonal Tourist Information Centre in Midlothian at Newtongrange. Come in and see us for expert advice on things to see and do and more on our accommodation booking service, discounted passes, coach and walking tours and a wide selection of Scottish gifts and souvenirs. We look forward to seeing you! Newtongrange Tourist Information Centre Scottish Mining Museum, Newtongrange EH26 8HB Open: Easter – October



Alternatively, you can call the National Booking and Information line on 0845 22 55 121 (UK only) or +44 1506 832 121 (outside UK) or visit www.edinburgh.org / www.visitmidlothian.com / www.midlothianonvideo.com.

Why not keep in touch for the latest news and offers from Edinburgh & Lothians by subscribing to our updates on www.edinburgh.org? Mary, Queen of Scots was born on 8 December 1542 and from the number of places where she is claimed to have stayed, it seems she rarely slept at home. This practice of travelling around was common enough amongst monarchs of this period and earlier. Some of the particularly interesting locations connected with her in Edinburgh & Lothians are either open to the public or readily viewed from the exterior. Find out more on our Mary, Queen of Scots trail at www.edinburgh.org/queenofscots Photography © VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint. Additional photography courtesy of Midlothian Council. Cover images show Rosslyn Chapel, Crichton Castle, Gladhouse Reservoir and Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World. Please note that every effort has been made by VisitScotland Edinburgh & Lothians to ensure accuracy in this publication. However, as changes can occur after going to print, it is advisable to confirm information with the establishments concerned or the local Tourist Information Centre. Published by VisitScotland Edinburgh & Lothians 2008.

Vogrie Country Park

This brochure is printed on recycled content paper. VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our environment, upon which our tourism is so dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy.

History & Heritage Crichton Collegiate Church

Gothic carving at Rosslyn Chapel

More than a century before Rosslyn Chapel was built, the real Braveheart, William Wallace, fought a battle around the nearby wooded steep sided glen nearby – there’s even a Wallace’s Cave. And Rosslyn Chapel has been on visitors’ lists of ‘must sees’ long before its film debut – even the romantic poets Robert Burns and William Wordsworth made the trip. Then there’s another romantic spot: Crichton Castle, associated with Mary Queen of Scots third husband, the Earl of Bothwell. Add in stately homes like Arniston House, as well as impressive castle-hotels, such as Dalhousie Castle and the atmospheric Borthwick Castle, and you’ll find plenty of historic strands to follow.

Crichton Castle

Rosslyn Castle

Midlothian’s industrial heritage is portrayed in the fascinating Scottish Mining Museum – a great excursion for families and in fact an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage.

Arniston House This 18th century William Adam mansion has been home to the Dundas family for over four hundred years. Why not pay a visit to see its wonderful architecture and period contents, including family portraits and fine furniture. Open May – September (varied opening times) Nr Gorebridge Tel 01875 830 515 www.arniston-house.co.uk

Crichton Castle ★★★ Castle

Temple Old Kirk

Set in wild moorland at the end of a track, this large and sophisticated castle was built in a commanding position between the 14th and 16th centuries. The courtyard includes a spectacular façade of faceted stonework in an Italian style. Open April – October Nr Pathhead Tel 01875 320 017 www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Crichton Collegiate Church Dating from 1449 and set to the east of Crichton Castle, this is one of the few remaining pre-reformation churches in the area still in use. The external sculptured cornices resemble those at Rosslyn Chapel, only 5.5 miles away. Nr Pathhead

Rosslyn Chapel ★★★ Visitor Attraction Undoubtedly Scotland’s most outstanding Gothic church, mysterious and magical Rosslyn Chapel was built in 1446 and is famed world wide for the beauty of its carvings and its links to the Knights Templar and freemasonry. Open All Year (Future work may affect opening times. Please check on the website) Roslin Tel 0131 440 2159 www.rosslynchapel.com

St Nicholas Buccleuch Church This Christian Sanctuary was completed in 1420, while worship on the site dates back to the 11th century. Enter the ruined Apse or explore the ancient graveyard. Enjoy refreshments in the coffee shop and browse the gift shop. Open April – October 119 High Street, Dalkeith www.stnicholasbuccleuch.org.uk

Soutra Aisle Here lies the remains of a major medieval hospital with a spectacular viewpoint where history, archaeology and archaeomedicine are explained. Run by Augustinian monks, the house once provided care for the poor and sick. Open All Year Nr Pathhead For specialist tours, telephone 01875 833 248

Temple Old Kirk A ruined historic church believed to have been founded by King David I in the 12th century. Late Gothic tracery can still be seen, with animals carved at the ends of the mouldings above the windows. Open All Year Nr Gorebridge

Glencorse View

Vogrie House

Weir Pool & Weir, Roslin Glen

Melville Golf Course

The Great Outdoors It’s a trick that Midlothian keeps playing: you’ll find it hard to believe that such lovely countryside is so close to the city. Discover this for yourself on the secluded trails deep in the woods by Roslin Glen, or in the quiet valley guarded by Crichton Castle. And as well as a choice of country parks and walkways (some using the traffic-free trackbeds of former railways), Midlothian gives easy access to the Pentland Hills. Generations have enjoyed the seclusion these wild spaces offer – they were a favourite of Robert Louis Stevenson. Today their soaring grassy slopes are popular with walkers and mountain-bikers, yet still offer peace and tranquillity.

Dalkeith Estate

★★★ Visitor Attraction

An historic woodland estate once home to the Duke of Buccleuch, this country park is the perfect day out for all the family with an exciting adventure playground, shop, walks, wildlife, visitor centre and ranger service. Open April - September Dalkeith Tel 0131 654 1666 www.dalkeithcountrypark.com

Fala Moor An open access area of high ground crossed by a good path and giving excellent views north and south. Particularly popular with bird watchers, for the ducks, geese and waders attracted to the Fala Loch. Open All Year Nr Pathhead

Pentland Hills Regional Park ★★★ Visitor Attraction This regional park offers signed tracks and paths between 1.5km and 20km in length, as well as a number of cycle paths. The park can be accessed from Bonaly, Hillend, Flotterstone Visitor Centre, Boghall Farm and Harlaw Visitor Centre. Open All Year Nr Penicuik Tel 0131 445 3383 www.pentlandhills.org

Fishing on Gladhouse Reservoir

Roslin Glen Country Park This undisturbed wooded Glen follows the River North Esk with superb woodland walks and a rich habitat for wildlife. Look out for the ruined gunpowder mills and 15th century Rosslyn Castle, as well as the nearby Rosslyn Chapel. Open All Year Roslin Tel 01875 821 990 www.midlothian.gov.uk

Vogrie Country Park ★★ Visitor Attraction 105 hectares of attractive woods and parkland with an adventure play area, café, barbeque sites, woodland walks, nature trails, ponds and streams. Vogrie provides a habitat for over 80 species of birds and 22 kinds of mammals. Open All Year Gorebridge Tel 01875 821 990 www.midlothian.gov.uk Pentland Hills Regional Park

Activities in Midlothian Cycling Cycling is a perfect way to exercise and a great way to access the many attractions and natural heritage of Midlothian. There is a wide range of routes away from the main road network ranging from paths on disused railways to the network of minor country lanes linking the smaller settlements and leading out into the countryside. www.visitscotland.com/cycling Fishing Fishing is a popular pastime in Midlothian with reservoirs at Glencorse (Pentland Hills), Edgelaw and Gladhouse (Moorfoot Hills). Rosebery Reservoir also provide pike, rainbow and trout fishing. Enquire at the Tourist Information Centres for permits. www.visitscotland.com/fish Golf Melville Golf Centre ★★★★ Activity Centre Golf facilities includes a 9 hole pay and play course, a 4 hole practice course, 22 covered floodlit driving bays, a golf shop offering a speciality Ladies section, as well as tuition arrangements for all golf levels. Open All Year, Lasswade Tel 0131 663 8038 www.melvillegolf.co.uk / www.visitscotland.com/golf Horseriding Edinburgh & Lasswade Riding Centre ★ Activity Centre Situated 20 minutes out of Edinburgh, the riding centre offers 50 horses, ranging from Shetland ponies to thoroughbreds. Catering for children from 2 years upwards, the centre provides horses for beach and country rides, as well as offering a riding school for all levels. Open All Year, Kevock Road, Lasswade Tel 0131 663 7676 www.lasswadestables.com

Midlothian Snowsports Centre

See More Save More Discounts are available on visitor attractions, activities, taxis, theatres and restaurants in the area. More details are available on www.edinburgh-midlothian.co.uk

Free entry to over 30 top attractions Free airport and city centre transport and loads of exclusive offers

Pentland Hills Regional Park BUY NOW

from our Tourist Information Centres or www.edinburghpass.com

Skiing Midlothian Snowsports Centre ★★★★ Activity Centre Europe’s longest artificial ski and snowboard slope, catering for skiers and snowboarders of all standards. Open All Year, Hillend, Biggar Road, near Edinburgh Tel 0131 445 4433 www.ski.midlothian.gov.uk Walking For a free ‘Explore Midlothian’ walking guide, which outlines trails of varying length and difficulty throughout the area, ask at any Tourist Information Centre or visit www.midlothian.gov.uk / www.visitscotland.com/walking

Things to See & Do It’s the range of ways of spending your days here that really appeals. For instance, whether or not you can tell a nuthatch from a treecreeper, you’re sure to enjoy the varied wildlife habitat of Midlothian. The rough pasture by the upland edge of the Lammermuir Hills, the rolling farmlands and gorse-covered slopes by Pathhead and Crichton Castle, the mature deciduous woodland by Roslin, the heathery folds of the Pentland Hills – all have their wildlife specialities. And, yes, you might even see the occasional nuthatch – keep a lookout for them in the woodlands of the country parks. If you haven’t packed your binoculars, then there’s a dedicated golf centre, a choice of reservoirs for anglers and a snowsports centre with Europe’s longest artificial ski slope. Then you can make some short but rewarding excursions to heritage sites such as Soutra Aisle high in the hills, where, with a little imagination (and those helpful information panels), you can glimpse medieval times. And after you’ve visited castles, explored the country parks outdoors and admired the exotic butterflies indoors, then you can make the most of the extensive shopping choice that Midlothian offers in its retail park and town centres.

Dobbies Garden World ★★★★ Garden Centre Located right next to Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World, Dobbies is well worth a visit. While the garden centre offers quality plants and flowers, garden furniture and homeware, you will also find a gift shop, food hall and children’s play area. Open All Year Melville Nursery, Lasswade Tel 0131 663 1941 www.dobbies.com/edinburgh-garden-centre.aspx

Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World ★★★ Visitor Attraction

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One of Midlothian’s most popular attractions, where you can stroll through an exotic rainforest with tropical plants and splashing waterfalls, as you watch hundreds of spectacular butterflies flying around you. Look out for live scorpions, tarantulas, ants, iguanas and much more! Open All Year at Dobbies Garden World, Melville Nursery, Lasswade Tel 0131 663 4932 www.edinburgh-butterfly-world.co.uk

Pentland Plants ★★★ Garden Centre Visit this family run business for all your gardening needs. Enjoy tasty home baking, lunches and delicious speciality coffees at Café Panola while the gift shop is filled with a wide range of cards, kitchenware, books and soaps. Open All Year Loanhead Tel 0131 440 0895 www.pentlandplants.co.uk

Rosslyn Chapel Tour & Trail ★★★★ Tour Specialising in a full guided tour of 15th century Rosslyn Chapel with a courtesy pick up and drop off if required. Rosslyn Tours offers an inspiring insight into the history of Rosslyn Chapel, Castle and Glen. Open All Year Tel 0131 440 3293 www.rosslyntours.co.uk

Scottish Mining Museum

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★★★★★ Visitor Attraction This fascinating and fun museum houses the story of coal mining for Scotland. Discover this way of life through two floors of exhibitions. Recently voted Scotland’s most treasured place, as represented by an archive image from the Royal Commission on the Ancient and Historical Monuments of Scotland national collection. Open All Year Lady Victoria Colliery, Newtongrange Tel 0131 663 7519 www.scottishminingmuseum.com

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Did you Know? Midlothian is serviced by extensive bus routes, regularly running to and from Edinburgh city centre to attractions such as The Scottish Mining Museum, Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World and Midlothian Snowsports Centre.

Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World

Pentland Hills Regional Park

Lothian Bus Number 15 will take you from Edinburgh city centre directly out to Rosslyn Chapel in approx 40 minutes. Various Park & Ride parks are available in the area including the Sheriffhall Park & Ride site (located on the A7 between Danderhall and the Sheriffhall roundabout) with 580 parking spaces and frequent bus services from and to Edinburgh city centre. General information on the park and ride site is available from the Midlothian Travel Team on 0131 561 5443 or at www.midlothian.gov.uk. For more information about travelling in Midlothian, call Traveline on 0871 200 22 33 or visit www.travelinescotland.com.

Scottish Mining Museum

Scottish Mining Museum

Events & Festivals Spring May June June June June June Summer July August August August/ September

Penicuik in the Park Mayfield Gala (Fun Day) Newtongrange Gala (Fun Day) Gorebridge Gala (Fun Day) Loanhead Gala Day Poltonhall Gala

St Nicholas Buccleuch Parish Church An Invitation to 800 years of History

Visit this Christian Sanctuary which has stood in the centre of Dalkeith since early in the 13th Century • •

Dalkeith Agricultural Show Dalkeith Festival Vogrie Festival Brass in the Park

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Winter December IKEA Winter Festival For more information on events and festivals in the area check out www.edinburgh.org

Vogrie Festival

Sense the peace that pervades this living Church Enter the ruined Apse with its unique Monument and burial Vault Explore the ancient Graveyard and descend into the hidden Walled Garden Enjoy tasteful refreshments in the welcoming Coffee Shop and courtyard Roam round the Gift Shop for a memento of your visit Peer, as you leave, into the minute Alms House built to collect for the poor

The Church and Visitor Centre is open from 10am to 4pm, Mon to Sat, April til October and is located at 119 High Street Dalkeith (opposite the County Hotel)