Penicuik–Dalkeith Walkway facts for kids
The Penicuik - Dalkeith Walkway is a fun path in Midlothian, Scotland. It's about 9.5 miles long and follows an old railway line that used to connect Edinburgh to Peebles. This path is great for walking, cycling, and even horse riding! It's mostly flat, making it easy for everyone to enjoy the beautiful views and interesting places in Midlothian.
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Exploring the Penicuik - Dalkeith Walkway
The walkway starts in Penicuik and leads you through many historic towns and villages. You can also start the walk from the Dalkeith end and go the other way!
Starting Your Journey from Penicuik
If you begin in Penicuik, you'll first cross the cool Bowstring Bridge. Then, you'll go through Beeslack Wood. Next, you'll cross the Firth viaduct, which is a very tall bridge with 10 arches. Each arch is 35 feet wide, and the bridge is 66 feet high!
Discovering Roslin Glen and Beyond
Soon after the viaduct, you'll reach Roslin Glen Country Park. This is a beautiful area to explore. You'll also pass by the old Rosslyn Castle train station, which is no longer used. After that, the path goes near the small town of Rosewell. About a mile later, you'll arrive in Bonnyrigg.
Reaching Dalkeith
A few more miles along the path, you'll cross over the A7 road. Then, you'll be on the edge of Dalkeith in an area called Eskbank. The walkway continues past Eskbank Railway Station and into Dalkeith.
The Old Railway Line's History
The path you're on used to be part of the old Waverley Line. This railway line is now part of the Borders Railway, which reopened in September 2015.
Fun Places to Visit Near the Walkway
The Penicuik - Dalkeith Walkway is a great way to reach many exciting places in Midlothian. Here are some of them:
- Rosslyn Chapel: A famous and mysterious chapel.
- The National Mining Museum: Learn about Scotland's coal mining history.
- Dalhousie Castle: A historic castle that is now a hotel.
- Newbattle Abbey: An old abbey with a rich past.
- Ironmills Park: A nice park to relax in.
- Dalkeith Country Park: A large park with lots to do, including a play area.
- Dobbie & Co's Butterfly World: See many beautiful butterflies!
Wildlife and Nature Along the Path
When the railway closed in 1967, nature took over. Now, the walkway is a special place for many different plants and animals. It's like a long, green corridor for wildlife!
Plants and Trees You Might See
The sides of the path are covered in ferns, rushes, and mosses. Open areas have many types of grasses and colourful wildflowers. You might also spot Buddleia, which is a plant that butterflies love. It often grows on old walls and platforms.
The first trees to grow in open spots, like old railway banks, are often birch and willow trees. They can live for up to 100 years! In Beeslack Woods, you'll see huge oak trees that are 200 years old. For over 400 years, oak and ash trees have been very successful in the Roslin Glen river valley. This ancient woodland used to cover most of Midlothian. All these different types of woodlands create a safe home for many animals.
Animals Living in the Esk Valley
The River North Esk winds its way through the Esk Valley. It flows into the Firth of Forth at Musselburgh. This river used to be polluted because of Midlothian's old industries. But now, it's clean and full of amazing wildlife! You might even spot a shy otter or a colourful kingfisher.
