Walk No. 222 Roslin to Straiton
Date: Wednesday 18th October 2017
Distance: 5 miles approximately
Summary: Eighteen Strollers met up in Roslin on a dreich and
dull October Wednesday to walk along the old Edinburgh, Loanhead & Roslin
railway line to Straiton. Given the
weather we decided not to go through the woods as it would have been a bit
squelchy and we didn’t want to perpetuate the myth that we only did walks with
muddy paths. Setting out along Manse Road Andy regaled us with tales of Roslin
from his youth, we think this was just to prove his memory was still there and
that doing a ‘spin’ class hadn’t exhausted him totally.
As we strolled along, we
passed the site where Dolly the sheep had been born and bred before becoming a
display at the Museum of Scotland. Further on we stopped for a look at the
monument to the Battle of Roslin which occurred in 1303. It's not quite clear
whether this was a 'real' battle or an ambush of an English supply train. The
'romantic' view is that it was a fight over a woman, Lady Margaret Ramsey of Dalhousie, but the numbers
involved vary from about 1500 to over 30,000. If the latter, more might be
known about it. We then
made our way onto Bilston viaduct. Passenger services over the viaduct ended in
1933 but coal traffic to Roslin Colliery continued to pass over it until June
1969. The central span is 140 feet up from the ground below and we’re sure if
it hadn’t been misty we would have had some nice views! It was renovated in
1999 as part of the opening up of the cycleway at a cost of £1.5 million. Passing through Loanhead where coal was mined from
around 1685, with a paper mill, in the valley of the River North Esk to the
south of the town, commencing in 1742. Unfortunately none of these industries
exist anymore. Loanhead is probably most famous for being the home of Alex
Young the Hearts, Everton and Scotland forward.
Continuing on we made our way
to Straiton Pond which is now a Local Nature Reserve. For over a century the
pond was a working clay pit, supplying local brickworks with blue clay. The reserve
has changed a good deal since the last clay was extracted, and is now a pretty
and peaceful spot for a picnic, stroll or bird watch, but not today.
We
finished the walk at Straiton Retail Park. Thanks to Drew for arranging yet another walk for us. Let’s hope for better weather in November.
