On a day that was supposed to be bright and sunny a select band of nine Strollers met at Dalkeith to do a circular walk along the old railway line towards Whitecraig and then back via the Dalkeith Country Park.
Setting off down past the Old Mill House and Waterfall Park, we made our
way up and past the Dalkeith Community Centre and its various schools. Passing
the Sheep trail of fibreglass sheep commissioned by Aldi, whose store sits on
the site of the old Laidlaw and Fairgrieve woollen mill. They were designed by
a local artist and created by a local company for everyone to enjoy as they
pass by.
Walking on down the track and under the A68
we stopped for lunch at the bridge over the path before heading down to Salters
Road and the entrance to Dalkeith Country Park. By now the sun had come out and
it was a lovely afternoon.
We passed near Smeaton House, now holiday
lets, which was once home to Robert Richardson treasurer of Scotland in the
1570s.
Breathing the fresh country air we followed
the road over the A68 passing fields with lots of horses and cows and made our
way to Restoration Yard. We stopped to take time to think about all the reasons
why we wouldn’t take the opportunity to try out the wire slides and walks of
the Go Ape facility, though Andy C was all for it. After a brief stop at the
yard we finished off passing Dalkeith House and made our way back to
the start of the walk.
Thanks to Drew for arranging the walk and
hopefully the good weather will continue for the next walk.
