On the Penicuik-Dalkeith Walkway, follow an 11.5-mile section of the former railway line from Edinburgh to Peebles. The route passes through several historic towns and villages in Midlothian, showing how landscape and local history come together along the way. The Walkway is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Its firm asphalt and whin surface is also suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.
Trails through valleys and parkland
A different character awaits at Vogrie Country Park, where 11.5 miles of waymarked trails wind through woodland and the Tyne Valley. The parkland has a distinctly Victorian character. So, although the length is the same as that of the Walkway, here it describes a network of paths in the park rather than the same kind of route. If you are interested in riding routes, the Tyne Esk Trails offer another option: there are 30 miles of bridleways in total, with individual routes ranging from 8 to 12 miles.
Midlothian encompasses the Pentland and Moorfoot Hills, rolling farmland, forests and river valleys. It also has a network of linear and circular trails, some connecting towns and villages. To find your way, it is worth keeping the specific route in mind: the Penicuik-Dalkeith Walkway, the trails in Vogrie Country Park and the Tyne Esk Trails differ both in how they can be used and in how their lengths are described. Check the conditions on the relevant route before setting out.
At Roslin Glen, woodland and water take centre stage. You can enjoy woodland and riverside walks there and explore the wooded Esk Valley. The trails at Roslin thus complement a region where longer routes, park paths and walks along a river valley can each be discovered in their own way.
Stone carving and Scotland’s mining history
Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 and is renowned for its richly decorated stone carvings. The carved details include angels and Green Men, as well as the famous Apprentice Pillar. On a visit, you receive a free guide to the carvings and an information talk from an expert guide. The guide draws your attention to individual motifs, while the wealth of stone carvings is what makes the visit distinctive.
The National Mining Museum Scotland, housed in the restored Lady Victoria Colliery, offers a different perspective on history. It is dedicated to the history of coal in Scotland. Its exhibitions cover how coal formed and was mined, as well as the lives of miners and their families in Scottish mining communities. Guided tours visit the pithead, a recreated underground tunnel and a coal face, led by a former miner. There is also a self-guided audio tour. This gives you the chance to learn about mining history through both its themes and its different tour formats.
More activities and historic routes
The Midlothian Snowsports Centre has Europe’s longest artificial ski slope. Visitors can ski there and try tubing. Check the current availability of these activities before you travel. Wintersports offer a different perspective on Midlothian from its walking trails and historic sites, broadening the choice of experiences in the region.
At Go Ape Dalkeith, activities above the River Esk include zip lines, high ropes courses and Archery Tag. If you are more interested in historic buildings, consider the “Historic Connections – Discover Dalkeith” route: it leads from the Orangery in Dalkeith Country Park via Dalkeith Watch Tower to the Water Tower, highlighting significant historic buildings. Together with Rosslyn Chapel and the mining museum, it offers a glimpse into different chapters of regional history—from intricate stone carvings to life in Scotland’s mining communities.
Discover more destinations: Gorebridge, Dalkeith, Roslin, Penicuik, Bonnyrigg, Rosewell, Polton, Loanhead, North Middleton.
For the main travel overview: Scotland.
