 Walkers
braving the elements
Children lead the way
Crossing the Bowstring bridge
Time for a route check
Crossing one of many bridges
Arrival at Rosslyn Castle platform
Time for refreshments and lunch
Skimming srones across the Esk 
Medals for the winnwers. Just like the Olympics Weir in full flow
Rain off. Rollup the brolly's
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| | | Sponsored Walk 2 July 2012 |
Report and photos - Jim Paterson
 The
Penicuik "summer" had postponed the original date in June to Monday 2nd
July in an attempt to miss the monsoons that seem to keep striking the
town and surrounding countryside. The new date attracted some of the
families with children to join, now that the schools had closed for
their summer holidays.
Organiser Ian Dickson had fingers and
toes crossed that the new date would perhaps bring better weather, but
as we gathered at the front of St. Mungo's at 1030 that morning his
hopes were dashed as the summer drizzle started.
But we are a
hardy lot in Penicuik. It takes a bit more than rain to stop us, and
soon we were ready, waterproofs on and umbrellas raised, to start.
 This
year our chosen route was along the Penicuik to Dalkeith Walkway which
was part of the Edinburgh to Penicuik railway between 1872 and
1951, serving the paper mills along the river Esk as well as
Roslin and Penicuik.
Starting at the Valleyfield Mill Lade pond,
site of the old Penicuik station, we headed towards
Auchendinny, passing the remains of Eskmill station which served the
paper mill and Kirkhill areas.
 The children had "observation" packs with what to lookout for and to record on their cards.
 We started the climb as did the
trains in days long gone as we headed towards Auchendinny, reaching the
site of the Dalmore Mill after crossing the Bowstring bridge. Pressing
on we reached the Firth viaduct over the river Esk. This 10 arch, 66
foot high viaduct was built on a curve so from the ground
the arches look longer from one side than the other.
 We were
making good time, with the three dogs that came along with us leading
the way. In the distance we could see the platform of
Rosslyn Castle station,renamed from the original Rosslyn Station
in 1874 after Roslin got a second station on the Loanhead line.
While
the walkway continues to Bonnyrigg, Eskbank and Dalkeith, we left
the line and walked carefully along the roadside to reach Roslin Glen,
ready for our lunch.
 By now the rain seemed to be easing but
that only increased the humidity. The dilema was to remove the
waterproofs or not! Eventually on the return trip when it stopped
raining completely we would feel fairly safe in removing the rain gear.
Finding
shelter meantime in Roslin Glen allowed everyone to breakout their
lunch. Dorothy and Marjorie of course brought their glasses of red wine,
while the rest of us drank hot tea, coffee, fruit juice or just plain old
water.
 Leaving the Glen we headed for the old Gunpowder Mill.
Built in 1807 the factory supplied gun powder to the local quarries and
mines. Later it manufactured munitions for the Napoleonic, and
Crimean wars. It also provided munitions for the first and second
world wars, at one time being the largest gunpowder mill in Scotland.
Closed in 1954 only the ruins of the waterwheel house remain.
The
children, and adults, tried their hands at "skimming" stones across the
river Esk next to the ruins of the gunpowder mill. Prizes were awarded
for those that succeeded. Crossing the river we noticed the weir, where
water would have been drawn for the gunpowder mill waterwheel, was in
full flow. Hang on tight as we cross the bridge and make our way
up from the river gorge back on to the walkway.
 It's a steep climb up to the old railtrack
route but the dogs led the way and we all gathered at the top to catch
our breath before heading back towards Penicuik.
Passing the site of
Dalmore Mill we reached Eskbank after passing under the bridge at
Harpers Brae. The home stretch took us up Kirkhill and down to the
church completing our walk of some seven and a half miles.
Well done to everyone who took part, especially the children, and of course the dogs who kept us moving along.
This
walk is recommended for anyone looking for a reasonably level walk
through some great countryside, steeped in history of this part of
Midlothain, particularly from the past couple of hundred years.
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