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Gathering at the church

Map of the Country Park 

Who can read a map?  

Gather round for briefing

Heading off from Dalkeith House

Heading for Kings gate

At Kings Gate
(In the background)

Crossin gSmeaton Bridge

Friendly rider enjoying the countryside too

Llama looks over the hedge at us pass by

Tombola prizes.

Sponsored Walk  - Saturday 21st June 2014

Story and Photos - Jim Paterson


The walkers joining the Sponsored Walk on Saturday 21st June were welcomed by warm sunshine as we gathered outside of St. Mungo's. Eight hardy souls, including two of the men in shorts, decided that if the longest day in summer isn't going to encourage a set of knobbly knees then nothing will.

We set off to Dalkeith Country Park where we met another six friends so our group of fourteen was just a good number to head off into the park for a walk of some 6 miles..


Setting off from Dalkeith house
Gathering in front of Dalkeith House, since 1914 the residence of the Duke of Buccleuch, which now provides a great venue for the University of Wisconsin study abroad programme where 60 to 80 students each semester live in the palace, we checked our map before heading off.

The grass in front of the house was being reinstated after being churned up in the recent Tough Mudder Scotland event, where enthusiastic folks just loved to get covered in mud as they raced against the clock. We were in no hurry and were out to enjoy the warm but not too warm day, ideal for walking without getting sunburnt!

Ian and Moira Dickson had chosen the route which followed the outer edge of the park, taking us first to the Kings Gate, created by  William Burn and David Bryce in 1852, which was the main gateway to Dalkeith Estate from Old Dalkeith Road (A68),  We walked along the road for some way, imagining the carriages carrying gentry and other distinguished visitors up to the main house.

Some of our group kept to the main roadway whilst others kept to Ian's route through the tracks that lead through the woods. The recent dry weather had dried what could otherwise have made a rather slippy and wet muddy path.

The new A68 link from the Edinburgh bypass towards Jedburgh passes over the estate and we passed under a viaduct on our route to the halfway point at Smeaton Bridge. Here we enjoyed our packed lunches and refreshments.

We had no sooner finished lunch when we came across a curious horse in an adjacent field. The horse being inquisitive trotted over to see if we had any sugar lumps and some of us tried our Dr Doolittle skills, speaking to the animals! Speaking of horses we met another, with rider, also enjoying the countryside on a fine summer afternoon.

Crossing another bridge, this time over the new Dalkeith Bypass that links up with the new A68, we were on the home stretch back to Dalkeith House.

We arrived at the stables and Orangery where those who felt a bit weary could stop and take a cuppa in the stables restaurant. Ian however had included a short 'loop' to make up the mileage which skirted round the stables, the orangery, and the now dilapidated amphitheatre, before meeting up with the others and returning to our cars for the drive home.

A great day out with wonderful weather, meeting new friends. These walks are a great way to enjoy the countryside around us, while having a good chat to the new people you meet.

A total of £731 was raised for church funds.
A big Thank You to all who sponsored or donated to this event


Like ships passing

Visitors feeding the horses
Updated 31 July  2014
 
Penicuik: St. Mungo's Parish Church (Church of Scotland). Scottish Charity No SC005838