Roslin

Roslin

The River North Esk in Roslin Glen forms a deep, steep valley which provided ideal conditions for the largest Gunpowder Mills in Scotland, using the power of the water to drive the machinery. The mills operated for 150 years between 1804 and 1954: public access to the area was prohibited during this period but it is now a very interesting walk. It abounds with wildlife and has one of the larger rookeries in Midlothian. Immediately downstream was a carpet factory established by Richard Whytock in 1868 and later operated by Henry, Widnell and Stewart until its closure in 1968. Although some of the remains of these industries can still be seen, the area is now Roslin Glen Country Park.

waters edge below Rosebank

cliffs at the Powdermill

the saltpetre refinery

the gunpowder mills weir

Rosslyn Castle

The name Roslin is derived from two Celtic words, Ross - a rocky promontory, and Linn - a waterfall. Towering over the river are Rosslyn Chapel and Castle, the castle dating from shortly after the Battle of Roslin in 1303 and the beautiful chapel being founded in 1446. Down below, in the picturesque Roslin Glen, we can follow in the footsteps of Sir Walter Scott, William Wordsworth, Robert Burns and the artists Nasmyth, Ibbetson and Daguerre. Also in the glen are Wallace's Cave, said to be capable of hiding 60 or 70 men, and Hawthornden Castle, home of the poet William Drummond and now a retreat for writers and artists.

Rosslyn Castle from the road

Gardener's Brae

new steps at the Hewan Bank

Hawthornden Castle

The Esk Valley Trust purchased the Hewan Wood in 2002. This includes the Hewan Bank, a SSSI with a resident colony of sand martins. The bank is unstable and has suffered from landslips and serious erosion to the extent that the footpath which used to cross the top of the bank has had to be diverted, a task carried out by teams of local volunteers. The riverside below Maiden Castle is a beautiful and peaceful spot.