📌 Dalkeith, Midlothian
★★
🛠️ Northern part of this route officially closed due to storm damage (checked April 2024)
Once forming the grounds around the seat of the Duke of Buccleuch, Dalkeith Country Park boasts a fancy shopping area, cafe and huge adventure playground. The best way to take in the rest of the park – including the magnificent exterior of Dalkeith Palace itself – is probably the Old Wood Walk described here and also on the park website. This follows the banks of two meandering burns which join in the northern part of the park at the Meeting of the Waters; towards the end of the circuit you can mosey through the visitor complex at Restoration Yard.
📷 Chronological photo guide
St Mary’s Church 
Dalkeith House 
River North Esk from Montagu Bridge 
Path along the River North Esk 
Bridge across the North Esk (don’t cross) 
Meeting of the Waters 
Occasional views east above the River South Esk 
Go Ape ropes course 
River South Esk 
Orangerie 
Restoration Yard 
Path along the River South Esk 
Dark Walk
🌍 Location
📌 Start / finish at Dalkeith Country Park’s Town Gate, north end of High Street, Dalkeith
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 334677
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.897346,-3.066557
🚌 Bus to Dalkeith
🚗 Street parking
📝 Key info
▶ 5 km / 3 mi | ▲ 80 m | ⌛ 1.5 hr
Features: 🌳 Dalkeith Country Park; ⛪ St Mary’s Church (Dalkeith) ★★; 🏰 Dalkeith House; 💧 River North Esk; 💧 River South Esk; 🏠 Restoration Yard
⬤ Easy | Paths and tracks, some muddy with tree roots / narrow sections.
Download file for GPS➡️ Clockwise circuit: start – St Mary’s Church (Dalkeith) – Dalkeith House – Montagu Bridge – Meeting of the Waters by east bank of River North Esk – Restoration Yard by west bank of River South Esk – Dark Walk – start. Official map here (Old Wood Walk, purple): 🔗 dalkeithcountrypark.co.uk
🥾 On our last visit
Wildlife: Woodpigeons & other birds in the woods. A large toad, ripe raspberries & unripe blackberries.
Weather: Sun in and out, about 20°C.
July 2022
