The grand stately pile of Dalkeith House is at the heart of a Country Park that makes for a fine walk, taking in the spectacular ruined conservatory, the banks of the Rivers North and South Esk, and an ancient oakwood.
Woodland tracks and paths, with some ascent and descent. Can be a little muddy in places.
Bus to Dalkeith.
Laundry car park, Dalkeith Country Park.
Walk closed at Stage 3 - 4 during winter months (end Nov - Spring) each year to protect ancient oaks - during these months it is not possible to complete the circuit
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The walk is described from the Laundry House car park near Restoration Yard at the heart of the estate; there is a parking charge. Opposite are the ornate remains of the conservatory - now glassless but with a new roof, it still retains its former grandeur; the boilers beneath it once consumed a ton of coal every day so that oranges and figs could be grown inside. Beside it is Laundry Bridge, which was built by the architect William Adam. The walk begins by heading to the right of the old single storey Laundry House building towards the far corner of the car park.
Just past the building is a marker post indicating the start of the path alongside the river; the route leads under part of the Go Ape climbing course. At another marker post the path turns left to head briefly but very steeply uphill; bear right at the top at each of two junctions, still following the purple markers.
Ignore a gate and keep along the path as it bears right, passing between two fences. Soon the path emerges into an area of magnificently knarled and hoary old oak trees. Keep left at a fork (waymarked), and left again at another junction.
Soon the path descends in zig-zags and comes close to the river once more. Soon it nears Montagu Bridge, and climbs up to meet the tarmac lane that crosses the bridge. Turn right to cross it. On the far side, ignore a path off left (used on the return), following the lane for 400m to a four-way junction. Turn left here (waymarked orange) through a gate.
Take the next left fork to keep in the woods. Keeping left at another fork, the track soon curves round to once more reach the River North Esk and follow it downstream, with good views up to Dalkeith House high on the opposite site. Keep left at a final fork to slope up to the main track over Montagu Bridge once more.
Turn right along the track to cross the bridge, then take the next right fork to pass behind Dalkeith House and reach the main driveway into the country park from Dalkieth.
Opposite is St Mary's Episcopal Church, notable for having the only working water-powered organ in Scotland. Take a path to the left of the church that leads into the woods - it is waymarked in yellow.
When the path reaches another at a t-junction turn right, continuing through the woods. Eventually the path passes an old iron gateway to the estate; look left here along the grassy corridor for views of Dalkeith House. Back in the woods, turn right at the next path junction; the path soon slopes down to reach the banks of the River South Esk. Pass the remains of an old well and continue downstream until the path leads back up to the main tarred lane.
Turn right here to follow the lane to Restoration Yard; this former stable block now houses a coffee shop and cafe/restaurant as well as gift shops; it is also the entrance to a spectacular adventure playground (admission charge) called Fort Douglas. The Laundry House car park is just beyond.
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