Gorebridge and Temple circuit

Summary

This enjoyable and varied circuit explores the hidden wooded ravines of the Gore Water and the South Esk. It visits the ruins of Temple Church - once an important site of the Knights Templar - and the mansion of Arniston House.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

3.75/5

Rating

Terrain

Mixed: woodland and field paths, tracks, short sections of minor road. Short section can be very overgrown. Note grazing animals are present around Arniston Farm - both sheep and cows.

Public Transport

Gorebridge is served by both bus and train.

Start

Gorebridge Leisure Centre. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 13.75km / 8.5 miles
Time: 3.5 - 4 hours
Ascent: 304m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT343619

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (2)

WARNING

There are currently locked gates and electrified fences on stage 8 around Arniston Farm; note that grazing animals are present in this area. If you are obstructed please report them to Midlothian council's access officer and this may help the problems to eventually be resolved.

The information shown above is the latest we have. If you have an update then please email us.

Stage 1

The walk begins by Gorebridge parish church, nearest the highest point of the village; there is a car park behind the leisure centre. Start the walk by crossing the main road in front of the church, and heading down the footpath signed for Gore Glen via Nancy Teuch path. Keep straight ahead down the path between lines of trees, ignoring a path off right and the main path when it goes off left. Keep ahead again at another junction, eventually reaching the high fence that encloses the railway line.

Stage 2

Follow the path to the right here, signed Gore Glen. At the next junction turn left to head up to and across a footbridge over the railway. This Borders line was a victim of Beeching, but was instated as far as Tweedbank in 2015. The bridge gives great views towards the Pentlands. On the far side the path descends into the woods. At a fork, take the left branch, which soon descends steps and leads down into Gore Glen.

Stage 3

At the River Gore turn right, soon passing under the high bridge that carries the main A7 road. Keep left at the junction beyond to continue the walk along the glen. Ignore several paths off to the right, continuing near the river until a bridge is reached after around 750m. Turn left to cross this, noting the confluence of the Gore with the River South Esk just below.

Stage 4

The walk now heads upriver on the near side of the River South Esk, which has a fine wooded gorge very similar to the Gore. Keep right- staying by the water - passing above a bend with a weir. After around 1km another stone bridge is reached - turn right to cross this, then bear slightly right on the far side, following the main path as it climbs steeply uphill.

Stage 5

Once it has climbed up from the gorge, the path turns left to follow the rim, with views down to the river, now far below, through the trees on the left. After another 0.5km or so the path descends again, returning to the river at an open meadow. Continue upriver to another fine old stone bridge - and cross this. On the far bank turn right to continue by the river - ignoring the path heading left uphill.

Stage 6

After around 650m from the bridge the path does climb away from the river, soon reaching a stone bridge over a tributary. You'll return to this point later, but first the route continues as an-out-and-back section to visit Temple Church. Turn right to cross the bridge, soon returning to the River South Esk. Pass under the tall main road bridge, then bear left up steps shortly beyond. Part way up the steps a path goes off right - take this. It winds through the trees, eventually climbing to reach a gate in a stone wall. Pass through - the ruins of Temple Church can be visited by turning right down the lane. In 1128 the local parish became the main preceptory for the Knights Templar in Scotland. The ruin is likely a 14th century replacement.

Stage 7

Retrace your steps back to stone bridge over the tributary in stage 6. Head back over the bridge, but this time turn right. A short way beyond a path turns sharply off left - take this turning. The path climbs steeply through the trees, eventually reaching a gate into a grassy field. Go through the gate and turn right along a grassy path. When a junction is reached turn left towards the stately Arniston House, a Georgian mansion designed by Robert Adam. When you near the garden fence turn right on another grassy path, continuing until a track is reached.

Stage 8

Turn left along the track, then left again to reach the impressive front of the house. Turn right in fron of the main doors along the driveway, then right again at a t-junction, and finally left onto a track once more. Pass through a gate and over an old stone bridge after about 600m. After another 500m there's another stone bridge and then another gate. Turn right after the latter gate along a farm track to Arniston Mains. You may need to climb a locked gate; note that cows and sheep are present in the fields on this section - which is subject to being rerouted.

Stage 9

At the Mains, turn left onto another track between fields. After 600m the track leads through a shelter belt of trees - turn right on an overgrown path that leads through this shelter belt. Emerge onto the B6372 by a cottage, and turn left along the road. Go straight across at the cross-roads with the busy A7 - there is a crossing. Go down the hill, and as the road bends left turn right between houses shortly before reaching a shop, signed for the Gore Way. The tarmac lane winds downhill and crosses the River Gore. On the far side turn left, keeping left as the path emerges onto a track. When a main road is reached turn left then immediately right to head up Station Road. This becomes Gorebridge High Street, and leads back through the town to return to the start.

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