Explore the countryside and dramatic wooden gorge of Rosslyn Glen to pass the semi-ruined Rosslyn Castle. A good walk to combine with a visit to Rosslyn Chapel.
Clear woodland and riverside paths, minor road. There are a large number of steps.
Bus to Roslin.
Rosslyn Chapel car park, Roslin.
The walk begins from the visitor car park for Rosslyn Chapel. The chapel is now well known as the scene of the climatic chapters of Dan Brown's best seller, the Da Vinci Code, however it has been a site of religious significance since Pictish times, and its ornate carved pillars and ceiling have long attracted visitors; it is well worth visiting (charge) before starting the walk. The chapel was started in 1446 and dedicated to St. Matthew in 1450 as a private chapel for the St Clair family. The extraordinary architecture and fine carvings have made the chapel world renowned, even before Dan Brown put pen to paper. To begin the walk, leave the car park towards the visitor centre but immediately turn right down the lane, passing the graveyards. Ignore a branch off left, and keep ahead (signed for Roslin Glen gunpowder mill).
The lane becomes a path with steps. It emerges next to the road; keep left here behind the crash barrier, soon descending a long flight of steps (signed Roslin Glen). The path levels off and then heads past the sewage works, bearing right at the far corner to eventually meet the road again. Turn right here for 200m or so, then turn left between the gate posts for Roslin Glen (signed as part of the Penicuik to Dalkeith walkway).
Soon the track forks; the left branch leads down to a picnic table before reascending steps. Further on the route forks again - take the left branch to this time head to the atmospheric remains of the gunpowder mill, set in a rocky section of the glen. The mill was set up in 1804 and was originally powered by a water wheel. Eventually it became the largest in Scotland, before decline saw its eventual closure as recently as 1954. The path leaves the mill up steps; cross the bridge over the river just beyond and then head up more steps, signed for the Penicuik and Dalkeith walkway.
The path climbs and then descends to meet the line of the old railway; head left along it. Pass under a bridge and past the site of Rosslyn Castle station. Continue under the next bridge along the old platform but then immediately turn left onto a footpath that emerges on the road. Take care to look out for traffic on the next stretch as you turn right and follow the road as it swings downhill and meets the B7003 at a t-junction. Cross this and then turn left along the pavement on the far side.
Pass the vehicle entrance to the Roslin Glen car park, and then take the next right onto a footpath that follows the river downstream. This bypasses the car park; keep left at a junction to reach a footbridge over the river, signed for Rosslyn Castle and Chapel.
Rosslyn Castle is directly opposite. Built by the same Sinclair family who built the chapel, the semi-ruined building clings to the cliffs of Roslin Glen. The present building dates from 1544 - although it appears ruined it has was partly restored in the 1980s and is now used as holiday accommodation. Pass round the left side of the castle and then then take the steps up to the right to reach a track. Here you can view the castle to the right over a bridge that replaced the original drawbridge (but note that it is private property). Turn left and follow the route which soon reaches the graveyard next to Rosslyn Chapel. At the next junction turn right to head uphill back to the Chapel. Turn left at the road to return to the main car park or the village if catching the bus.
Please consider setting up a direct debit donation to help support the continued maintenance and updates to walkhighlands.
