‘And into the forest I go, to lose my mind and find my soul’ (John Muir)
One of my favourite quotes that perfectly sums up all that washes over me once I step into woodland. Nature is my sanctuary and need to be close with it is growing stronger with every new day in lockdown. As advised first four weeks we stayed close to home, going for one daily walk in the Holyrood Park. But as Holyrood area has become extremely popular, so much it became a challenge to keep social distancing we decided to find more isolated areas at least once a week. Close to Edinburgh these are our dearest ones.
Lord Ancrum’s Wood
Only 20 minutes’ drive from Edinburgh this ancient woodland might as well be a portal to another world. In springtime, like now, what ever path you take, sea of wild garlic awaits.
Paths are crossing each other, and you can stay on the main one by the South Esk river or wonder around deeper into the woods, always preferred with our younger family members in search of hidden dens and places perfect for imagination to run wild. Every now and then we were lucky enough to come across some very cool rock paintings that inspired us to make our own and send them into the world.
Roslin Glen
Famous for the Rosslyn Chapel, where scenes from The Da Vinci Code were filmed, little village Roslin is home of the largest stretch of ancient woodland in Midlothian. One of the most spectacular locations for exploring near Edinburgh.
Dan Brown said he ‘knew that final of his book would have to take place at the most mysterious and magical chapel on earth’, we would use same words to describe walk through Roslin Glen.
River North Esk runs through the Glen and joins the, above mentioned, South Esk at Dalkeith Country Park.
Our favourite place to warm up (when not in lockdown mode) after our wilderness adventures is Dolly’s Tea Room. Located quite near the famed Chapel, it’s cosy, with cute children’s play area, welcoming to all four-legged friends of the family and there is always something for everyone on the menu.
Gore Glen
This was one of our newly discovered walking havens. I don’t know if it is related to River Esk, but these three share something enticing. Almost as if completely effortlessly, when you come near them, every cell in the body gets urge do relax, the breath becomes soft and abundant. and you can just be.
The walk around is not very long but with tranquillity it exudes, it wants you to stop, be still, slow down. And if you really manage to blend into your surrounding there is a big chance you might find yourself eyes to eyes with a roe deer.
Pentland Hills – Harlaw Reservoir
There are few walking routes in the Pentland Hills Regional Park, but the one we usually take is around Harlaw Reservoir. A) kids love the fallen trees adventures and b) Lilo is one of those retrievers who still didn’t figure out if she is a dog, a seal or a Loch Ness monster. For her true happiness, water is relevant.
Path that runs alongside Reservoir starts from Harlaw Visitor Centre. When not in Covid mode, Saturdays and Sundays there are some culinary delicacies to be found here, in a form of homemade crepes from the crepe van outside the Centre.
You can follow the clear path clockwise, the one that goes through the woodland or alongside the water. Although it’s only about 3,5 km long walk, before lockdown, we always used to manage getting lost for at least two hours in this beautiful nature’s playground.
Ancient woodlands offer great opportunities for foraging. And/or den building.
Or take a peek and an audio tour through Edinburgh and Stirling Castle.
2 comments
Found one of your painted pebbles in Lord Ancrum’s wood today, lovely! Made me smile 🙏😀
This is wonderful😃…Thank you so much for getting back to us Gill💖!
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