Photos
WALKS IN SCOTLAND
Loanhead to Millerhill
The following walk assessment is based on my own experience and therefore description given below necessarily contains an element of subjective opinion which may not reflect your own experience on another occasion.
Walk in short - Key Attractions
- Walk on an abandoned rail line
- Interesting trip through Midlothian industrial history
About the walk
This is an interesting walk, which can be begun from Loanhead, and is a walk of approximately 8 km to Millerhill. It is on the site of the former railway, and whilst the first short section is on converted cycle path, the majority is on the former rail line with the track still in place. However, I believe the site in now in the ownership / control of the Sustrans Charity, in preparation for future cycle path development. The walk is short, but allow two to three hours from Loanhead to Millerhill, to allow for minor detours, battling the undergrowth, and exploration!
Loanhead, like many other towns and villages in Midlothian, clearly has a substantial mining and other industrial history. The town itself has good public transport bus links, and there is no difficulty finding parking for those arriving by car. Ordnance Survey 1:50,000 Sheet 66 offers plenty of detail for the walk.
The town centre is crossed, underneath, by the site of the railway, now a cycle path. From the bridge over the cycle path, to the north, is the view to the former Loanhead Station. The former railway track that starts shortly afterwards.
When starting in Loanhead, it is well worth the extra walk, of less than a km to the south, along the cycle path to visit the impressive Bilston viaduct. The mountings for the bridge clearly appear the have been built with an allowance for movement! Between the viaduct and Loanhead, there is the clear vacant site of the former mine of Bilston Glen. The rail line continued with some freight usage in the late 1980’s, after the miners strike, and the closure of the mine.
The former station buildings in Loanhead itself are well worth closer examination, before the start of the walk on the abandoned rail line section. The route on the abandoned rail line can be very overgrown, and at any time of year, a large stick may be useful to help the battle through!
The line swings north, and it then passes under the city bypass. Thankfully the city bypass was built at a time when the line was still, strictly speaking, in use. This ensured that the rail line was not blocked by the construction of a ‘new’ road, as so often happens! The site of the former station at Gilmerton is passed, and a variety of railway archaeological items are apparent on the route. The differing landscapes of industry and farmland contrast on the journey. Views of villages such as Danderhall are also available on route.
The eastern end of the route is marked by the start of the active railway, at the Millerhill depot. At the far eastern end of the village of Millerhill itself, there is former station building, marking the site of the station. The site of the former mine at Monktonhall is also of interest. With recent beginning of the construction to enable the partial re-opening of the Waverley route (from Newcraighall to Tweedbank), there are apparent plans to realign the section of railway around Millerhill. The plans seem very elaborate, with the development of a new site of rail / bus / park and ride interchange. Might it be easier to move/develop a new site of park and ride, than realign the railway!
At the west end of Millerhill is the Cookatoo pub, a good source of food and other refreshment.
Near Millerhill, just north of Sheriffhall Roundabout, is the Sheriffhall park and ride, providing good transport links. If walking back to Loanhead, the route could be a simple re trace. However, for ease, it is possible to join the cycle path south of Sherrifhall roundabout, walking over the impressive viaduct over the River North Esk. The cycle path continues (passing near the site of the Dalkeith Tesco), before the entering Bonnyrigg. From Bonnyrigg, there are a variety of possible pavement routes across to Loandhead. This route may be a slightly longer in distance, 9 or 10 km, but almost certainly quicker, as there is no need to battle the undergrowth!
Published on 10th March 2010
By Michael Barr
Photographs by Michael Barr
Few points worth considering
This walk is best undertaken in winter. This is due to the level of undergrowth on and around the line. Boots are required, as well as clothing that is not too precious, in light of possible damage in the battle through the undergrowth!
On the route, please be cautious if crossing any former rail bridges, making your own judgments about their safety. Take a minor detour if there is any cause for concern.
When arriving at the Millerhill end, note that this is the start of an active railway, so pay attention to the no trespassing signs!
Many websites can provide views of the railway when in use, including Railscot.
