Edinburgh and the Lothians

Take the bus...for a walk

Walks in and around Edinburgh and the LothiansEdinburgh’s compact nature makes it surprisingly easy to explore by public transport, with the stunning coast and countryside of the wider Lothian regions only a short trip away. Walking is the ideal way to discover the area’s wealth of magnificent architecture, world-class attractions and hidden gems.

It doesn’t take long to feel like you’re a million miles away from the bustling capital city. Simply hop on a bus and discover the iconic skylines and serene beauty of Edinburgh and the Lothians on a relaxing walk. In under an hour you can be exploring the woodlands of Cramond, taking in the stunning views of the city from Arthur’s Seat or be feeling inspired in the surroundings of Linlithgow Palace.

What is Sustainable Tourism? Scotland is well-known across the world for its beautiful scenery and warm welcome. Sustainable Tourism seeks to keep it this way, balancing environmental, social and economic concerns to make sure that everyone can benefit for years to come.

In practice, this means you can enjoy fantastic local produce, ‘greener’ accommodation and more sustainable local transport, safe in the knowledge that the natural and built environment around you is cared for and that your visit directly benefits the local community.

Edinburgh Castle Gold GTBS*Address Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NGTelephone 0131 225 9846 Website www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk

Linlithgow Palace Gold GTBS*Address Kirkgate, Linlithgow, EH49 7ALTelephone 01506 842 896Website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk – search for ‘Linlithgow Palace’.

John Muir’s Birthplace Gold GTBS*Address 126 High Street, Dunbar, East Lothian EH42 1JJTelephone 01368 865 899 Website www.jmbt.org.uk The Scottish Seabird Centre Gold GTBS*Address The Harbour, North Berwick EH39 4SSTelephone 01620 890 202 Website www.seabird.org

Holyrood Park Gold GTBS*Address Holyrood Park, Edinburgh EH8 8HGTelephone 0131 652 8150Website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk – search for Holyrood Park

Gallery Café (Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art) Gold GTBS*Address 75 Belford Road, Edinburgh EH4 3DRTelephone 0131 332 8600Website www.nationalgalleries.org

Café Newton (Dean Gallery) Gold GTBS*Address 73 Belford Road, Edinburgh EH4 3DS Telephone 0131 624 6273Website www.nationalgalleries.org

Café DeLos (National Museum of Scotland) Silver GTBS*Address 2 Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JFTelephone 0131 247 4114Website www.heritageportfolio.com

Apex International and City Hotels Silver GTBS*Address 31-35 Grassmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2HSTelephone 0131 300 3456Website www.apexhotels.co.uk

VisitScotlandInformation Centre(all-year)

VisitScotlandInformation Centre(seasonal)

Walk locations

Attractions to see

Places to eat

DisclaimerThis booklet is designed to provide information on inspiring walks around the Edinburgh and the Lothians area using public transport. All information was correct at time of printing, but for any further queries please contact Traveline Scotland – phone 0871 200 22 33, visit www.travelinescotland.com or visit your nearest VisitScotland Information Centre.

In association with:

Bus & Walk Routes

* All the businesses in this guide are committed to Sustainable Tourism by being members of the Green Tourism Business Scheme. To find out more information visit www.scotland-sustainabletourism.com and www.green-business.co.uk

VisitScotland - Walkingwww.walking.visitscotland.com

Walking Worldwww.walkingworld.com

Traveline Scotlandwww.travelinescotland.com

EatScotlandwww.eatscotland.com

Useful websites

Walk safelyTo enjoy Scotland’s beautiful scenery safely, always remember:

Check the weather forecast before •setting out

Check bus times and make sure •you have enough time to complete the route

Take warm and waterproof clothing - •the weather can change quickly in Scotland

Wear suitable footwear - strong, •waterproof boots or shoes

Take enough food and drink for each •member of your group

If you are inexperienced, don’t •walk alone.

Enjoy Scotland’s outdoors responsiblyEveryone has the right to be on most land and inland water providing they act responsibly. Your access rights and responsibilities are explained fully in the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.

Whether you’re in the outdoors or managing the outdoors, the key things are to:

take responsibility for your own actions•

respect the interests of other people•

care for the environment.•

Visit www.outdooraccess-scotland.com or contact your local Scottish Natural Heritage office.

MidlothianRoslin and the North Esk Valley

East LothianThe John Muir Way – Aberlady to North Berwick

West LothianLinlithgow Loch and Palace

The WalksArthur’s Seat, Salisbury Crags and Holyrood Park

Begin your walk at Roslin Cross near the Original Rosslyn Inn, walking along the river valley to the enchanting Rossyln Chapel. A global spotlight has shone on Rosslyn since the release of Dan Brown’s international bestseller The Da Vinci Code and the accompanying film.

Marvel at the myths and legends and exquisite stonework of Rosslyn Chapel, before returning to the main path to explore the atmospheric woodlands and spot a wealth of wildlife.

See Wallace’s Cave on the opposite bank, passing Hawthornden Castle on to Polton Village.

Turn left up the hill to Bilston Wood, through open fields before turning right at Montmarle monument which commemorates one of the most dramatic battles in Scottish history. Pass through Kill Burn woods, then continue to the main road, turning left to Roslin and back to the car park.

The John Muir Way was created to honour John Muir, a renowned nature writer and conservationist born in Dunbar. Enjoy walking this section of the John Muir Way, where you can absorb history, spot wildlife and admire the beautiful East Lothian scenery. Follow the main road east out of Aberlady to the fascinating Aberlady Bay Nature Reserve. Cross the road, passing through a gate to the path which skirts a golf course and offers panoramic views of North Berwick Law before meeting the waymarked John Muir Way trail.

As you arrive in Gullane, admire its picturesque beach, then follow a gentle footpath through the trees, turning right before Archerfield House to reach scenic Dirleton. Stroll through the woodland on the fringes of Yellowcraigs, taking the coastwards path for a magnificent view of Fidra (rumoured to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island). Then navigate the footpaths around North Berwick’s many golf courses before exploring this beautiful seaside town.

This gentle walk takes in a hidden section of the winding Union Canal, around Linlithgow Loch and past the historic ruins of Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots in 1542.

From the High Street, make your way past Linlithgow Museum, up Lion Well Wynd and over the railway bridge. Walk a short way before turning right to cross the bridge over Union Canal, paying a visit to the Canal Centre to discover more about the history of this important canal.

Walk back over the bridges and return to the High Street. Walk down the steps at the Town Hall that lead to tranquil Linlithgow Loch, designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) due to the large numbers of wintering wildfowl.

Stroll round the loch, through a kissing gate and across a small bridge, before making your way back to explore the fascinating history of Linlithgow Palace.

Holyrood Park, with its twin peaks of Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags, is a rugged, green haven in the heart of Scotland’s capital city, offering magnificent, sweeping panoramas of Edinburgh’s Old Town skyline, the Pentland Hills, East Lothian and across the Forth to Fife.

There are a variety of routes up Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags.

For a gentle, scenic stroll, begin at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and make your way along Queen’s Drive, a road that surrounds the base of the park before sloping up Salisbury Crags. Visit St. Anthony’s Chapel, a ruin dramatically perched on the crags, before the final, steep ascent to the 251 metres (823 ft) high summit of this extinct volcano. Wind your way down past Dunsapie Loch and enjoy a well-earned hot drink at one of the cosy cafés nearby.

Distance 13.5kms Time 3hrs Level EasyBus Aberlady – First Bus 124 from Edinburgh, North St David Street. Alight at Poplars, Aberlady High Street. North Berwick – First Bus 124 or X5 from Church Road, North Berwick. Alight at St Andrews Square, Edinburgh.

Distance 8.05kms Time 2hrs 30mins Level ModerateBus Lothian Bus 15 from Princes Street (castle side), Edinburgh. Alight at Station Road on Main Street, Roslin.

Distance 4.8kms Time 1hr Level EasyBus First Bus 38 from Princes Street (castle side), Edinburgh. Alight at Linlithgow High Street.

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A701

A7

Meadowbank

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Canongate

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St. Margaret’sLoch

DuddingstonLoch

DunsapieLoch

EDINBURGH

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Gullane Sands

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Church Road

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NORTHBERWICK

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DIRLETON

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187m

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A6137

B1377

B13

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B1347

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N

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LinlithgowPalace

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CanalCentre

Museum

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A803

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B9080

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Walk Route

Start of Walk Distance 6kms Time 2hrs Level ChallengingBus Lothian Buses 35 and 36. Alight at the Scottish Parliament/Canongate.