COUSLAND WALKS

Fordel Mains Loop

A short, easy 4.5 mile walk mostly along quiet country lanes and farm tracks with great views over Midlothian, East Lothian, the Pentland Hills, Edinburgh and the Forth.

Cousland

The village of Cousland has a long and varied history documented as far back as 1110 when William St. Clair became first Baron Cousland. In the 1690s the Dalrymples of Oxenfoord & Stair took possession of the lands of Cousland. The origins of a new life for Cousland date from this period with the construction of a model village, blacksmiths, windmill, pottery and walled garden. To find out more about the history of Cousland and village life today please visit www.cousland.net or come back for a history tour of the village and smiddy.

A Community café is held in the Village Hall from 10.30 to 12.30 on the first Saturday of every month.

COUSLAND WALKS

Fuffets Views

A short easy walk, mostly along quiet country lanes with great views over Edinburgh and the Forth. Halfway point is the viewpoint from the lane known locally as the Fuffets Road. The old Fuffets Coal Pit was in the hillside below - close to the ponds left behind by the recent open-cast coal workings between Fordel Services and the A68 Dalkeith Bypass. Cousland

The village of Cousland has a long and varied history documented as far back as 1110 when William St. Clair became First Baron Cousland.

In 1912 Cousland had 4 quarries, 3 mines and 7 kilns. By 1968 however the industry had contracted to the extent that there was only a dozen enterprises operating. Lime working in Cousland ceased in the early 1970's.

For further information see www.cousland.net

Circular route on roads and tracks

Distance 4.5 miles Descent/ ascent 150 feet Time approx. 1.5 hours

Parking on Hadfast Road Bus Service Edinburgh Coach Lines Service 328

www.service328.co.uk

Start at the junction of Hadfast Road and Southfield Road (below the old ‘Nunnery’ wall) in the centre of Cousland.

Head South up Southfield Road, passing Old Windmill Woods as you leave the village and then Southfield Farm House on your right, to the junction with the A6124. Turn left along the A6124 then immediately right across the new bridge over the A68 Dalkeith Bypass. Stop on the bridge for a minute and enjoy the view of the Pentlands, the Firth of Forth and the Fife coast in the distance.

Having crossed the bridge go straight ahead and when you reach the bend at the Bypass slip-road junction cross carefully (busy junction!) to join the lane ahead - heading towards the old ‘water tank’ building. When you reach the unused tank building, bear right along the hedge-enclosed lane to the start of the tree belt and a good farm track on your left. Stand at the field gate on the right enjoy the view over Edinburgh and the Forth. A good spot to see Roe deer in the fields and Buzzards overhead.

Linear route on country lanes Distance 3 miles

Descent/ ascent 150 feet Parking on Hadfast Road

Bus Service Edinburgh Coach Lines Service 328 www.service328.co.uk

Head South up Southfield Road passing Windmill Woods s you leave the village and then Southfield Farm on your right, to the junction with the A6124. Turn left along A6124 then immediately right across the new bridge over the A68 Dalkeith Bypass. Stop on the bridge for a minute and enjoy the view of the Pentlands, the Firth of Forth and the Fife coast in the distance.

Having crossed the bridge go straight ahead and when you reach the bend at the bypass slip-road junction cross carefully (busy junction!) to join the lane ahead - heading towards the old ‘water tank’ building. When you reach the unused tank building bear right along the hedge enclosed lane to the start of a tree shelter belt with field gates at both sides of the road. Walk along the road ahead to the next bend and take in the view over the Pentlands, Edinburgh and the Forth. A good spot to see roe deer in the fields and buzzards overhead.

Turn left onto the track just before the woods and head up towards the telephone mast. Continue on the track ahead with the telephone mast on your right and follow it along the edge of the field, bearing left after 100 yards.

You may have noticed the Ordnance Survey concrete obelisk (Trig point) in the field marking 192 metres above sea level.

Keeping on the track pass the remains of old limestone quarrying on the right and then enjoy the view opening up to you – first over Midlothian and the Moorfoot hills, then over East Lothian and the Lammermuir’s and down to the coast with Berwick Law clearly visible. The track goes slightly downhill as you approach Fordel Mains farm and house.

Upon reaching the farm head left along the lane past the cottages to reach the old water tank building. From here turn right and follow your outward route back to Cousland.

Return by the same route, again taking care at the junction at the Bypass slip-road.

Finish walk back in Cousland by the ‘Nunnery’ Wall (recent archaeological investigation casts doubt on it being the site of a Nunnery at all – more likely a walled garden from the 18th century).

A Community café is held in the Village Hall from 10.30 to 12.30 on the first Saturday of every month.