Holiday rentals in Midlothian – Trails, culture and winter sports

Midlothian combines a varied landscape with historic sites and unusual leisure activities. Midlothian includes the Pentland and Moorfoot Hills, rolling farmland, woodland areas and river valleys. The region has more than 100 km of waymarked trails, as well as cycling and pony trails. Midlothian also has numerous linear and circular routes, some of which connect towns and villages.

Nature

Vogrie Country Park encompasses Victorian parkland. Eleven and a half miles of waymarked trails run through its woodland areas and the Tyne Valley. Family-friendly facilities at the park include a café, a soft-play area and a miniature railway.

Roslin Glen is a place to explore the wooded Esk Valley. Visitors can enjoy woodland and riverside walks there. The combination of parkland, woodland and river valleys showcases the different landscapes found within Midlothian.

Trails and activities

The Penicuik–Dalkeith Walkway follows an 11.5-mile section of the former railway line from Edinburgh to Peebles through several historic towns and villages in Midlothian. The route is open to walkers, cyclists and horse riders. Its asphalt and whin-paved surface is suitable for wheelchairs and mobility scooters.

The Tyne Esk Trails offer 30 miles of riding trails, with individual routes ranging from 8 to 12 miles. Midlothian Snowsports Centre is home to Europe’s longest artificial ski slope, where visitors can ski and try tubing. Go Ape Dalkeith offers zip lines, high-ropes courses and Archery Tag above the River Esk.

Culture

Founded in 1446, Rosslyn Chapel features richly decorated stonework with carved angels, Green Men and the famous Apprentice Pillar. During a visit, guests receive a free map of the carvings and an information talk by an expert guide.

The National Mining Museum Scotland is housed in the restored Lady Victoria Colliery and explores the history of coal in Scotland. The exhibitions cover the formation of coal, its extraction, and the lives of miners and their families in Scottish mining communities. The offerings include guided tours of the pithead, a recreated underground mine tunnel and a coal face with a former miner as guide, as well as a self-guided audio tour.

The “Historic Connections – Discover Dalkeith” route runs from the Orangery in Dalkeith Country Park via Dalkeith Watch Tower to the Water Tower, highlighting significant historic buildings.

Getting there

The Borders Railway connects the region with Eskbank station near Dalkeith Country Park; the train journey takes 40 minutes. Newtongrange station is just a few minutes’ walk from the National Mining Museum Scotland. The train journey there takes 20 minutes.

Food and drink

Stewart Brewing offers guided brewery tours with fresh beer and a tasting selection. Visitors can brew their own craft beer there with a team of experts, choosing their own ingredients and designing personalised labels.

Anyone choosing a holiday rental or other accommodation in Midlothian can view and compare offers directly. Before booking, it is worth checking the exact location, type of accommodation and occupancy. You can also review the included services, price components, and booking and cancellation conditions. These points may vary depending on the offer. Taking a close look at the relevant offer page therefore provides an objective basis for comparison when weighing up the location, scope and terms of an accommodation option.

More local pages: Gorebridge, Dalkeith, Roslin, Penicuik, Bonnyrigg, Rosewell, Polton, Loanhead, North Middleton

For the broader travel overview: Scotland.