Discover North Middleton

Crichton Castle, a medieval courtyard castle whose construction began around 1400, is located near North Middleton. It was developed further in several building phases during the 15th and 16th centuries. Together with the local leisure facilities and walking trails in Currie Wood, this offers several starting points for planning your holiday.

Building History at Crichton Castle

The surviving parts of Crichton Castle retain a high degree of their structural and decorative features; the complex includes numerous notable architectural elements. The castle also remains a significant feature of the modern landscape. For those interested in architecture, its appeal lies in the combination of several building phases and surviving details: the building’s history stretches from construction beginning around 1400 to its further development in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Middleton Hall in Midlothian is also designated as a Category A listed building. The two places offer different historical perspectives: at Crichton Castle, the building’s development and surviving features stand out, while at Middleton Hall, it is the listed status. This allows you to factor your interest in architecture and protected heritage into your plans.

Local Leisure Facilities and Trails in Currie Wood

The community council has built a pétanque court in North Middleton. The local park also has a circular track known as a “pump track” for cyclists and skaters. This gives you two different leisure activities to choose from in the village. If you plan to use these facilities, check their current condition on site beforehand.

There are several specific points of reference for walks through Currie Wood. The path through the woods connects to the Borthwick-Crichton Right of Way and is marked by a Scotways sign. The 8-mile Crichton circular route runs from Vogrie via Crichton, Borthwick and Gorebridge, and through area 1a of Currie Wood. Core Path 13 is named “North Middleton and Crichton”.

When choosing a walk, it is helpful to note the difference between the descriptions: for the path through Currie Wood, its connection to the Right of Way and the Scotways sign are specified. By contrast, the Crichton circular route is described with its circular format, length and the sequence of places it passes. This can help you decide whether to include a woodland path or a longer loop in your stay.

Road Access and Choosing a Holiday Rental

The A7 runs through North Middleton. Borthwick Castle is a few minutes from the A7, about 12 miles south of Edinburgh and around 30 minutes from Edinburgh Airport. Driving time depends on the conditions at the time; the distance and time figures refer to Borthwick Castle.

When choosing your holiday rental, you can first decide whether to focus on local leisure facilities, building history, or a walk with a clearly specified length and route. Then compare the precise location of your accommodation with the destinations you want to include in your stay. This way, your choice is guided by your travel plans without letting any single day-trip destination determine your entire stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Bonnyrigg, Rosewell, Roslin, Dalkeith, Loanhead, Gorebridge, Penicuik, Polton.

For the main travel overview: Midlothian.