Martin's Birthday Walk in Dalkeith Country Park

Martin choose Dalkeith Country Park for his Birthday Walk and what an excellent place it is. There were loads of paths and plenty to see. The weather was perfect for walking and the company excellent. Everybody arrived within minutes of each other and Martin was the perfect guide and had done his homework about the place so we were all well informed. 

There were horses everywhere and this one was particularly friendly with Peter and Ken

Like Langholm the river is the Esk and there are two of them the North and South Esk with plenty of bridges to cross.

This is the Meeting of the waters where the North and South Esk meet. Not as spectacular as where the Black and White Esk meet up in Eskdalemuir but it was rather nice. 

Time for a lunch break and a seat on an old Oak tree.

This is Dalkeith House owned by the Duke of Buccleuch and rented out to the University of Wisconsin 

The South Esk 

The Park is famous for its forest of ancient Oaks with some of them over 700 years old so these are a few photos of these famous trees.

We think this is the oldest Oak tree in the park

The trees were heavily coppiced many years ago so the bases of the trees are much older than the trunk.

There are many hollow trees

This one looks very delicate but still in reasonable health hopefully.  

This is Montagu Bridge and was given by the Montagu family to the Queensberry family in 1792 to celebrate a marriage. It was designed by William Adam.

This is a new shopping area with cafe and restaurant. The shop according to Aileen is one of the best in Edinburgh and very expensive. Our meal was excellent in a lovely dining area.