There was no rush setting off as I only had about 20miles to ride to
catch my train in Edinburgh at 14:19. As I was packing up light rain
started and was still raining as I wheeled my bike across the bumpy
grass. I reached the cycle track and continued east with a slight
tail wind. It didn’t take long to reach the end of the cycle track
at the main road.
Unicorn
monument in the rain
I was hoping to get rid of my rubbish but the only rubbish bin was
full to overflowing. I crossed the busy roundabout and continued
along the cycle track parallel to Eskbank Road. I was on the old
railway route and soon left the road behind then between housing
estates through Bonnyrigg. After crossing over the A7 I turned right
and then up a rough cobbled track. A much nicer track was to my left
but that wasn’t where I was going.
Bridge over the River Esk
I emerged on to the busy Dalhouse Road and turned left. I stayed on
the pavement. I continued via Ancrum Rd and Newbattle Rd to the
Unicorn Sculpture and on into the woods by River South Esk. I took a
wrong turn and had to retrace my route. Inoticed a problem with my
rear brake but decided to continue before doing anything about it. A
Langside Head Rd I stopped and found the rear brake mechanism bolts
had come loose so I reset it and tightened it up again then
continued. I was soon out in the countryside again following an old
railway line.
Shell artwork by the Musselburgh shore
I continued to a narrow cycleway along the River Esk Walkway which
continued to the A6095 where I crossed by the footbridge. On the
opposite and west bank I continued to the Fisherrow Links Park and
views out to sea.
Bothwell Castle
Along the coast I joined the Brunstane Burn Walkway to the Innocent
Cycleway which I’ve enjoyed riding before. Eventually I came to the
tunnel and stopped inside to take a few photos before continuing out
of the other side and up to Dalkeith Road and large Royal
Commonwealth Swimming Pool.
The above stone marks the approximate site of the burial in St Giles
Graveyard of John Knox the Great Scottish Divine who died 24 Nov
1572. It is adjacent to St Giles' Cathedral.
Newington Road I stopped at a food shop to buy some pasta and cheese
which I ate by the road. Back on Dalkeith Rd I continued into
Edinburgh and the Royal Mile. I re-visited Parliament Sq by St
Giles’ Cathedral and on to Edinburgh Waverley Railway Station. I had
over an hour to wait for my 14:19 Transpennine Express train to
Preston but the time soon went as I’d bought a copy of Private Eye
magazine.
John Knox is under parking space 23
Edinburgh and the location where the Public Gallows used to be
End of the Scottish part of my ride, Waverley Railway Station
Return to
Whittle Wanderer
