Roslin Gunpowder Mills

I'd like to thank everyone who dropped by over the past week while I was... ahem, otherwise occupied and unable to spend any great time in Blipland. I have tried to have a wee peak at your journal's but was only able to snatch a few moments on lunch hours to comment. Hahaha, thanks also to everyone who sneaked round my switching off comments. Your tricks have all been noted! :- )

I finally managed to get out with the new lens in daylight today as I joined a couple of peeps from work on a wee walk from Straiton Pond Nature Reserve to, and around Roslin Glen.

Too many things to shoot so plenty of opportunities for repeat visits. The walk took us over the bridge at Bilston Burn and along part of the old railway line, now a tarmacadam path, taking in Roslin Castle Station. I also tried my hand at some wildlife photography. Will need to practice this as there were too many shots just not up to par, but I did have a couple I liked. The crows had gathered around Roslin Castle to fend off the unwanted attentions of a couple of buzzards. One of my lens changes that meant I actually missed the buzzards but I did capture this pair and solo crow.

However, it was the gunpowder mill, hidden away deep in Roslin Glen that is the subject of today's blip. The protection of the deep, steep wooded valley proved to be an ideal site for the mills which started production in 1804 and continued producing "Black Powder" gunpowder until they closed in 1954. As well as making blasting powders for the quarrying and mining industries, they also produced military and sporting powders. There was a large munitions factory working during both World Wars and even earlier.

Hope everyone had a nice relaxing weekend... roll on the next one!