Roslin Castle

It's years since we took a walk in Roslin Glen - I mean, not just part for a duck race or visit to the castle but down along the river and through the trees.

Main picture is from the glen, showing the impregnable face and several storeys of the castle that are not obvious from the forecourt. To the left is the remaining section that is let under the Landmark Trust; to the right is the bridge which allows access from the drive.. Extra 1 is of Mr Flum below the bridge as we entered the glen from the Country Park carpark across the river.

From here the path runs north-east (downstream) alongside the river North Esk then ascends and undulates beneath the trees ending well above the water which can be heard but only glimpsed as it tumbles over rocks. When we reached an opportunity to cut away from the river we paused to listen to two woodpeckers drumming, thought to be great spotteds, though could not see either, also heard a yaffle, which may have been a green woodpecker and not one of the drummers. Other birds trilled, chinked or sang as appropriate. We collected our first forage of wild garlic (that is, the small-flowered leek, Ramsons coming a little later and, it being progressively outnumbered, we don't pick unless in an area of profusion). A few areas of snowdrops remained.

It was at this point that we noticed an old, gnarled tree, I thought to be a sweet chestnut, and another a short distance away. Further research by Miss Flum reveals that these are indeed sweet chestnut and date from the time of Mary, Queen of Scots, at 450 years old . Originally within the grounds of Rosebank House, which was demolished in 1950, they are of great importance and interest to the area. A collage of them both appears as extra 3.

Eventually we hit the track past Slatebarns and Chapel Loan, which leads back to the village past the famous chapel. Here we made the discovery that the café is now open to non-visitors so went in for coffee and while there messaged the young Flums and were invited to pop in. This entailed walking back to the car, which took some 20 minutes.

It was lovely to go in and see them all - the Flumlet was off school after a tummy bug at the weekend. He is not too big for a hug but the dog is equally cuddly. (See extra2 for an aah! moment). Then it was time for them to return to work/homework and us to return home.

This evening we attended the Annual Chaplaincy Lecture at the Heriot-Watt, given this year by Professor Tom McLeish FRS and entitled The Poetry And Music of Science. Now it's after midnight and time I posted and went to bed.