Day 71 - Crossgatehall to Duddingston Loch (Edinburgh)

I was a bit apprehensive about driving the van into Edinburgh  - and finding the correct parking area to meet up with The Walker, but I was pleased with my navigation skills around Arthur's Seat - the sat nav wasn't used at all! Anyway, I haven't yet discovered how to put in grid references on the one in the van.

I walked around Duddingston Village looking for a postbox and one of the oldest pubs in Scotland - it's amazing that such a quaint ( and quiet) place is so near the city, but then the Seat is pretty good too! I managed to miss being out in the heavy rain; the thunder and lightning was impressive and some roads were flooded as we drove to the campsite. Good job we have a hardstanding as the grass is very soggy!

From Bernie:
Today's walk  8.1 miles     :     Cumulative  898.9 miles

All the advice I've read about walking LeJog suggests that it's a good idea to avoid busy, built-up areas.... so, here we are in the centre of Edinburgh! Not too busy, though, because the city is awash after a day of thunderstorms!

Old slag heap near Crossgatehall - almost fittingly surrounded by poppies

I put all of this down to shrewd planning: a day ahead of schedule & a short walk pencilled in for today meant that when the heaviest of the storms hit we were in a pub or, later, in the van! Warm, dry, blogging early.... a highlight in itself!

Arthur's Seat from Smeaton

Started the day back in the East Lothian coalfields & followed a series of disused railway lines as far as Duddingston Loch, just below Arthur's Seat & only a giant's stone-throw from the city centre. I've walked loads of cycle-tracks since the establishment of the National Network & have long admired the work of Sustrans but to reach the starting point, or finishing point, of National Cycle Track Number 1 was ridiculously satisfying!

National Cycle-Track Number 1  -  the start!

Highlight of the Day: stopped, briefly, at 'The Dolphin Inn' in Whitecraig (it was starting to rain!) & chatted to Stuart Blaikie, who has only recently taken over the pub, & one of his customers whose name I forgot to ask (again!), but he has a couple of dogs! Stuart has worked with the D of E people in the past while the gent has travelled Scotland extensively. Very friendly people - best pub stop of the walk! Stuart also has a blog & I may well be making a guest appearance.....

Mining Memorial at Newcraighall - lovely memorial but I had the feeling that in less than a generation this will mean nothing

Had intended to press on to Edinburgh Quay after meeting the manager but I was easily discouraged by a terrific thunderstorm that, literally, shook the ground &, shortly afterwards, the buildings of  'The Sheep Heid Inn', reputedly Scotlands's oldest pub. Stuart's wife had told him that there is some 'event' at the Quay tomorrow.... I'm not sure whether I should be looking forward to that or dreading it - the trials of undertaking such a walk in the summer; events, festivals & people wherever you go!! Aahh, it's those 'built-up areas'!

Beer of the Day: another English brew, I'm afraid... but a good one. Had a pint of 'Dragon Slayer' from the Cropton Brewery based at 'The New Inn', near Pickering in Yorkshire (I have the tee-shirt!). A strong-flavoured IPA - I've never tried a Cropton ale I haven't liked but I do wish I could find something a bit more local.

Fearsome storm brewing over Duddingston Loch - even the ducks were panicked by the thunder!

Really looking forward to the next few days.... the walk westwards along the Union Canal & then the Forth & Clyde Canal to Glasgow; another industrial pilgrimage & the reason for all this fiddling about in the Lowlands!

Looking back at the first day's photos I realise that, had I walked a more sensible route, I'd be finished by now! Wouldn't have been so much fun, though!

Note from the Technical Support Team:

Here is the link to LeJog Guest Appearance on Stuart's Blog

http://www.stuartblaikie.blogspot.com/