Skulferatu #104 – Ladies’ Walk, Newhailes, Musselburgh

 

I discovered the delights of the estate at Newhailes a decade or so ago when I was out cycling.  Going down a narrow path I came across a slight hill on one side with a path leading up to a gate.  So, of course, I had to go through and have a wander about to see what was there.  And what was there, was a pleasant walk through some woods up the Palladian style country house, which is Newhailes House.  Built by the architect, James Smith, in 1686, the house was once the home of the Bellenden family and was then inherited by the Dalrymple family, close relatives of the Bellends, sorry cheap joke, Bellendens.  In 1997 the house was given to the National Trust.

 

Newhailes House

 

Today, on a leisurely walk through the estate, I cut along the pathway through the fields in front of the house, to the Ladies’ Walk.  The Ladies’ Walk is an elevated path that runs for about a quarter of a mile through the grounds of Newhailes.  It was designed to allow the rather delicate, aristocratic ladies who lived in, or were visiting Newhailes House, to partake in gentle exercise and conversation with each other.  The path bordered a sheep field on one side and a field of cattle on the other, so being elevated it meant the good ladies of the time wouldn’t be bothered by pesky livestock.  It also provided views over the surrounding grounds and countryside.  At one time there was a humped bridge that led to a viewing platform.  There, visitors had unimpeded views to the Forth and down to the hectic and the busy harbour in Musselburgh. 

 

Picture of how Ladies’ Walk would have looked in the 18^th Century

from the tourist Information sign at site

 

Built around the 1740s, the walk originally had a hedge on its eastern side to act as a barrier against the wind. Now, most of the walk is covered in trees, bushes, thistles and lots of prickly plants, though there are bits that are covered in wild grasses which are accessible. 

 

While out on my walk I clambered up a low stone wall and walked through the thick, damp grass on part of the pathway.  Feeling quite genteel, I took in the views and breathed in the fine summer air, just like the ladies of old would have done a couple of centuries ago.

 

The present view along Ladies’ Path

 

The present view along Ladies’ Path

 

View of Newhailes House from Ladies’ Path

 

View from Ladies’ Path

 

Making my walk to the red brick remains of where the bridge to the viewing platform had stood, I left the Skulferatu that had accompanied me in a gap where the cement had crumbled away.

 

Remains of the platform for the bridge

 

Remains of the platform for the bridge

 

Skulferatu #104

 

Skulferatu #104 in a gap between the bricks

 

Skulferatu #104 in a gap between the bricks

 

Map showing location of Skulferatu #104

 

The coordinates for the location of the Skulferatu are –

 

Latitude 55.944467

Longitude -3.077433

 

what3words: starts.fines.civic

 

I used the following sources for information on Newhailes and Ladies’ Walk –

 

Tourist Information sign at site

 

Newhailes 

by Hilary Horrocks

2004

 

Canmore

Canmore - Ladies Walk, Newhailes