Kevin Nosferatu: Bellenden

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.

A picture showing a raised walkway between two fields with a small bridge in the foreground. Two genteel ladies are walking along the walkway. There are cows in the right hand side field and sheep in the left. In the background amongst some trees is a stately home (Newhailes House). Photograph by Kevin Nosferatu for the Skulferatu Project.

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.

A view along a very overgrown path with lots of tall grasses growing along it. Photograph by Kevin Nosferatu for the Skulferatu Project.

The present view along Ladies’ Path

A view over some fields to a mansion house in the distance. Trees grow on either side of the house. Photograph by Kevin Nosferatu for the Skulferatu Project.

View of Newhailes House from Ladies’ Path

A photo showing an ivy grown lump sticking out through the long grasses of an overgrown path. Photograph by Kevin Nosferatu for the Skulferatu Project.

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.