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The village of Loanhead in Midlothian existed by the beginning of the seventeenth century, but it only gained its charter in 1669. Its fortune was made on coal mines and a paper mills. Shale and limestone were mined at a later date, but as the twentieth century began the town's fortunes declined and one by one its industries closed. Today it serves as a dormitory town for nearby Edinburgh. In Loanhead's centre is a square with a memorial to the miners who have died in the towns mines and a large bronze sculpture.
Activities and attractions
The weekend Loanhead Music Festival, held each June, features acoustic music in the main. A wide range of acts perform in eight venues. The town also stages a well-known Children's Day with a parade, sports events, entertainments and the crowning of a king and queen.
At the edge of the town is the 1724 stately home called Mavisbank House. This is not only a very early example of neoclassic construction in Scotland but also the first Palladian villa to be constructed in the country. Unfortunately the house is now derelict and its gardens in an advanced state of neglect, but it remains an 'A' listed building.
Rosslyn
Just to the south of Loanhead is the village of Roslin with its castle and Rosslyn Chapel, made famous by the Dan Brown novel The Da Vinci Code and the movie of the same name. The sixteenth century castle is built into the cliffs of Roslin Glen. A short distance away is the chapel, formerly a collegiate church maintained so the staff could pray for the Sinclair family who inhabited the castle. The chapel was closed at the time of the Reformation, but reopened in 1861 as a Scottish Episcopal church.
At the end of Rosslyn's nave stand three pillars: the Master, the Journeyman and the Apprentice Pillar. Legend has it that the master mason in charge of stonework travelled a great distance to view the original of the pillar that inspired the design, but when he returned he found that his apprentice had completed the work in his absence. As punishment for his jealous murder of the apprentice, the master's face was carved into the stonework at the opposite side of the chapel so that he could spend eternity gazing on the Apprentice Pillar. Much of the stonework in Rosslyn involves the foliate masks popularly referred to as Green Men, but which of them is meant to be the guilty master is unknown.
Access and Places to Stay
Loanhead sits just outside the A720 Edinburgh bypass. While it has no rail service, it is well served by local buses into the capital, and from there train, air and bus connections are available to all parts of the UK and beyond. While it is possible to reach Loanhead by public transportation, using the town as a headquarters for exploring the surrounding countryside, including Rosslyn chapel, almost requires visitors to bring or hire a car.
The town is well supplied with accommodation, including camping and caravanning facilities, self-catering cottages, B&Bs and country hotels. Dining options are fairly limited, but Loanhead's pub grub is quite good and takeaway establishments are plentiful.
Accommodation in Loanhead
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