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The Midlothian village of Roslin is famous for a fifteenth century church and a twentieth century sheep. The church is Rosslyn Chapel, which is popularly associated with the Knights Templar in spite of having been built a century and a half after the demise of the order. The sheep was Dolly, the first mammal to be cloned from an adult somatic cell, who was produced at the Roslin Institute northwest of the town. Visitors to Roslin will find a great deal more than just these two attractions, however.
The Battle of Roslin
Roslin's military history may be traced by following a footpath from the end of Manse Road across the disused railway bridge. A quarter of an hour's walk leads to the Battle of Roslin Memorial Cairn. The dynastic disputes known as the Great Cause that followed the death of the Maid of Norway in 1296 resulted in John Balliol's reign under the heavy hand of Edward I of England. A group of patriotic Scots nobles reacted to the situation by contracting the famous "Auld Alliance" with France. King Edward promptly invaded Scotland, starting the Wars of Scottish Independence. The Scots regrouped at Biggar after losses at Berwick and Falkirk. Three ten thousand man divisions of English troops came after them, and settled separately for the night near Roslin.
But the Scots did not remain at Biggar. Their helper may have been a local monk, or the leader of one of the nearby religious houses, but at any rate this Prior Abernethy guided the Scottish army through the dark night to Roslin. There the Scots found the first English division in their beds and defeated them easily. The second English division then approached and was also defeated. The battle-weary Scots then had to face the final division of ten thousand fresh English troops. Prior Abernethy and a group of monks then raised a fiery cross atop one of the nearby Pentland Hills and gave the impression that reinforcements were arriving. The Scots fell on the confused and demoralized third English division and destroyed them as well. Only one English soldier in ten ever returned home from Roslin.
The footpath continues on to Lasswade across the 135 metre Bilston Glen Viaduct. Built in 1892, the viaduct is a very early example of box lattice construction using steel girders.
The Bovril Connection
John Lawson Johnstone was born in Roslin in 1839. He emigrated to Canada and there developed the meat extract called Bovril to feed French armies. Beef tea became a sustaining drink for troops in cold trenches, and still fills the thermoses of English football fans. In Scotland, where thermos bottles may not be taken into football stadiums, beef tea is sold in the grounds in cups. Johnstone's birthplace, now Bovril Johnstone's Coffee Shop, is marked by a plaque erected by the Roslin Historical Society.
Access and Places to Stay
Visitors to Roslin may choose to camp or to stay in caravans, either their own or those available at local caravan parks. As the town is a popular tourist destination because of Rosslyn chapel, B&Bs and hotels are plentiful, as are self-catering accommodation. Aside from Bovril Johnstone's, businesses serving meals include associated with local hotels, or Roslin's delightful takeaway and pub grub options.
Roslin sits just outside the A720 Edinburgh bypass between the A701 and the River North Esk. The town has no rail service, but convenient local buses connect it with the capital. From Edinburgh transportation is available by motor coach, rail or air to other parts of Scotland, the UK and the world. While a car is not a necessity within the town, especially for dedicated walkers, having one available makes it much easier to enjoy the attractions of the surrounding countryside.
Accommodation in Roslin
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