River Esk, Midlothian

For like-named rivers, see Esk

The River Esk is a modest river which flows through Midlothian.

The Esk is created in its headwaters of two separate rivers, the North Esk and the South Esk.

The North Esk rises in the North Esk Reservoir in the Pentland Hills, in Midlothian, a mile north of the village of Carlops. It flows north-east past Penicuik, Auchendinny, through Roslin Glen, past Hawthornden Castle, Polton, Lasswade and Melville Castle.

The South Esk rises at the southernmost extremity of Midlothian, on the western slopes of Blackhope Scar (the highest of the Moorfoot Hills, and Midlothian's county top). It is not uninterrupted: it runs northward through Gladhouse Reservoir and Rosebery Reservoir, then returns to a natural course and passes through the village of Temple, Midlothian, before receiving the Redside Burn close to Arniston House. It is joined by the Gore Water and then the Dalhousie Burn, just to the west of Newtongrange, before passing Newbattle Abbey and proceeding through Dalkeith.

The rivers converge just about a mile and a half north-east of Dalkeith at the edge of the grounds of Dalkeith Palace. From here the River Esk continues north for about five miles, entering the Firth of Forth at Musselburgh.

Picture gallery

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  Esk signpost
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  Esk weir
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  Esk angler
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  Esk bank erosion
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  Esk swans
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  River Esk, Musselburgh
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  Esk, Rennie's Bridge