Things to do & places to visit in Midlothian, United Kingdom

Midlothian #82 destination in United Kingdom 2023. The average rating score is 4.51 based on 5.050 traveler reviews, of 30 attractions. Timezone: Europe/London, current date and time: Sunday, May 05, 2024, 23:07.

Top things to do (17)

Top places to visit (30 attractions) view more »

5.0 Dalhousie Castle Falconry (349 reviews)
- Fun, feathers and falcons.
Sunday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

We are a small family business with over 45 beautiful birds of prey. Visit our website for information on our flying experiences with the birds. We have experiences for individuals, children, families and groups. Or come and try your hand at archery! See more..
5.0 St Nicholas The Buccleuch (4 reviews)
- Fab
Churches & Cathedrals

This church is epic because it has a ruined bit and a non ruined bit. The church fits very well and it’s very historical. Best church in Dalkeith. See more..
5.0 Cousland Smiddy (2 reviews)
- A hidden treasure with cart loads of history
Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums • Children's Museums • History Museums

Cousland Smiddy gives visitors a fascinating glimpse into our village's heritage, with an early 18th century blacksmith's workshop, Victorian cottage, other partially conserved associated buildings, organic allotments in the former gardens and recreational spaces to enjoy. We believe there has been a continuously working Smiddy on this site in the village since at least 1703. The location is home to Cousland Smiddy Trust, Cousland Local History Project, Cousland Community Heritage Hub and the Cousland Smiddy Plotters. See more..
5.0 Preston Hall (1 review)
- Lovely house and Gardens
Points of Interest & Landmarks • Architectural Buildings

We were lucky enough to attend a Garden Party in the grounds of this house and were very taken with it . For the occaison the house had the ground floor open to visitors . The walled garden has been brought back from the jungle and is looking really great .The house is now hosting events and this was the first one . On this showing I think they will do very well. It is also part of the scottish Garden Scheme . See more..
5.0 Costco (1 review)
- Costco for culture
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Department Stores
Local merchandise and great values. I paid 22 Pounds for the exact same 10 year old single malt Scotch on "sale" at the "Duty Free" store for 38 Pounds! A gorgeous Villeroy and Boch porceline salad bowl and set made in Germany was 11 Pounds. I bought an American Tourister spinner carry on to take the salad set home: 19.97 Pounds! Just the tip of the iceberg of what was there. Even food samples. I had to pay cash because they don't take American Visa cards, even their own. It's a scenic 20 minute ride by bus from city center on one road which changes names 5 times. 3.4 Pounds round trip, or a one day city pass for 4 Pounds. See more..
5.0 Dalhousie Castle Falconry (349 reviews)
- Fun, feathers and falcons.
Sunday: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Nature & Wildlife Areas

We are a small family business with over 45 beautiful birds of prey. Visit our website for information on our flying experiences with the birds. We have experiences for individuals, children, families and groups. Or come and try your hand at archery! See more..
5.0 St Nicholas The Buccleuch (4 reviews)
- Fab
Churches & Cathedrals

This church is epic because it has a ruined bit and a non ruined bit. The church fits very well and it’s very historical. Best church in Dalkeith. See more..
4.5 Rosslyn Chapel (3.663 reviews)
- An absolute gem with a fascinating history
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:45 PM Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

Rosslyn Chapel is open to visitors again with extra safety measures in place and a new booking system, giving 90 minutes for your visit. Please book your visit in advance on our website. Dating back to 1446, the is just seven miles from Edinburgh city centre and is open to visitors all year. The Chapel's setting and the mysterious symbolism of its ornate stonework have attracted and intrigued visitors for generations. A starring role in The Da Vinci Code propelled it into the international spotlight. There are countless theories, myths and legends associated with the Chapel and our tour guides will be able to tell you more about these, and the building's history, when you visit. Please note that photography inside the Chapel is not allowed but there are no restrictions on outside photography. New visitor centre with touch-screen technology, letting you see the carvings close up; gift shop and good coffee shop. Full details of how to get here and what to see and do is on our website. See more..
4.5 National Mining Museum Scotland (433 reviews)
- An insightful visit to a museum and ex-coal-mine
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

The National Mining Museum Scotland, a 5 Star visitor attraction and twice winner of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions "Best Visitor Experience" Award. We're based at one of the finest surviving examples of a Victorian colliery in Europe. Visitors to the museum will marvel at the sheer size of the place, be astounded by the engineering brilliance behind all the machinery and retrace the footsteps of the thousands of miners. What should you expect: Following Scottish Government advice we are currently unable to offer guided tours. However, we have developed a digital app which can be downloaded to your mobile device and used at kep points around the site. Our tour guides will still be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Please book your timeslot in advance. https://national-mining-museum-scotland.arttickets.org.uk/ See more..
4.5 Penicuik House (92 reviews)
- Off the beaten path and a must if you love country walks, pretty ruins and great food
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

There is much more to Penicuik than the romantic ruins of the old house ravaged by the fire in 1899. The whole estate is a fascinating place full of charming country walks, great nature, 2 ponds and even a secret garden. The ruins of Penicuik house are the main feature and can be visited safely after the extensive conservation works that finished in 2014. Of course, if you are hungry make sure you grab something to eat at their quaint cafe. See more..
4.5 Crichton Castle (65 reviews)
- Hidden Gem
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Castles

This site is currently closed as a precautionary measure while we undertake site inspections. We apologise for any inconvenience. A large and sophisticated castle with a spectacular facade of faceted stonework in an Italian style added, following a visit to Italy, by the Earl of Bothwell between 1581 and 1591. Mary Queen of Scots attended a wedding here. This has a facade of faceted stonework in an Italian Renaissance style. The courtyard is fully accessible. Access to areas leading from there depends on the visitor's mobility as each room and cellar has up to three steps leading to it. See more..
4.5 Roslin Glen Country Park (47 reviews)
- Ferrytales in Roslin
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins • Historic Walking Areas

If fou are near Roslin, don't forget to talk a walk in the Glenn nearby. We made a 10 km walk form Roslin Castle to Wallace's Cave. We took the small roads to get there and it was just like in a ferrytale. The ground was slippery so take he right shoeware. The cave was like a cave, not more then a hole in the rock. The view on the water from out ther was very nice and when we got further we saw the Writers Inn. A nice house in the woods. A nice thing to do when you are in the neighbourhood. See more..
4.5 Saltire Centre (38 reviews)
- Brilliant soft play
Sunday: 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Sports Complexes

Saltire Centre is a Kids Soft Play centre, café and Indoor Football arena. The Saltire Centre is a great, safe environment for groups of all ages to enjoy. See more..
4.5 Arniston House (29 reviews)
- A fascinating visit
Sunday: Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Points of Interest & Landmarks

Arniston Estate has been home to the Dundas family for more than four centuries and today is a working estate featuring a range of farming operations, forestry, fishing and visitor attraction activities. Arniston House is a magnificent Palladian style William Adam mansion house commissioned in 1724 by Robert Dundas. Arniston House welcomes hundreds of guests every year for guided tours, community events, weddings, corporate functions and more. With four charming holiday cottages available guests can enjoy 3 and 4 star accommodation in an idylic, peaceful countryside setting that is a mere 11 miles from Edinburgh. The perfect combination of country and city experiences. Nestled in the heart of Midlothian, Arniston House is 2 miles from rail and bus stops and a short 30 minute drive from city centre. It is a wonderful setting for weddings, company and corporate events. A day at Arniston is always a day well spent. See more..
4.5 Newbattle Abbey (28 reviews)
- Funeral tea
Sunday: Spent 1-2 hours Historic Sites

Discover one of Midlothian's hidden, historical treasures. Set in 125 acres of spectacular grounds this 19th century stately home is Scotland's national centre for adult residential education. The Abbey also provides an outstanding conference and training venue, group accommodation, and a unique setting for small weddings and other celebrations. Join a guided tour and hear the enchanting story of Newbattle Abbey from the 12th century to present day. See more..
4.5 Dalkeith Corn Exchange Museum (15 reviews)
- A pretty and historic building in Scotland.
Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

The largest corn market when it opened in 1854, this building has been used as a theatre, for concerts and even as a military base. Now it houses the offices of Melville Housing. Built in the Jacobean style, the building has pretty twin gabled roofs surmounted with ball finials and weathervanes, sandwiching a belfry. A pretty and historic building in Scotland. See more..
4.5 Dalkeith Palace (13 reviews)
- Lived There in 1990
Historic Sites

This little town of Dalkeith is an amazingly fun town with many nice residents. In 1990, I lived there for nearly 5 months, the Palace is fun to visit, students still reside here and getting a tour is a must. The rooms are huge , but the bedrooms are small to medium, check out the TV room, when I was there our pay phone was outside the TV room. We would stand in line on Sunday nights to call home... What a different time in the world. This town has the friendliest people around... Up the hill from the castle on the left , use to be a pub called The Greyhound, Wow lots of fun!!! A shout out to Allen and Susan who use to manage the pub and a Shout out to my boy Dennis Bowers who spent every night with me at the bar!!! See more..
4.5 Roslin Battle Site (9 reviews)
- Fantastic!
Battlefields
Amazing chapel and excellent guide who gave a fantastic account of its history. I would definitely recommend that you visit if you are in the area. See more..
4.5 Temple Church (7 reviews)
- Some parts close off
Spent < 1 hour Historic Sites • Ancient Ruins

Old church close off as is apparently danger to walk in. Parts of old cemenatry looks really nice with old graveyards and tombstones. When you are in the area, definitely worth to see. See more..
4.5 Dalkeith Water Tower (4 reviews)
- Amazing place to stay!
Historic Sites

We rented this property on Airbnb and it was the first stop on our tour through Scotland. It is really an amazing and unique property. The town is very nice and everything is extremely walkable. The space itself is very interesting and I highly recommend having the experience of staying here. They did such an amazing job turning this into a residence. See more..
4.5 St Marys Episcopal Church (4 reviews)
- Church of the Buccleuchs
Churches & Cathedrals

This church is situated just within the grounds of Dalkeith Country Park. Out of all the church buildings in Dalkeith, this is just about the grandest as you’d expect given that it was originally built for the Dukes of Buccleuch. The use of half buttress, full buttress and additional buildings added to the original ge the exterior of the building a distinctive, but attractive look. The gabled roofs are decorated with a range of finials that include crosses and fruits. The drains also have an attractive number of figurines that include gargoyles, angels and lay people. The building is hard to miss if you’re visiting the park, and it’s worth a look if visiting. See more..
4.5 War Memorial (3 reviews)
- Wow
Historic Sites

This is the best war memorial I’ve seen. No match. It has a unusual crenellated top which I love. Come to see the architecture and to pay respect. See more..
4.5 Dalkeith Museum (3 reviews)
- Family History Help
Spent < 1 hour Speciality Museums

Our museum reflects the fascinating and unique history of Dalkeith told through display panels, artefacts, film and photographs, visitors are welcomed by our award winning team of volunteers. We run a programme of museum related activities including guided heritage walks, education sessions and accommodate group visits out of hours where possible. See more..
4.5 Penicuik South Church (2 reviews)
- Very cool very groovy wedding I like it
Spent 1-2 hours Points of Interest & Landmarks • Scenic Walking Areas • Churches & Cathedrals

Very cool very groovy wedding I like it . Was is married here with Seany Davidson gosh I loves it! Ooooooh what a day! I know tell me about , thank you for our church babes I loves it! See more..
4.5 Rosslyn Chapel (3.663 reviews)
- An absolute gem with a fascinating history
Sunday: 12:00 PM - 4:45 PM Spent 1-2 hours Churches & Cathedrals

Rosslyn Chapel is open to visitors again with extra safety measures in place and a new booking system, giving 90 minutes for your visit. Please book your visit in advance on our website. Dating back to 1446, the is just seven miles from Edinburgh city centre and is open to visitors all year. The Chapel's setting and the mysterious symbolism of its ornate stonework have attracted and intrigued visitors for generations. A starring role in The Da Vinci Code propelled it into the international spotlight. There are countless theories, myths and legends associated with the Chapel and our tour guides will be able to tell you more about these, and the building's history, when you visit. Please note that photography inside the Chapel is not allowed but there are no restrictions on outside photography. New visitor centre with touch-screen technology, letting you see the carvings close up; gift shop and good coffee shop. Full details of how to get here and what to see and do is on our website. See more..
4.5 National Mining Museum Scotland (433 reviews)
- An insightful visit to a museum and ex-coal-mine
Sunday: 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Speciality Museums

The National Mining Museum Scotland, a 5 Star visitor attraction and twice winner of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions "Best Visitor Experience" Award. We're based at one of the finest surviving examples of a Victorian colliery in Europe. Visitors to the museum will marvel at the sheer size of the place, be astounded by the engineering brilliance behind all the machinery and retrace the footsteps of the thousands of miners. What should you expect: Following Scottish Government advice we are currently unable to offer guided tours. However, we have developed a digital app which can be downloaded to your mobile device and used at kep points around the site. Our tour guides will still be on hand to answer any questions you may have. Please book your timeslot in advance. https://national-mining-museum-scotland.arttickets.org.uk/ See more..
4.5 Penicuik House (92 reviews)
- Off the beaten path and a must if you love country walks, pretty ruins and great food
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Spent 2-3 hours Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings

There is much more to Penicuik than the romantic ruins of the old house ravaged by the fire in 1899. The whole estate is a fascinating place full of charming country walks, great nature, 2 ponds and even a secret garden. The ruins of Penicuik house are the main feature and can be visited safely after the extensive conservation works that finished in 2014. Of course, if you are hungry make sure you grab something to eat at their quaint cafe. See more..
4.5 Crichton Castle (65 reviews)
- Hidden Gem
Temporarily closed - Closed until further notice Historic Sites • Architectural Buildings • Castles

This site is currently closed as a precautionary measure while we undertake site inspections. We apologise for any inconvenience. A large and sophisticated castle with a spectacular facade of faceted stonework in an Italian style added, following a visit to Italy, by the Earl of Bothwell between 1581 and 1591. Mary Queen of Scots attended a wedding here. This has a facade of faceted stonework in an Italian Renaissance style. The courtyard is fully accessible. Access to areas leading from there depends on the visitor's mobility as each room and cellar has up to three steps leading to it. See more..
4.5 Roslin Glen Country Park (47 reviews)
- Ferrytales in Roslin
Sunday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Ancient Ruins • Historic Walking Areas

If fou are near Roslin, don't forget to talk a walk in the Glenn nearby. We made a 10 km walk form Roslin Castle to Wallace's Cave. We took the small roads to get there and it was just like in a ferrytale. The ground was slippery so take he right shoeware. The cave was like a cave, not more then a hole in the rock. The view on the water from out ther was very nice and when we got further we saw the Writers Inn. A nice house in the woods. A nice thing to do when you are in the neighbourhood. See more..
4.5 Saltire Centre (38 reviews)
- Brilliant soft play
Sunday: 9:30 AM - 10:00 PM Spent 1-2 hours Sports Complexes

Saltire Centre is a Kids Soft Play centre, café and Indoor Football arena. The Saltire Centre is a great, safe environment for groups of all ages to enjoy. See more..