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Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin

Companionship careMidlothian

Days out in Midlothian for an older parent

Seven places in Midlothian that make a good day out for an older parent, from Rosslyn Chapel to Straiton Pond Local Nature Reserve. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated September 2026

Rosslyn Chapel. Photo: kitmasterbloke, CC BY 2.0

Seven days out across six towns

The best places to take an older parent in Midlothian

Five of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for two confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin

Photo: kitmasterbloke, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Cathedral · Roslin

Rosslyn Chapel

Rosslyn Chapel in Roslin was founded in 1446 and is famous for its elaborate stone carvings, including the Apprentice Pillar and more than a hundred Green Men. A modern visitor centre beside it has displays, a café and a shop.

Five disabled parking spaces are about 55 metres from the one-level visitor centre, which has an accessible toilet and a wheelchair to borrow, a ramp leads into the chapel, and a carer goes in free.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Reduced price for disabled visitors, carers free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Roslin

National Mining Museum Scotland, Newtongrange

Photo: Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Newtongrange

National Mining Museum Scotland

The National Mining Museum Scotland is set in the preserved Lady Victoria Colliery at Newtongrange and tells the story of Scotland's coal industry. You can see the pithead winding engine, walk through a recreated coal face and hear from former miners.

There is a large free car park with disabled spaces and a ramp to reception, level access to the café, shop and toilets, disabled toilets on two floors and two manual wheelchairs to book.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry, free parking

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Newtongrange

Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith

Photo: Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Park · Dalkeith

Dalkeith Country Park

Dalkeith Country Park is the former estate of the Dukes of Buccleuch on the edge of Dalkeith, with woodland trails, riverside walks and the 18th-century Dalkeith Palace. Restoration Yard, in the old stables, has a restaurant, café and shops.

Restoration Yard sits close to the car park, so the carer can plan a meal there and pick one of the shorter waymarked trails, and the park publishes an accessibility guide to check first.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free entry, parking charged

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Dalkeith

Vogrie Country Park

Park · Gorebridge

Vogrie Country Park

Vogrie Country Park near Gorebridge is a Victorian estate with woodland, ponds, grassland and parkland, with 11.5 miles of signed paths down to the River Tyne. Vogrie House, at its centre, has a café.

There are Blue Badge bays near the house, a lift inside Vogrie House to the café and the disabled toilet, and the main paths are described as suitable for all.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free entry, £3 parking

What their access information confirms

  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Gorebridge

Pentland Hills at Flotterstone, Penicuik

Photo: User:Mtcv, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Penicuik

Pentland Hills at Flotterstone

Flotterstone, off the A702 north of Penicuik, is the most popular gateway to the Pentland Hills Regional Park, with a visitor information point and a café. A track follows the burn up the valley towards Glencorse Reservoir, surrounded by open hills.

The café and information point are by the car park, so the carer can plan a short stroll along the start of the valley and a warm drink afterwards.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Penicuik

Roslin Glen Country Park, Roslin

Photo: Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Roslin

Roslin Glen Country Park

Roslin Glen Country Park follows the wooded gorge of the River North Esk below Roslin village, with a weir, wildflower meadows and the remains of old gunpowder mills. Paths link up to Rosslyn Chapel and Roslin Castle.

The paths are whin, a firm gravel surface, so it works best for someone steady on their feet, and it pairs well with a visit to Rosslyn Chapel above.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Roslin

Straiton Pond Local Nature Reserve, Loanhead

Photo: Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Nature reserve · Loanhead

Straiton Pond Local Nature Reserve

Straiton Pond near Loanhead is a small nature reserve on a former clay pit that supplied local brickworks for a century. It is now a quiet pond with reeds and trees, good for birdwatching and a picnic.

It is small enough for a short, unhurried stroll, but parking is limited on Lang Loan, so the carer may prefer to drop off first.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Loanhead

Regular groups and events in Midlothian

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Midlothian.

  • Music · NewtongrangeNewtongrange Silver BandA long established community brass band based in the former mining village of Newtongrange, listed on the council's community venues and organisations directory. A carer could arrange lifts to rehearsals or concerts, or simply sit in with someone who wants to listen rather than play.Details
  • Photography · DalkeithPhotoDalkeith at Dalkeith PalaceA recurring photography event held in Dalkeith Palace within Dalkeith Country Park, bringing photographers into the historic building. A carer can book ahead, carry equipment and plan a short visit with breaks in the nearby courtyard.Details
  • Painting · PenicuikPenicuik Community Arts AssociationA community arts organisation in Penicuik listed on the Locate in Midlothian directory, running activities and classes for local people. A carer could check the current programme, come along to a session and help with setting up and clearing away materials.Details
  • Reading · DalkeithMidlothian Libraries book groupsMidlothian Council libraries run book groups and supply reading group collections, with the service coordinated across branches in the county. A carer can help choose a group at the nearest branch, manage transport and pick up the next title between meetings.Details
  • Volunteering · NewtongrangeVolunteering at National Mining Museum ScotlandThe museum at the former Lady Victoria Colliery in Newtongrange recruits volunteers for visitor and collections roles. A carer could help with the application, the travel and a sensible shift length, which suits someone with family links to the pits.Details
  • Volunteering · DalkeithMidlothian Council volunteer opportunitiesThe council lists current volunteering openings across Midlothian services, from libraries and parks to community projects. A carer can go through the list together, contact the coordinator and provide transport for regular sessions.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Midlothian

At a glance

The seven places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Rosslyn ChapelRoslinan hour or twoPaid entryPartlyYesAsk
National Mining Museum ScotlandNewtongrangehalf a dayPaid entryPartlyYesYes
Dalkeith Country ParkDalkeithhalf a dayFreeAskAskAsk
Vogrie Country ParkGorebridgehalf a dayFreeAskAskAsk
Pentland Hills at FlotterstonePenicuikan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Roslin Glen Country ParkRoslinan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Straiton Pond Local Nature ReserveLoanheadan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Midlothian

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

Penicuik1234567
  1. 1Rosslyn Chapel, Roslin
  2. 2National Mining Museum Scotland, Newtongrange
  3. 3Dalkeith Country Park, Dalkeith
  4. 4Vogrie Country Park, Gorebridge
  5. 5Pentland Hills at Flotterstone, Penicuik
  6. 6Roslin Glen Country Park, Roslin
  7. 7Straiton Pond Local Nature Reserve, Loanhead

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Midlothian

Carers in Midlothian charge £19 to £20 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £19, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £76 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Midlothian has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Midlothian

Rosslyn Chapel in Roslin, National Mining Museum Scotland in Newtongrange, Dalkeith Country Park in Dalkeith, Vogrie Country Park in Gorebridge, Pentland Hills at Flotterstone in Penicuik, Roslin Glen Country Park in Roslin and Straiton Pond Local Nature Reserve in Loanhead. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

Rosslyn Chapel and National Mining Museum Scotland have an accessible toilet. Rosslyn Chapel lends wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Dalkeith Country Park, Vogrie Country Park, Pentland Hills at Flotterstone, Roslin Glen Country Park and Straiton Pond Local Nature Reserve. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 12 of the carers with a rate near Midlothian drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £19 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Midlothian shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Midlothian

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Midlothian

Days out in the areas around Midlothian

Companionship care by town in Midlothian

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Midlothian

See carers near Midlothian who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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