Start : Gorebridge, Hunter Square
(S) Head uphill (North-East), from Hunter square on Gorebridge (A) Main Street, up Bonnybank Road. Keep on upwards. Stobhill Primary School is on your right.
(1) A path continues straight ahead. Take it, then bear slightly left in the trees. Cut through, right, to the radio-mast on the far side of Barleyknowe Rd. Cross.
(2) Enter the left-hand field. Follow a rough track up and alongside field boundaries, through gates, all the way up to Common Wood.
(3) Once over the stile follow the minor road round, and down, to the right. At Moss Cottage turn left. The farm track passes deserted buildings with a distinctive chimney. Pass more buildings to find the Esk Valley Trail signposted to the right. The footpath leads downward, to cross Vogrie Burn and thence reach the B6372 at Newlandrig between buildings.
(4) Cross the road and follow the pavement left. At the end of the housing pass one minor road junction on your right. Then enter Vogrie Country Park (B) at a second road junction. A path parallels the road, through trees, to soon reach a picnic-spot and toilets.
(5) Carry on towards the North-East, towards BBQ1. Vogrie House (off your route) will be seen through the trees to the right. A network of paths leads on, still towards the North-East, through trees, with a large grass area over to your left. Keep going and eventually cross the Vogrie Burn. Swing left here and so head northwards along the entrance-road. This old, somewhat overgrown carriageway slowly swings left, North-West and finally West, to exit Vogrie Park at Rookery Lodge Gates. Turn right along the pavement into Dewarton.
(6) In Dewarton turn sharp right between houses. Head along the track to pass Woodhead Farm and carry on through to Ford. On reaching the minor road, cross, turn right and follow the pavement up to the outskirts of Pathhead. Telford’s magnificent aqueduct lies on the left.
(7) On reaching the main 'A' road, take care. Do not proceed into Pathhead itself. Instead cross the busy A68 and follow Hill Road, directly opposite, almost due North. Keep ahead (right) when a minor road leaves on the left to soon reach the Lion’s Gate (C). Pass through to enter the grounds of Preston Hall (D).
(8) Carry onwards (heading North), the river lies below to the left. Magnificent specimen trees lie all around. Keep on along the road.
(9) Fork slightly left to pass the old walled garden on your left, the main house is over to the right. The estate road is all the while gradually swinging right. Beyond the walled garden look out for a gate and track continuing ahead.
(10) Follow the track through the broad parkland field. Pass across a magnificent avenue of trees. This old avenue connected the Temple (E) to the main house. Keep on ahead, a white gate leads into woods. A secluded woodland path takes you through to the old North Gates. Pass through them easily.
(11) Turn right along the minor road. Then turn left at the first junction. Pass under electricity cables and carry on to the West Byres junction. (An interesting old burial ground, with a Memorial erected by Isabella sister of Robert Burns, can be visited just left of the junction.)
(12) From the West Byres junction go right, for 100 metres, to enter the old Ormiston Estate, on the left. Belsis Burn lies on the left. The old estate road leads straight ahead to pass interestingly and tastefully restored housing on the right. Soon a T-junction is reached.
(13) At this point the main Lothian Transect Route leads left. However a short detour to the Ormiston Yew (F) is strongly recommended.
To reach the Yew, follow the minor road to the right. pass housing on your right. A few paces beyond the housing a public right of way leads off to the right, behind the housing. The magnificent Ormiston Yew is to be found, on your right, in about 70 yards. Push through the surrounding low vegetation to emerge beneath the sweeping branches of the yew. The area beneath the weeping branches, especially late on a quiet summer evening, is possibly the author's favourite spot along all nine legs of the Lothian Transect Route.
The main route follows the left hand road. It keeps right at yet another well restored house, and then carries onwards, through deciduous trees, to reach the A6093.
(14) Cross and go right along the wide grassy verge, to quickly reach the B6371. Turn left here, follow the pavement, cross the River. Tyne and so enter into Ormiston. (E)
