If you are fascinated with Scottish and English history, one landmark that is worth a beautiful walk is the Battle of Carberry Hill, you can get the history of the battle here.
This blog is all about how to get there, as it isn’t as straightforward as one expects. So, with a few directions and photos, I hope this makes your journey to the actual commemorative stone easier.
You should double this up by staying at the Carberry Tower Mansion, a fantastic experience and where our walk starts. You leave for the monument via the private gardens of Carberry Tower Mansion, walking past the beautiful old tree, which is resplendent in autumn. My article on Carberry Tower Mansion is here.
Walk past this tree with it on your right, aiming for the open grass to the right of the small forest. Just to the right of the forest will be a more deeply cut walkway which takes you up to a very clear stone paved path. You will walk between a couple of tree trunks.
Once on the path, just stay on it for around 10-15 minutes depending on how fast you walk and weather conditions.
As you walk along the path, you will see trails heading off into smaller forests, do not take these (like I did), they are a false direction!
Go right at this fork. Don’t be fooled, keep going straight ahead!
At the next fork in the path, go left, this takes you into what I believe is the Carberry Hill Battle car park, but I doubt any cars get there to park.
Go left (straight ahead) at this fork in the road. You will see a barrier across, but you can walk around. Make sure you have worn the correct footwear, as it does get wet and muddy.
As you move into the ‘car park’, you will see a guiding sign. Please pay attention, I didn’t, and it has cost me!
You are aiming to get to the commemorative stone, which was never clearly explained to me by the few people whom we asked for guidance and direction. Now you head up the hill, as said previously, depending on weather conditions it can be muddy and thus very slippery. You walk for around another 10 minutes depending on your pace and you come to the ‘lookout’, which has a couple of signs and information. Enjoy the views of Edinburgh, if you’ve been smart and brought binoculars then this is the time to take them out and use them (unlike me, who completely forgot I had them!).
Now, don’t be like me, and think you have made it, I walked up the path another few hundred meters and only saw more bike trails, and thought the signs were it. I needed to go another few hundred meters and get to the actual commemorative stone! This is what you are looking for!
A couple of final notes, firstly, make sure you wear appropriate clothing and footwear based on the weather and season conditions. It is around 20-30 minutes of walking, and only becomes difficult in heavy weather. Next, what time of year to do this? We went just on the cusp of autumn, and the trees and leaves were beautiful, so I’d recommend the same time of year, but I suspect it would be equally wonderful in snow.
Finally, if this has helped you, or if you think I’ve missed anything, please leave a comment.
Many thanks, enjoy the Carberry Hill Battle walk.
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