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Hartwood

Settlement in Midlothian

Scotland

Hartwood

Road near Baad's Mill A straight road through conifer plantations. The Pate's Hill powerstation now dominates the view.
Road near Baad's Mill Credit: Richard Webb

Hartwood is a charming village located in Midlothian, Scotland. Situated approximately 12 miles south-west of Edinburgh, Hartwood is nestled amidst picturesque countryside, offering residents and visitors a tranquil and scenic environment.

The village is known for its rich history, dating back to the medieval era. It is home to several historic landmarks, including Hartwood Church, a stunning 19th-century building with beautiful stained glass windows and intricate architectural details. The church serves as a focal point for the community and holds regular religious services and community events.

Hartwood is also renowned for its natural beauty, with numerous walking and cycling trails that wind through the surrounding countryside. The village is surrounded by lush green fields and rolling hills, providing breathtaking views at every turn. It is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts, who can explore the nearby Hartwoodhill Nature Reserve, a haven for wildlife and a perfect spot for birdwatching and nature walks.

Despite its small size, Hartwood has a close-knit and welcoming community. The village hosts various social gatherings and events throughout the year, such as the annual Hartwood Festival, where residents come together to celebrate their local heritage and enjoy live music, food, and entertainment.

With its idyllic setting and warm community spirit, Hartwood offers a peaceful retreat from the hustle and bustle of city life, making it a desirable place to live or visit for those seeking a slower pace and a connection to nature.

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Hartwood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.832042/-3.5821078 or Grid Reference NT0161. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Road near Baad's Mill A straight road through conifer plantations. The Pate's Hill powerstation now dominates the view.
Road near Baad's Mill
A straight road through conifer plantations. The Pate's Hill powerstation now dominates the view.
Woodland on Pearie Law Until the inevitable arrival of a wind farm, much of the higher land here is covered in conifers. Before the trees it was used for sheep rearing.
Woodland on Pearie Law
Until the inevitable arrival of a wind farm, much of the higher land here is covered in conifers. Before the trees it was used for sheep rearing.
Footpath sign, West Harwood The gate has been broken down. This is the start of one of the paths in young woodland.
Footpath sign, West Harwood
The gate has been broken down. This is the start of one of the paths in young woodland.
West Harwood woodland A young but maturing plantation.
West Harwood woodland
A young but maturing plantation.
Fire break in woodland on Pates' Hill Overgrown fire break in the woodland surrounding Pates' Hill Wind farm.
Fire break in woodland on Pates' Hill
Overgrown fire break in the woodland surrounding Pates' Hill Wind farm.
Baad's Mill Not a humble mill anymore. Pates Hill Wind Farm is beyond.
Baad's Mill
Not a humble mill anymore. Pates Hill Wind Farm is beyond.
Forestry near Baad's Mill With a replanted clearing.
Forestry near Baad's Mill
With a replanted clearing.
Plantation clearing Part of the forestry near Baad's Mill
Plantation clearing
Part of the forestry near Baad's Mill
West Harwood from the air With West Calder in the distance. Taken by mobile phone, from a Prague bound flight from Edinburgh.
West Harwood from the air
With West Calder in the distance. Taken by mobile phone, from a Prague bound flight from Edinburgh.
Vein Syke 'Sykes' appear in isolated clusters throughout West Lothian, and no doubt in other nearby areas too. Online dictionaries - on the whole - seem to regard it as an occasional Scottish variant of 'sike', which refers to a fairly insignificant stream running through wet ground which often dries up in hot spells. Which is almost bang-on in this case, apart from the fact that it is still here during an unusually long period of high temperatures. But this may just be because some rural engineering over a long while has wiped out some other smaller tributaries to the Bog Burn and directed their waters here. The name seems odd because all minor watercourses could be regarded as veins, so why choose to bestow that name upon this one alone? Old documents and maps show that it got its name from a field area just upstream of here which, even more confusingly, was just called 'The Vein'.
Vein Syke
'Sykes' appear in isolated clusters throughout West Lothian, and no doubt in other nearby areas too. Online dictionaries - on the whole - seem to regard it as an occasional Scottish variant of 'sike', which refers to a fairly insignificant stream running through wet ground which often dries up in hot spells. Which is almost bang-on in this case, apart from the fact that it is still here during an unusually long period of high temperatures. But this may just be because some rural engineering over a long while has wiped out some other smaller tributaries to the Bog Burn and directed their waters here. The name seems odd because all minor watercourses could be regarded as veins, so why choose to bestow that name upon this one alone? Old documents and maps show that it got its name from a field area just upstream of here which, even more confusingly, was just called 'The Vein'.
Bog near Kipsyke To the left of the trees to the left is the ruin of Kipsyke farm. This is the third year I have walked to see it but every year there is the same sign pinned to the gate of the field the ruin is in: 'Bull in field'. The sign looks more faded on each visit and, as on the previous two visits, there was no bull in sight and no cowpats on the ground. However, it's a big field and some of it can't be seen from the gate. Plus I don't even like cows much and it could always be dozing within the ruin. Maybe next year my visit will coincide with a farmer's who will tell me that he's not kept cattle for years. The ground is boggy but not too boggy to keep your feet dry. It would probably be full of conifers too if access wasn't required to the power lines.
Bog near Kipsyke
To the left of the trees to the left is the ruin of Kipsyke farm. This is the third year I have walked to see it but every year there is the same sign pinned to the gate of the field the ruin is in: 'Bull in field'. The sign looks more faded on each visit and, as on the previous two visits, there was no bull in sight and no cowpats on the ground. However, it's a big field and some of it can't be seen from the gate. Plus I don't even like cows much and it could always be dozing within the ruin. Maybe next year my visit will coincide with a farmer's who will tell me that he's not kept cattle for years. The ground is boggy but not too boggy to keep your feet dry. It would probably be full of conifers too if access wasn't required to the power lines.
West Harwood from the air The ruin of Kipsyke <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/81470/kipsyke" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/81470/kipsyke">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> is visible on the right.
West Harwood from the air
The ruin of Kipsyke LinkExternal link is visible on the right.
West Harwood from the air The ruin of Kipsyke <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/81470/kipsyke" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/81470/kipsyke">Link</a><img style="margin-left:2px;" alt="External link" title="External link - shift click to open in new window" src="https://s1.geograph.org.uk/img/external.png" width="10" height="10"/></span> is visible to the right of centre.
West Harwood from the air
The ruin of Kipsyke LinkExternal link is visible to the right of centre.
Pearie Law wind farm from the air Alongside the Carstairs to Edinburgh section of the West Coast Main Line railway. See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5268244">NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air</a> & <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5268252">NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air</a>.
Pearie Law wind farm from the air
Alongside the Carstairs to Edinburgh section of the West Coast Main Line railway. See also NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air & NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air.
Pearie Law wind farm from the air Alongside the Carstairs to Edinburgh section of the West Coast Main Line railway. See also <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5268244">NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air</a> & <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/5268248">NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air</a>
Pearie Law wind farm from the air
Alongside the Carstairs to Edinburgh section of the West Coast Main Line railway. See also NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air & NT0159 : Pearie Law wind farm from the air
Pine Woods The maps imply that this old belt of trees is much more substantial than it is actually is.
Pine Woods
The maps imply that this old belt of trees is much more substantial than it is actually is.
Shady Track The track here is lined with mature beeches on the left, and conifers on the right.
Shady Track
The track here is lined with mature beeches on the left, and conifers on the right.
Open Field The maps show this area as forested, but the satellite view shows that this is one of four enclaves in the wood that have been cleared and used for grazing.
Open Field
The maps show this area as forested, but the satellite view shows that this is one of four enclaves in the wood that have been cleared and used for grazing.
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Hartwood is located at Grid Ref: NT0161 (Lat: 55.832042, Lng: -3.5821078)

Unitary Authority: West Lothian

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders

What 3 Words

///nicely.airfields.nicely. Near Addiebrownhill, West Lothian

Nearby Locations

Cow Hill Hartwood

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