Pinkie Cleugh

Valley in Midlothian

Scotland

Pinkie Cleugh

Pinkie Cleugh is a historical site located in Midlothian, Scotland. Situated in a valley, it holds great significance in Scottish history due to its association with the Battle of Pinkie Cleugh, which took place on September 10, 1547, during the Anglo-Scottish Wars. The battle occurred between the armies of Scotland, led by Mary of Guise, and England, led by Edward Seymour, 1st Duke of Somerset.

Pinkie Cleugh is characterized by its rolling hills and picturesque landscape, making it an idyllic setting for a historical battle. The valley is surrounded by lush greenery and is intersected by the River Esk. It is a popular destination for history enthusiasts and nature lovers alike.

The Battle of Pinkie Cleugh was a decisive victory for the English forces, resulting in a devastating loss for the Scots. It is estimated that around 15,000 soldiers were killed in the battle, with the majority being Scottish. The defeat had long-lasting consequences for Scotland, as it led to increased English influence over the country and the eventual union of the crowns in 1603.

Today, Pinkie Cleugh serves as a reminder of Scotland's turbulent past and the fierce clashes that took place on its soil. Visitors can explore the battlefield, view informational plaques, and gain a deeper understanding of the historical significance of the site. The area also offers opportunities for leisurely walks and picnics, allowing visitors to fully appreciate the natural beauty of Pinkie Cleugh.

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Pinkie Cleugh Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.937115/-3.0361106 or Grid Reference NT3572. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Inveresk Lodge Garden

This attractive small garden is in the care of the National Trust for Scotland

Anne Burgess

Musselburgh Doll's Museum

High Street, Musselburgh. Formerly High Kirk of St Andrew.

Tom Bishop

Esk Bridge

This is Musselburgh's old bridge over the Esk, rebuilt in the 16th century on the site of a Roman bridge. It is now a footbridge.

Tom Bishop

Whitecraig.

Village shop in Whitecraig, a mining village that does not feature on the VisionsofBritain map.

Richard Webb

Crookston

Farmhouse behind a field of wheat. The square is mostly arable land, but there is what looks like a covered landfill area on the site of a colliery just to the south of this farm.

Richard Webb

Wallyford Colliery site.

Looking across the square from up on Falside Hill to Wallyford, a mining village. The wooded area is the site of the Wallyford Colliery. The A1 dual carriageway is out of sight, behind the hill with the wheat field.

Richard Webb

A1 crosses the Esk

Bridge carrying the new A1, a pseudo motorway of the 1980s - prohibitions but inferior specification and no hard shoulder, over the Esk.

Richard Webb

Himalayan Balsam

An invasive weed that seems to choke every riverbank with fine alluvial silt - that is, if the Giant Hogweed does not get there first. (Hogweed on the other bank of the Esk, here in Inveresk.)

Richard Webb

Adam Ferguson House, Eskmills.

Old mill, now used as office accommodation

Richard Webb

River Esk

The Esk finally meets the sea at Musselburgh. Looking upstream towards the town centre.

Richard Webb

Mouth of the Esk

The Esk meets the Firth of Forth at Fisherrow Sands.

Richard Webb

Reclaimed ash lagoons.

Not long ago this was beach, only exposed at low tide, the shore being by the racecourse. The beach was used to deposit waste ash from the Cockenzie power station and a lot of land behind a seawall was reclaimed in the form of ash lagoons. This industrial wasteland has undergone further reclamation to form a very fine bird reserve with a good overwintering wader population. One of the pools with hides can be seen across the finch filled rough grassland.

Richard Webb

Ash lagoon, Musselburgh.

Land reclaimed from the sea now used to dump ash from the Cockenzie power station. This is next to the bird reserve, and even this grey wasteland is full of wildlife.

Richard Webb

Using fly ash

Ash from coal fired power stations was a waste product to be dumped. A new area of land was made near Musselburgh through dumping ash, some of which is now a nature reserve. Now ash is no longer waste. It is used in a variety of industries like agriculture, carpet making and road building. Here ash from Cockenzie power station is being carried away after being dug from a lagoon. Sprinklers keep the ash moist until its carried away.

Richard Webb

Ash lagoon, West Pans

Once a waste product, fly ash from coal fired power stations is now used by several industries. It is stored here prior to being carried away. Picture shows the deposits being quarried and sprinklers for keeping the ash wet (possibly to prevent it turning to a hard stone). Further west in NT3473 and NT3573, the ash has been dumped forming new land, some of which is a nature reserve.

Richard Webb

Wallyford

Terraced houses in this former mining village.

Richard Webb

Grandstand

Now that Edinburgh's once homeless football club has settled down over in Livingston, I was surprised to see a stand being built in a barley field at Wallyford. Enquiries at the waste dump next door revealed that this is to be a dog track, replacing Powderhall in Edinburgh, now housing.

Richard Webb

Last of the barley.

Developments connected to the Wallyford Dog Track. When the barley is harvested, there will be more building here. Being inside the A1 Musselburgh bypass, land here will be built upon eventually.

Richard Webb

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Pinkie Cleugh is located at Grid Ref: NT3572 (Lat: 55.937115, Lng: -3.0361106)

Unitary Authority: East Lothian

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders