The Copse

Wood, Forest in Midlothian

Scotland

The Copse

St Cuthbert's Church from the Castle Credit: Ceri Thomas

The Copse, located in Midlothian, Scotland, is a picturesque wood or forest area known for its serene and natural beauty. Spread across a sizable area, The Copse is a haven for nature enthusiasts and those seeking tranquility away from the bustling city life.

The wood is characterized by its dense collection of trees, predominantly consisting of various species such as oak, beech, and pine. The towering canopies create a cool and shaded environment, providing a refuge from the scorching sun during the summer months.

The Copse offers numerous walking trails and pathways, allowing visitors to explore its enchanting surroundings. As one ventures deeper into the forest, they may encounter a diverse range of flora and fauna, including wildflowers, ferns, and a variety of bird species. The peaceful ambiance is often interrupted by the melodic chirping of birds and the rustling of leaves in the gentle breeze.

The woodland is also home to a small stream that meanders through its heart, enhancing the tranquility and providing a refreshing spot for visitors to relax and enjoy the soothing sounds of running water.

The Copse is a popular destination for outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, and picnicking. Many visitors also take advantage of its natural beauty for photography or simply to find solace in the midst of nature's embrace.

Overall, The Copse in Midlothian is a captivating wood or forest that offers a welcome respite from the pressures of modern life, providing a serene and awe-inspiring experience for all who venture within its boundaries.

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The Copse Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.966407/-3.2096446 or Grid Reference NT2475. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

St Cuthbert's Church from the Castle

Ceri Thomas

Edinburgh New Town

Ceri Thomas

Edinburgh New Town (2)

Ceri Thomas

The Mound

Ceri Thomas

Lighthouse at Newhaven

Ceri Thomas

George Street roofscape

Taken from the Castle; Leith is in the distance

Ceri Thomas

North Edinburgh skyline

Ceri Thomas

Princes Street

Ceri Thomas

Belgrave Mews

The mews would originally have housed the carriages belonging to the occupants of the houses in Belgrave Terrace, but they are now all converted to desirable housing.

Anne Burgess

Gravestone of David Octavius Hill

David Octavius Hill (1802-1870) was a notable artist and photographer. See Link

for an account of his life and his work. The likeness of him is by his second wife, Amelia Robertson Paton, who lies beside him.

Anne Burgess

Topiary

Interesting that the tree in the background almost matches the shape of the two clipped yews. It was also curious that the lower halves of both of the clipped bushes do actually have darker leaves than the upper halves - it isn't just the effect of the shade making them look darker.

Anne Burgess

Gravestone of Sir Thomas Bouch

This is a rare example of someone famous who probably wished he were not, because he was famous for the wrong reasons. He was the engineer who designed the first Tay Bridge, which collapsed in a storm on 28 December 1879, taking a trainload of passengers with it and resulting in the loss of 75 lives. See Link

for an account of Bouch's life and work, and Link

for an account of the Tay Bridge Disaster.

Anne Burgess

Lady's Smock (Cardamine pratensis)

Having noted with great dismay that all the Lady's Smock or Cuckoo Flower around my home had been mown just as it was coming into flower, and noted with equal sorrow the dreary swathe of boring green in front of the National Gallery of Modern Art Two, I was delighted to find that the little slope between the basement windows and the decorative dyke is evidently out of reach of the mowers, and supports a flourishing colony of C pratensis which is not only pleasing to the eye, but attractive to insects - note the bee on the flower at lower right - and the principal food plant of the Orange Tip butterfly.

Anne Burgess

Honesty (Lunaria annua)

A cheerful clump of Honesty just inside the hedge that surrounds the allotments beside the National Gallery of Modern Art Two.

Anne Burgess

St Andrew's Roman Catholic Church

In an area well known for solid and opulent stone villas, this church is an odd surprise. It was, I am told, an early example of a kit building, and it was erected here for the convenience of Roman Catholics employed in the said stone villas round about, who would otherwise have had to make a much longer journey to attend services. It was intended as a temporary building, but it is still there 120 years later, and is now a Category C Listed building. See Link

for more details.

Anne Burgess