Common Wood

Wood, Forest in Midlothian

Scotland

Common Wood

Colliery cat kipping in coal At the National Mining Museum Scotland, the former Lady Victoria Colliery.
Colliery cat kipping in coal Credit: Robin Webster

Common Wood is a woodland area located in Midlothian, Scotland. Situated in the region known as the Scottish Borders, this forest covers an area of approximately 200 acres. The wood is characterized by a diverse range of tree species, including oak, birch, beech, and pine, creating a rich and varied ecosystem.

The woodland is known for its natural beauty and is a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers. It offers a peaceful retreat away from the hustle and bustle of urban life, providing ample opportunities for walking, hiking, and wildlife spotting. There are several well-maintained trails that wind through the forest, allowing visitors to explore the area at their own pace and enjoy the tranquility of the surroundings.

Common Wood is home to a variety of wildlife, including deer, squirrels, and a wide array of bird species. Birdwatchers often visit the forest to catch glimpses of rare species such as the black grouse and the red kite. The woodland also supports a diverse range of plant life, with wildflowers, ferns, and mosses adding to its natural charm.

In addition to its recreational and ecological value, Common Wood has historical significance as well. The remains of an ancient Roman road can be found within the forest, providing a glimpse into the area's past. The wood has also been managed sustainably for timber production, contributing to the local economy and ensuring the long-term viability of the woodland.

Overall, Common Wood in Midlothian is a picturesque and biodiverse forest that offers visitors a chance to reconnect with nature and explore the region's natural heritage.

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Common Wood Images

Images are sourced within 2km of 55.854851/-3.04392 or Grid Reference NT3462. Thanks to Geograph Open Source API. All images are credited.

Colliery cat kipping in coal At the National Mining Museum Scotland, the former Lady Victoria Colliery.
Colliery cat kipping in coal
At the National Mining Museum Scotland, the former Lady Victoria Colliery.
Equipment maintenance board, Lady Victoria Shaft At the National Mining Museum Scotland. The 'Automatic contrivance' is intriguing, a term apparently commonly used without a more specific name.
Equipment maintenance board, Lady Victoria Shaft
At the National Mining Museum Scotland. The 'Automatic contrivance' is intriguing, a term apparently commonly used without a more specific name.
Winding engine, Lady Victoria Shaft At the National Mining Museum Scotland, at the former Lady Victoria colliery. One side of the steam engine, which no longer has a steam supply, but can be turned over electrically.
Winding engine, Lady Victoria Shaft
At the National Mining Museum Scotland, at the former Lady Victoria colliery. One side of the steam engine, which no longer has a steam supply, but can be turned over electrically.
Winding engine, Lady Victoria Shaft At the National Mining Museum Scotland, at the former Lady Victoria colliery. One side of the steam engine, which no longer has a steam supply, but can be turned over electrically. The winding drum is behind the shield with the flag, the other half of the two cylinder engine is off to the left. The winding ropes, which originally passed through the high port in the end wall, have been removed.
Winding engine, Lady Victoria Shaft
At the National Mining Museum Scotland, at the former Lady Victoria colliery. One side of the steam engine, which no longer has a steam supply, but can be turned over electrically. The winding drum is behind the shield with the flag, the other half of the two cylinder engine is off to the left. The winding ropes, which originally passed through the high port in the end wall, have been removed.
Winding drum and indicators, Lady Victoria Shaft At the National Mining Museum Scotland, at the former Lady Victoria colliery. The winding ropes, which originally passed through the high port in the end wall, have been removed.
Winding drum and indicators, Lady Victoria Shaft
At the National Mining Museum Scotland, at the former Lady Victoria colliery. The winding ropes, which originally passed through the high port in the end wall, have been removed.
Coal face machinery, National Mining Museum Scotland The underground parts of Lady Victoria Colliery have been capped off, but a mock-up of what it is like underground has been made in one of the surface buildings.
Coal face machinery, National Mining Museum Scotland
The underground parts of Lady Victoria Colliery have been capped off, but a mock-up of what it is like underground has been made in one of the surface buildings.
NCB No.21 West Ayr Area at the National Mining Museum Scotland, 2007 There is a view of this nearby in 1982 in very good external condition. Since then it had been neglected, and not until 2019 was something done about it. It was moved to the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway for cosmetic restoration and returned in 2020. During the first move it was found that the wheel bearings had seized up, and considerable difficult was had in shunting it around. Hopefully 'cosmetic' extended to sorting that out.
NCB No.21 West Ayr Area at the National Mining Museum Scotland, 2007
There is a view of this nearby in 1982 in very good external condition. Since then it had been neglected, and not until 2019 was something done about it. It was moved to the Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway for cosmetic restoration and returned in 2020. During the first move it was found that the wheel bearings had seized up, and considerable difficult was had in shunting it around. Hopefully 'cosmetic' extended to sorting that out.
Trotters Bridge Rustic little stone bridge over the Gore Water on the Arniston Estate near Gorebridge with mainly beech woodland surrounding it.

Several contributors seem to suggest that Trotters Bridge is over the River South Esk on the minor road to Carrington:-
<a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1345203" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/1345203">Link</a>
<a title="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6041984" href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6041984">Link</a>
Whereas the buildings at risk register - with map - suggest that it is the rustic bridge over the Gore Water at the furthest extent of the Arniston Estate:-
<span class="nowrap"><a title="https://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/924642" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://www.buildingsatrisk.org.uk/details/924642">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>
Trotters Bridge
Rustic little stone bridge over the Gore Water on the Arniston Estate near Gorebridge with mainly beech woodland surrounding it. Several contributors seem to suggest that Trotters Bridge is over the River South Esk on the minor road to Carrington:- Link Link Whereas the buildings at risk register - with map - suggest that it is the rustic bridge over the Gore Water at the furthest extent of the Arniston Estate:- LinkExternal link
Newtongrange Station
Newtongrange Station
Main Street, Newtongrange Main Street from its junction with Lingerwood Road. In the foreground is one of the distinctive brick-built cottages of the 19th century mining village.
Main Street, Newtongrange
Main Street from its junction with Lingerwood Road. In the foreground is one of the distinctive brick-built cottages of the 19th century mining village.
Cafe on Main Street, Newtongrange Cafe and takeaway business near the junction with Lingerwood Road.
Cafe on Main Street, Newtongrange
Cafe and takeaway business near the junction with Lingerwood Road.
Picture Palace cinema commemoration, Newtongrange Brickwork in the pavement at the junction of Lingerwood Road and Main Street commemorating the Picture Palace 1915 - 1961, first film Out of the Depths. 

It was situated across the road and the site is now occupied by a block of flats. There is a photograph of the cinema on the Canmore web page <span class="nowrap"><a title="https://canmore.org.uk/site/290825/newtongrange-4-muirdean-road-site-of-cinema" rel="nofollow ugc noopener" href="https://canmore.org.uk/site/290825/newtongrange-4-muirdean-road-site-of-cinema">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> (incorrectly titled as 4 Muirdean Road instead of Murderdean Road).
Picture Palace cinema commemoration, Newtongrange
Brickwork in the pavement at the junction of Lingerwood Road and Main Street commemorating the Picture Palace 1915 - 1961, first film Out of the Depths. It was situated across the road and the site is now occupied by a block of flats. There is a photograph of the cinema on the Canmore web page LinkExternal link (incorrectly titled as 4 Muirdean Road instead of Murderdean Road).
Lane, Newtongrange A lane between Fourth Street and Fifth Street in this 19th century mining village with a gridiron layout. Note the solar panels.
Lane, Newtongrange
A lane between Fourth Street and Fifth Street in this 19th century mining village with a gridiron layout. Note the solar panels.
Statue of a miner, Newtongrange The plinth is inscribed 'Dedicated to All Mineworkers'.
Statue of a miner, Newtongrange
The plinth is inscribed 'Dedicated to All Mineworkers'.
Newtongrange Library The library in a small park next to the church.
Newtongrange Library
The library in a small park next to the church.
Winding wheel, Newtongrange On display in front of the Leisure Centre to commemorate the coal mining industry here.
Winding wheel, Newtongrange
On display in front of the Leisure Centre to commemorate the coal mining industry here.
Former coal conveyor, Newtongrange This spans the A7 at the Lady Victoria Colliery, now the National Mining Museum. See <a href="https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/6305844">NT3363 : Coal conveyor and National Mining Museum, Newtongrange</a> for a view from the other end.
Former coal conveyor, Newtongrange
This spans the A7 at the Lady Victoria Colliery, now the National Mining Museum. See NT3363 : Coal conveyor and National Mining Museum, Newtongrange for a view from the other end.
Picnic table, Gore Glen A car park off the A7. The path crosses the railway before plunging towards Trotter's Bridge. The woods on the right are on a bing.
Picnic table, Gore Glen
A car park off the A7. The path crosses the railway before plunging towards Trotter's Bridge. The woods on the right are on a bing.
Show me another place!

Common Wood is located at Grid Ref: NT3462 (Lat: 55.854851, Lng: -3.04392)

Unitary Authority: Midlothian

Police Authority: The Lothians and Scottish Borders

What 3 Words

///mole.loyal.pens. Near Gorebridge, Midlothian

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Hunterfield Common Wood

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Nearby Amenities

Located within 500m of 55.854851,-3.04392
Location: pole
Power: transformer
Lat/Long: 55.8558482/-3.037408
The data included in this document is from www.openstreetmap.org. The data is made available under ODbL.

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