Another cycle trip in the direction of Roslin, this time on the Southeast side (opposite side from Rosslyn Chapel) of the River Esk, in search of Wallace’s Cave. William Wallace is said to have hidden out in the cave before the Battle of Roslin, 24 February 1303, during the First War of Scottish Independence. The presence nearby of Late Paleolithic/Early Bronze Age rock art carvings suggests the cave may have been carved into the rock during prehistoric times and expanded later.
The first sign of the site is a series of old steps carved into the rock, leading to an outcropping that looks like it used to incorporate a railing to look over the cliff edge down to the river below.
From there, stone steps lead down to the left and snake around the cliff face to a ledge:
Use caution as there are loose rocks and forest debris along the ledge, and it’s a potentially steep fall to the base of the cliff below. The entrance to the cave is impossible to miss if you follow the path:
Take a torch, as the light inside is poor, but inside you’ll find a recess carved into the back wall, and two chambers, one on either side:
It’s full of history and imaginings!
Rediscovering Scotland 