Haddington Railway Walk is an easy five and half mile walk through the East Lothian countryside along the track of the old Longniddry to Haddington Railway line.
The Haddington Line
The Haddington Railway Line was a branch line connecting Haddington to the main North British Railway at Longniddry. The line opened in 1846 however road competition hit passenger numbers in the 1930’s and the line closed to passengers in 1949. Coal and agricultural goods traffic continued until 1968 when the line closed completely. The site of the station is now an industrial estate.
Haddington Railway Walk – Start of the Walk
I started by taking the train for North Berwick from platform 11 at Waverley Station Edinburgh. It is a fifteen minute journey by train to Longniddry. At Longniddry I crossed the footbridge and found the path straight ahead. This is a pleasant walk or cycle apart from the odd LNER train thundering past on its way to Edinburgh.
Haddington Railway Walk – What to look out for
There are information sticks along the route telling the walker what to look out for.
Wild Flowers
Railway verges are ideal for spotting wild flowers. Vegetation along the trackbed was controlled by burning. This encouraged the spread of plants like Rosebay Willowherb with its pink coloured flowers as well as Yellow Agrimony which attracts bees.
Animals
In summer you may be lucky to spot bats on the wing in late evening or foxes. Other mammals to look out for are weasels, stoats, hedgehogs mice or shrews.
Birds to look out for
Birds are much easier to spot depending on the time of year you walk the route. I spotted Blackbirds, Blue Tits, Willow Warbler, Hedge Sparrows, Blackcap and Whitethroat.
Onwards along the track to Haddington
The track soon heads south out into open countryside lined with Hawthorn trees, Elderberry, Rosehip and Blackberry. I enjoyed picking and eating the Blackberries along the route,. However if you fancy eating a few Blackberries pick the berries higher up as I met lots of dog walkers who regularly use the route.
These are typical types of trees you will find along the sides of former railway lines. As mentioned the track also acts as a cycleway and a public bridleway so beware of the horse poo which there is a bit on sections of the path.
The path heads under a bridge toward the Cottybun Siding and off to the left you will find a path which takes you to Redhouse Castle.
Redhouse Castle
Redhouse Castle is an impressive ruinous 16th century tower house and courtyard. Originally a Douglas property acquired by the Laing family in 1607. John Laing was the Keeper of the Royal Signet. His initials along with his wife Rebecca Deenistoun are carved into a pediment. John Laing died in 1612 and is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh.
The property passed to the Hamilton family through the marriage of John Laings daughter Jean to Andrew Hamilton. Sir Alexander Hamilton had the property ratified in 1621. He was a Senator of the College of Justice. Colonel George Hamilton of Redhouse was a Jacobite. He was wounded at the Battle of Clifton Moor in 1745. Captured and hanged at York the following year. The property was forfeited and the castle was allowed to fall into ruin after being bought by George Murray Lord Elibank in 1755.
The building is owned today by the Earl of Wemyss.
Haddington Railway Walk – Cottyburn Railway Siding
The siding was constructed when the railway first opened in 1846 and was in use until 1964. Cottyburn was a goods station serving local farmers, enabling them to get their produce to market in Edinburgh and Central Scotland. It was also a small community with its own school, school masters house and smithy. The ivy covered remains of the houses can still be seen where the road crosses the railway track. Today the site has a car park providing walkers and cyclists access to the path. There is also a bike rack.
After Cottyburn the path narrows slightly so be prepared to step aside to allow cyclists to pass..
Haddington
As you approach Haddington proceed under the subway to cross the main A1 road. You will then come to an attractive tree lined tarmac path leading to the towns community hospital. At the hospital take a right which takes you over the railway track and down toward the main road into town. At the junction follow the signs for the town centre. Just off this road you will find the site of the former Haddington Railway station. The site is now an industrial estate. The platform and one building are all that is left of the station.
Follow the road into the town centre. I then made my way to the picnic area at St Mary’s Church and the old bridge over the River Tyne where I stopped to eat my lunch.
This was a fitting end to my Haddington Railway Walk.
From the bus stop in the town centre I caught the X7 Bus back to Edinburgh which stops on Princes Street.
For Bus Timetable just Click this Link
Train Tickets can be purchased online using the Scotrail App or Webpage.
Other Recommended Walks in the Edinburgh Area
Penicuik to Eskbank Railway Walk
Walking the Forth Road Bridge to North Queensferry
Water of Leith Walkway Balerno to Murrayfield