Discover Loanhead

Several specific themes come together as you plan a visit to Loanhead: art and remembrance, routes with clearly named connections, an annual celebration and a brewing experience. You can first decide whether local history, a route or a particular event should be the main focus.

History and art in Loanhead

Westbank is the birthplace of Sir William MacTaggart. The sculpture “The Coghorn” is a work by sculptor George McCulloch, while “Pony, man and boy” is by local artist Alan Herriot. Fountain Green was designed by Sir John Clerk. These attributions offer different ways into local history: a biographical connection, two sculptures by named artists and the design of Fountain Green.

The Loanhead Mining Memorial was unveiled in 2008. The entrance to Loanhead Memorial Park was built in 1922 by a committee appointed for the purpose. The park is still used as a recreational park and has inclusive play equipment, including a level-access roundabout and a bucket-seat swing. Alongside its historical associations, this provides specific information about how the park is used for recreation today.

Heritage Trail and routes

A map and a printable leaflet are available for the Loanhead Heritage Trail. When planning further routes, it is worth looking at the destinations: one main route runs from Straiton Retail Park to Straiton Pond Nature Reserve and connects with Loanhead North. Another main route connects the centre of Loanhead with the Esk Valley Path at Lasswade; at its southern end, it joins the Roslin–Loanhead Foot/Cycle Path. The two connections therefore differ in their starting points and links: one runs from the retail park towards the nature reserve and Loanhead North, while the other goes from the town centre to the Esk Valley Path at Lasswade and the Foot/Cycle Path.

The Roslin–Loanhead Foot/Cycle Path is a 2,181-metre main connection with links to the Esk Valley Path, Bilston and Polton Village. The Loanhead–Roslin cycling route is an easy 8-mile circular route. These details answer different planning questions: the Foot/Cycle Path is described in terms of its length and connecting places, while the circular route is described by its distance and easy grading.

Gala Day and a brewing experience

Loanhead Gala Day has been celebrated annually since 1903. If you would like to plan your trip around this event, check the specific dates for your travel period. Stewart Brewing in Loanhead offers the “Brew It Yourself Experience,” where visitors can design and brew their own beer. Stewart Brewing’s Brewery Bar & Pizza Kitchen serves Neapolitan pizzas, hand-shaped and made to order. This gives you a choice of different focuses: a recurring event, a hands-on brewing experience and a restaurant offering. If you are planning the brewing experience for a particular date, it is advisable to check its current availability.

Discover more destinations: Rosewell, Polton, Gorebridge, Penicuik, Roslin, Dalkeith, Bonnyrigg, North Middleton

For the broader travel overview: Midlothian.