The ESKapade 2021
The next Great ESKape : ? Anyone want to take it on?
The Great ESKape is a 25 mile run following the river North Esk from Musselburgh (Goose Green Crescent) to Carlops.
We have a few stops on the way, most importantly for bacon rolls (and tea maybe) at The Royal Hotel in Penicuik – if they will do them and if permitted.
At the end there will MAY be tables booked for food at The Allan Ramsay in Carlops (with prior booking).
We will start running at 8:30, with groups leaving thereafter at intervals. Aiming to arrive Penicuik around 1pm (leaving about 1.45) and arrive Carlops at Dusk (4ish). There are options to meet us En Route and just do bits.
Please sign up on the googlesheet (email link).
Previous years runs can be found on the reports page and below
The ESKapade 2017
The met office forecast for lovely sunshine after showers didn’t quite happen but it was a splendid day out regardless. The first time we’ve been round the back of Mavisbank House, revealing more desperate ruination of a once beautiful building. What a shame.
The going was an odd mix of wet, mud and melting slick ice, precipitating Nick the lone cyclist to the ground on more than one occasion. The bacon roll stop in Penicuik was as welcome as usual and set us up for the more remote part of the run with lovely views over to the Pentlands. Penicuik sees some runners stopping and other appearing. Joel’s dog Merlin appeared, magically. We were a bit worried about the fasties but they had sped straight to the bar and rather slowly appeared clutching pints to nab the remaining rolls. Shane and Laura visited with new baby (nice pic by Alan below). I think everyone had a go with it as it processed around the tables – laid out unusually neatly this year, as for a wedding. A ring was even found on the floor, though no-one seemed to have lost it, and no-one was inclined to marry just at that moment.
Habbie’s Howe is the last part before Carlops where the river runs through a beautiful glen. My favourite part of the route. If only we could find a good way after this. The landowner is not at all keen for anyone to be on his land and makes it obvious with electric fences barring the path. They’ll shout at you too if they get the chance. Nevertheless we got to the cosy Allan Ramsay, with a very tasty IPA and an eccentric food system.
I enjoyed it all!
Digby
This year I ran down to Lasswade to join The Eskapade, two miles away from where I live. Willie’s ETA was 10.30am and sure enough, right on schedule, it was a sight to behold as Carnethys piled over the high stone wall there and shimmied down a sign post.
I love running most when it’s not a race but a sociable trot, and with lots of intermissions for local history and geology lessons, the miles flew by as Willie led us alongside Midlothian’s beautiful Esk.
A huge supply of bacon rolls at Penicuik were met with enthusiasm. Some of the speedier Carnethys, with a later starting time from Musselburgh, joined the party at this point, plus Merlin – Joel’s dog.
I opted to run back to Loanhead whilst most ran on to Carlops. A great few hours out at this hectic time of the year. Perfect!
Kathy Henly
Alan’s photos –
The fasties report:
The ‘long lie’ group set of from Musselburgh just before 10am in pursuit of the main group. This year, thanks to Graham’s laminated map, we managed to avoid a detour up the South Esk. Shortly after Polton we did make a deliberate detour to Stewart’s Brewery to take advantage of their Christmas open day. Samples of their festive brew Fezziwig and mince pies all round! Some of us also fuelled up on steak pies made with one of their ales. Those that hadn’t been to Stewart’s before got a quick tour while myself and Graham discussed First World Problems. Then it was back to the Esk, through Roslin Glen and up to Penicuik to finish off the bacon rolls. At this point I chose to bail and get a lift to Carlops (thanks John) as my legs were suffering after an Ultimate Frisbee tournament the day before, and 18 miles.
Jeff
The Great Eskape 2016
A few pics from the first part of the Eskapade. Full report to follow hopefully!
Meanwhile the fast group, who had opted for an extra hour in bed, were closing in on the main group. This was despite taking a slight detour via the South Esk and ending up in a field with bulls! John, wearing a red jacket, confidently went up to the the bull guarding the gate and encouraged it to move aside. Mark suggested we leave the gate separating them from the females open…
Jeff
Mark’s photos…
The ESKapade 2015
Some photos from today’s run. 24.6 miles up the South Esk from Musselburgh to Carlops.
My calculations based on some detailed web searches and faded memories make this years Esk Run the 16th since we decided to aim for Carlops. For the first 3 years we went from Mussselburgh to Penicuik, Carnethy Summit, Heriot Watt and Cramond, but it tended to take a little too long!
It should get easier with the years, you just have to find last years email in your sent box, alter the day and date and send it out.
The you call the Royal Hotel, the Allan Ramsay and the Minibus company and you are sorted, If Only!
There were Problems with the plan, but I don’t want problems though, I want solutions!
What gets me solutions ?
Pals!
Problem 1. Someone has built a railway across our route and failed to build a bridge for us.
Solution: Helen and I scouted around the exit of Dalkeith County Park, found a high wall climb option, but too high for Helen. Digby had suggested a main gate option with Iron Mills Park but it is a bit roady. We had a look at the river by Sherrifhall and there was a low bridge taking the river under the railway, but once Helen got thigh deep in the river and there was only about a foot gap between the water and the bridge we gave up on it. It had been very wet for a while. Helen and Digby revisited the day before the run, placed a few rocks in the ankle deep water and called it a goer.
Problem 2. The Roslin Glen path is closed due to large fallen trees.
Solution: Joel, Helen and I ran the route. After slithering down mud slopes, slipping under trees and sawing away some branches we decided it would take too long. The high route option, not as close to the river, but takes in Roslin Chapel and Roslin Castle was the way to go.
Problem 3. The minibus company had no bus available.
Solution: Leave Helen to use her phone for an hour or so and phone as many taxi companies as possible. She managed to find a bus, and cheaper than last year.
Problem 4. Floods
Solution: Joel checked the rickety bridge in Penicuik Estate, and Joel Helen and I checked the path at Polton Mill, We found no problems, but discovered new paths into Mavisbank House so added that to the route.
So on the day we had a few call offs with Man Flu, but 20 or so runners and 2 cyclists met at Goose Green Crescent, arriving by minibus, but bike and car. With the usual sprint to the Big wall we entered Dalkeith Park and had a lovely jog through the park with A lovely view of the Montague Bridge. Over or through the wall at the other end, there were a few shouts of derision as the water depth was over the ankles (we weren’t even at Lass Wade), but we are hill runners.
With a short stop at the folly in Kings Acre we ran to Lasswade where we were joined by Clare and Win Rampen. Mavisbank House was a good stop and the Glen option went down well, but not as well as the tea/coffee and bacon rolls at The Royal Hotel (thanks Simon for your 8th year as host).
Florence the dog had a altercation with a car on the way there but appeared unharmed. But an aborted second section as Heather and Rob went to find a vet, proved she was OK.
Nick Mac cycled to The Royal with Keith Burns and on to Carlops without Keith Burns.
Graham and Olly caught us up having left Musselburgh 75 minutes behind us, they stole three of our group and headed off for Carlops and beyond.
The rest of us headed off at 13:50 and enjoyed a slow jog through the wildest scenery of the trip passed the water sighting towers above the deep Esk Valley to Amazon Dean and on to the Beer and Food at Carlops.
A grand Day out.
Willie Gibson
2014
It was great to join in the Eskapade this year. Last time I took part must have been over 10 years ago. Only got as far as Roslin this time, but I had a lunch date ;o) Thanks to Willie for organising and for all the unofficial sweepers at the back to keep me company.
Margaret Forrest