The North Esk at Lasswade

The North Esk rises in the North Esk Reservoir in the Pentland Hills, in Midlothian, a mile (1½ km) north of the village of Carlops. It flows north-east past Penicuik, Auchendinny, through Roslin Glen and thePenicuik–Dalkeith Walkway, past Hawthornden Castle, Polton, Lasswade and Melville Castle.


The North Esk converges with the South Esk to form the River Esk just about 1 1⁄4 miles north-east of Dalkeith at the edge of the grounds of Dalkeith Palace. From here the River Esk continues north for about 4 1⁄3 miles (7.0 km), skirting Inveresk, and flowing into the Firth of Forth at Musselburgh, East Lothian.