Hidden Scotland
Sign in
The Battle of Roslin cairn, a tapering stone monument in a ring of low walling on the grass.
Edinburgh

Battle of Roslin Monument

A cairn on the farmland outside Roslin marking the battle of 24 February 1303, when a Scottish force under John Comyn and Simon Fraser beat an English army.

Welcome

A footpath leaves Manse Road in Roslin and runs out across open farmland, and some way along it a stone cairn stands in a ring of low walling.

It marks the field of the Battle of Roslin, fought on 24 February 1303 in the Wars of Independence.

An English army had come north in three divisions. A Scottish force led by John Comyn and Sir Simon Fraser fell on the first by surprise in the night and routed it. Survivors raised the alarm, and the second division had time to stand, but after hard fighting hand to hand it was beaten too. When the third came up, the tired Scots were rallied by their leaders and won again. Historic Environment Scotland counts it among the nation's historic battlefields.

The ground is gently sloping farmland with the Kill Burn running through it, and Rosslyn Chapel and the castle are close by.

A short drive awayOriginal Rosslyn InnAn inn in Roslin, family-run since 1837, where Burns and Wordsworth once stopped.4 min by roadSee itDiners at outdoor tables outside The Original Rosslyn, flag flying above the entrance
Before you go

The cairn stands on the battlefield, some way along a footpath that leaves Manse Road in Roslin.

The path crosses farmland, so keep dogs close, and wear boots after rain.

Where
Along the footpath from Manse Road, Roslin, EH25 9PS.
To see
The cairn, and the gently sloping fields of the battle, with the Kill Burn running through them.
Where it is

On farmland on the edge of Roslin in Midlothian, about five miles from Edinburgh.

Close byRoslin village and the glen below it.
  1. Rosslyn ChapelRosslyn ChapelA small sandstone chapel at Roslin, with gargoyles and grotesques outside and nowhere quite like it within.1 mile5 min by road
  2. Stone steps lead through a red sandstone archway in dense woodlandRosslyn CastleEnough of Roslin Castle remains to show how great a house it was.3 miles6 min by road
  3. Celtic cross gravestone among tombs leading to a spired stone churchGlencorse Old Kirk4 miles8 min by road
  4. Tartan blanket beside a mug on a book, tray scattered with autumn leavesAngelina Coffee SnugA coffee snug on the Whitehill House Estate, reached by local walks.5 miles13 min by road
  5. Fireworks burst beside a floodlit sandstone mansion with lit windows at nightArniston HouseWilliam Adam's Georgian mansion near Gorebridge, home to the Dundas family since 1571.9 miles19 min by road
Directions
Diners at outdoor tables outside The Original Rosslyn, flag flying above the entranceRestaurantsOriginal Rosslyn Inn1.1 miles
Whitewashed thatched cottage with chimney, surrounded by flowering shrubs and conifersAttractionsSwanston4.8 miles
Standing stone beside a stone wall and house on a residential streetAttractionsThe Caiy Stane4.8 miles
Green hillside overlooking Edinburgh's suburbs and the Firth of Forth beyondAttractionsAllermuir Hill6.0 miles
Clermount Cottage, EdinburghPenicuikClermount CottageSleeps 2 · 6.1 miles
Ruined stone castle wall with arched entrance and crumbling battlements under grey skyAttractionsCraigmillar Castle6.2 miles
Arthur's Seat and Salisbury Crags rise above Edinburgh's rooftops under cloudy skiesAttractionsBlackford Hill and the Braid Hills6.2 miles
Rows of beer taps line a pub bar with dark green cabinetry and wooden stoolsRestaurantsThe Hermitage Bar6.2 miles
Sandstone tower with copper dome at Edinburgh's City Observatory on Calton HillAttractionsStar Gaze at the Royal Observatory6.3 miles
Stay nearby

Places to stay near the cairn, and when each is next free.

Clermount Cottage, EdinburghClermount Cottage
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Penicuik
  • 5 miles from the cairn
Check datesA turreted sandstone building with conical spires catches the evening light above rooftops, a large pine tree standing beside it.The Scott Hotel
  • A hotel
  • In Edinburgh
  • 5 miles from the cairn
Check datesA round table and chairs stand before tall curtained windows looking onto stone buildings, a sofa and mounted television to the right.Moment George IV Bridge
  • Sleeps 2
  • In Edinburgh
  • 6 miles from the cairn
Check datesA man walks past Bucken Booths entrance flanked by black lamp postsOld Town Chambers
  • To stay
  • In Edinburgh
  • 6 miles from the cairn
Check datesPlaces to stayEvery stay in EdinburghAll our places to stay nearby, to search by date and by who is coming.See them all
Hidden Scotland, the magazine

Scotland, in print.

Every photograph commissioned, every word written by somebody who went. Printed twice a year, made in Scotland.

Get Issue 13Read it here
Find out more

For further reading, before you go.