Polton Bank, Polton, Lasswade EH18 1JX
Hewan Wood
Broadleaf woodland
Source image
6.6
Wildland
1–2 hours
Time
Check
Cost
Peaceful
Feel
Why it's Wildland
6.6A riverside wood with an unusual double story: Hewan Bank’s glacial geology and sand martin colony, and the former Maiden Castle, thought to be associated with the 1302 Battle of Roslin.
Hewan Wood offers more than a quiet riverside walk: a designated geological site, a resident sand martin colony and a reported connection to the Battle of Roslin give this small woodland a distinctive sense of place. Landslips have changed the paths, so check current conditions before setting out.
Peaceful · Atmospheric
Find your way
Open mapPolton Bank, Polton, Lasswade EH18 1JX
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Know this place a little better?
The experience
Walk through the wood beside the River Esk, then look for the landscape’s less obvious stories: the unstable glacial bank, its sand martin colony and the site of the former Maiden Castle. Path diversions have been necessary, so verify conditions before you go.
Things to do
Walk through Hewan Wood beside the River Esk
A visitor describes a gentle woodland walk along the river. Confirm the current route before setting out, as paths have been diverted following landslips and erosion.
Not verified
Look for sand martins at Hewan Bank
The Esk Valley Trust reports a resident colony of sand martins at the bank, which is also designated for its glacial-deposit geology.
Find the former Maiden Castle site
The Esk Valley Trust identifies Hewan Wood as the site of the former Maiden Castle. The area is thought to have been the location of an encounter in the 1302 Battle of Roslin.
Make a day of it
Quick escape · Around 1–2 hours; check locally
A riverside wander
- 01
Check current access and path conditions before setting out.
- 02
Walk through Hewan Wood alongside the River Esk.
- 03
Pause to look at Hewan Bank and watch for sand martins.
- 04
Return by a route confirmed to be open; route details are not verified here.
Half day · Allow a half day; exact route and duration need checking
Woodland, river and the Maiden Castle story
- 01
Check the Esk Valley Trust’s route information and current path conditions before visiting.
- 02
Explore Hewan Wood and the riverside below the former Maiden Castle site.
- 03
Look for sand martins around Hewan Bank, without approaching unstable slopes.
- 04
Use the Esk Valley Trust’s Loanhead-to-Roslin walking leaflet to plan a longer outing, checking its route details before departure.
Verified history
The Esk Valley Trust purchased Hewan Wood in 2002. It identifies the former Maiden Castle as being within the wood and says the area is thought to have been the site of the third encounter of the Battle of Roslin in 1302. The trust also reports that Hewan Bank is a geological SSSI for its glacial deposits and that erosion and landslips led to a footpath diversion.
Folklore & legend
The supplied sources do not verify the source-row claim that the wood was a favoured medieval hunting ground. The Esk Valley Trust says the Battle of Roslin site is thought to have become known as “The Hewing” or “The Hewan” because of the casualties; this should be presented as an attributed account, not established fact.
Hidden details
A geological bank with a changing path — Hewan Bank is designated for its glacial deposits. The Esk Valley Trust reports serious erosion and landslips, and says the former path across the top had to be diverted by local volunteers.
The name behind Hewan — The Esk Valley Trust links the area’s name to “The Hewing”, said to refer to casualties from the Battle of Roslin. The account is presented by the trust as a belief, not a confirmed origin.
When to go
· No best time is verified.
The supplied sources do not establish seasonal highlights or a best time to visit.
Path conditions may be affected by erosion and landslips around Hewan Bank. Check current conditions before visiting.
The route
- Hewan Wood beside the River Esk
- Hewan Bank, a geological SSSI with a reported sand martin colony
- Former Maiden Castle site
Worth pairing with
Wallace’s Cave
The Esk Valley Trust describes Wallace’s Cave as another feature in Roslin Glen and says it is reputed to be large enough to hide 60 or 70 men. Treat the capacity claim as an attributed description.
Hawthornden Castle
The Esk Valley Trust identifies the castle as another place in the glen and notes its association with poet William Drummond. Access or visiting arrangements are not established by the supplied source.
What to look for
Look for the Hewan Bank, described by the Esk Valley Trust as a geological SSSI formed from glacial deposits, and watch for sand martins. The trust also identifies the former Maiden Castle site and the riverside below it.
The story
Former Maiden Castle; thought to be associated with the third encounter of the Battle of Roslin in 1302.
Best time to go
No specific best season is verified. Check local conditions, especially for changes to paths around the unstable bank.
No particular time of day is verified as best. Check current path conditions before setting out.
How long to spend
1–2 hours
Perfect for
Walkers · Wildlife lovers · History lovers
Practical information
Opening & access
Listed as open all day by Trip.com, and walking routes through Hewan Wood are described by a visitor and the Esk Valley Trust. Check current access and path conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Parking
Parking information not verified. Check before visiting.
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Toilets
Check before visiting.
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Food & drink
Check before visiting.
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Dogs
The source row marks the wood as dog-friendly; check current signage and any local rules before visiting.
Check before visiting
Accessibility
Accessibility information is not verified. The Esk Valley Trust reports that landslips and erosion required the footpath across the top of Hewan Bank to be diverted. Check current route conditions before visiting.
Check before visiting
Cost
Check before visiting
Check before visiting
Water
River
Gallery
Place photographsKeep exploring
Around Hewan Wood
Within 50 km · approximate straight-line distances
Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve
Craiglockhart, Edinburgh, Scotland
8.3 km away
Ravelston Woods Circular
Ravelston Woods Local Nature Reserve, Edinburgh, Scotland
11.7 km away