River Esk

Catchment Information

Statistics

Catchment Size: 318 km²

Length: 42 km

Highest Water Level:  2.89 m April 2000

Lowest Water Level: 0.30 m

 

 

 

Catchment Description

The River Esk is also called the Lothian Esk and flows through Midlothian and East Lothian. It initially runs as two separate rivers: the North Esk and the South Esk. The North Esk starts in the Pentland hills near North Esk reservoir. The South Esk starts high in the Moorfoot hills on the side of Blackhope Scar. Both rivers flow through the landscape towards Dalkeith Country Park where they join.

 

Historic influences

This river was highly modified by creating weirs and dams which provided power for the gunpowder mill near Roslin.  More than 20 weirs were constructed. In 2016, the Roslin Gunpowder Mill weir collapsed. The following year, Polton and Springfield weir collapsed. The river has slowly started to take back control, removing these obstructions, allowing resident trout to progress upstream.  

 

Did you know ?

Many of the industrial mills that were present on the Esk were converted to paper mills but the last one, Dalmore Mill, closed in 2004.

Share This