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He/She who dares Multi-cache

This cache has been archived.

stufio: The original cache location is now inaccessible and therefore I have archived the cache. It is a good place for a cache and therefore I will try and replace it.

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Hidden : 2/13/2008
Difficulty:
2 out of 5
Terrain:
2.5 out of 5

Size: Size:   small (small)

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Geocache Description:

Another circular walk of about 3 miles, with a historical theme, the cache is not at the above location. The route is not suitable for buggies or small children, some walking on roads without footpaths and a bit of tricky footwork.

Roslin or Rosslyn, famous for its chapel which was completed in 1484, has historically been an important town in the Lothians. The influx of skilled workers required for the construction of the chapel brought the best stone masons, carpenters, smiths and quarriers from Scotland and the continent and the village grew, it became a burgh of Barony by Royal Charter from James II in 1456.

A 'famous' son of Roslin is remembered by a plaque on the wall, which is missed even by the locals.
N 55° 51.464 W 003° 09.907
What date was this famous son born? 183T
The chapel has attracted important visitors over the years, but never in the numbers seen in recent years, massively increased after its inclusion in the novel the ‘Da Vinci Code’. The Old Rosslyn Inn was a busy watering hole for many famous visitors remembered by the plaque on the wall.
N 55° 51.343 W 003° 09.647
When did this building serve as the Inn? 166S - 1866
If you would like a slightly better view of the chapel without having to pay the admission fee, go through the gate beside this plaque and follow the fence for a view through the railings.

Roslin has a busy industrial past. The first linen bleachfield were established here in 1738 and Roslin Glen was chosen for the site for the largest gunpowder factory in Scotland. The glen was an ideal location because of its seclusion and the natural protection given by the steep sides. The native trees also supplied charcoal needed in the manufacturing process.

You might want to combine this with Crazy Druids ‘Out with a Bang’ which is located nearby.

The local cemetery has a number of graves of people killed in accidents at the gunpowder factory. Find the youngest in a row of five accidental deaths.
N 55° 51.308 W 003° 09.668
What age was the young victim? William Parnham - Age R4
Continue and en route have a look at Roslin Castle historical home of the St Clairs Earls of Roslin.
N 55° 51.202 W 003° 09.580
Head down the steps and then you can detour by veering left through the arch and get a better look at the scale of the castle.

Crossing the river you are now in the afore mentioned bleachfield, which later became a carpet factory. Both used the river as a source of water this area is now part of the Roslin Glen Country Park.
N 55° 51.163 W 003° 09.678
How can we contact the Countryside Ranger?
What is the fifth number of the telephone number? Let this be Q
Find the green sign post to keep you on track and the distance to the next waypoint.
N 55° 51.025 W 003° 09.815
How far to the Dalkeith-Penicuik Railway Walk? W.5km
The Penicuik to Dalkeith Railway used to carry passengers and goods and without giving away my age I did see goods trains on this line, as a very small child!!! The railway served the gunpowder factory and the papermills further along the line. The walk from here to Penicuik is very interesting if you have the time.
N 55° 50.863 W 003° 09.900
How many letters in the station name set in white stones?
X3
There is lots of interesting local information on the boards along the route.
During the later life of the Gunpowder Mills this stretch of railway was closed in by a corrugated iron tunnel to stop sparks from the trains setting fires in the glen and causing even more danger to the workers in the powdermills.
N 55° 50.725 W 003° 10.302
Finding the next green sign. How far to Auchendinny? V.75km

The mill weir gave power to the mills, you can see the remains of one of the watermills and the mill lade.

The dangerous nature of this industry is highlighted when you note from the map on this board how the buildings are spread out within the glen, they were well spaced to minimise the damage done if one should explode! Materials were transported within the glen by horse drawn wagons on a rail system, the rails and wheels were wooden and the horses shod with brass to reduce the risk of sparks.
N 55° 50.783 W 003° 10.444
How many people were employed by the mills? Z50 people

Continue to follow the path along the river side, where you find the remains of other buildings, the path goes through one building which allows you to see that these buildings were constructed to minimise damage, to workers or the industry??? They had strong double walls built to contain a blast and loose lightweight rooves which would blow and do least damage.

This is the area of the main mill buildings, the offices and packaging.
N 55° 50.947 W 003° 10.458
Find the date on the chimney base from an engine installed to replace water power.
Let U = No. on the chimney minus 1

I hope you have enjoyed the walk, the name came from the original final location which was the tricky bit only for the sure footed and not faint hearted AND definitely not to be tried at night or by small children. The cache has now been relocated and the clues changed due to an obstruction.

The cache is located at N 55° QR.XSU W 003° XW.VTZ
Where Q + R + S + T + U + V + W + X + Y + Z = 26
You can now complete the circle by heading back for the bridge.

Then either follow the river path and retrace your steps.

Or you can take a left before the bridge, heading up Jacob's Ladder, the steps beside Roslin's least scenic and fragrant spot, at the top of the steps take a right turn and follow the path, 'The Minstrel Walk', along the bottom of the fields which should bring you back to where you started. Enjoy!
This cache has the same start point as 'Cold Blood', they take about 1 hour each to complete, so why not combine the two!
Final location changed due to obstruction.

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Haqre veba, arne n jnyy. Gur svany qner unf orra bofgehpgrq - ohg fgvyy fnsr - vs lbh jnag gur guevyy. Gb ergevrir gur pnpur - cvibg ng gur bofgehpgvba gur pnpur vf evtug oruvaq lbh - hfr gur pyhr.

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)