The historic village of Temple is a bit of a mystery to many people. Although it is situated only a quarter of a mile from the ‘short cut’ between the A7 at Gorebridge and the A701 and A702 at Penicuik, many people travelling that road have never been to the village. Over the centuries much has changed in the ‘Lands of Balantradoch’ as the area was originally called and the population has decreased considerably. There were at least another four reasonably sized hamlets which are now only represented by farms or piles of stones. The result is that there is now a network of confusing country roads, in fact, I have heard the area referred to as ‘The Bermuda Triangle of Midlothian’
The area is now called Temple because it was once the Scottish headquarters of the mysterious Knights Templar. A great deal has been written about the Knights and a Google search will keep you busy for a long time so I will not even attempt a history of the Order. Suffice it to say that they were ostensibly formed to protect pilgrims on their way to the Holy Land and somehow became very rich along the way so that by the fourteenth century they had resources sufficient to bankroll kingdoms. However, on Friday 13th 1307 (a possible origin for unlucky Friday 13th), King Philip IV of France, with the Pope’s blessing, outlawed the Order and raider their headquarters in France. He was really after their money. However, the Knights had been forewarned and their fleet sailed from La Rochelle the day before, carrying all their treasures. No-one knows where the fleet ended up. King Robert the Bruce sympathised with the Templars and awarded them the ‘Lands of Balantradoch’, where they established their headquarters in Scotland. It is not known where they built their preceptory and the possibilities are extensive. Some people thing that the ruined church at the bottom of the village was the site and that the ruins are a Templar church. I do not believe this since Templar churches were round in structure (no corners for the Devil to hide in). Some people also believe that the Templar treasure may have come here but I have had a really good look and I think you’ll have more luck looking for my cache rather than their cash!
Parking in the village can be difficult but at the top of the village, opposite the last house, there is a ‘concrete road’ into the fields. It is O.K. to park here but, as it is a popular turning place for the villagers, would you please park back from the entrance and leave enough space for farm vehicles to get past. There is a sign at the entrance to this road indicating it is Temple Circular Path and, indeed, the cash is situated beside this path. When you reach GZ you will be able to rest and absorb the view, trying to identify points of interest in the Cairngorms and the Trossachs, across Fife and the Lothians to the ground at your feet.