G:UK
cache rating
This cache can be found in the area of the sunken garden, Heriot-Watt University at
Riccarton. This can be a pleasant cache to find but I'm afraid
as it is on university grounds there are a couple of rules to
abide by.
1. You must park at the carpark at the entrance to the grounds
the coordinates are N55 54.671 W003 18.898 (Grid NT 1790 6945). You
must have a permit to drive any further into the grounds.
Alternatively you could catch a bus the following numbers travel
directly into the terminus within the campus. Nos. 25, 34, 45.
2. You are not allowed dogs (sorry).
3. During July check this link for Graduation Dates. As going during graduation is not
wise. The general area of the cache is used, and there will be far
too many muggles about.
Otherwise don't be put off of what is hopefully a nice cache. In
an area that likes to welcome the public.
The Riccarton Estate, formerly owned by the Gibson-Craig family,
was purchased by Midlothian Council and formally gifted to the
University in 1969. Originally based in central Edinburgh, the
University moved to its purpose built campus at Riccarton in a
phased programme from 1973-1992. A fine mansion house once stood on
Riccarton Estate, with gardens and a loch. Although the house was
demolished, the high quality landscape setting which existed on
Riccarton Estate has been protected throughout the development of
the University campus. In addition to this, each building project
is followed by landscape planting and there is a programme of
placing sculpture into the landscape.
Several members of the Gibson-Craig family were noted landscape
gardeners and collectors of specimen trees. Sir James started the
collection between 1823 and 1850. His successor, Sir William
Gibson-Craig (1850-1878) made many important introductions from
north-west USA. Sir James Gibson-Craig succeeded his father in 1878
and continued the tradition throughout his 30-year tenure. The
woodland contains several specimen trees from the plant collection.
The exotic species are dated at between 100-150 years old and
include the Small Tasmanian Cedar, the Copper Beech, the
Wellingtonia, the Cucumber Tree, and the Cedar of Lebanon. The
oldest trees on the estate are the native or naturalised hardwoods
of oak, beech, ash, sycamore and particularly the Riccarton Sweet
Chestnut located along the Velvet Walk, which is several centuries
old.
Now down to finding the cache. The GPS signal isn't good due
to the amount of trees. So go to the above co-ords, which will get
you within the area that you need to be. (Be warned it is not
exactly at the co-ords).
Stand at the gates and face in a Northerly direction. Walk 28
paces in a straight line.
You may have to duck whilst walking the paces, or you can just
walk to the left then straighten up again.
If you have enjoyed the location for this cache, then why not
explore more of the campus and do Watt Trail?
Travel Bugs are the property
of the person who has released them. Therefore I do not count them
as a swap item.
Please DO NOT take an item in exchange for any Travel Bugs that you
may wish to leave in this cache.
If you are new to Geocaching or don't know the area, then have a
look at my bookmark lists for Edinburgh, you may find
them helpful.