Tuesday March 10th 2026
The AGM was held at Newbattle Abbey College
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Liam Eunson
Midlothian’s tourism and hospitality businesses are set for a busy year ahead with a major refurbishment at one of the area’s top hotels, plans to regenerate one of Midlothian’s historic sites – and new breadmaking courses on offer.
Members of Midlothian Tourism Forum heard about a variety of new developments at their Annual General Meeting held at Newbattle Abbey College last week.
Staff at Dalhousie Castle are putting the finishing touches to a huge refurbishment programme, which will see great improvement across the whole site including new dining places, refreshed bedrooms and a new whisky room.
Exciting plans to regenerate areas of the National Mining Museum Scotland were also unveiled, along with information about a fundraising campaign, membership scheme and new events programme, such as the Beltane Festival in May.
More improvements are also underway at Dalkeith Country Park including a new coffee bar and some changes to Fort Douglas.
Five handmade shepherd huts – each ensuite and with private outdoor area – are now available at Pentland Shepherd Huts, and it’s a year of anniversaries, as Borthwick Castle celebrate 10 years since reopening as exclusive use and it’s 20 years since the blockbuster film The Da Vinci Code put Rosslyn Chapel on the global map.
Members also heard that the Penicuik Papermaking Museum is hoping to attract more local visitors through their doors this year, The Original Rosslyn Inn is targeting local ‘dads and lads’, Newhall Estate has a busy schedule of weddings and private stays, some of the external fencing is due to be removed around Crichton Castle and tours are on offer every month around historic Newbattle Abbey College.
One of the Forum’s newest members, Tom Lyne, also updated others on his workshops teaching traditional breadmaking techniques through his business ‘The Bread Lyne’ – which he described ‘as the best thing since sliced bread’.
After the event Ian Gardner, Chair of Midlothian Tourism Forum, said:
“Midlothian may be a small area but it’s very exciting to hear of so many new developments planned for this year, which will be welcomed by local residents and make the area an even more attractive destination for visitors.”
Midlothian Tourism Forum is a membership organisation for tourism and hospitality businesses and organisations across Midlothian. Membership is open to any business involved with tourism and suppliers to members are also able to join. For further information email Liz Young – liz@midlothiantourismforum.co.uk
For more details about member, visit www.visitmidlothian.co.uk
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