Route: Newcraighall (Edinburgh) to Temple (Midlothian) 12 miles, Return: Temple to Newcraighall 12 miles

Part of National Cycle Route (1)

Surface- Minor roads (except Dalkeith where you cycle through the High Street) quite a lot of potholes, cycle paths, a short gravel path 
Difficulty-Gradual climb on way to Temple (407ft), coming back mainly downhill
Recommended bike-  Hybrid, Tourer (I used a mountain bike) (Road bike would not cope well with gravel path could probably avoid by changing your route and need to watch out for some potholes (mainly from outside Bonnyrigg to Temple ie on the B roads) some of which could do some damage to your bike!)
Time we completed route (beginners) - 1 1/2hrs to Temple,  1 1/4hrs coming back from Temple: Total 2 3/4hrs.
Signposted Route: Yes, clearly marked with National Cycle Route 1. ( I won't bore you with the road names etc)
Worth taking a camera? Ok, reasonably scenic, few rivers and countryside views over to Fife and Midlothian.
Weather on day we completed route: Sunny, overcast but strong wind on return route which we were facing into.

Parked the car at Newcraighall Railway station located near Fort Kinnaird Retail park  (cost us 50p so don't forget the change!) coming out of the car park head right under the bridge and you will see your first sign for  Route 1. This will take you by the newly built Queen Margaret University. You then venture through a few small housing estates and by the golf course before heading out to Whitecraig. When heading out of Whitecraig be wary of the cycle sign where you have to cross the other lane of traffic to head up the cycle path, you don't get much warning! This route takes you past some power lines and gives you views over nearby towns. We never saw many people on this section of the route in fact it was fairly quiet on the cycle paths but it was a Monday.

Continue on and you will eventually pass the new Dalkeith High School Campus with its astro pitch located on the right. You then stay on the same side of the road you are on (don't cross at the road crossing, the sign is a little misleading here) ie turn right and head up towards Dalkeith where there is a small hill to take you up to the High Street. You need your wits about you on the High Street the roads are busy here (most traffic to the Borders passes through this town) so make sure you get in the right lane (we got caught out on the return route) and keep out from all the parked cars as a few opened their doors. There are plenty shops, cafes, pubs and hotels if you need to refuel. Heading out of Dalkeith and keep your eye out for the route sign which again has you crossing over a lane of traffic (you may need to pull in for this one as the road is pretty busy) where you then head through a park area. Make sure when the route veers off you head left down towards Innerleithen on Route 1.

This route is on cycle paths till you come out at Bonnyrigg through a housing estate and then onto a main road where you eventually head uphill to a large roundabout, where you head straight over. This is where the B roads kick in and they are in quite bad condition in some areas, it certainly made for a bumpy ride on the mountain bike. This is all pretty much uphill to Temple passing through a lovely little village called Carrington where you can purchase fresh eggs though they might be a little scrambled by the time you get home! There are some short downhills but then another uphill after so make sure you have plenty of stamina in the legs for the last stint. There are certainly plenty open fields nearby for a picnic, we stopped just before Temple at one of two bridges for lunch before then heading back the same route.

Going back is pretty much downhill all the way so makes for a great ride and gives the legs a rest after the climb! Be sure to be careful when you get to Dalkeith again for the main roads and make sure to stay in lane for going straight over on the High street! There is a slight uphill once you head back towards Whitecraig and to Queen Margaret University. Though it was really windy here and made pedaling a little hard with the wind facing us.

All in all a good route but the roads could do with a little maintenance but was well signposted there and back. Next time we may start further down this route. I would give it 6/10 just because of the state of the roads.