Go Ape Dalkeith Edinburgh
BEST FOR
Ages 4+
ENTRY
from £10
SETTING
Outdoors
WHERE
Dalkeith
What it’s like
Zip lines, rope bridges and platforms strung through the trees above the River Esk, with a course for kids from age four.
This is the swing-through-the-canopy stuff: platforms bolted high into the trees, rope bridges that wobble more than you'd like, and zip wires that shoot you out over the River Esk. There are five different things to book, which is more choice than most families need before breakfast. The Treetop Adventure is the one for younger kids, age 4 to 10 and over a metre tall, at £20.95. Treetop Adventure Plus steps it up for age 6 and over at £25.95, and the full Treetop Challenge is £36.95 for anyone 10 and older who wants the proper height and speed. If harnesses aren't your thing there's Archery Tag from age 8, basically dodgeball with foam-tipped arrows, and Stumped, a £10 puzzle trail of ten problem-solving challenges that's a decent option for a child who'd rather think than climb.
Budget up to two hours for a visit once you count the harnessing and safety brief, though the actual time in the trees is shorter than that sounds. Booking is recommended and there's a good reason for it: turn up without one and you're relying on walk-up space at the cabin, which is a gamble on a busy Saturday. Worth knowing the course stays open through rain and wind, since the trees give decent shelter, and only closes for thick ice, thunderstorms or gales, so a grey forecast shouldn't put you off.
Little ones who are too small or too young for the ropes have Fort Douglas, a play area for climbing and sliding at ground level, which is handy if you've got a mixed-age group and someone's not tall enough yet. Food and shopping happen a short walk away at Restoration Yard, where there's a café, restaurant and shop, plus accessible toilets with baby-changing about five minutes from the cabin. Dogs are welcome on site but can't join the course itself, so you'll need someone to mind them while the rest of you are up in the branches.
Parking is on site, paid, and the site is fairly specific about the route in: turn left after the parking kiosk up a short steep hill. Don't bank entirely on your satnav getting you there cleanly, the site itself flags that navigation apps aren't always accurate around the entrance. If you're coming without a car, Eskbank station is a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute bus, and there's a direct bus from Edinburgh city centre too.
Facilities
Need to know
- Best for
- Age 4 up for the junior course, 10 plus for the full Challenge
- Booking
- Recommended. Walk-ups available at cabin on the day
- Parking
- Paid parking available on site
- How long to allow
- Up to 2 hours for a full visit including harnessing and safety brief
- Food
- Shop, restaurant and café on site in the Restoration Yard
- Picnics
- Picnic benches around the forest
- Pushchairs
- Pushchair access to cabin and viewing areas
- Wheelchairs
- Cabin and viewing areas accessible for wheelchairs
- Dogs
- Well-behaved dogs welcome on site but cannot join you on the course
- Getting there by bus or train
- Nearest train station Eskbank (30-min walk) or 10-min bus 46
- Parties
- Birthday parties available. Book online with party bags and forest shelter hire optional
- Satnav apps aren't always reliable getting you to the entrance, so it's worth knowing the route in beforehand.
- Bag storage at the cabin isn't secure, so bring as little as you can and leave valuables in the car.
- Fort Douglas play area gives younger or shorter kids something to do at ground level if they're not tall enough for the ropes.
- Accessible toilets and baby-changing are at Restoration Yard, about a five-minute walk from the cabin.
Plan your visit
How much does it cost?
Treetop Adventure for kids is £20.95, Adventure Plus is £25.95, and the full Treetop Challenge is £36.95. Archery Tag is £18.95 and Stumped, the puzzle trail, is £10.
What age can join in?
The Treetop Adventure takes kids from age 4, as long as they're over a metre tall. Adventure Plus needs age 6 and up, Archery Tag and Stumped are 8 plus, and the full Challenge course is for age 10 and older.
Do we need to book ahead?
Booking's recommended and it's the sensible move for weekends. Walk-ups are possible at the cabin on the day but you're taking a chance on space.
How long does a visit take?
Allow up to two hours in total once you include the harnessing and safety briefing.
What happens if it rains?
The course stays open in most weather since the trees give shelter from rain and wind. It only closes for thick ice, thunderstorms or gales.
Is there anywhere to eat?
There's a shop, restaurant and café on site at Restoration Yard, a short walk from the cabin.
Is there parking?
Yes, paid parking on site. Turn left after the parking kiosk and up the short steep hill to reach the cabin.
Can we bring the dog?
Well-behaved dogs are welcome on site but can't join you on the course, so you'll need someone to look after them while you climb.
Is it suitable for pushchairs or wheelchairs?
The cabin and the areas where you watch the course are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs, with picnic bench seating nearby. The course itself is up in the trees, so that part isn't accessible in the same way.
Can we book a birthday party?
Party bookings go online and you can add party bags to collect on arrival. Some sites here also have a forest shelter you can hire by phone if you want a base for cake and presents.
Is there somewhere to leave our bags?
There's space for small items at the cabin but it isn't secure, so anything valuable is best left in the car.
How do we get there without a car?
Eskbank station is about a 30-minute walk or a 10-minute bus ride away, and there's also a direct bus from Edinburgh city centre taking around 40 minutes.
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