Family: Newhailes, Musselburgh

News reports about how the National Trust for Scotland is run made me reflect on my recent visit to Newhailes, near Musselburgh. I decided the house, built as a city retreat for the Dalrymple family, would be a great place for lunch and a walk with my daughter, her friend and Daniel the spaniel.

At first sight it seemed a good choice. The old stable courtyard, where the cafe and shop are, has been nicely restored and is a very pleasant place to sit. The cafe is not up to much, with a few unappetising sandwiches that the girls didn't like the look of, and some biscuits and cakes which weren't really a healthy lunch option.

We decided on a walk, so headed off past the beautiful 17th-century house following a map we picked up in the gift shop. The first place marked is the Flower Garden, which was "once packed with interesting fruit trees, vegetables and flowers". These days it's a bit of scrub land with a few tree stumps.

Onwards to the Shell Grotto, which has been stripped of all its shells although there is a rather pretty wrought iron gate. There's not much left of the Tea House either.

However, don't let all this put you off as it is a great walk, especially if you have a dog that likes to be off the leash. In the woods there's a little stream that Ellen's friend managed to fall into - not something to be encouraged.

We didn't visit the house, what with Olivia being a bit damp, but I've been told it is very impressive, although slightly shabby. That's conservation rather than restoration for you. I might put that on my CV.

I just kept thinking what it would be like if Newhailes was in private hands. The upkeep would be horrendous, but what a place for parties and weddings - so close to Edinburgh, with all that space, both inside and out.

Then again, if there were parties and corporate events going on all the time, there's no way they'd allow children and dogs. Let's just hope that NTS gets its act together and we can enjoy many more walks there in the future.

Newhailes, Musselburgh, EH21 6RY, 0844 493 2125, admission free to National Trust members, family ticket 26. House and visitor centre open Thursdays - Mondays, noon - 5pm until 30 September. House visits by guided tour, booking advised. Estate open all year, daily.

• This article first appeared in The Scotsman, Saturday September 11, 2010