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Edinburgh to Prestonpans

The eighth stage of the John Muir Way sets out from the Meadows just south of the city centre and passes below the rocky hill of Arthur's Seat (detour possible) to follow a cycle route out of the city through residential suburbs to reach the coast at Musselburgh (all facilities) where the route stays close to the shore to reach Prestonpans, a former mining community with all facilities.

Terrain

Roads with pavement, shared cycle path.

Public Transport

Trains and buses at Edinburgh, Musselburgh and Prestonpans.

Start

The Meadows (Marchmont/Melville Drive junction), Edinburgh. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 15.75km / 9.75 miles
Time: 4 - 4.5 hours
Ascent: 25m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT254725

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Accommodation

Walk Description

Stage 1

Resume the John Muir Way at The Meadows, a wide expanse of park just to the south of the city centre and easily accessible by bus or on foot from Waverley station. The previous stage finished at the Marchmont/Melville Drive junction, opposite the Pavilion Cafe. From here head right (east) to follow the small road alongside Melville Drive (A700), passing the Victor Hugo deli and soon crossing a main road ahead at the lights to turn right past Summerhall, formerly a veterinary college it is now an arts venue with cafe. Continue until West Preston Street and turn left along it, cross Newington Road and continue until Dalkeith Road (A7) opposite the hexagon-built Scottish Widows building. Cross the road at the lights and head right for a short distance before turning left just before the Commonwealth swimming pool onto Holyrood Park Road.

Stage 2

Follow this through the gateway into Holyrood Park with views of the mound of Arthur's Seat ahead and take the pink surfaced cycle route on the right running alongside a stone wall. From here it is possible to detour up to the summit of Arthur's Seat, which has an amazing view over Edinburgh but is a steep climb and rocky underfoot near the top - stay on the main paths if you do this and expect the climb and return to take between 1.5 to 2 hours. Otherwise continue on the cycle route and turn sharply right downhill signed Innocent cycle path and bear left onto the path and follow signs to Bingham. The name refers to the Innocent Railway which was originally horse-drawn and built in 1831 to transport coal to the city, it soon became popular with the public and at its height was carrying 300,000 passengers a year, later becoming steam driven before it closed in 1968. When it emerges at a road, cross at the lights and continue on the cycle route ahead.

Stage 3

Continue straight ahead through a grassy area at the back of houses. When a junction is reached with a footbridge, don't cross but keep straight on to follow the Niddrie Burn. Soon a road is reached, cross at the lights and continue on the cycle route keeping straight on the main path, ignoring two paths off to the left as the route heads through Magdalene Glen. When the path forks, stay on the higher path on the left and keep straight ahead to eventually go through an underpass under the A1. At the far side keep straight ahead to cross the car park of the large retail unit aiming for the footbridge over the railway, signed for Brunstane. At the next road cross and take the lane opposite signed Brunstane Burn Walkway and very soon take the signed path on the left.

Stage 4

This follows the Brunstane Burn downstream, passing through a stone tunnel under the railway and then alongside a golf course before heading over a grassy area behind houses. At a junction of paths keep straight on signed Brunstane Burn Walk. Soon the main road between Joppa and Newhailes just west of Musselburgh is reached. Cross and turn right along it, soon reaching views of the Firth of Forth and the edge of Musselburgh. Fork left onto New Street, passing 'The Quay', to reach Fisherrow harbour.

Stage 5

From the harbour - the start of the original John Muir Way - head along the wide promenade with the Firth of Forth on your left. Route finding is made easy for the duration of the walk by green signposts at every junction as well as the purple John Muir Way signs and just keep the sea on your left for this coastal section. The path eventually reaches the mouth of the River Esk at Fisherrow Sands - turn right here and follow the path towards a footbridge. Cross this and turn left alongside the far bank of the river to reach a playing field. The route continues beyond the buildings as a wide and potentially moist earth track. Follow this as it circles the man-made ash lagoons of Levenhall Links, created from the spoil of distant Cockenzie Power Station. These lakes provide a habitat for birds such as redshank and dunlin, which can be viewed from several hides.

Stage 6

On a good day the views back to Edinburgh are spectacular, with Arthur's Seat looming over the modern housing developments at Leith Docks. Turn your back on the view and continue along the footpath as it turns away from the Firth and dips into a section of woodland before emerging at the grass-covered site of Morrison's Haven, the remains of a 16th century harbour. The obvious surfaced footpath follows the coast before joining the pavement on the outskirts of Prestonpans. The route now follows the road into the heart of the town where you can detour to explore a number of murals including one featuring John Muir (with beer) on the side of a pub. Bus services run along this road; the rail station 1km off route.

Route: Helen Webster & Phil Turner

Next stage: Prestonpans to North Berwick

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