South Queensferry to Edinburgh

Summary

The seventh stage of the John Muir Way starts by passing beneath the iconic Forth rail bridge before following the coastline by Barnbougle Castle and Dalmeny House. It leads through Cramond into the outskirts of Edinburgh, passing through residential areas before climbing Corstorphine Hill for a view of the city. Cycle and canal paths lead to The Meadows, south of the city centre. Edinburgh has all facilities but the actual route doesn't pass many places to buy food (only the Cramond Brig pub) until near the end so a detour would be needed.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Roads with pavement, coastal path, country lane, cycle paths and canal towpath

Public Transport

Trains and buses at South Queensferry (Dalmeny for trains) and Edinburgh.

Start

South Queensferry. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 25km / 15.5 miles
Time: 6.5 - 7.5 hours
Ascent: 291m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT129783

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Accommodation

Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

Start from the historic High Street of South Queensferry. To reach it from Dalmeny train station turn left to follow Station Road and then right onto The Loan (A907) and then right onto High Street where there are cafes and shops. Pass the historic clock tower and the pier where summer boat trips can be taken to the islands in the Forth. Just after passing under the iconic rail bridge fork left onto a coastal lane. This has excellent views back of the red girders of the bridge. Soon go through a gate at a cottage and continue along the coast, now on land belonging to the Dalmeny Estate. Ignore a track to the right and keep straight ahead to bypass a cottage near the coast. There are good views across the water at various points and eventually the distinctive outline of Arthur's Seat, the large volcanic hill in the centre of Edinburgh can be seen in the distance.

Stage 2

Pass the restored Barnbougle Castle (private) on your left. Originally built as a tower house in the 13 century, it was expanded and rebuilt in 1881 by the Earl of Roseberry who served as British Prime Minister for a period. Follow the now surfaced track until nearly in front of Dalmeny House, an imposing stately home built in the gothic revival style in 1817. Here turn left immediately after the fenced wood on the left to follow the very edge of the golf course to the coast. Stay as near to the foreshore as possible, there is a good view back to Barnbougle Castle from here. Head inland slightly to cross the Cockle Burn on a footbridge and stay on the path in the woods, keeping straight on near cottages and then taking the right branch when the path forks in the trees to pass Snab Point and Eagle Rock.

Stage 3

When a T junction of paths is reached bear right to head inland and then straight ahead onto a track heading slightly uphill. This inland detour is necessary to reach the bridge over the River Almond as there is no longer a passenger ferry to Cramond. Keep straight ahead along the country lane ignoring a couple of lanes to the left and bending left at East Craigie to eventually emerge near the A90. Turn left on the side road and head down to the left of the Cramond Brig pub and cross the old stone bridge over the Almond. On the far side bear left and then right to follow Brae Park Road around the edge of the field where there are often horses grazing. When this reaches Whitehouse Road, cross at the lights and continue along the street opposite, Barnton Avenue West. This is a sought after Edinburgh suburb with large houses in even larger plots.

Stage 4

At the end of the street follow the path between houses to cross a fenced section of Bruntsfield Links golf course. This leads to another expensive residential street, East Barnton Avenue. When the road curves left continue ahead towards the school and when you reach Davidson's Mains Park turn right onto the surfaced path. Head towards the trees at the top end of the park, bearing left at a green bin and then turning right at the next bin to soon reach the A90 Queensferry Road. Cross at the lights and turn right for a very short distance before heading left up Clermiston Drive. Take Clermiston Hill on the left to climb steeply through a residential area, and then left to continue uphill on Clermiston Crescent.

Stage 5

When this emerges on Drum Brae Drive turn left to reach Clermiston Road North. Turn right along this passing a couple of hotels. Corstophine Hill is now on your left on the far side of the road, after passing Clerwood Terrace near a mini roundabout, turn up over the grassy verge to the left near a fenced unit, to reach a brown sign for Corstophine Hall Walled Garden. Carefully cross the road and go through the gate and up the path opposite. Half way up the walled garden can be visited on the right. Otherwise continue uphill and stay on the main path ahead when the route forks to pass a mast and just to the right of the tower dedicated to Sir Walter Scott.

Stage 6

Bear right near the tower to follow the ridge then bearing left to cross down a grassy slope with another mast directly in view ahead. Go straight ahead at a crossroads of paths, using the steps and keeping on the main path which skirts around the edge of Edinburgh zoo and provides some great views over the city. Keep close to the fence and soon the path goes through a stone doorway and descends on a sometimes muddy narrow path which aims slightly to the left before heading down to the right of a brick wall to reach the A8, Corstorphine Road.

Stage 7

Cross the road and onto Balgreen Road and take the second on the right, Balgreen Avenue. This soon leads to the old railway line which is now a cycle route, go up the steps before the railway bridge and turn left. This off-road route cuts through the suburb of Murrayfield soon emerging at the new tram station near the iconic Jenners Depository building, the warehouse for the Edinburgh department store. Keep left to reach the road and cross at the lights to take Baird Drive towards Murrayfield rugby stadium which can be seen ahead. Turn right just before the footbridge to follow the Water of Leith upstream. At a road, cross at the lights and continue on the far side, still following the Water of Leith walkway. Continue on this to the next road, crossing the road ignoring the bridge on the left and take the signed path to continue by the water with a giant office block on the far side.

Stage 8

At the next road (A71), cross at the lights and continue on the cycle way opposite soon crossing a bridge and passing allotments. After passing under the railway the route climbs up steps on the left to join the Union Canal towpath. However just a few steps further on is the Water of Leith Visitor centre which is worth the short detour and has toilets and a small cafe. Otherwise climb up to the canal and turn left along the towpath for a tranquil way to head into the city centre. The towpath is usually busy with joggers, cyclists and walkers, and you may also see rowers practising on the canal as it heads through Merchiston to reach the end of the canal at Lochcrin Basin. Turn right over the Leamington Lift Bridge and straight ahead onto Leamington Road.

Stage 9

Cross Gilmore Place (where buses can be caught to the city centre) and go up Leamington Terrace to reach the A702 and Burntsfield Links. Cross the main road and follow the surfaced cycle path to the left through the park soon crossing Whitehouse Loan to continue on the path which is known as Leamington Walk. The next section of park is known as The Meadows and has a good view of Arthur's Seat ahead. This stage ends where the route crosses Marchmont Road, near the A700 opposite the Pavilion cafe. This is a good spot to get a bus (or walk across the Meadows) into the city centre for accommodation or sight-seeing.

Next stage: Edinburgh to Prestonpans

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