Slateford to Ratho

At Slateford in southwestern Edinburgh the Scottish National Trail switches waterways - leaving the Water of Leith and beginning a long stretch along the Union Canal. The walking is straightforward on towpaths passing through a variety of suburban and more rural landscapes.

Terrain

Canal towpath throughout.

Public Transport

Bus or train to Slateford; Ratho is linked by buses back to Edinburgh.

Start

Water of Leith Visitor Centre, Slateford. Open start point in Google Maps for directions.

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 9.5km / 6 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 20m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT221707

Maps / GPS

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Accommodation

Slateford is a part of Edinburgh, with good public transport and all facilities within reach. Ratho has a pub with accommodation and meals as well as a bus link back to the city.

Walk Description

Stage 1

This stage begins from the A70 Lanark Road at Slateford, at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre which sells refreshments and has some interesting displays. From the visitor centre head under the canal aqueduct, then turn right (before the viaduct) on a path that swings round and leads up to beside the canal. Now turn right along the towpath to begin the walk beside the Union Canal.

Stage 2

Slateford Aquaduct carries the canal over the Water of Leith and Inglis Green Road. Built in 1822 by Hugh Baird in consultation with Thomas Telford, it is the second largest aqueduct in Scotland at 180 metres long and 18 metres tall. The canal runs through the green suburb of Kingsknowe and then Wester Hailes. There are numerous road and footbridges crossing the canal and towpath for the next few kilometres, almost all of which were built in the early 2000s in order to permit the flow of traffic over this most impressive water feature.

Stage 3

The canal continues impressive modern office blocks and industrial units on the outermost suburbs of Edinburgh, before crossing the city bypass road via a new concrete aqueduct at Hermiston. Continue on the towpath on the north bank of the canal, the route runs through open farmland for a further few kilometres, all the time accompanied by the roar of the busy motorway. At Ratho a ramp leaves the canal to head up to the bridge (and pub) at the heart of the village; otherwise the Scottish National Trail continues along the canal.

Next stage: Ratho to Linlithgow

Route notes, photos 2 - 3: Phil Turner

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