Water of Leith: Balerno to Slateford

Summary

The Water of Leith Walkway is an urban walk running right through Edinburgh, starting at Balerno outside the city and finishing at the Port of Leith. We describe it in two parts; this first follows part of the line of an old railway beside the river from the village of Balerno, passing the fringes of Currie, Juniper Green and Colinton before taking to waterside paths through the sylvan Colinton Dell. The stage ends at Slateford which has good transport links.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Mostly level walking on cycle path tracing the route of old railway line by the water; the route as described through Colinton Dell has steps.

Getting there

Start

Balerno High School. This point is best reached on public transport, though there is some street parking.

Public Transport

Bus to Balerno. The Water of Leith Visitor Centre at Slateford (end of the walk) is also served by bus as well as having a train station nearby.

Start Grid Ref

NT163668

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.3km / 5.25 miles
Time: 2 - 2.5 hours
Ascent: 30m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (5)

Stage 1

The Water of Leith walkway, 'a silver thread in a ribbon of green', runs from the outskirts of Edinburgh to Leith; this first part extends from Balerno to Slateford. It is best to reach Balerno by public transport; the walkway begins from the road into Balerno just north of the High School - there is roadside parking nearby. The route is signed and begins along a cycle path - note the winding metal strip set into the ground that represents the river and the nature it brings into the city. Head along the wide path; soon the Water of Leith itself comes alongside on the right.

Stage 2

The route continues along the old rail track bed, following the cyclepath all the way to Spylaw Park in Stage 3. Some of the stone retaining walls where the path through a cutting were once used for practice by local climbing enthusiasts - including one Currie lad - Dougal Haston - who became perhaps Scotland's most celebrated mountaineer and together with Doug Scott one of the first two Brits to climb Everest. After a little over a kilometre the route crosses a bridge over the river and continues on the far side. For a time there is a parallel path down to the left that keeps closer to the riverbank. The route passes above Currie Bridge, leaving the river briefly to skirt the Kinleith - once the site of a mill but now a housing development. Pass under East Mills Bridge; soon the path crosses another bridge to return to the north side of the river.

Stage 3

The route is now on the fringes of Juniper Green but this section is well wooded and always within sight of the water. When a new housing estate is reached follow the walkway that leads around them to the right, keeping by the water, before passing under the thunderingly busy A720 City bypass. On the far side is an attractive weir. Continue, eventually recrossing to the south side. At a road turn left, then left again back onto the cycleway. Back on the north side of the river, there's a choice of route. The signed way continues along the cyclepath, but we describe the prettier, original route through Colinton. To take this, look out for a gap in a wall on the right that leads out into Spylaw Park - it can be identified by the very grand Spylaw House.

Stage 4

Turn left on a path that passes to the left of the house. Cross the low bridge below the towering arches of a high road bridge above. When the track leads out onto Spylaw Street turn left and follow this down to and then across the river. On the far side take the road that leads uphill past the church. Take the next right (signed footpath to Colinton Dell and Riverside Walk). Soon a steep flight of steps leads down into the dell by the river.

Stage 5

The walk now continues through the very attractive and deep Colinton and Craiglockhart dells. After passing a long weir that splits a sluice from the main river, cross a bridge. The path continues between the river and sluice before heading up steps to pass above Redhall Mill - once powered by the sluice. At the top entrance to the mill cottages bear slightly left onto the downhill track that leads back into the Dell. At a white cottage follow the path that leads over a footbridge back to the north side for a time before crossing back at a large stone-built bridge. Turn left on the other side of the river - signed for Slateford. The path soon crosses a tributary and leads past a domed grotto overlooking a small cascade.

Stage 6

The path continues through the lovely dell before emerging on a lane and then the main A70 at Slateford. Opposite, the Water of Leith Visitor Centre has displays and maps of the route, as well a cafe and toilets; it is run by the Water of Leith Conservation Trust, a charity through which volunteers maintain the walkway. The A70 road outside is served by frequent buses; there is also a train station nearby.

Next stage - Water of Leith: Slateford to Leith

Next stage - Scottish National Trail: Slateford to Ratho

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