Water of Leith: Balerno to Slateford

Summary

This first part of the Water of Leith walkway follows the line of the 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.

Grade (key)

Bog Factor (key)

Rating

Terrain

Mostly level walking on an old railway line; route as described through Colinton Dell has steps.

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

By the school in Balerno. This point is best reached on public transport, though it is possible to park on street opposite. Open in Google Maps.

Walk Statistics

Distance: 8.25km / 5.25 miles
Time: 2 - 3 hours
Ascent: 20m (Profile)
Start Grid Ref: NT163668

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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 before the school - it may be possible to park along the opposite side of the road. A wooden sculpture with a winding metal strip marks the start of the walk - to represent the river and the strip of nature it brings to the city. Head along the wide path which follows the line of the old railway; the Water itself soon puts in an appearance alongside on the right.

Stage 2

Keep straight on along the old rail track bed at a junction. The line is followed on this walk all the way to Spylaw Park; some of the stone retaining walls where it leads 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. The walkway leads across to the other side of the river via a high bridge. Ignore the steps down to the water, one flight of which give access to Currie bridge. At a signed path junction a route to the right is marked for the Pentland hills; this leads up the scenic Poet's Burn. However our route is to continue ahead, now leaving the river briefly to skirt the Kinleith Estate - once the site of a mill but now the scene of a housing development. Pass under East Mills Bridge and follow the line which soon leads back over to the north side of the Water of Leith.

Stage 3

The route is now on the fringes of Juniper Green but this section is well wooded and always within sight of the river. When a new housing estate is reached follow the walkway that leads around them to the right, again keeping by the water, before passing under the thunderingly busy city bypass. On the far side is an attractive weir. Continue, eventually recrossing to the south side. At a large gated building keep left (signed Leith); and back on the north side, 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

Follow the path to the left of the house and cross the low bridge below the towering arches of the high road bridge. 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 (signed Water of Leith walkway) and then 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. Cross a wooden bridge after passing a long weir that splits a sluice from the main river; the path continues between river and sluice before heading up steps to pass above Redhall Mill - which was once driven by the sluice. At the top entrance to the mill cottages bear slightly slight 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 with stone posts. 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 is the Water of Leith Visitor Centre which sells detailed maps, refreshments and has interesting displays about the route. Tthe A70 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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