Water of Leith: Slateford to Leith

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 second part makes a cross-section through the city of Edinburgh. There is a huge amount of interest, from the views of Murrayfield Stadium to the very picturesque sections through Dean Village and Stockbridge.

Grade

Bog Factor

Rating

Terrain

Signed paths and pavements; some steps if the route is followed as described.

Getting there

Start

Water of Leith Visitor Centre, Slateford.

Public Transport

Both start and end points are served by regular bus from Edinburgh's city centre.

Start Grid Ref

NT221707

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Walk Statistics

Distance: 12.2km / 7.5 miles
Time: 3 - 4 hours
Ascent: 40m (Profile)

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Walk Description

User reports (4)

Stage 1

The Water of Leith visitor centre at Slateford is most easily reached by bus, though there is also a train station nearby. The centre is well worth a visit for its interesting displays, cafe and toilets and they also sell a detailed map of the whole route. (The first stage of the Water of Leith walkway is described here). This second section begins alongside the river beside the centre, passing under two impressive arched structures - the aquaduct carrying the Union Canal and the viaduct carrying the railway. Continue along the riverside walkway, running past a graveyard on the right and then an area of allotments around which both the river and path make a wide loop.

Stage 2

Beyond these cross a wooden footbridge. The path eventually emerges on the busy A71. Use the pelican crossing and continue on the riverside path on the farside, bearing right of buildings to keep by the river, and passing under an iron bridge. The route continues between the river on your right and a grassy space to your left, then emerges at a road. Turn right here, then left into Saughton Park. Keep right in the park to keep closer to the water, which is eventually rejoined. Keep straight ahead at a junction to soon reach another road and pelican crossing. Again take the path on the far side. Ignore a humped wooden footbridge, continuing and soon passing under a wide railway bridge.

Stage 3

Beyond this continue until to the next bridge on your right, crossing this with views of the massive Murrayfield Stadium - home of Scottish rugby - ahead. Turn left on the far side to stay by the river on a broad cycle path. Ignore three more bridges on the left, continuing by the river and soon with parkland on your right. Eventually railings force you away from the river and a road is reached. Turn left here and then left again on Roseburn Gardens to meet the busy A8. Use the pedestrian crossing and head very briefly to the right on the far side before heading left between two stone posts topped with pyramids onto Roseburn Cliff.

Stage 4

Next look out for a 'Water of Leith' footpath sign indicating a path down steps on the left. This passes under an old viaduct (now crossed by a cycle route rather than trains) and continues by the river - the start of a very pleasant and leafy section of the walkway. Ignore a wooden footbridge (which gives access to the excellent National Gallery of Modern Art) and pass a metal sculpture of a man by Anthony Gormley - the first of several such works along the route - just above weir. Further on a signpost indicates a path a route off right that leads to Haymarket Rail Station, but the walkway continues by the river, soon switching to the north bank at a footbridge.

Stage 5

Pass under an arched bridge via a platform suspended over the river (there is access to the Dean Gallery by ascending from here). Do not cross the next iron bridge and pass the bottom of a long flight of wooden steps which climb up to the left. A suspended walkway now leads past an attractive weir passes under another metal footbridge. Turn left on the far side of this to climb up and then cross it to the far bank. You are now in perhaps the most enchanting spot on the Water of Leith; on the north side of the river is the impressive red-brick Well Court, built by the owner of the Scotsman newspaper to house his workers. Follow the cobbled walkway which climbs on the south side of the river, alongside some picturesque half-timbered cottages. This is Dean Village.

Stage 6

The cobbled Hawthorne Bank Lane leads up past some characterful old houses. Go straight across - downhill - at the top, signed for St Bernard's Well. The walkway now leads under the towering arches of the Telford Dean Bridge; built in 1832 this removed the need for a steep descent and climb on the crossing of the river. Soon St Bernard's Well is reached, capped by a Roman temple-style folly and a statue of Hygeia, Goddess of Health. Once popular for healing, recent tests have shown it to be unfit for drinking. Further on, pass under the steps and bridge onto Saunders Street. Across the river opposite is Dean Terrace and an area with some of the finest Georgian streets of Edinburgh. Continue ahead to emerge on Stockbridge, the heart of the trendy district of that name, and descend the steps on the far side next to the beautiful clocktower building.

Stage 7

When the walkway emerges on a road turn left and then right onto Arboretum Avenue, with the terraced houses of the Stockbridge Colonies across the water. These were built by a cooperative to provide low cost homes for craftsmen, relieving the pressure on the slums of the Old Town. The walkway cuts a corner of the road and then passes through a gateway on the right to continue above the river overlooking the colonies opposite. Ignore the next bridge over the river but cross the following one - signed for Leith. Emerge up steps onto a road in Canonmills and turn left. At the busy junction with the traffic lights and clock; use the crossings and take the Warriston Road almost opposite (slightly staggered to the right). This runs alongside the river, passing under an arched bridge. Further on follow the road across St Mark's Bridge and then right onto a path on the far side.

Stage 8

Continue beside the river through parkland, passing but not crossing a wooden footbridge. The route leads under a low arch carrying the railway and passes a wide weir. Keep right at a path junction, joining the line of the old railway. When this passes under a bridge leave it and head up steps on the left up to the road to turn right and cross over the bridge. Then left just before the river onto a walkway once more. This crosses the water twice - note the Anthony Gormley statue in the water. When it emerges on a road go straight across, then at the next cobbled roadway go across again and down steps. The route now leads past a broad section of the Water of Leith; murals on the left depict the wildlife found here.

Stage 9

Continue, passing under the next bridge. When the path meets a road bridge turn right across it and then left on the far side. You are now on the Shore in Leith - once a seedy area but now home to some of Edinburgh's most prestigious restaurants, reflected in the water. Continue by the Shore, crossing Commercial Street, to reach Victoria Bridge and the end of the walk.

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