The Herald - The Herald Magazine
The walk Go with the flow on the Water of Leith Walkway
Location: The Water of Leith, Midlothian Grade: Easy riverside walking Distance: 12.5 miles/21km Time: 6-8 hours
FLOWING for 24 miles/40km from its source in the Pentland Hills, the Water of Leith winds its way through Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green, Colinton, Slateford, Roseburn and Dean Village into the heart of Edinburgh, before continuing its way through Stockbridge, Canonmills and Bonnington to the Firth of Forth at Leith.
Once Edinburgh’s industrial heartland, the valley was host to more than 70 mills harnessing the power of the water to produce paper, fabric and flour, with the river mouth supporting a vibrant dock and boatbuilding industry.
Today the river is home to a wide diversity of plants and animals, from wild garlic and orchids to brown trout, heron, kingfisher and otter, and can be explored on foot or bike along the Water of Leith Walkway.
The Water of Leith Conservation Trust works to conserve and enhance the river and its banks and does a fantastic job. In operation since 1988, the trust was the first river charity to be established in Scotland and has developed an excellent visitor centre at Slateford, just below the Union Canal.
It’s possibly best to walk the route with the flow of the water, that’s from Balerno to Leith, and, remember, you don’t have to walk the whole of the route in one outing – you can join and leave it at many points up and down the river. You can even link with other paths, cycle routes, the canal and a whole network of routes in the Pentlands.
If you choose to start in Balerno, catch the 44 bus from Edinburgh city centre. The start of the walk is next to Balerno High School and is well signposted.
In terms of underfoot conditions, the path is generally very good, with less than a mile on road. It’s also a pretty good surface for cyclists. The route follows the river almost in its entirety and is well clear of traffic.
The Water of Leith path is well signed, but you may find yourself checking for signs at a few locations, particularly where the path crosses a road and the continuation is not immediately apparent. Having said that, it is highly unlikely that you’ll get lost.
It always amazes me that in our Scottish cities we can boast routes like this – green arteries that make their way through the most built-up areas offering local people a vital lung away from the diesel fumes and busy roads.
For visitors the Water of Leith not only offers a great linear walk but a fascinating insight into an Edinburgh of the past.
Map: OS 1:50,000 Landranger sheet 66 (Edinburgh). Also, a basic but good map is available from
Time: 6-8 hours.
Start: Balerno, near the High School (GR: NT164668).
Finish: Leith Docks (GR: NT269767). Public Transport: The X44 bus will take you from Edinburgh city centre to Balerno at the start of the walk. To return from Leith to Edinburgh city centre, catch a bus from Ocean Terminal.
Route: Start in Balerno just before the school. A wooden sculpture with a winding metal strip marks the start of the walk. Follow the wide path until you see the river on your right. Continue past Spylaw Park where a walkway leads across to the other side of the river via a high bridge. Leave the river briefly to skirt the Kinleith Estate. Pass under East Mills Bridge and follow the line that leads back over to the north side of the river. Follow the walkway around new houses before passing under the city bypass. Cross back to the south side of the river and follow the obvious path to Colinton Dell, where steps run steeply down to the river. Cross a couple of bridges past Redhall Mill. Pass a small domed grotto and reach a lane that runs to the A70 at Slateford. Cross the road to the visitor centre. Pass below two impressive arches – the aqueduct carrying the Union Canal and the viaduct carrying the railway. Continue along the riverside past a graveyard on the right and then make a wide loop around allotments. Cross the A71 and continue on the riverside path. Cross a series of roads to reach Murrayfield Stadium. Continue to follow the signs and the river past Haymarket, Dean Village, Stockbridge, Canonmills and finally into Leith. Cross Commercial Street to reach Victoria Bridge and the end of the walk.