Man’s body pulled from water at beauty spot

● Emergency crews rush to the scene after early morning discovery

A man’s body has been pulled from the Water of Leith after being spotted in the water by passers-by.

The tragic discovery was made early yesterday morning.

Officers in white forensic suits could be seen examining the area, flanked by trees and bushes at the water’s edge.

Other specialists dressed in yellow waterproof gear, worked for around two hours to recover the body from the river.

The drama unfolded near a popular path for dog walkers, which was closed off during the operation. The body, believed to be that of a man, was dressed in dark clothing.

It was understood he was found still in the water, near the river bank, sparking the specialist recovery operation.

The recovery centred on Rocheid Path Wall, about half a mile from Canonmills and a mile from Dean Village.

Two streets in the colonies facing the part of the river where the body was found were cordoned off by blue and white police tape.

Officers dressed in all-weather uniforms were posted at key points along the way, turning would-be walkers back towards the other direction.

Dog walker Sarah Martin found the path beside the Water of Leith had been cordoned off by police when she tried to enter from the Stockbridge Colonies.

“I tried to go through as usual

0 Emergency services at the Water of Leith where a body was found but it was blocked off so I came round by the road. I heard a thumping noise as I passed, as if they were trying to dig something up. It’s such a shame whatever has happened, a shame for somebody.”

A column of emergency vehicles were parked in the area immediately before the scene including a vehicle from the National Resilience centre.

Some appeared to have water-borne equipment. Others looked to be laden with mountaineering style gear, including ropes and pulleys. Officers at the scene could be viewed holding ropes close to tall marker poles. Some colleagues wore protective headgear.

One local resident said: “So much for our rural idyll.

“I didn’t hear anything last night. It just goes right through you, something like this.”

A Police Scotland spokesman confirmed they had been called to the scene early yesterday. But they insisted it was too early to say what may have happened.

A spokesman said in a statement: “Police in Edinburgh responded to Glenogle Road at around 7.20am on Tuesday April 10 following the discovery of a body within the Water of Leith.”