Walk: Water of Leith & Union Canal – Edinburgh’s silver threads

📌 Slateford, City of Edinburgh
★★★

Unlike most other Scottish cities, Edinburgh doesn’t have a large river running through it. The closest contender is the modest Water of Leith, whose beautiful banks prove that size isn’t everything. Indeed, this 22-mile silver thread forms the backbone to a string of milling villages which underpinned much of the capital’s growth over the centuries. This fairly lengthy route covers the stretch between busy Slateford, desirable Dean Village and fashionable Stockbridge, remaining remarkably green and verdant even in close proximity to congested streets and retail parks. The return along the Union Canal is equally alluring, with more leafy surroundings together with stylish residences overlooking the popular towpath. The walk can be joined in the city centre, but starting in Slateford (as described here) gives the opportunity to break for lunch in one of the New Town’s numerous cafes and restaurants.

📷 Chronological photo guide

🌍 Location

📌 Start / finish at Water of Leith Visitor Centre, Lanark Road (A70), Slateford, 3 mi southwest of Edinburgh Waverley station. Alternative start in Edinburgh city centre, midway along the route

🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 221708

🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.923472,-3.247315

🚆 Slateford | 🚌 Lanark Road | 🚗 Street parking to west

📝 Key info

► 14 km / 9 mi | ▲ 120 m | ⌛ 3.5-4 hr

Features: 💧 Water of Leith & Visitor Centre; 🌹 Saughton Park ★★★; 🏠 Dean Village ★★★; 🏠 Stockbridge; 🏠 Edinburgh ★★★★★ New Town & city sights; 💧 Union Canal

⬤ Easy | River and canal sections on clear, level paths. Pavements for city centre section, sometimes hilly.

➡️ Clockwise circuit: start & Water of Leith Visitor Centre – Saughton Park, Dean Village & Stockbridge by Water of Leith Walkway – Edinburgh New Town (Clarence Street, Circus Lane, Moray Place, Charlotte Square, Lothian Road) & local sights – start via Union Canal

Download file for GPS

🥾 On our last visit

Wildlife: Grey squirrels, rabbits and orange-tip butterflies. Small fish in the Water of Leith. Plenty of birdlife including grey herons, swans, dippers and grey wagtails.

Weather: Slightly hazy sunshine, 20°C, light winds.

May 2020