📌 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
Water of Leith Visitor Centre 
Water of Leith, Slateford 
Grey heron 
Saughton Park 
Murrayfield 
Roseburn 
Bell’s Mills 
Water of Leith Walkway 
Water of Leith 
Weir in Dean Village 
Dean Village 
Dean Village 
St Bernard’s Well 
Stockbridge 
Circus Lane 
New Town staircases 
Moray Place 
Rose Street 
Usher Hall 
Start of the Union Canal at Tolcross 
Leamington Lift Bridge 
Union Canal 
Union Canal 
Polwarth Parish Church 
Union Canal at Merchiston 
Union Canal
🌍 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.
Download file for GPS➡️ 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
🥾 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
