A-Z of Secret Edinburgh: Water of Leith Walkway

By Gayle Anderson -

One of the most picturesque stretches of The Water of Leith. Photo by Bryce Morrison

The Water of Leith Walkway is a public footpath and cycleway that runs alongside the small river of the same name for 12¾ miles, from Balerno to Leith.

This gorgeous green corridor is the perfect place to escape Auld Reekie’s hustle and bustle and get back to nature.

The Water of Leith Walkway passes through many areas of interest including Colinton Village and Dell, the Union Canal, Saughton Winter Gardens, Murrayfield Stadium, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, Dean Village, Stockbridge and the Royal Botanic Garden.

Old mills, roaring weirs and wooden and iron bridges

One of the most scenic parts of the route is Roseburn to Stockbridge with old mills, roaring weirs and wooden and iron bridges en route. This 6km stretch is photographic heaven and feels very far away from the city.

At Stockbridge, look out for St Bernard’s Well (closed, except on the annual Doors Open Days). Built in 1789 in the style of the temple of Vesta in Italy, this ornate structure is where wealthy holidaymakers would come to partake of the well’s waters, which were said to cure everything from a bruised leg to total blindness.