WaterofLeith.info	Colzium Harperrig Threipmuir Harlaw BALERNO Malleny Currie Juniper Green Spylaw Park Colinton Redhall Slateford HERITAGE CENTRE Longstone Saughton Gorgie Murrayfield Roseburn GMA Dean Gallery Dean Village Stockbridge Four Winds BOTANICS Canonmills St. Mark's Park Victoria Park Bonnington LEITH The Port Ocean Terminal
Outlook article text
As Spring gets closer and the days get longer, it's a great time to go out and explore. Why not get to know Edinburgh's river, the Water of Leith, better? It begins its life in the Pentland Hills, and flows gently through the City to Leith. It is now possible to follow the river's route closely from Balerno to the Forth. New sections of the Water of Leith Walkway have been added in recent years, partly as a result of a Millennium Project. There are numerous access points to the path, as you can see from the map. Each section has a unique character, you may know some parts - Dean Village or Colinton Dell, perhaps - but do you know the whole route? In theory it's possible to cycle from Balerno to Leith in about an hour (it's all downhill!). But the reality is that there are so many places where you will want to stop, and such a wide variety of interesting attractions close by, that it could take a day or two! The Water of Leith has played a central role in the economic and industrial development of Edinburgh. Long before the construction of an artificial harbour, the sheltered mouth of the river in Leith provided safe anchorage for vessels. Leith became not only the gateway to Edinburgh but the whole of Scotland, allowing travel and trade with the rest of the world. Industrial activity also sprang up along the river, as the power of the flowing river was harnessed to drive up to 80 mills. These provided Edinburgh with food, snuff, cloth, paper, employment and prosperity, and led to the growth of a string of village communities which remain today. Robert Louis Stevenson captured the 19th century feeling of the Water of Leith in his Memories and Portraits. "The smell of water everywhere, and the sound of mills - the wheel and the dam singing their alternate strain; the birds on every bush and from every corner of the overhanging woods pealing out their notes". Wildlife is one of the reasons many people enjoy the river. Few can fail to be impressed by the sight of a magnificently massive heron fishing patiently. Even more thrilling is the rare electric flash of a kingfisher, most likely seen in Craiglockhart Dell or around Roseburn. Obviously you don't have to travel the whole route. You may be happy just visiting your favourite section. Every trip will be different. In summer many views of the river will be hidden by lush vegetation. In winter leafless trees allow some of the river's impressive structures to be seen better. A few days hard frost will transform the weirs into ice sculptures. The magnificent Union Canal aqueduct at Slateford was designed by Hugh Baird, a contemporary of Thomas Telford, designer of the Dean Bridge. Less well known is the fact that the design and construction of the bridges between Slateford and Balerno, for the Balerno Railway Branch Line (now part of the Walkway), was the first major commission for the engineer William Arrol, who then went on to construct the world famous Forth Rail Bridge! From the map you will see the range of attractions along the way, with something to suit every taste. The Royal Botanic Gardens is very near the river and is one of Edinburgh's most popular places. If you like gardens, make sure you take time to visit others on the river. Malleny, with impressive Yew trees and the Scottish Bonsai Collection, Saughton with its roses and Winter Gardens and the hidden gem of Redhall Walled Garden (open weekdays and occasional weekends). Other 'musts' include the Water of Leith Visitor Centre, the Gallery of Modern Art (bike racks and cafe) and the Dean Gallery. See www.WaterofLeith.info for further details. Or just explore - you never know what you might find!