Water of Leith Walkway

Overview

The Water of Leith Walkway is a peaceful, car-free path following Edinburgh's main river for 20 km from the Pentland Hills to the harbour at Leith. The most scenic and accessible section runs through Dean Village and Stockbridge.

Highlights

• Dean Village Section: The most photographed stretch, passing beneath the dramatic Dean Bridge and through the beautifully restored medieval milling village.
• Wildlife: Herons, kingfishers, dippers, and otters can all be spotted along the tree-lined banks.
• St Bernard's Well: A neoclassical temple housing a mineral spring, designed by Alexander Nasmyth in 1789 and modelled on the Temple of Vesta at Tivoli.

History

The Water of Leith powered dozens of mills for grain, paper, and cloth from medieval times through the Industrial Revolution. The walkway was developed in the 1970s and 1980s to reclaim the riverbanks for public access.

Visitor Tips

• Best Section: Walk from the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art through Dean Village to Stockbridge (about 30 minutes).
• Flat and Easy: The path is mostly flat and well-maintained, accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs on the central sections.
• Duration: 1–2 hours for the Dean Village–Stockbridge–Leith section.