When living in a city, it can be difficult to get away from the hustle and bustle, especially if you aren’t able to travel out into the countryside whenever you need some fresh air. Luckily, Edinburgh may be a place of vibrant and exciting opportunities, but it is also the home of quite a few beautiful walks to give you that piece of nature you might be craving without having to venture outside of the city centre. Earlier in the year, I took a walk down part of the Water of Leith Walkway for a few hours, ensconcing myself in nature with just myself and my camera. Below I document what I got up to and what I found along the way.
A Walk Down Water of Leith Walkway
Being in university full-time, I myself struggle to get out and take a break from my work, especially with the unpredictable Scottish weather. But I decided that for this photo-essay, I would spend some time alone and take a walk down part of the Water of Leith, starting near the Gallery of Modern Art. Some people may disagree with me, but when on these types of walks, I much prefer keeping both my eyes and ears completely open - this way I am completely free to absorb all of the environment around me whether that be within the sounds, smells or sights. I am free to engulf it all without being distracted by my phone or my music or something else entirely.
Of course it helps that it was a glorious day, but nevertheless, the Water of Leith has to be one of my favourite paths. From its amazing wildlife to its picturesque views, there is something to notice at every turn.
Further down the walk you come across the beginning of Dean Village, introduced by a large waterfall. Although perhaps one of the more tourist-filled areas of the walk, Dean Village never fails to impress. It boasts glorious Renaissance and Gothic architecture alongside the calming riverbed and is something not to be missed.
Nearby you will start to see various private gardens surrounding the river as well as a church or two. Despite the fact that the gardens are for residents only, you are free to admire them from behind the fence and have a look at whatever wildlife and plants might roam.
At the beginning of my wander there were hundreds of varieties of plants and flowers to see wherever I looked, with various colours and smells bursting out at you. It is a public path with dog walkers, runners, families, etc, but when you switch off your busy thoughts and switch on all your senses in a place like this, you will truly feel like you are all by yourself - this is no bad thing.
Not far from Dean Village is the Dean Bridge. It’s not often that in Edinburgh you see a bridge so large from below unless you find yourself in South Queensferry, but Dean Bridge is one magnificent sight to see with its arches rising a mighty 106 feet above the river. Built in 1833 by the design of Thomas Telford, the bridge takes you from the city centre towards the Firth of Forth via the A90 but from underneath, you will feel no bigger than an ant on its way back to the colony.
My personal favourite attraction of the walk is St. Bernards Well, a beautiful Greco-Roman structure containing a well that was once believed to have healing powers, described by its inscription “Bibendo Valeris” which translates as “Drink and You Will Be Well”. Even if you don’t believe in the legends, I hope you find joy in admiring the magnificent statue of the Greek Goddess of Health, Hygeia.
Not far from Hygeia is where you can exit the walk at Stockbridge, giving various routes to get back to the town centre or carry on all the way to Leith. It’s walks like these that are the more discreet, beating hearts of the city. When you are someone like me who comes from the Highlands originally, it can sometimes be gut-wrenching to feel so far away from home, but it’s places like the Water of Leith that allow you to feel just that little bit closer and that little bit happier, thanks to the simple act of being immersed in nature for a few hours.
