Water of Leith Walkway: Dean Village to Leith

This section of the Water of Leith Walkway runs about 9 km from Bell's Brae in Dean Village to The Shore in Leith, following the river through Edinburgh, Scotland. It takes roughly 2.5 to 3 hours one way and is mostly flat or gently downhill, with negligible elevation gain, so it suits first-time walkers. The start is a 10-minute walk from the West End or Haymarket, both served by Lothian Buses, and the finish at Leith has frequent buses back to Princes Street. No permit is needed and the path is free. The surface is a mix of asphalt and compacted gravel, some stretches become muddy after rain, and low sections can flood after heavy rainfall. Much of the route is tree-lined, giving plenty of shade. Landmarks include the old mill buildings of Dean Village, Telford's Dean Bridge high overhead, St Bernard's Well near Stockbridge, the Inverleith stretch and finally the harbourside Shore in Leith, where restaurants and pubs wait. The walk can be split at Stockbridge, a natural turn-around point with cafes and shops, which makes a shorter outing of about 2 km each way. There are no huts or mountain-style shelters, but cafes at Stockbridge and Leith provide food, drink and toilets, and the Water of Leith Visitor Centre at 24 Lanark Road, Edinburgh EH14 1TQ, lies further upstream. The path is unlit after dark and should be avoided at night. The full walkway runs about 19 km (12 miles) from Balerno to Leith; this central section is the easiest and most scenic. Wildlife often seen includes herons, dippers and, with luck, kingfishers. Route information is available from waterofleith.org.uk.