Water of Leith: Dean Village to the Botanics
From the modern art galleries down through Dean Village and Stockbridge to the Royal Botanic Garden.
- Distance
- 3.4 km
- Ascent
- 20 m
- Time
- 1 h
- Grade
- Easy
- Route
- Linear
- High point
- 62 m
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Route mapped on from OpenStreetMap paths, with heights from EU-DEM terrain data; not yet checked on the ground by TRXO. Added to TRXO on . For planning only: always navigate with an up-to-date map such as OS Explorer or Harvey. How we make our routes.
About this walk
Water of Leith: Dean Village to the Botanics is an easy 3.4 km linear walk with 20 m of ascent, taking about 1 hours. It starts at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Belford Road (grid reference NT 234 737). The start can be reached by public transport.
The Water of Leith Walkway follows Edinburgh's river through a deep green gorge that feels miles from the city above. This stretch starts at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and drops to Dean Village, an old milling village of red-roofed houses by the weir.
The path passes under Telford's soaring Dean Bridge and by St Bernard's Well, a little Roman-style temple built over a mineral spring, into Stockbridge with its cafés and Sunday market. It finishes at the Royal Botanic Garden, which is free to enter.
Route
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1
Dean Village
From the gallery, drop to the Water of Leith and follow it down to the weir and old mill buildings of Dean Village.
-
2
Dean Bridge and St Bernard's Well
Walk under the Dean Bridge to St Bernard's Well and on into Stockbridge.
-
3
The Botanics
Leave the river at Stockbridge and walk up to the Royal Botanic Garden.
Summit
On the way
-
Edinburgh CastleCastle · 900 m from the route
Questions about this walk
- How long does Water of Leith: Dean Village to the Botanics take?
- Most walkers take 1–1 hours for the 3.4 km route, which has 20 m of ascent. That allows for short stops; give yourself longer in winter, in poor weather or with a group.
- Where does the walk start, and where can I park?
- It starts at Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Belford Road (grid reference NT 234 737). Pay car park at the gallery.
- Can I get there by public transport?
- Lothian buses to Belford Road or Dean Village; return by bus from the Botanics. Check times on Traveline Scotland.
- How hard is it?
- It's graded easy. Surfaced riverside path with a few steps; short sections on quiet streets.
- Can I take my dog?
- Yes, dogs are welcome on this walk. Before you go: Dogs aren't allowed in the Royal Botanic Garden except assistance dogs.
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