Flowing Quietly, Breathing Life
From the Pentland Hills to the Firth of Forth, the Water of Leith flows as an arterial lifeline, connecting the people, villages and towns that form our beautiful city.
Taking a wander along its walkway is a welcome contrast to the bustling city around us. It is now the domain of dog walkers, joggers, cyclists, and those seeking a calming stroll in nature or to be energised by the striking and powerful spectacle of its many weirs.
Herons, kingfishers, woodpeckers and sparrowhawks thrive along the riverbank. A protected colony of terns has remarkably set up home in Leith Docks. A peek beneath the water’s surface reveals brown trout, eels and lampreys swimming against the hidden current and while we expect to encounter the ‘birds and bees’, we do not often think of a river as a place for art.
Colinton Tunnel
Take a trip out to the Colinton Tunnel and treat your eyes to a fun and colourful mural by artist Chris Rutterford. Illustrating the story of Robert Louis Stevenson’s poem, From a Railway Carriage, Rutterford’s mural spans the length of the tunnel. The project is a true community endeavour, with local schoolchildren, residents and charities all painting sections of the poem.
The Colinton Tunnel attracts around two thousand visitors each weekend, with many returning time and again to see if they can spot a new detail on its walls. Bathed in colour and light, visitors can immerse themselves in the story, making every passage a thoroughly enjoyable experience and a stark contrast to the tunnel’s dark and damp past.
6 Times Sculpture Series
Sculpture lovers can discover Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley’s much-loved series of standing figures ‘6 TIMES’, watching over the river as it winds its way from Dean Village to Leith. The Gallery of Modern Art hosts the first figure, who emerges unnervingly from the pavement in front of its gates. The next four figures stand at points within the waters, presiding as silent sentinels over the river and the final figure rests on an abandoned pier in Western Harbour in Leith Docks, gazing forlornly out into the Firth of Forth.
Saughton Park
There are many other beautiful spots along the river, and the popular walled garden at Saughton Park would rank as one of the prettiest. Garden enthusiasts can gather planting tips for their own ‘wee gairden,’ while musicians use the ornate Victorian bandstand as a stunning backdrop to entertain park visitors on weekends.
Step outside the walled garden and experience the river’s immense green power. The Archimedes screw, an innovative hydro-system, uses the energy flow of the Water of Leith to generate electricity that powers the entire park. While hydroelectric systems are common on waterways, they are usually reserved for huge dams, lochs and reservoirs. Having a miniature one inside a city is a rare find and perhaps hints towards a plausible legacy for the many weirs constructed along the river in the past.
Gardening and Growing
It is widely recognised that being in nature is great for our mental health. For many Edinburgers, this manifests in our love of gardening. However, with real estate at a premium in the city, it is not always possible to have a garden of our own.
The Scottish Association for Mental Health (SAMH) runs the Redhall Walled Garden, a tranquil spot on the banks of the Water of Leith, where volunteers can cultivate their green fingers. The riverbank also hosts many council-run allotments. There is a lengthy waiting list for most, so if this is your vision for retirement, apply early!
Our Water of Leith
While the source of the Water of Leith lies several miles southwest of the city, at the Colzium Springs, Edinburgh is always in its flow.
When we think of the river, we mostly imagine the thirteen miles of walkway that provide a safe and pleasant passage between Balerno and the shores of Leith, but for the communities along its route, our river is so much more.
