Capital Trails Walking Club
B. W. F. Club 102
Contact: Wendy Meredith, 4A Clandon Terrace, Kingston Road, Raynes Park, London SW20 8SE.
Walk start place: Edinburgh Haymarket Station, Haymarket Edinburgh. Map 66 G.R.240733.
Entry Fee: £1.00
Please note: The stamps are only available BY POST from the address above. THERE IS NO "WALK BOX" AT THE START VENUE
How to pay and get your I.V.V. stamps
Optional Badge: £2.50
This walk is linear. There are very good frequent bus services from Ocean Terminal back into Edinburgh city centre. Just after the start you have to go down a fairly long and steep set of stairs to get to the riverside path which can be muddy, there are also sectional of cobbled surfaces which can be slippery if frosty or wet. The Botanic Gardens are closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day (an alternative route is available) and closing times are seasonal. It is well worth a walk round as it is a peaceful oasis to find in such a noisy city. Admission is free.
Route Description:
Turn left out of Haymarket station and left again along the main road to the traffic lights. Cross at the lights turn left and then right into Magdala Crescent, as the road bears to the right turn left through an opening in the railings signed Water of Leith Walkway. Descend steps with care. At the bottom turn right signed Stockbridge & Leith. Follow the riverside path, crossing a footbridge and continuing on the other bank, Just before Belford Bridge you will see a hotel to your left, the older buildings date from 1805 and were the millers house and granary. All that is left apart from the weirs to show how important the area was for milling in the 19th century. there were once 11 flour mills in Dean between here and the Dean bridge. Stay on the riverside path signed Dean village ignoring side turnings. Pass under a footbridge and follow the path to the left to eventually cross it. Turn left along the riverbank to reach a steep cobbled road (Hawthornbank Lane no name visible). Walk straight on into Miller Row and go under the Dean Bridge, 150 metres on your left is a small stone building (St Georges Well)
Q. What is the date above the door?
Continue straight on passing St Bernard's Well. It is in the style of a circular Roman temple with a statue of the goddess of health Hygeia at the centre. The mineral waters were popular for their health giving qualities until the 1950's when the well was closed due to the fear of contamination. Take the next path to the left and go under the bridge, continue forward and on reaching the traffic lights cross the road and turn left over the bridge and immediately go down steps to regain the riverside path. At the next bridge (Felshaw) go up onto the road turn left, on your left is a bench it has a plaque on it:
Q. Who is it in memory off?
Turn immediately right into Arboretum Avenue ignoring Water of Leith sign, follow the road round to the left* and go ahead at crossroads signed Botanic Gardens. Keep forward until you reach the West Gate of the Botanic Gardens. The gates are open from 9.30 Monday to Friday and 9.00 on Saturdays and Sundays. Go through the gates (toilets on the left), go forward through the entrance area and through another door into the garden. Go straight ahead and take the right turn signed East Gate. Follow the path as it bends to the left ignoring 1st right turn. On reaching the next waymarker turn right at next T junction turn left and in 30 meters turn right staying on this path ignoring any tunings until you come to the East Gate, leave the gardens and cross the road, turn right along Inverleith Row.
*If the Botanic Gardens are going to be closed turn right at the crossroads into Inverleith Terrace and walk to the end. Turn left to the pedestrian crossing, cross and turn right along Inverleith Row*
*The houses on your left are in Howard Place.
Q. Who was born at number 8?
Cross Warriston Crescent go over the bridge and turn left down Warriston Road with the river to the left, passing the Lady Haig Poppy Factory. Cross St Mark's bridge and turn right on riverside path through the park ignoring footbridges, continuing under an old railway bridge and passing Redbraes Weir. At Steadfastgate you will see a National Cycle Network signpost.
Q. What Number is it?
Keep straight on signed Leith. The route now follows the old Edinburgh- Leith railway line passing through an old station and then ahead with river to your right. On reaching Sandport Place turn right and cross the bridge then turn left along The Shore with the dock to your left. At crossroads continue ahead still on The Shore. At the end of The Shore bear left and head towards a statue of a man sitting on a bench, carry on along the dockside passing a whaling harpoon gun. Continue until you reach an old swing bridge, cross the bridge and turn right and then left by the Royal Bank of Scotland and walk towards the large buildings in the distance passing the Scottish Executive building to your left. At the roundabout turn left and follow to the pedestrian crossing. Cross and you are now at the end of the walk Ocean Terminal.
The Royal Yacht Britannia.
If you wish to visit the Yacht go into Ocean Terminal, and go up to the third floor to access the ship (entry fee payable) and gift shop. If you want to have a good view of the outside of the ship, go up to the middle or top floors and have a cup of tea in one of the restaurants that overlook it.
The organisers are not liable for accidents, thefts and /or damage to property. Every effort will be made to make this a safe, enjoyable and memorable event.
Updated 31st December 2009