Water of Leith Walkway Dean Village
This walk explores the delightful Dean Village in the city of Edinburgh.
The historic area is a popular place for a walk with old mills, picturesque dwellings and a walkway along the Water of Leith taking you to Thomas Telford's impressive Dean Bridge.
You'll also pass the Dean Gallery, housed in the impressive 18th century former orphanage building. The gallery houses the Paolozzi Gift, a collection of works by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi, given by the artist to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art in 1994. There's also a sculpture garden with a series of modern and avant-garde works.
There's more historic architecture to see at Well Court. The photogenic structure was built in the 1880s and housed local workers who worked at the village's water mills.
You can extend the walk on the Water of Leith route which runs for just over 12 miles from Balerno to Leith along the small river. The popular trail runs along a flat path which is also suitable for cyclists.
Dean Village Ordnance Survey Map 
- view and print off detailed OS map
Dean Village Open Street Map 
- view and print off detailed map
Dean Village OS Map 
- Mobile GPS OS Map with Location tracking
Dean Village Open Street Map 
- Mobile GPS Map with Location tracking
Further Information and Other Local Ideas
Head east and you could explore Holyrood Park and enjoy a climb to the famous Arthur's Seat. From here there are tremendous views over the city to the coast. You can also enjoy an easier waterside walk around the scenic Duddingston Loch in this area.
For another fine hill climb you could head south to Blackford Hill where you can also visit the delightful woodland at Hermitage Of Braid.
Cycle Routes and Walking Routes Nearby
Photos
Dean Village. Former industrial area powered by the Water of Leith. The mills are gone now, leaving the weirs and some very desirable housing beside an upland river in the centre of Edinburgh. West End tenements above the village.
Dean Bridge and church. The Thomas Telford bridge over the water of leith, which gave better access from the new town to the area of Learmonth. The church in the picture was for a while the grandest electricity sub station in Edinburgh before the church was renovated circa 1985.
Dean Gallery. Part of the National Galleries of Scotland, the Dean Gallery shows works from the Gallery’s internationally renowned Dada and Surrealist collection alongside pieces by Eduardo Paolozzi.
Well Court, Dean Village. The accommodation in Well Court was originally intended for local workers in the Dean Village area. An advertisement from the 1880s described Well Court as, “providing homes of two and three rooms with conveniences, let to a respectable class of working men at rentals of £7 to £12 per annum.”
Former Holy Trinity Church from Dean Village
View from Dean Bridge
Carved stone on West Mill. Dotted around the village, you will come across a variety of mill stones and stone plaques decorated with baked bread and pies.
Apartments at Hawthornbank