On a surprisingly dry and fairly sunny day thirteen Strollers met up at Balerno High School entrance to stroll along the Water of Leith walkway to the Water of Leith centre at Slateford. Some even had time for a quick bite in the breakout café at the rugby club before the walk.
Now that the pathway has a proper surface to it there were no more
puddles to wade through or holes to try and avoid, though there were lots of
donations left by horses and the occasional cyclist to avoid.
The path follows the route of the old Edinburgh to Balerno railway line
which closed in 1967, though by then it was just a freight service. It
benefitted us as it made a very nice flat walk. We passed the sites of some of
the mills which used to line the Water of Leith and for whom the railway had
kept running, like the Kinnauld Leather Mill and the Kinleith Paper Mill which
had been there since the early 18th century. Flats and houses seem to be the
new industry on these sites.
We stopped at Spylaw Park for a lunch break where we were joined by Ken
B who had taken a wrong turn to catch up with us. This seemed to take in
Glasgow, Perth and Glasgow again before joining us for lunch. Something about
the piping needed fixed. He then went home for a rest. While in the park, we
took the time to admire the house that used to be the home of James Gillespie
who had snuff factories on the river. It’s now flats.
We then passed through the Colinton Tunnel with its painted walls
reflecting the diversity of the area and the well-known people who lived here.
Finally, finishing at the Water of Leith Centre with most Strollers braving
the walk over the aqueduct where it was time for a well-earned coffee or tea.
Thanks very much to Alistair B for arranging the walk and the lovely
weather.
Hopefully the next one will be as dry!
