Down in the Dell

Craiglockhart Dell and the Water of Leith lie on the Western margins of Craiglockhart. The Dell is a steep sided wooded valley running from Slateford to Colinton that hosts a section of the Water of Leith Walkway. A map is available here (new window).

There are various access points but the main one is just across the road from the Water of Leith Visitor Centre that is itself well worth a visit.

The path then climbs away from the water and an 18th Century Gothic Grotto appears amongst the trees. Have a look through the rear arched window which frames a little stream cascading down the hill behind. There is a further Grotto up the steep path near here which leads to Craiglockhart Drive South.

There are some open areas with benches ideal for having a family picnic or just for resting a little before adventuring on.

A few hundred yards up the walkway, just behind the Dell Inn Public House, can be seen this pleasant little weir.

This is the parting of the ways. Left for Slateford, right for Colinton via Kates Mill (and a back way up to Redhall House) while behind there is a bridge that allows passage over the Water of Leith to the Railway Walk on the far side. The Railway Walk can be taken either left for Colinton or right for the Union Canal and thence back to Slateford.

As with all woodlands one of the beauties of the Dell is the way in which it changes clothes to suit the season and Autumn can be a particularly glorious time!

Photographs by K Bryce Morrison