As spring gently creeps into the city of Edinburgh, passersby can be seen adorning a faint smile and glimmer of hope, shedding their ‘Michelin man’ puffers to greet another spring- or so we all hope. Scotland does tend to favour unpredictable weather after all.
As the winter gloom begins to fade, it’s time to unravel from those duvet burritos, kiss goodbye to the Netflix series binges, and at last reacquaint with Edinburgh’s water walkways.
While we all love and adore Edinburgh’s iconic architecture the concrete jungle is a far cry from my childhood island life. Surrounded by water no matter which side of the compass you turned. So, join me to reacquaint with the water and rekindle your love for nature.
1. Water of Leith Walkway
A glimmer of rural bliss streaming through a concrete coffin, the Water of Leith walkway is a gentle stroll that pulls you through historic Edinburgh. Guiding you through Dean Village and Stockbridge as the spring flowers begin to bloom.
Providing a moment of stillness in an endlessly moving city, the hustle and bustle could only be found in the stream. A brief escape from the roaring engines, screeching brakes and squawking horns. It is hard to believe you are still in Edinburgh feeling closer to a film set fit for a princess.
Although as I was loving my reunion with nature I came to the realisation, I must gain a hobby. The path scattered an array of potential new interests from water colour artists, to fishing and gentle joggers. Even if I only stuck to it for a week wouldn’t it be great to say that I had a hobby of such sophistication compared to my current state of doom scrolling TikTok.
The series of adjoining pathways pulls you across the city spanning from Balerno to Leith. However, the path can be easily joined or departed throughout the city to frequent many of Edinburgh’s famous fixtures, including Murrayfield Stadium, Gallery of Modern Art and The Royal Botanic Gardens to name just a few.
2. Union Canal
As spring fights, the ferocious winter to take hold of the city, the Union Canal begins to defrost, and life quickly re-emerges. The canal provides the perfect mirror for the spring weather, as the still stream of water gently reflects the subtle morning sun.
As the paths frequent walkers fashion transform from the baggiest of jeans capable of holding three people to the litter of white linens, the shorts re-appear but for some are they ever really gone? And the dogs leave their Barbours at home. The feeling of spring has sprung and what better way to enjoy Edinburgh than to re-discover Edinburgh’s water walkways.
The path pulls you from sights including the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel to the heart of Edinburgh, with the current pulling you along as far as you wish. Although the banks do not provide the same lavish greens as the Water of Leith, the peaceful water is owned by the swans perusing up and down with their children rushing in their tracks.
However, if walking, jogging or running sounds like your worst nightmare, you can gently peruse the banksides by canal boats or kayaks instead. The path can pull you to or from the city, providing the chance to meander round the luscious calming water in a peaceful escape from the buzz of city living.
3. Cramond Island Causeway
If a canal does not quite quench your thirst, take a quick trip out of the city to the Crammond Island Causeway, a mile long tidal path. The causeway disappears with the high tide but quickly emerges revealing a slippery path guiding you from the mainland to the rocky sandy shores of Cramond Island. The cobbled walkway is a clear love of the local community, making it easy to feel at home in a place filled with love.
Despite being somewhat difficult to cross the sea battered path due to it being slippery underfoot, the path presents glorious views across the Forth looking ahead past Cramond to the shores of Fife and to your left the spectacular views of the Forth Road Bridge from a completely unfamiliar angle.
Crammond island was used in WW1 and WW2 to protect Rosyth from attacks during the periods. The Isle still features some of the historical buildings and lookouts from the time as you see walking towards the solitaire. An island rich in history, providing idyllic views and a calm escape from everyday woes.
It is hard to not fall in love with this quaint little village and isle, only a stone throws away from Edinburgh’s city centre.
