Editor Pick
Water of Leith
- December 26, 2005
- Rated 5 of 5 by
Tavia from New York, New York
One of the best things to do when visiting a city is to put on your joggers and go for a run. You get the heart pumping, get a local's view of the city, and with any luck get lost enough to stumble upon some lovely tucked-away neighborhood chock-full of architectural examples.
The Water of Leith is perfect for this. Most of it runs along the river, and the path is an easy-on-the knees dirt and gravel. But bits of it hop up into the city itself, and wind through behind houses and offices. During on of these hops is when I got lost, turned around, and ended up running towards the suburbs rather than back towards Edinburgh. And my but weren't the houses lovely - three-story stone things, with picture windows and secret gardens out back. Some even had their own stone stairways that led down to the Water of Leith.
Eventually a nice Scotsman (a bit taken aback at my red and sweaty face) pointed me in the right direction and returned me to the path along the River. Poor guy was going to work - while I knew I was going to spend my day in the Castle and in museums.
The run along the water of Leith is perfect - tranquil, with the occasional couple walking their dog, leafy trees overhanging the gurgling river. For a runner, it was almost as good as it can get in a strange land.
I entered the pathway along the Water of Leith through the Dean Gallery entrance, which was right near my hotel, but there are entrances throughout the city (just ask at your hotel's desk) and then follow the handy arrow'ed signs along the path to get "there & back again." When in doubt, rely upon your friendly Scotsmen!
Go here for more information: http://www.waterofleith.org.uk/river/river.shtm
From journal Searching for Braveheart