Walking Tours Of Edinburgh

Discover a hiiden corner of Edinburgh, Dean Village, which nestles in the valley of the Water of Leith.

Snapshot Of Our Tours In Edinburgh

Tour snapshot

Uncover one of the still relatively undiscovered pleasures in Edinburgh. Come with me on a walk to Dean Village, one of the quaintest neighbourhoods in our city, then walk along the Water of Leith towards St Bernards’s Well, a Greco-Roman gem once believed to have magical healing powers. We will walk on towards Stockbridge, where over a drink you will have the opportunity to ask me about anything you like!

During this private walking tour, you will hopefully find fresh perspectives about this magnificent capital city and discover more about our culture, our way of life, the political scene, Brexit, our food and drink. This tour goes off the beaten track, avoiding the touristy bustle of the town centre. Let me offer you a fresh insight into the heart, even soul of this city that I am proud to live in.

Discover Dean Village, a beautiful oasis of tranquillity right by the Water of Leith.
Admire the spectacular views towards Dean Bridge, designed by Thomas Telford, one of Scotland’s most famous engineers.
Enjoy a peaceful stroll along the Water of Leith; enjoy the country ambience, the scented flowers, the birdsong and the melodic sound of the river as it wends its way through the city.
Marvel at the iconic structure St Bernard’s Well, so beautiful that it is hard to believe that it was built to house and celebrate the waters of a natural spring.
Join me for a drink at a favourite pub of mine in Stockbridge, where we will have the opportunity to get to know each other better and where you can ply me with questions.

Full Itinerary

I will meet you by arrangement , either at your hotel or at a pre-arranged location. We will walk down the winding road together towards Dean Village, admiring the superb blend of Mediaeval and Victorian architecture. I will show you this hidden village, which nestles beneath the New Town, where previously milling took place in numerous water mills.

The magnificent Well Court was built in the 1880s to house the local workers who worked in the mills. I’ll explain about tenement life in our cities, the former traditional housing schemes for working class people.

Today Edinburgh’s tanneries and mills have given way to wealthy financiers, bankers, artists, musicians and modern day authors. Edinburgh took its place at the forefront of European culture, when UNESCO awarded our capital the first City of Literature Award in 2004.

To walk through this wee village is an absolute joy, with its beautiful medieval buildings, cobblestone streets, spire-topped churches and always with the amazing backdrop of Edinburgh Castle dominating the landscape.

We will walk beneath the magnificent Dean Bridge, built by Thomas Telford, along the newly restored path that follows the Water of Leith. This narrow waterway was once the lifeblood of the city, but today it’s an oasis of calm and tranquillity, enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. The perspective from beneath the magnificent buildings of the New Town is truly amazing!

St Bernard’s Well is a beautiful Greco-Roman structure that stands on the banks of the Water of Leith. According to Legend, this natural spring was originally discovered in the 1760s by two young lads who were out fishing. This was not, however, fated to become an ordinary well, rather one that became renowned in the 18th and 19th centuries for its medicinal healing properties.

Originally purchased by Lord Gardenstone, a staunch Abolitionist at the time, this wonderfully ornate structure was designed by the famous Scottish painter, Alexander Nasmyth. The goddess Hygieia is surrounded by Doric columns that are topped by a dome that boasts a delightful golden pineapple on top. I will reveal more about the healing properties of this spring and of course, more about St Bernard, during our walk.

Finally we will arrive at Stockbridge, where we will relax in a local drinking haunt for either a pint or a wee 🥃.

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