THIS route utilises the disused railway that served Leith Docks as it follows the Water of Leith inland through what was once its most industrial stretch, then cuts through some of the best parkland in the city.
Of course, Leith, historically the port for Edinburgh, has a fascinating international history and many beautiful buildings. And it's where the game of golf took root in Scotland, Leith Links being the first home of the game's senior club - not, as y
ou might expect, the Royal and Ancient Club of St Andrews, but the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers, who eventually moved to Muirfield.
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<h5>Distance: </h5><p>12km (7.5 miles). Circular route. </p>
<h5>Start and fini
Times have changed in Leith, with the passing of the rail link for one thing, but many cruise ships now visit on their way to the Orkneys, Shetlands, Faroes or Iceland and there is the permanent presence of the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Like many an international seaport, Leith once had a wicked reputation, but as the maritime industries have declined there is a sense of rejuvenation in the air. It still retains those foreign flavours, Dutch, French, Scandinavian and Italian, in its architecture. One of its newer buildings, the huge edifice of the Scottish Executive offices, dominates a large part of the former dock area. The front of this building is a fitting place to start this route.
Make your way to Commercial Street, then turn left into Sandport Street and join the Water of Leith Walkway. Head upstream to where you will see a blue cycleway sign marking the fact that you have now joined National Cycle route 75, which leads ultimately to Glasgow. Keep to the north bank of the Water of Leith, which you will soon notice becomes the route of the old railway.
Before long you start to pass under the road bridges of North Leith and Chancelot, following the signs for Canonmills. It would be an interesting exercise to count the bridges you meet, as there are at least 25. One of the grandest spans the path through Warriston cemetery, and the pillars at railway height are most impressive. They are also a good marker, because 150 metres later you leave the track, on the right, immediately before a substantial bridge which crosses the Water of Leith, to drop down via the sports field into Warriston Crescent, a fine row of houses. A plaque on number 10 commemorates the fact that Frederic Chopin, Polish composer, stayed here in October 1848.
Inverleith Row, the main road at the end of Warriston Crescent, is the busiest road you will encounter. If there are younger or less experienced riders in your party, use the pelican crossing to cross the road, then ride the short distance north to Inverleith Terrace Lane, where you turn left and soon join Rocheid Path.
This is Canonmills, at one time the centre of the Edinburgh milling industry. The valley of the Water of Leith, then called the "Dean", had many mills, most of them for the grinding of grain. There were also some "waulk" mills for the cleansing and thickening of cloth. These became valuable sources of revenue to their proprietors and the City of Edinburgh. A charter from King Robert in 1329 consigned to Edinburgh the port of Leith with its mills, but these were not further specified. However, in 1423 a retired abbot of Holyrood House feued the "Canoune Millis", part of his pension, to the burgh of Edinburgh for five years, this old connection being preserved in the place-name Canonmills.
Turn right into Arboretum Avenue, the main access to the Royal Botanic Gardens, arguably the finest in the world. They have always had a great connection with Leith, no doubt many of the early specimens arriving via the docks. In 1661, Sir Robert Sibbald, one of the founders of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh and the University's first Professor of Medicine, started what was then called the Physic Garden near Holyrood, growing medicinal herbs. It then moved to a site now occupied by Waverley Station; in 1766 it was relocated to Leith Walk, and then was established at its present site in the 1820s. It now extends to over 80 acres, and is well worth a visit at any time of year.
Turn left at the cycleway sign opposite the main gate into Inverleith Park, and follow the main path along a splendid tree-lined avenue, to East Fettes Avenue. Cross with care into Carrington Road and past the imposing Fettes College. Craigleith Hill Avenue then takes you all the way to Groathill Avenue, where you turn left down to the tennis courts, 70 metres away, and right on to a railway path again.
This cycleway will take you all the way back to Leith if you bear right after crossing Ferry Road. Carry straight on at the next junction, Five Ways junction, then after 200 metres turn right before entering Victoria Park. At the other side of the park the cycleway continues to Steadfastgate and familiar territory. From here turn left and retrace the first part of the route back to Leith. Bear other path users in mind as you ride towards the docks, as the path is well surfaced, gently downhill most of the way and it is easy to generate a good pace. Of course there is the lure of gastronomic delights at the far end.
