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Union Canal : Edinburgh Quay to City Boundary at Sighthill.

Difficulty Easy Access

Walking time 4 hours

Length 8.4km / 5.2mi

Route developer: Jimmy Dee

Route checker: Jim Young

Start location Fountainbridge jcn Gardner's Crescent, Edinburgh
Route Summary Very pleasant easy walk along the Union Canal towpath. A route for all seasons & weather conditions. Path is paved along it's length. This section of Canal can be very busy with cyclists, dog walkers & childrens buggies. Excellent public transport.
*move mouse over graph to see points on route
Getting there

By bus: Lothian City Buses.

Walk start : Bus 1, 34, 35. 

Walk end : Bus 25,  x25,  34. 

Further information from www.lothianbuses.com/

Description

[1] Edinburgh Quay, the start of the towpath, is accessed via the walkway between the Cargo Pub & Edinburgh Quay Building located on Fountainbridge junction Gardner's Crescent. The continuous towpath is on the right hand side of canal leaving Edinburgh Quay. At Lochrin Basin  take time to investigate the Leamington Lift Bridge. Continue along the towpath, and go over the aqua bridge which crosses Lanark Road, and continue until you reach the large aqua bridge over the Water of Leith. Before crossing this aqua bridge take the path and steps on the right down to the Water of Leith Visitor Centre (sign-posted). At the bottom of the steps turn left and the visitor centre is 150 yards along this path. After your visit to the Centre retrace your steps back onto canal towpath.

(A) Leamington Lift Bridge : Leamington Road at Gilmore Park. Built by Armstrong of Newcastle 1906. Bridge platform lifts to allow barges to enter Lochrin Basin. Further information & animation of original mechanism at www.movablebridges.co.uk/leamington.htm

(B) Water of Leith Visitor Centre : Interactive Exhibition of wildlife & heritage of the river.  Light refreshments + Toilets available. Free & Open every day 10am - 4pm. Closed Christmas & New Year.

[2] Continue along towpath taking in the views & interesting construction of aqua bridge over Water of Leith.  Look out for tree sculpture at start of Millennium Acres Community Woodland before being tempted to try the Outdoor Gym at Hailes Quarry Park. Continue along  tow path past bridge no. 7 ( the bridge no. is in the middle of the bridge span as you approach it) to point where a series of three road bridges in close proximity pass over the canal. A few yards after bridge no 8A this is your exit point using path on the right up to Cultins Road junction Calder  Road. Turn left onto Calder Road, and you will reach the bus stop back to Edinburgh which is near Burton Biscuit's, Calder Road. 

(C) Millennium Acres Community Woodland : The scheme aims to bring 70 small to medium scale woodlands, extending to 100ha, into management. These were established as Millennium Woodlands are located throughout the city, with numerous sites being located in parks and other public greenspaces. Further information from : www.elfhnp.org.uk/index.html

(D) Hailes Quarry Park - Outdoor Gym.   Further information on how to use the equipment & where other gyms are located www.tgogc.com/useagym/find-a-gym/gym-search/hailes-quarry-park,-edingburgh.html

 

POI information

The Union Canal was opened 1822 as a direct inland route to connect Edinburgh with Glasgow via Falkirk. The main impetus for the canal being built was the transportation of coal. It's closure to commercial traffic in 1930's was due to the competition from the railways.

Further information about history, heritage & events can be found at :  www.scottishcanals.co.uk/our-canal/union-canal

Notes No details available.
Acknowledgements No details available.
  • Entry to Edinburgh Quay from Fountainbridge jcn Gardners Crescent.
    Entry to Edinburgh Quay from Fountainbridge jcn Gardners Crescent.
    By - Jimmy Dee
  • Lochrin Basin at Edinburgh Quay.
    Lochrin Basin at Edinburgh Quay.
    By - Jimmy Dee
  • Leamington Lift Bridge.
    Leamington Lift Bridge.
    By - Jimmy Dee
  • Canal at Harrison Park.
    Canal at Harrison Park.
    By - Jimmy Dee
  • Slateford Aqueduct takes Canal over Water of Leith at Water of Leith Visitor Centre.
    Slateford Aqueduct takes Canal over Water of Leith at Water of Leith Visitor Centre.
    By - Jimmy Dee
  • Wood carving at Millennium Acres Community Woodland.
    Wood carving at Millennium Acres Community Woodland.
    By - Jimmy Dee
  • Outdoor Gym, Hailes Quarry Park.
    Outdoor Gym, Hailes Quarry Park.
    By - Jimmy Dee
  • Canal at Hailesland Road.
    Canal at Hailesland Road.
    By - Jimmy Dee
  • Canal at Wester Hailes Education Centre.
    Canal at Wester Hailes Education Centre.
    By - Jimmy Dee
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