Water of Leith - Craiglockhart and Colinton Dells

The Water of Leith, "a silver thread in a ribbon of green", wends its way from its source high in the Pentland Hills, snaking its way through the very heart of Edinburgh until it flows into the Firth of Forth at Leith twenty four miles later. A veritable oasis of green, a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, a place to stroll at will in quiet contemplation, the Water of Leith Walkway runs alongside the river for its full length. So much to see, so much to ponder over, hardy souls walk the full length whilst others join and leave again at various points along the way.
Craiglockhart and Colinton Dells can be accessed across the road from the Water of Leith Visitor Centre, and affords a lovely walk to the village of Colinton a couple of miles away.
This deep-sided gorge extends from the delightful Colinton Parish Church towards Slateford. Carved out by the river, this impressive gorge has been continuoously wooded since the last ice age, a haven for wildlife and home to many species of trees. Mature and ancient mixed woodland include ash, lime, sycamore and beech, and are peppered with the occasional dramatic appearance of a gnarled oak or glimpse of yew and hornbeam. The wooded riverbanks are carpeted with wild flowers throughout the spring. Blossom hangs from branches, whilst bluebells, anemones and buttercups push their way up through the forest floor. The heady aroma of wild garlic fills the air, the delicate white heads of this fragrant plant waving gently in the breeze.
Designated as an Urban Wildlife Site, the wooded river banks and dense layers of shrub are bursting with woodland birds and animals. Over eighty species of birds can be found, including the heron, kingfisher, dippers ...... and of course the obligatory duck. Wrens and song thrushes flourish in the woodland tree creepers. And keep your eye out for otters, voles, stoats and weasels. If you are really lucky you may even spot the odd roe deer. The river itself plays host to a number of brown trout along with around a dozen other species. Even the occasional pike pops up every now and then.
But this section of the Walkway is also steeped in history, the past very much in evidence as you progress towards Colinton. Once very much Edinburgh's industrial heartland, the valley boasted over seventy mills harnessing the power of the water and producing paper, fabric, flour and linoleum. The mouth of the river supported a vibrant shipbuilding industry and busy dockland area, so important to the city at that time. The heart of the Dell sees you enter the land of Redhall House and Estate. The property of one Sir John Inglis in 1765, he hired a renowned landscape architect, Robert Bowie, to enhance this already beautiful area. He created a  landscape of ornamental trees, riverside paths, a walled garden, a fine hexagonal doocot (dovecote) and two grottos. The entrance to the estate is marked by a fine stone bridge - Bogs Mill Bridge - along with an avenue of lime trees. Redhall Walled Garden lies on the north side of the river, on the site of Jinkabout Mill.
One of the most visually impressive features of this part of the Water of Leith Walkway is Redhall Weir, which I believe feeds the still running lade (mill stream) to Redhall Mill and its cluster of cottages. Dating back to 1718, this collection of mills produced paper, ground barley, and latterly wood flour used in the making of linoleum, eventually falling silent in the 1980's. It is said that the paper for the Bank of Scotland's first bank notes was made at Kate's Mill!   
Arriving at Colinton, you have passed through so much. From the world of nature to Edinburgh's industrial past, it is all there in just a few miles. Remnants of yesterday mingle with wildlife, stretching along the riverbank, clinging to the sides of the gorge. Narrow, steep and stepped paths, bridges, level walkways, all lead you through the world that is Craiglockhart and Colinton Dell. Dog walkers, cyclists, joggers, and those just enjoying a stroll through the Edinburgh countryside, they are all there, so join them and see for yourself just how beautiful this "silver thread in a ribbon of green" really is.

Inchcolm Island

Steeped in Scottish history, Inchcolm Island is without doubt the most beautiful of all the islands in the Firth of Forth. Just a short boat ride from South Queensferry, a visit here will allow you the privilege of wandering around Inchcolm Abbey, a 12th century Augustinian abbey in remarkably good condition with some of the best-preserved monastic buildings in Scotland. As you walk around the ruins - and I use ruins for want of a better word - you gain a strong sense of how monastic life may have been many hundreds of years ago. Three covered cloister walks survive, along with a widely visible square bell tower, a refectory, chapter house, and a largely

ruined church. So why is the abbey here at all? In 1123 King Alexander I found himself storm-bound on the island for three days. Grateful for the shelter afforded him by the island's hermits, he promised to establish a monastic settlement in honour of St. Columba, after whom the island is named. Although he died before fulfilling this promise, his brother David I founded a priory here, with the help of a group of Augustinian canons, and it rose to full abbey status in 1235. There is much to the history of this incredible island. Known as the "Iona of the East" it was allegedly visited by an Irish missionary monk - St. Columba - in 567, and was later named after him. A popular home for hermits, you can still see the ruins of 9th century hermit's cells today. Long used as an exclusive burial site, even gaining a mention in Shakespeare's Macbeth, 11th century Danes paid vast sums of money to have their dead buried on Inchcolm.
Located in the centre of the Firth of Forth, its position left the island of Inchcolm open to continued attacks by the English, suffering frequent raids during the 14th century Scottish Wars of Independence. But the island, on occasions, fought back. The weather, or maybe the wrath of St. Columba, defeated attempts by the English to steal the abbey's treasures and torch the buildings. Frustrated by these unrelenting attacks, the monks spent more and more time ashore in Fife, and the abbey was abandoned following the Scottish Reformation in 1560.
But there is more to the island than the abbey. During the First and Second World Wars, Inchcolm was fortified in an attempt to protect both Edinburgh - Leith and the naval base at Rosyth. This included a battery of guns and a tunnel constructed under the hill at the eastern end of the island. The remains of a NAAFI are today used as a shop by Historic Scotland, who now run the island. Inchcolm has also been used as a makeshift prison in its day, and in the 1880's a skeleton was discovered built into one of the walls of the abbey. Found standing upright, it is of unknown date. Who, why, when we can only surmise.
Separated from the mainland of Fife by a stretch of water known as Mortimer's Deep, there is a huge population of seagulls on Inchcolm Island, which at times can make a visit here more than a little interesting, especially during the breeding season! But due warning is given when you arrive. There is an abundance of wildlife to behold, including grey seals, razorbills, puffins, aand guillemots. And if you are really lucky you may spot dolphins, porpoises, and even the odd Minke whale. This is a wonderful place to come, boats leave from South Queensferry and allow you an hour and a half ashore to enjoy the island. It is well worth it.