The Water of Leith Visitor Centre is situated in a renovated schoolhouse by the Water of Leith. It combines a free exhibition together with a cafe selling teas, coffees and snacks. There’s also a gift shop selling books and souvenirs. The Centre is accessible to wheelchairs throughout and caters well for families with young children.
The centre serves as a base for our volunteer conservation activities and includes rooms available to hire for events and birthday parties.
Our Visitor Centre and Community Cafe is open year round, staffed by our lovely volunteer team, pop in for excellent value refreshments and all manner of river information.
Our volunteer run café serves delicious snacks, coffees & teas – enjoy sit-in or takeaway
Daily 10am to 4pm
Explore information panels describing the walkway, the river’s past, its bridges, its industry, and its people.
Reveal what ‘we share the river with …….!!’
Focusing on the wildlife that lives in the river’s corridor, find out what birds, mammals, invertebrates, fish and plants share the river with us – you can even find out the problems we humans cause.
Where the experience comes alive.
Cause a flood, try to stop the giant waterwheel turning, control the sluices as you splash around these large stainless steel interactive models. On the unique ‘Call of the Wild Wall‘ listen for the sights and sounds of the river bank. Finally, get up close to the river’s creepy crawlies through the video ‘Bioscope‘.
Experience a guided walk or illustrated talk to really discover Edinburgh’s river. We have a programme to suit any age or ability and it is available 7 days a week.
Book an outdoor environmental themed party for your child. Our experienced staff offer a unique birthday experience. Suitable for 5 to 11 year olds.
We offer engaging outdoor educational programmes for school groups inc. Nursery, Primary, Secondary and JASS workshops.
Buy a paper copy of the Water of Leith Walkway Map via PayPal using the buttons below. If you are not in UK please select International Postage.
The Water of Leith Visitor Centre is situated in a renovated schoolhouse by the Water of Leith at Lanark Road in Slateford, easily accessible 4 miles west of Edinburgh City Centre on the A70.
Bus numbers 34 and 44 stop outside the Centre.
Our Address:
Water of Leith Visitor Centre
24 Lanark Road
Edinburgh
EH14 1TQ
The Water of Leith Conservation Trust works to conserve and enhance the river, its heritage and wildlife: The Trust promotes education and recreation through the Visitor Centre, and works with volunteers and community groups to deliver around 240 river clean-ups and habitat improvement tasks annually.