expedia
Skip to main content
A river flowing through a town with historic stone buildings and lush greenery. 1
A stone pavilion with columns and a red door, surrounded by greenery. 2
A historic stone building with multiple chimneys and a clock tower. 3
A cemetery with numerous gravestones and a central monument. 4
A statue in a park with a large building in the background. 5

Edinburgh: Water of Leith Walking Tour with Art Historian

By Emma Meehan
10.0 out of 10
Exceptional
Free cancellation available
Price is €18 per adult
See tickets

Features

  • Free cancellation available
  • 2h
  • Mobile voucher
  • Instant confirmation

Overview

  • Guided by a local art historian and practising artist, offering expert insight.
  • Combining visual art, riverside walks, and hidden heritage in one scenic route.
  • Lively, engaging storytelling with a heavy dash of humour.

Activity location

    • Edinburgh
    • Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Meeting/Redemption Point

    • 75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3DR, UK | Please meet at the Entrance Gate to the MODERN ONE Gallery. There is an sculpture of a halved man in the cement (Anthony Gormley).
    • Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Check availability

Edinburgh: Water of Leith Walking Tour with Art Historian

  • Activity duration is 2 hours2h
    2h
  • English
Language options: English
Starting time: 11:00
Price details
€17.59 x 1 Adult€17.59
Total
Price is €17.59
Until Fri, 10 Jul

What's included, what's not

  • What's includedWhat's included
    Walking tour of Sculpture Garden, Stockbridge, Dean Village, Water of Leith Walkway, and Dean Cemetery.
  • What's excludedWhat's excluded
    Tickets to special exhibitions at Modern 1/2.

Know before you book

  • Not allowed: Alcohol and drugs, Alcoholic drinks in the vehicle, Audio recording, Bikes, Drinks in the vehicle, Explosive substances, Firework, Oversize luggage
  • Not suitable for: People with low level of fitness, People with mobility impairments, Visually impaired people
  • In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, activities services are not subject to the right of withdrawal. Supplier cancellation policy will apply.
  • This activity is provided by a professional trader (a party acting within their trade, business or profession).

What you can expect

Tour meeting point: Entrance gate to Modern One, National Gallery of Scotland (75 Belford Road)

Join Emma - a trained art historian and practising artist - for a journey through Edinburgh’s history, art, and heritage. Beginning with Modern One’s sculpture garden, we will explore sculptures by Richard Long, Barbara Hepworth, and more, with Emma’s expert insights.

A short detour will take us to the Dean Cemetery, one of Edinburgh’s famous kirkyards, where we’ll uncover the stories of the Scottish Enlightenment and the city’s literary importance.

From there, we’ll follow the Water of Leith Walkway, passing landmarks such as Belford Bridge and Bells Brae. Emma will delve into the history of the city’s industrial past while we pass along the river which facilitated Edinburgh’s milling boom.

Arriving in the famed Dean Village, we’ll delve deeper into the area’s milling heritage through its picturesque architecture before continuing along the Walkway, passing St Bernard’s Well, and terminating at Stockbridge, one of Edinburgh's most beloved neighbourhoods. Participants will discover the Victorian history of this district, and what makes it so popular.

The tour concludes in Stockbridge, where participants may choose to stay for food or a drink in one of the district’s many gorgeous cafes, restaurants, or pubs.

Tour length:
Approximately 2 hours.

Sites visited:
Modern One and Modern 2: National Galleries of Scotland, Dean Cemetery, Belford Bridge, Dean Village, St Bernard’s Well, Dean Bridge, Stockbridge, the Water of Leith

About Emma:
With a robust academic background in art history, Emma is a multidisciplinary artist and curator with an emphatic love for Edinburgh’s history and aesthetics. Having delivered tours with The National Gallery, Bristol Museums, and more, visitors are in safe hands with Emma’s experienced and uniquely playful style of delivery.

Keep in mind:
This tour involves a fair amount of walking - approximately 4.5k (2.75 miles).
Those joining the tour are encouraged to wear suitable footwear (which is mostly anything but heels or flipflops).
Wheelchair-using guests/parents with prams are more than welcome to join. Please notify Emma ahead of the tour so she can factor in mobility needs.

Location

Activity location

  • LOB_ACTIVITIESLOB_ACTIVITIES
    • Edinburgh
    • Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Meeting/Redemption Point

  • PEOPLEPEOPLE
    • 75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3DR, UK | Please meet at the Entrance Gate to the MODERN ONE Gallery. There is an sculpture of a halved man in the cement (Anthony Gormley).
    • Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom