Water of Leith path closures update

The latest on the seemingly interminable river path closures, courtesy of the Water of Leith Conservation Trust:

  • The section between Wester Coates (Haymarket steps) and Belford Bridge (Brittania Hotel) should reopen in mid May: they’re replacing the old wooden ramp at the bottom of the Haymarket steps.
  • No news on the landslip between Damside and Belford Bridge: the Council remain tight-lipped due to ongoing legal proceedings.

More information on the Trust’s blog.

Previously… Scotland’s History Festival

Previously… Scotland’s History Festival will take place in November.

This year, it celebrates the centenary of the great Scottish heroine Elsie Inglis, who lies buried in the Dean Cemetery.  She was a pioneering Scottish doctor, suffragist and founder of the Scottish Women’s Hospitals.

The Dean Village Association is running several events in support of the festival; they are listed in our calendarBooking is essential for these events.

More information on Previously… itself may be found at http://www.historyfest.co.uk/.

Hawthornbank residents’ initiative

People in Hawthornbank on the south side of the Water of Leith have put their weight behind a programme to regenerate their environment:

 

The Dean Village residents, led by Don, their newly appointed technical/design advisor, have approved a programme of regeneration of their locality.  Don said “The support from the residents’ committee has been fantastic.  We’ve introduced 315 new plants and I’m now working on a series of further measures to enhance the area and make the most of its natural beauty.  We love Hawthornbank and it deserves to be seen at its best.”

As well as new planting, the western garden area has been transformed from an untidy and tired garden space into a new paved viewing area, and the eastern area replanted with a Berberis hedge.  James Gibb, the local factors, have added their weight to the initiative by replacing the wooden fence by the riverside.

Many other changes are taking place.  Congratulations to Hawthornbank residents for demonstrating an imaginative and creative commitment to enhancing their local environment.

 

(The tree was saved and replanted!)

The Schoolyard

The Schoolyard, situated at the junction of Dean Path and Damside, has been developed by the City of Edinburgh Council as a play area for children and a rest area for visitors and residents.  An Information Board has been provided which describes the history of many of the buildings and features of Dean Village.