Water of Leith Conservation Trust

About Water of Leith Conservation Trust

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 100 river clean-ups and habitat improvement tasks annually. Operating since 1988, it was the first river charity to be established in Scotland. Support our work by becoming a member, sending a donation or joining the hundred strong team of volunteers who are involved in projects on the river and in running the Visitor Centre which is open every day.

The Trust is a registered Charity number SC000015. Our work is supported by City of Edinburgh Councils - Services for Communities and Children and Families Departments and Scottish Natural Heritage.

THE RIVER
Explore Edinburgh’s hidden natural asset, the Water of Leith. Flowing for 24 miles from its source in the Pentland Hills, the river winds its way through the heart of our capital to its outflow into the Firth of Forth at Leith. Once Edinburgh’s industrial heartland, the valley was host to over 70 mills harnessing the power of the water to produce paper, fabric, and flour with the river mouth supporting a vibrant dock and boat building industry. Today the river is home to a wide diversity of plants and animals from wild garlic and orchids to brown trout, heron, kingfisher and otter, and can be explored on foot or bike along the 12 3/4 mile Water of Leith Walkway.

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 too, selling books and souvenirs.
The Centre is accessible to wheel-chairs throughout and caters well for families with young children.

Upcoming Events at Water of Leith Conservation Trust

More Days Out in Edinburgh

Almond Valley Heritage Centre

Almond Valley Heritage Centre Millfield, Livingston EH54 7AR

Almond Valley Heritage Centre in Livingston, West Lothian, is an award winning farm, museum and discovery centre!
Read more

Almondell & Calderwood Country Park

Almondell & Calderwood Country Park Almond Lodge, Broxburn EH52 5PE

Probably the best kept secret in West Lothian, Almondell & Calderwood Country Park is a 220-acre park and 4 star visitor attraction!
Read more

Archerfield Walled Garden

Archerfield Estate Dirleton, East Lothian EH39 5HQ

We look forward to welcoming you through our doors to experience everything the Walled Garden has to offer: a cafe/restaurant serving imaginative and...
Read more

Battlezone Edinburgh

Dolphinton Burn Woodlands Dundas Castle Estate, South Queensferry EH29 9EN

Our Edinburgh site is based in South Queensferry, ideal for anyone in the Fife, Livingston, Dunfermine and Glasgow area. It is excellently situated for...
Read more

Blackness Castle

Blackness Castle , Blackness EH49 7NH

Blackness Castle stands by the Firth of Forth, at the port that served the royal burgh of Linlithgow in medieval times.
Read more

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2ND

The Camera Obscura show is a fascinating and highly amusing way to see the city and learn about its history. This unique experience has delighted and...
Read more

Can You Escape

5 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8AE

Can You Escape is a live room escape game for 2-16 people in Edinburgh.You and your team will be locked in a room and the countdown will begin.Can you...
Read more

Conifox Adventure Park

NA NA, Kirkliston EH29 9ER

Located on the outskirts of Kirkliston, 5 minutes from Edinburgh Airport and 20 mins from the centre of Edinburgh.Adventure ParkThe adventure park has...
Read more

Dalkeith Country Park

Dalkeith Country Park Dalkeith, Edinburgh South EH22 2NA

As you stroll beneath the oaks in the rambling Country Park, you may find it difficult to believe you are only five miles from the centre of Scotland’...
Read more

Department of Magic

9 9 Blair Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1QR

Welcome to the Department of Magic - Edinburgh's magic themed Escape Rooms! Don your robe, grab a wand and help the Department defeat the Dark Lord.
Read more

Dirleton Castle

Dirleton Castle , Dirleton EH39 5ER

Dirleton Castle hase some of the oldest castle architecture surviving in Scotland – the de Vaux towers, built around 1240.
Read more

Dynamic Earth

112 - 116 Holyrood Gait, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8AS

Dynamic Earth is a 5 star visitor experience which invites you to take a journey through time to witness the story of planet Earth. Through a series of...
Read more

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2NG

Edinburgh Castle dominates Scotland's capital city from its great rock. Its story has helped shape the nation's story.Battles and sieges were fought over...
Read more

Edinburgh Zoo

134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh West EH12 6TS

Edinburgh Zoo is owned by The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS). The Society was founded in March 1909, and the Zoo opened in July 1913. Set...
Read more

Escape Hour

3 Cranston Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH8 8BE

Escape Hour is an escape room venue located right in the middle of Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Our current game is Major Plott's Revenge, a game where your...
Read more

Escape Hunt Edinburgh

Escape Hunt Edinburgh Upper floors, 24 Castle Street , Edinburgh New Town EH2 3HT

Escape Hunt isn’t something you watch, it’s something you experience from the heart of the action.
Read more

Escape Reality Edinburgh

1 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh West EH3 9QB

Escape Reality is an immersive escape room experience where teams of 2-6 players must solve a series of challenging puzzles to escape in 60 minutes!
Read more

Exit Plan Edinburgh

3 Queen Street , Edinburgh New Town EH2 1JE

Exit Plan Edinburgh is an exciting live escape room experience for teams of 2 - 7 people. You will be locked in one of our immersive themed game areas...
Read more

Five Sisters Zoo

Gavieside NA, West Calder EH55 8P

Five Sisters Zoo was established in 2005 and is the most-visited wildlife attraction centre in West Lothian. We are located about half a mile of the...
Read more

Glentress Mountain Bike Trail Centre

Glentress Mountain Bike Trail Centre , Peebles EH45 8NB

Glentress Forest is a mountain biking Mecca deep in the heart of the stunning Tweed Valley.
Read more

Gorgie City Farm

51 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh West EH11 2LA

Gorgie City Farm has been a much-loved part of the local community in Edinburgh for the past 30 years. We are dedicated to inspiring local people and...
Read more

House of the Binns

House Of The Binns Binns View, Linlithgow EH49 7NA

Set in beautifully landscaped parkland overlooking the River Forth, this fascinating laird’s house near Linlithgow has been the home of the Dalyells for over 400 years.
Read more

Linlithgow Museum

Linlithgow Partnership Centre 93 High Street , Linlithgow EH49 7EZ

A free museum, perfect for locals and visitors alike. Find out about our Royal connections, the trades of the town, the ordinary - and extra-ordinary! - people.
Read more

Midlothian Snowsports Centre

NA Biggar Road, Hillend EH10 7DU

Set into the hillside of the stunning Pentland Hills Regional Park, Midlothian Snowsports Centre offers all the fun and adrenaline you'd expect from Britain...
Read more

Musselburgh Racecourse

NA Linkfield Road, Musselburgh EH21 7RG

Musselburgh Racecourse is a 5 star visitor attraction just 6 miles from Edinburgh with excellent transport links and free parking. Why not consider holding...
Read more

National Mining Museum Scotland

Lady Victoria Colliery Newtongrange, Dalkeith EH22 4QN

Welcome to National Mining Museum Scotland, a 5 Star visitor attraction and winner of the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions "Best Visitor Experience...
Read more

National Museum of Flight Scotland

National Museum of Flight Scotland East Fortune Airfield, EH39 5LF

Head off on a journey of discovery at this former airfield as you explore the history of aviation from the First World War to the present day. Climb on...
Read more

National Museum of Scotland

National Museum of Scotland Chambers Street, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1JF

Explore the diversity of the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology and Scottish history, all under one roof at the National...
Read more

Polkemmet Country Park

NA NA, Near Whitburn EH47 0AD

The Park offers beautiful woodland and riverside walks, play area, picnic areas with seating and a barbecue facility.
Read more

Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot

Preston Mill and Phantassie Doocot Preston Road, East Linton EH40 3DS

Preston Mill is an architectural oddity that will beguile visitors as much as it delights painters and photographers.
Read more

Rosslyn Chapel

NA Chapel Loan, Roslin EH25 9PU

Owned by The Earl and Countess of RosslynRosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 as a place of worship and services continue to be held here weekly. The Chapel...
Read more

Scottish National Gallery

NA The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town EH2 2EL

The Scottish National Gallery is one of Scotland’s top free visitor attractions. It is made up of three interconnected buildings, right in the heart...
Read more

Scottish National Gallery

NA The Mound, Edinburgh Old Town EH2 2EL

The Scottish National Gallery is one of Scotland’s top free visitor attractions. It is made up of three interconnected buildings, right in the heart...
Read more

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

75 Belford Road, Edinburgh West EH4 3DR

Home to Scotland’s outstanding national collection of modern and contemporary art, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art includes two buildings...
Read more

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

1 Queen Street, Edinburgh New Town EH2 1JD

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is one of Edinburgh’s most remarkable buildings – a great red sandstone neo-gothic palace which sits proudly...
Read more

Scottish Owl Centre

NA Polkemmet Country Park, Whitburn EH47 0AD

The Scottish Owl Centre is the home to Scotland's largest collection of owls. Located in Polkemmet County Park, it is both a fun and educational day out for the whole family.
Read more

Scottish Seabird Centre

NA The Harbour, North Berwick EH39 4SS

The Scottish Seabird Centre is situated at North Berwick harbour, East Lothian, with stunning views across the Firth of Forth and the iconic Bass Rock...
Read more

The Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Palace of Holyroodhouse Canongate, Edinburgh East EH8 8DX

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, commonly referred to as Holyrood Palace, is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland.Located at the bottom...
Read more

The Real Mary Kings Close

2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh Old Town EH1 1PG

The Real Mary King’s Close is buried deep beneath Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. The city’s deepest secret; a warren of hidden streets that has remained...
Read more

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia Ocean Drive, Leith EH6 6JJ

Rated Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction for 12 years by national tourism agency VisitScotland, Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the...
Read more

Timberbush Tours

555 Castlehill The Royal Mile , Edinburgh Old Town EH1 2ND

Timberbush Tours offer award-winning 1-5 day tours of the Scottish Highlands and Islands, departing daily from Edinburgh.
Read more

Trinity House

99 Kirkgate, Leith EH6 6BJ

Trinity House was once the base of the Incorporation of Mariners and Shipmasters and this elegant Georgian house now holds an outstanding collection of maritime treasures.
Read more

Vogrie Country Park

Vogrie Country Park Gorebridge, Midlothian EH23 4NU

Vogrie offers a haven of tranquillity in the heart of Midlothian's countryside.It retains much of its character as a Victorian parkland estate, with sweeping...
Read more

Wonder World Soft Play Edinburgh

377 Easter Road, Leith EH6 8HU

Wonder World is a custom built centre designed to stimulate children’s imagination and encourage physical development in a safe and fun environment....
Read more

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Advertise With Us

Looking to reach new customers? We offer a variety of advertising options with prices starting from just £30 per month!

Click here to find out more »