This sign is located at the bottom of Baberton Loan in Juniper Green. As you can see the sign says that the Water of Lieth Walkway is cosed on the 4/2/08.

As the date wasn’t the 4th of February I continued on along the walkway for about half a mile. This was the view I was met with.

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The footpath is totally impassible at Veitches Bridge. By the looks of it the bridge isn’t actually there anymore - just scafolding. Unfortunatly this meant I had to walk all the way back to Baberton Loan - another half mile.

I found this bit of wood lying on the ground there. It’s the diversion route for when the bridge is closed. Reading the information the bridge is actually closed for 10 weeks - not one day as the sign says. Acording to the sign the bridge is being completely refurbished.

The diversion route involves 2 very steep roads up to Lanark Road, and the footpath along the south side of the road is only about 50cm wide. Hardly safe on such a busy road.

Also interesting on the first sign is the bit that says “(date” - and you can just see the right bracket has been removed. It looks like somebody in Edinburgh Councils sign department thought it would be funny. The “4/2/08″ has been added afterwords. These signs are all over Lanark road so it must have taken some time to go round amending the signs.

This is a picture taken on the 19th March 2007 showing the shocking state of the Water of Lieth Walkway between Colinton Village and Slateford.

When the path was upgraded arround 1998 the Water if Lieth Trust was campaining for tarmac or other hard surfaces on the path. Sadly the horsey brigade had a lowder (or more influential) voice who wanted a softer surface so they could ride there horses on.

It’s a shame they got there way - you need wellies to traverse the walkway now, and no chance of pushing a pram or wheel chair along most of the path.

Interesting to note that the Union canal has recently been tarmac’ed between Fountainbridge and Wester Hails. The new path is certianly much more plesent to walk along.

Good news - the Union Canal towpath in Edinburgh has been tarmac’ed from Fountainbridge out to Wester Hails.

No more having to dodge the puddles. It’s just a shame they didn’t tarmac the path the last time the upgraded it in 1999. Hopefully this upgrade will last longer.

Feeling energetic so started in the car park at Red Moss Nature Reserve. Must remember to watch out for the large craters / potholes in the car park next time.

Started out by walking along the road towards Bavelaw Castle. The road is also known as “Beachie Avenue” as it’s lined with Beach trees. This road looks not to bad but it is rather steep and just keeps going…

At the top of Beechie Avenue turn right, then a few yards later turn left. This footpath carries on south for about 2 miles before bending round to the left and up to West Kip. West Kip taken from the west side is one of the toughest climbs in the pendlands. Anyway, up west kip, and down the other side then a fairly gentle walk to the top of East Kip and down the other
side again. At this point I decided to keep going up Scald Law which is the highest point in the Pentlan hills at 579 meters. That’s when it started pissing with rain. Full water proofs on. Down Scald law on the east side
and slide down to The Howe before turning left and head up through Green Cleuh, past Bavelaw Castle and back down Beachie Avenue.

Distance - 7.54 miles
Moving Time - 2:34
Stopped - 20
Max Elevation - 585
Min Elevation - 254
Weather - cold, heavy rain