Start Loops and Links: Route 2 (c) Map data CC-By-SA by Openstreetmap

Start Loops and Links: Route 2 (c) Map data CC-By-SA by Openstreetmap

Start (Route 2) Route 3 Loops and Links: Route 3 (also shows route 2) (c) Map data CC-By-SA by Openstreetmap

Routes 2&3: Leith Links, Portobello, and Lochend Park Introduction This description will take you from Leith Links either to Lochend Park which is one of Edinburgh s hidden gems and a Green Flag park and back to the Links or alternatively to Portobello promenade and beach. Route 2 is entirely off-road unless you choose to complete it (from the park) with a loop. Route 3 only involves a very short section of quiet road. We think that these routes are well suited to adults and children wanting a short attractive traffic-free trip, but they also introduce routes which could be useful on a daily basis. We ve described Route 2 and 3 together because they begin together and could also be combined into a longer ride. Surfaces are entirely tarmac apart from some short sections of path in Lochend Park. Start The start of this route is on Links Gardens along the north side of Leith Links East. This point can be reached using the paths in the Links. It is also half a mile from the end of the traffic-free path (National Cycle Network Route 75) at Sandport Place. Edinburgh s Route 10 signs indicate a route to/from here. Distance & time Route 2 is about 2 miles / 3.5 km to the park and around it (something like 15 minutes at an average of 7mph). Returning using the loop option is slightly shorter than going back on yourself. Route 3 is about 3 miles / 5km (end to end) which would take about 25 minutes at an average of 7mph. Route (both routes) east from Leith Links From Links Gardens, follow the blue Route 10 signs east (with the park on your right) to Seafield and Portobello, past St Mary s Primary School and the Leith Franklin Cricket Club and then left up the ramp that heads through the community orchard. This takes you up to a disused railway line. The railway used to carry freight between Leith Docks, Leith Central Station and the docks at Granton (we will be very happy to hear from anyone who has further information on this railway!). There was an informal path along the railway for many years, which could only be accessed by steps from the park. City of Edinburgh Council and Sustrans surfaced the path and built the ramp in 2012. Route 2&3, page 1

The tarmac path crosses the bridge over Seafield Road and swings round, keeping Seafield Cemetery on the right. When you reach a small triangle of grass, don t follow the narrow, informal path that heads straight on, but keep on the tarmac path until you come to the Seafield Junction where you have a decision to make. Route 2 is to Lochend Park (potentially finishing with a loop to the Links), and Route 3 is to Portobello. Route 2 to Lochend Park At the Seafield junction head straight on, on the railway path, following the signs to Lochend Park and Easter Road. Follow the path (known as the Restalrig Path) for three quarters of a mile, passing under Restalrig Road and Lochend Road. Shortly after passing under the second bridge, you will see a zig-zag ramp to your left. Head up here, cross over Hawkill Avenue using the signalled pedestrian and cyclist crossing and turn left into the sweetly named Lochend Butterfly Way. Follow the shareduse path until you come to a gap in the wall on your left. This takes you into Lochend Park. From this point you get a fine view over the park with its tree-lined loch and Arthur s Seat in the background. Head down to the loch in any direction. Most of the paths are tarmac. The loch is home to a wide variety of wildfowl, including swans, geese, coots and mallards. Heron can also be seen here and a viewing platform over the water helps you see the wildlife. There is also a play park for younger visitors. Look out also for the 16 th Century Doocot (Dovecot) which used to house pigeons providing meat and eggs for the residents of Lochend House you can still see the remains of the castle and house above the park. The Doocot was also used as a kiln to burn clothing and blankets belonging to plague victims in the 17 th century. You can also consider public health issues at the Lochend Pump House Leith s water supply used to come from Lochend Loch and the pump drew the water up from the loch and directed it to the town. When it s time to leave the park, head back up to the gate you came in by and return to the railway path. Turn right here to return to Leith Links (traffic-free) the way you came, or to return to the junction and continue with Loops and Links Route 3. If you wish to complete a loop back to Leith Links turn left instead, but note that this will involve around 500m of on-road cycling (or pushing the bike). Note that our map and GPX route do not show the loop, but the text below describes it. After about 500m along the railway path, with Leith Academy on your right, you come to Easter Road. Turn right and either cycle or push your bike (about 250m) to the roundabout (using the signalised crossings to cross the roads if on foot) and join the path onto Leith Links beside the old Leith Academy (which is currently being converted into flats). Cross the Links to return to Links Gardens cycling is allowed in the park to complete the route. Leith Links was formerly a golf course and considered as Edinburgh s best course in the 17 th and 18 th centuries. The rules of golf were first developed here, as commemorated on a plaque near Duncan Place. The mounds on the Links are reputed to have been built to place large guns on during the siege of Leith in 1560, although some people dispute this. Whatever the truth of their origins, they were saved when the area was formalised as a public park in 1888, as part of the Leith Improvement Route 2&3, page 2

Plan, when many other hillocks were removed (the area would originally have contained sand dunes). During the remodelling in 1888, two burial areas were found areas at either end of the Links where some of the 2,700 who died in the plague which affected Leith in 1645 were laid to rest. Today, there is a spider s web climbing frame, a children s park, bowling greens and a new tennis court and 46 acres of grass to run around on. Route 3 - to Portobello At the Seafield Junction, you can continue to follow Edinburgh s Route 10 signs to Portobello. This involves turning onto a short stretch of path which leads you to the bus turning circle, down Seafield Street (it s a cul de sac with very little traffic) and across busy Seafield Road (use the cyclist and pedestrian crossing). Then follow the wide, newly surfaced, shared-use path alongside Seafield Road for half a mile until it heads down to Portobello Promenade, near the Edinburgh Dog and Cat Home. The Promenade runs for 1.8 miles, taking you to the many attractions at Portobello wide sandy beach, swimming pool and Turkish baths, cafés and ice cream. The traffic-free route ends at Joppa, so head back the way you ve come if you don t wish to cycle on roads. Links The link to Sandport Place and the North Edinburgh Path Network (Leith to Newhaven route) described at the start of this description, is the continuation of Edinburgh s Route 10, but it is onroad and uses cobbled streets. From here Route 75 of the National Cycle Network makes off-road links to a wide area of the city possible. About Sustrans This document was prepared for the 2014 Edinburgh Festival of Cycling by Sustrans. Sustrans makes smarter travel choices possible, desirable and inevitable. We re a leading UK charity enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day. We work with families, communities, policy-makers and partner organisations so that people are able to choose healthier, cleaner and cheaper journeys, with better places and spaces to move through and live in. It s time we all began making smarter travel choices. Make your move and support Sustrans today. www.sustrans.org.uk Route 2&3, page 3