Colinton Village - things to see in this secret part of Edinburgh

If you’re visiting Edinburgh, then you’re very unlikely to have heard of Colinton. While the area is well known to people from Edinburgh, the small historical village is largely uncharted by visitors to the city, despite easy transport links and centuries of history.

Whether you choose to find accommodation in the area or visit for the day, we wanted to write an article about everything you need to know about Colinton, Edinburgh.

Colinton – a summary.

Edinburgh has not always been the city we see today – historically, it is a cobbled patchwork of little villages that, over the years, have been swallowed up by the growing City. Colinton, like Dean’s Village, is a historical village with far-reaching history, unique character and stunning natural walking and cycling trails.

Now a cultural conservation area sits southwest of the centre just within the city bypass. Colinton is thought to have been first established in circa 1090, in the 11th century with the building of the Parish Church. The church was built by Ethelred, the Son of Malcom III and Queen Margaret, who resided within Edinburgh Castle (some 4 miles away). While much of the original Church is ruins, on the spot stands a beautiful modern building with a working church, museum and cafe.

The village became a key crossing for the river and a stopping point for royalty travelling between Dunfermline Palace and Melrose. Relics of this time are still visible today, such as St Cuthbert’s Church (1626, but the current building was erected in 1908) and Foulis Sundial (1630). The Sundail is embossed with the chest of the Foulis family, and it is not coincidental that the oldest grave (thought to have been raised in the early 1560s) is of Agnes Heriot, wife of James Foulis of Colinton.

Into the 19th Century, Colinton had become known for its mills (still visible today) which produced paper, textiles and snuff. The railway, which connects the outer villages with the inner city, was built in the 1850s and is walkable (or rideable by bike).

It was around this time that Robert Louis Stevenson’s (Treasure Island, The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde) Grandfather, Dr Lewis Balfour, was the minister of the parish. As a boy, young Robert spent many years walking around the area, and details his boyhood in his memoirs:

“All through my boyhood and youth I was known and pointed out for the pattern of an idler; and yet I was always busy on my own private end, which was to learn to write. I kept always two books in my pocket, one to read, one to write in.” – Robert Louis Stevenson

Today, the Conservation Village is home to many residents in Edinburgh, many almost completely unaware of the rich history and cultural significance that this area has. The village is not unvisited by tourists, but, very few tourists make it this far into the city.

What is there to do and see in Colinton?

Read about the history

Firstly, there is a lot of history in Colinton – much more than is outlined above. Whether you visit the churches, visit the graves, there is plenty to read about. Those we have yet to mention are the Colinton Castle, Colinton House and Spylaw House.

Colinton Tunnel

The Colinton Tunnel is part of the old railway network which connected goods from the outlying villages of Edinburgh to the city centre, and later as a passenger train link to Slateford and the city centre. These days, the railway is a far cry from its noisy industrial past, and now makes up part of the Water of Leith walkway (started in 1980).

In 2019, a mural was commissioned, which was finished in 2021 during the COVID pandemic. The walls of the tunnel were painted to pay homage to the historical significance of the area, and the walls possess the words of Robert Louis Stevenson.

Nature walks in the Colinton Dell, Skylaw Park and Pentland Hills

All around Colinton are some of the most beautiful walks and nature trails in the whole of Edinburgh – some may argue even rivalling Dean’s Village. Whether you choose to walk into the Colinton Dell or into the Pentland hills, there is plenty of access to Scotland’s world-famous natural vistas.

As a personal favourite, Autumn is a particularly beautiful time of year to walk through the Dell, into the Tunnel and out onto Skylaw Park.

Visiting Colinton

There are many places to stay in Colinton itself, including private Airbnb accommodations. As a place to stay, Colinton may seem like a long way away from the action in the city centre, but many will consider that a positive. The village has very easy links to the centre, with buses offering direct links to Haymarket and Waverly train stations.

Alternatively, bike tours from the city centre to Colinton offer a stunning ride along leafy cycle paths. Some may say that the best way to see the village is by bike.

If you’re visiting Edinburgh, Colinton is a beautiful, historical and unforgettable place to see.

Produce to buy from Colinton

While still part of Edinburgh city, the feel of Colinton is like a village. The local community is surprisingly tight-knit, and speaking to the lady who runs the local post office, she told me about all the local products available. There are a few here I thought I needed to highlight.

Colinton Honey

Famous in the area, Colinton honey is made by a local producer and sold in the post office’s farm shop. It was £13 pounds, but the lady assured me it was spectacular and award-winning. I bought some, and it was fantastic. It had a lovely citrussy flavour that is apparently from the local fauna.

Millstone Gin – Celebrating Colinton’s History.

This is a more recent inclusion, but there is a gin called Millstone Gin that has been created to celebrate the village’s mill history. The owners are passionate about their local community and have used all local ingredients to support the production of their spirit.

Colinton Village – things to see in this secret part of Edinburgh