SERVICE DETAILS
COVID-19 Service UPDATE...
COVID19 Update - The Visitor Centre Cafe is open 11:00am to 3:00pm Tues to Friday and 10:00am to 4:00pm on Saturday and Sunday (closed Monday) for inside seating and takeaway with outside seating . At the moment we cannot open the exhibition space. We are also back delivering small volunteer tasks, group visits and school visits. We will be reviewing Government advice regularly and will post updates here and on our social media feeds.
Normal service details...
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 selling books and souvenirs as well as maps and information points.
What's to see and do?
Explore Edinburgh's hidden natural asset the Water of Leith, visit our fantastic FREE interactive exhibition at the Visitor Centre and discover the river's wildlife and heritage.
The interactive exhibition has three zones:
The Video Zone engages you with a DVD projection of life on the river - the information panels surrounding the unique video well describe the walkway, the river's past, its bridges, its industry, and its people.
The Tall Panel Zone reveals what 'we share the river with .......!!' Focusing on the wildlife that lives in the river's corridor, find out what birds, mammals, invertebrates, fish and plants share the river with us - you can even find out the problems we humans cause.
The Interactive Zone is where the experience comes alive. Cause a flood, try to stop the giant waterwheel turning, control the sluices as you splash around these large stainless steel interactive models. On the unique 'Call of the Wild Wall' listen for the sights and sounds of the river bank. Finally, get up close to the river's creepy crawlies through the video 'Bioscope'.
The Centre is accessible to wheel-chairs throughout and caters well for families with young children.
We also run regular events in the holidays.
Opening times
The Water of Leith Visitors Centre is open every day, from 10.00am to 4.00pm.
We are closed usually between Christmas and New Year for 2 weeks.
