Dean Village
A village at the heart of Edinburgh
Few tourists know that 15 minutes away from Princes Street lies the secluded Dean Village on the Water of Leith. Once a successful milling community, the area was once associated with poverty and decay but the buildings have been turned into designer flats and the village is now a popular residential area.
The name Dean means 'deep valley' as the village lies 30 meters below the rest of Edinburgh. This makes is quite unique and particularly tranquil considering it is virtually at the heart of Scotland's Capital.
There is a variety of architecture in Dean Village from the robust warehouses and mill buildings, the red sandstone cottage-style buildings to the more modern tenements of English influence. Each of them, even the Dean Village local school has something for visitors to see.
High above the Water of Leith and the village stands the four-arched Dean Bridge designed by Thomas Telford. The distinctive church at the end of the bridge is the Holy Trinity Church and makes an excellent backdrop for taking pictures from the village itself.
Dean Village and the surrounding area
Dean Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
There is more to this part of Edinburgh's New Town than Dean Village itself. A short walking distance from the village along Belford Road, is the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and Dean Gallery. The National Gallery of Modern Art features a beautiful water feature which won several awards and is definitely worth a visit.
Dean Cemetery
Adjacent to Dean Gallery is Dean Cemetery where many of Edinburgh's famous people -- such as Sir Thomas Bouch, who engineered the first Tay Bridge -- now rest.
Water of Leith Walkway
The walkway runs from Balerno to Leith via Dean Village and is one of Edinburgh's most popular walks. If time is of the essence, begin by exploring Dean Village then walk the short distance to the Gallery of Modern Art along the water of Leith to visit Dean Cemetery and see the water sculpture.
All Dean Village articles:
Photos of Dean Village Picture gallery of Edinburgh's hidden village.
Attraction Details - Dean Village Dean Village tourist information including directions, walking times, etc.
Dean Village on the web Links to other web pages related to Dean Village.
Also see:
Edinburgh New Town Other things to see in the New Town of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh attractions and sightseeing All of the best attractions in Edinburgh plus pictures and sightseeing tips.
