Seven miles from the centre of Scotland's Capital city lies Balerno a historic and rural village set at one of the main gateways to The Pentland Hills and the start of the Water of Leith Walkway. You might be lucky enough to spot a kingfisher.
The village name derives from the Scottish Gaelic, Baile Àirneach, meaning "townland/town of the hawthorns". The earliest written records of Balhernoch or Balernach are found in the late 13th-century.
The 18th century brought substantial development to the area, with many new flax, snuff and paper mills springing up around the Water of Leith and its tributary, the Bavelaw Burn.
The largest of these mills, Balerno Bank Paper Mill, closed in the early 1980s. After the First World War, house building began in earnest in the area. There was a short loop railway running over what is now the Water of Leith Walkway.
The village name derives from the Scottish Gaelic, Baile Àirneach, meaning "townland/town of the hawthorns". The earliest written records of Balhernoch or Balernach are found in the late 13th-century.
The 18th century brought substantial development to the area, with many new flax, snuff and paper mills springing up around the Water of Leith and its tributary, the Bavelaw Burn.
The largest of these mills, Balerno Bank Paper Mill, closed in the early 1980s. After the First World War, house building began in earnest in the area. There was a short loop railway running over what is now the Water of Leith Walkway.
Top picture: St Mungo's Church, started in the 19th century as a school which later became an Episcopal Church in 1869.
Middle: fishing at nearby Harlaw Reservoir
Middle: fishing at nearby Harlaw Reservoir
Bottom picture: Water of Leith near Currie in winter
