West Edinburgh
The West Edinburgh region stretches out from the outskirts of the city centre as far as South Queensferry and the border with West Lothian. Most visitors to Edinburgh will have passed through West Edinburgh on their way to the airport, but the view from the bus or taxi window doesn’t really do it justice. It is mostly made up of residential areas (and farmland as you travel further from the town), but there are a few places of special interest to tourists, including Edinburgh Zoo and Murrayfield Stadium (home of the Scotland and Edinburgh rugby teams).
One of Edinburgh’s hidden but not so well-kept secrets is Dean Village. Built on the steep banks of the Water of Leith, Dean Village made its name about 800 years ago as a milling community, making use of the power from the river. It is an incredibly charming little place and its adjoining gardens make a nice location for a short walk. Climbing out of the valley and away from the city centre will lead you to two of Edinburgh’s best loved art galleries, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery. Both are set in wonderful grounds and are home to some of finest pieces of modern art in the world.
For the more adventurous among you, South Queensferry is a short bus ride from Edinburgh city centre and makes an excellent half-day trip. From here, magnificent views are on offer of the Forth Rail Bridge (connecting Edinburgh to Fife) and the Ochil Hills on the other side of the river. Also on offer at South Queensferry are some fine restaurants, boat trips on the Firth of Forth and a watersports centre at Port Edgar.
