If you’re looking for somewhere just that little bit different to visit in Edinburgh then it has to be Dean Village.
An “oasis of peace”, “unexpected find”, “calm and beautiful”, “hidden gem” just a few of the recent TripAdvisor reviews. And they’re all right, Dean Village is all of these and just a few minutes walk from Princes Street. So if you are visiting Edinburgh and have seen the castle, walked along the Royal Mile and been overwhelmed by the festival activities then head along to Dean Village for some peace and quiet. It is one of the great joys of the city.
Waters of Leith
Dean Village (from dene meaning deep valley) was once a grain milling area of the city and had, at one stage, 11 working mills driven by the Waters of Leith. In addition, during the 19th century textile mills were established alongside a growing number of tanning businesses.
Admittedly it can be a little hard to find if you don’t have precise directions. A good way is, from Princes Street to turn into Queensferry Street, then on to Bell’s Brae which leads to a small bridge over the Waters of Leith, you are not far at this stage just keep walking west along the river until you come to another bridge and you are there.