Water of Leith from St Bernard's Well, Edinburgh

Category

Library Item

Item no

12855

Title

View of the water of Leith from St Bernard's Well, Edinburgh

Description

The Water of Leith as seen from St Bernard's Well, Edinburgh. A wooden walkway with decorative metal railings overlooks the water, which has a stone wall running along the left bank. Trees line each side of the river.

Artist / maker

Ansell, Andrew J L

Date

2007

Type

Digital image

This image has been chosen for the Edinburgh - Past and Present Exhibition by John Leighton, Director General of the National Galleries of Scotland - "The Water of Leith and its walkway remain something of a secret from outsiders. I always urge visitors to explore at least a part of the winding river to sample the unexpected views and to discover architectural gems like St Bernard's Well. While many tourists prefer the set-piece panoramas of Edinburgh from the heights of the Castle or from Arthur's Seat, the winding river offers the view from below, a glimpse behind the scenes. As the river meanders towards Leith, there is an amazing variety of cityscapes from unexpected views of grand terraces through to industrial wastelands and bland suburbs. And just occasionally the sun breaks through, as in this photograph, creating a pleasant almost rural view" John Leighton.

St Bernard's Well is situated on the Water of Leith close to Stockbridge. The current surrounding structure was designed by Alexander Naismyth and built in the 1790's. It has a domed ceiling supported by ten columns covering a statue of the goddess Hygeia. Water from the mineral spring was popular for its supposed health giving properties from the mid 18th century until the wells closure in 1940.

The Water of Leith runs for roughly 18 miles from the Pentland Hills through the villages of Balerno, Currie, Juniper Green and Colinton, then through Edinburgh to the Firth of Forth at Leith. The twelve mile stretch of river from Balerno to Leith covered by the Water of Leith walkway is accessible to pedestrians and bikes.

Exhibitions with this item

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Related images

Related subjects

Architecture > Architectural features > Railings

Landscape > Water > Rivers and streams

Places > Edinburgh areas > Water of Leith

Places > Scotland > Edinburgh

Plants > Trees > Trees

Transport > Infrastructure > Walkways

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