7.5km Edinburgh Markets and Parks Cycle

This route starts at Starbank Park, then Victoria Park, then Leith Farmers Market. From there, it goes back down National Cycle Route 75 and the Water of Leith to the Royal Botanic Gardens and ends at Stockbridge Market. You can start the route at either end, as the common path/route is along the Water of Leith Walkway, National Cycle Route 75. You can hire a bicycle from Cycle Scotland,Tartan Bike Hire, or Leith Cycle Co. If you have your own bike, you can also find parking with Parkopedia. You can find out more about taking your bike on public transportation here.

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The Friends of Starbank Park have lovingly restored this Victorian garden, which was once a meeting place for courting couples. It was a place to chat, get to know each other, and enjoy the views. You may notice a flower bed in the shape of an eight-point star. This is an ode to the maritime compass to remember the sailors who frequented this seaside town of Edinburgh.

During the springtime, the park boasts stunning cherry blossom trees as well as bee- and butterfly-friendly bushes and shrubs. If you have the time, there is also a Hans Christian Anderson-inspired trail that features some of his well-known characters. If you would like to donate or volunteer your time, you can contact the Friends of Starbank Park community here.

Exit the park onto Laverockbank Road, then turn left onto East Trinity Road. At the roundabout, take the second exit onto Stanley Road. Turn right onto Newhaven Road, where you will find Victoria Park on your right.

Victoria Park has been awarded a Green Flag since 2011, a testament to the quality of the grounds within this conservation area. Years ago, the railway cut through the park, and in 1983, it was removed as part of an environmental improvement programme. The park was then landscaped and reworked to what it is today. In the springtime, lovely daffodils and other colourful flowers bloom in the sunshine.

Exit the park onto Ferry Road, then over onto Gosford Place or the Victoria Path. Continue along Victoria Path; when the road splits, turn left to follow National Cycle Route 75.

After the second bridge, S Fort Street, turn sharp right and then sharp left to follow the pathway along the Water of Leith. At the next bridge, turn left and then right to go under the bridge and continue following National Cycle Route 75. Follow the ramp up onto Sandport Place, then turn right at the next road to find Leith Farmers Market over Commercial Street.

Leith Farmers Market runs every Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm. It has just about everything you could think a Farmers Market would have: fresh fish, olives, jams, chutneys, baked goods, jewellery, artwork, and more.

Trace the same path back along National Cycle Route 75 and continue along this path for about 2km. When you reach a gate, turn right onto Eildon Street, following the sign for the Royal Botanic Garden. Thereafter, turn left to continue on Eildon Street, then turn left onto Howard Place/Inverleith Row to find the Royal Botanic Gardens on your right. Unfortunately, you can’t ride your bike in the gardens, but there is a bike rack at the entrance where you can lock your bike.

Royal Botanic Garden is one of four botanical gardens in the UK. The locals call it “Botanics,” and it’s 70 acres of fresh flowers with fragrances of heaven and rainbow colours. The Research Glasshouses (all 16 of them) are used to cultivate almost 4,300 different plant species in nearly 12,000 pots. You’ll learn about a whole new range of plants you never knew existed, thanks to the many collections of species that read as a mouthful for non-botanists. Donations can be used to fund a variety of programmes at Botanics, including community gardens.

Exit the gardens, turning right onto Howard Place and then right again onto Inverleith Terrace. Turn left onto Arboretum Avenue and follow the curve. When the road splits, turn right onto St. Bernard’s Row, then left onto Deanhaugh Street. Stockbridge Market will be on your right, just after the bridge.

Stockbridge Market is run by the same organisers as Leith Farmers Market and opens every Sunday from 10 am to 4 pm. Similar items are sold here, but often by different stall makers. So there is still some variety.

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Resources:

If you enjoyed this route, see our 21.5km Meadows and Portobello Cycle Route.

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Download the GPX file here.

Information was gathered from various sources, including Wikipedia.