Dean Village Tour: Off the Beaten Path in Edinburgh

Get off the beaten track and discover a hidden Edinburgh
From US$441 privately
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Tour Details
Duration
2.5 hours
Product Type
Tour
Venues
  • Water of Leith
  • Stockbridge
Photos & Highlights
  • Discover a village full of history and charm within Edinburgh
  • Led by a local expert
Select a date
Tour Description
Away from the traffic of Edinburgh's busy streets, but still within walking distance of the New Town, are the outlying historic settlements of Stockbridge and the Dean Village. This 2.5-hour Dean Village and Stockbridge Tour from Edinburgh visits these two relatively hidden places and paints a portrait of Edinburgh quite distinct from the more mainstream tourist sites.

Dean Village and Stockbridge Tour

Our walk starts at the edge of Edinburgh’s 18th-century New Town as we pass Thomas Telford’s Dean Bridge over the Leith water. Here, a surprising and different world awaits us as we descend the brae past eccentric houses, former taverns, and medieval reminders of the past life of this village.


On reaching the valley floor, a charming village is revealed where weavers, quarrymen, and baxters (bakers) used to live and work. 16th-century houses harken back to the village's previous existence; meanwhile, its mills and the village school have been turned into trendy housing. A picturesque fantasy of Germanic flavor was an experiment in model housing, endowed by a local philanthropist. Flowers abound around the pretty stream which formerly provided water for the mill wheel.

Along the River

We continue along the riverside path passing former mill buildings, which now serve as a site of special scientific interest with abundant plants and birdlife. Passing St Bernard’s Classical temple, where health-giving waters were taken in the 18th century, we arrive at the historic settlement of Stockbridge, which mainly features Georgian architecture, but also contains a medieval past. The painter Henry Raeburn, who was born here, influenced the varied layout of this much sought-after ‘suburb’ with its grand classical houses intermingled with interesting vestiges of a humble past. There are many fascinating streets containing significant buildings including Playfair’s vast St Stephen’s Church and the Old Market.

Take Aways

At the end of our journey can return to the center of town by bus or weave our way on foot through the impressive Classical terraces. Visitors will come away with a deeper understanding of Edinburgh and its history, having discovered the historical legacy of two integral parts of Edinburgh not commonly considered by travelers. 


Want to learn more about Edinburgh's history? Try our Edinburgh Old Town Tour. Hungry? Try our Edinburgh Food Tour.
Experts
Jenny Jenny
Historian
Gains Kirkland Gains Kirkland
Local Guide
Terry Terry
Historian
Ruaridh Ruaridh
Local Guide
Eleanor Eleanor
Local Guide
Adam Adam
Local Guide
Alexander Alexander
Local Guide
Irene Irene
Art Historian
Lorna Lorna
Local Guide
Jonathan Jonathan
Local Guide
Hugh Hugh
Local Guide
Where You'll Start
(4.77) 24 Reviews

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My husband and I did our first Context Tour today and we were very happy with the experience. Jenny gave us a very informative tour of the Dean Village while being very personable and willing to entertain all our informed and ill-informed questions. We would definitely recommend Jenny and this tour. We are also look forward to trying other Context Tours while in Scotland.
Thoroughly enjoyed the walk through Dean Village with Jenny who was extremely knowledgable and engaging.
Absolutely amazing, great conversations with our guide who had an incredibly thorough knowledge of the history of the area (and elsewhere)