About Colinton

Set beside the steep‑sided glen of the Water of Leith at a natural fording point, Colinton has origins that stretch back before the 11th century. Its position on the river made it an early settlement and later a thriving village with a rich industrial and cultural history.

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Close to the Water of Leith stands Colinton Parish Church, originally founded around 1095 as the Church of Hailes (Halis) by Ethelred, third son of King Malcolm III and Queen Margaret. The church is closely associated with Robert Louis Stevenson, who visited the village regularly as a child while his grandfather, Lewis Balfour, served as minister.

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Nearby, within the grounds of what is now Merchiston Castle School, lie the remains of Colinton Castle. Dating from the 15th century, the castle was damaged during Oliver Cromwell’s invasion of Scotland and later altered by the artist Alexander Nasmyth, who partially demolished it to create a picturesque ruin.

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Colinton has long attracted notable residents, including the philanthropist James Gillespie and architects Sir Robert Rowand Anderson and Sir John James Burnet. In the early 1900s, Sir Robert Lorimer designed a number of Arts and Crafts style cottages that still contribute to the village’s distinctive character.

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To the east of the village, Redford Barracks was constructed between 1909 and 1915. Representing the largest military installation built in Scotland since Fort George, the barracks provide military accommodation, offices and training facilities.

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Historically, Colinton was home to several mills producing textiles, snuff and paper. Local tradition holds that the first Bank of Scotland banknotes were printed on paper manufactured in the village. Industrial growth was supported by the arrival of the Caledonian Railway in 1874, which created a spur line between Slateford and Balerno and established Colinton Station. Passenger services continued until 1943, with freight operations ending in the 1960s. The former railway now forms part of the popular Water of Leith Walkway.

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The village is also shaped by its natural surroundings. The Colinton Dell, a wooded stretch of the Water of Leith Walkway, is one of Edinburgh’s most cherished green spaces, enjoyed daily by walkers, families, cyclists and wildlife enthusiasts. It remains a defining feature of Colinton’s landscape and community life.

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A striking modern landmark sits within the former railway tunnel: one of Scotland’s largest community murals. Created with the involvement of local artists, schools and volunteers, the mural celebrates the writings of Robert Louis Stevenson and has become a major attraction on the Water of Leith Walkway.

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The village centre retains many historic buildings, including former mills, workers’ cottages and Victorian villas that reflect Colinton’s development over the centuries. Its landscape and history have inspired writers, artists and musicians for generations, contributing to Colinton’s reputation as a place of creativity and reflection.

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Today, Colinton retains much of its historic charm, shaped by its landscape, architecture and centuries of community life. A vibrant network of local organisations, schools, churches and volunteers continues to support the village, preserve its heritage and help it thrive.

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