Currie: Village History on the Water of Leith

Currie lies on a ridge above the Water of Leith and is surrounded by Greenbelt. Woodland and riverside vegetation contribute to the character of the Currie Conservation Area. The landscape and history shape the area together: the ridge and river provide the setting, while the historic village and its buildings leave their own traces. This is a useful combination when planning your trip if you want to take in not only individual sights, but also the landscape and history of a place.

The historic village around the Kirk

The Currie Conservation Area is centred on the original historic village and the Kirk. Currie’s more formal historic settlement developed around Currie Kirk, which has served as a place of worship for more than 1,000 years. For families wanting to explore the history together, this connection offers a concrete starting point: the Kirk represents not just a single building, but also the development of the historic settlement. Currie’s local history can thus be explored through its buildings and their significance, rather than being reduced to a single period.

The Brig, the Well and the mills

The Currie Brig calls for a distinction between two periods: the original bridge is believed to date from the 14th century; its present form dates from the 18th century. These two details relate to different chapters in its history. St Mungo’s Well is dedicated to Saint Mungo, also known as Saint Kentigern. Along with Currie Kirk, the well brings into focus religious names and memories associated with Currie.

The Bottle Kiln offers another way into the history of the area. It is considered one of the few surviving circular grain mills in Scotland. The old Kinleith Mill was once the largest mill on this stretch of the Water of Leith. Both mills tell of industrial history, but with different emphases: the Bottle Kiln stands out for its rare surviving design, while Kinleith Mill is notable for its former size within this stretch of the river.

Paths in different directions

The paths, too, have different points of reference. The Muir Wood Path connects Currie and Juniper Green along Muir Wood field. The section between Muir Wood Road in Currie and Bloomiehall Park in Juniper Green is used by pupils from Currie High School, families and dog walkers. A path through Poet’s Glen climbs up into the Pentlands. When planning, you can distinguish between these routes: Currie and Juniper Green are the named points of reference for the Muir Wood Path, while the path through Poet’s Glen leads up towards the Pentlands. The Water of Leith walkway, the churchyard and the valley paths in Currie are used for recreational and educational purposes.

Lanark Road is also part of the area’s history. It was Currie’s main route south and is still known as “The Lang Whang”. Its former role as a thoroughfare and its enduring name offer another point of connection with Currie’s history for families wanting to explore local details together.

Choose Currie as your holiday base

If you are looking for a holiday rental in Currie, let the focus of your stay guide your choice: do you want to centre it on the history around the Kirk, Brig and mills, or include the paths and landscape more in your plans? Match the specific location of your accommodation to the activities that matter to you. This makes Currie’s blend of village history and routes a practical guide for your trip, without suggesting there is only one way to discover the area.

Discover more destinations: Queensferry, Leith, Newbridge, Ratho

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