Water of Leith Visitor Centre

01/09/2024

The Water of Leith Visitor Centre and cafe will be closed today only ..so staff and volunteers can run an event in Leith..sorry

27/08/2024

Sorry this week the Visitor Centre will be CLOSED on Sunday 1st.so staff and volunteers can attend our Coalie Park Funday, Leith

06/07/2024

Many reasons to visit the Water of Leith Visitor Centre today...mesmerising mechanical devices on show, free hands on exhibition plus lots of lovely baking including fresh quiche and scones

28/06/2024

https://www.waterofleith.org.uk/events/mesmerising-mechanisms-exhibition-2/
Looking forward to welcoming these Mesmerising Mechanisms back next Saturday 6th July - free exhibition from 10am to 4pm - join us

Ian Graham, proprietor of Colinton Clocks is once again hosting a free, hands-on exhibition at the Visitor Centre featuring a collection of wooden machines he has designed and built himself. The exhibition features mechanical clocks but also interesting and amusing machines such as drawing machines,...

10/06/2024

We're trialing weekday cakes this week. We've got a great selection frm Bonnie Bakes. Scones are selling fast!

There's also vegan lemon drizzle, gluten free banana loaf, chocolate cake and raspberry ruffle (a raspberry and coconut tray bake)

31/05/2024

Now with added home baking!! Today we have chocolate cake, muffins, cheese scones, shortbread, moist vegan banana cake, and lemon drizzle.

22/05/2024

Our Summer Holiday Events are now live on our website, we’ve got a great range for everyone from 3 to 12 years old. For more information or to book, follow the link on each facebook event or by visiting waterofleith.org.uk/whats-on/

4th July – River Dipping
1:30pm to 3:30pm, 5 to 10 year olds
Join us to explore the river and find out what lives in the water, £7 per child, accompanying adult free

9th July – Bugs
1:30pm to 3:00pm, 3 to 6 year olds
Hunt for bugs and beasties in the woods and meadows, £5 per child, accompanying adult free

11th July – Bushcraft
1:30pm to 3:30pm, 5 to 10 year olds
Learn the secrets of survival and build you own den, £7 per child, accompanying adult free

16th July – Stick
1:30pm to 3:30pm, 5 to 10 year olds
Join us in the woods to discover the many uses for a stick! £7 per child, accompanying adult free

16th July – Ultimate Survival
1:30pm to 3:30pm, 8 to 12 year olds
Adventurous survival skills activities, drop off event, £7 per child

23rd July – River Dipping
1:30pm to 3:30pm, 5 to 10 year olds
Join us to explore the river and find out what lives in the water, £7 per child, accompanying adult free

25th July – Splash
1:30pm to 3:00pm, 3 to 6 year olds
Grab your wellies and come and make a splash in the river, £5 per child, accompanying adult free

30th July – Extreme River Dipping
1:30pm to 3:30pm, 8 to 12 year olds
Adventurous river dipping going deeper and further than our other events, drop off event, £7 per child

1st August – Fairy Folk
1:30pm to 3:30pm, 3 to 8 year olds
Discover all about the ‘wee folk’ who love to cause mischief on the river, £7 per child, accompanying adult free

6th August – Art in the Woods
1:30pm to 3:30pm, 5 to 10 year olds
Artistic session exploring the woods and river, £7 per child, accompanying adult free

8th August – Water Force
1:30pm to 3:30pm, 5 to 10 year olds
Join us to discover the fascinating world of water, £7 per child, accompanying adult free

Discover details of our upcoming events and activities for children and adults alike. Perfect for things to do in Edinburgh. Events are ticketed so please secure your place to avoid disappointment.

10/05/2024

The Plant Sale is on this Saturday from 11am..hope you can join us we have hundreds of plants at amazing prices all to raise funds for our work

06/04/2024

Marvellous mechanical things on show at the Centre today

31/03/2024

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wild-welly-walk-at-the-water-of-leith-registration-848155755697
1 week until our Wild Welly Walk event for under 6's book your spot here

A Family Fun Day aimed at 3 to 6 year olds, follow the trail to discover who is living in the woods and river in springtime.

30/03/2024

We are delighted to be hosting an exhibition of 21 wonderful quilted squares - lovingly created by the Thistle Quilters - this will be on show from 30th March to 16th April in the classroom at our Visitor Centre. Today we were joined by a dozen of the quilters to formally open the exhibition - open daily 10am to 4pm, pop in and take a look.
In 2023 Thistle Quilters initiated a project to stitch the Water of Leith.
A map of Edinburgh was used to plan the layout and the route of the Water of Leith from Balerno through the city to the Firth of Forth, via Leith Docks. The Water of Leith was represented in 21 squares on the map. Each square was translated into a 9” block. Members of Thistle volunteered to complete a block, many selecting one which had particular significance to them. There was only one rule, the course of the Water of Leith had to join up across each block, providing a cohesive flow for the river. The selection of techniques was often dictated by the research about the history of the area each block covered. Many interesting facts were translated into stitch giving an interesting and informative perspective on the Water of Leith, it’s history past and present.

29/02/2024

Just to let everyone know that we have finished our Souper Friday Sessions (in case you were planning to come along tomorrow for lunch). This was always a trial over the winter months to see how popular hot food could be and how it might attract new customers on a Friday which has always been a quieter day at the Visitor Centre. Did you come along? What did you think? What would you like to see at the Visitor Centre by way of food offerings. We are limited by kitchen facilities and of course availability of our wonderful volunteers, but we are keen to hear your feedback?

02/02/2024

Spring treats at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre this week..free trees are restocked and pots of tete a tete daffodils for £1.50 plus all the usual drinks and snacks (with soup on Friday) pop in and see us

01/02/2024

Its Friday tomorrow which means we will have soup - Carrot and Coriander. There is also a great selection of board games to try.

18/01/2024

Soup and Games session tomorrow at the Water of Leith Visitor Centre on from 12.00 and this week it Lentil Soup - come in for a warm up

12/01/2024

Soup and Games is back this week..pop in from 12 today for Sweet Potato and Veggie Soup

22/12/2023

Just a wee post to say the Centre will be closed from 3pm today until Friday 5th January. This is to give our staff and volunteers a nice break. Thank you to all our customers over the year - we have had a great 2023 - read more on our blog - https://www.waterofleith.org.uk/blog/2023/12/2023-at-the-visitor-centre/

16/12/2023

Free trees to pick up from the Water of Leith Visitor Centre this weekend, guaranteed to attract wildlife thank you to Edinburgh & Lothians Greenspace Trust

14/12/2023

We have loads of great Christmas gift ideas for all your last minute shopping needs! Our shelves are restocked with nature themed books for adults and children. We've got activity packs, jigsaws, notebooks, pin badges and lots more. We've even got cards and wrapping paper!

This weekend is also your last chance to enter our raffle to win this fantastic Christmas hamper full of treats!

We're open every day 10am to 4pm until around mid-afternoon on Friday 22nd and will reopen on Friday 5th January.

07/12/2023

This week its Leek and Potato

02/12/2023

Christmas Fayre on today 11 to 2pm. Join us for stalls, festive refreshments and crafts

28/11/2023

Fun morning preparing for our craft activities at this Saturdays Christmas Fayre...join us from 11. You can pre book craft activities to avoid disappointment. £4 per session, cards, decorations and wreaths.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/christmas-fayre-saturday-2-december-from-11am-to-2pm-tickets-755553660337

25/11/2023

One week to go until our Christmas Fayre, with a special stall of gifts and books plus we have craft sessions running all day priced £4 for wreath, decoration or card making (suitable for adults and children) but we recommend you book a slot online to avoid disappointment - they start at 11.15, 12.15 and 1.15 - https://www.waterofleith.org.uk/events/christmas-fayre/
There will also be non-alcoholic mulled wine and mincepie along with our usual cafe offer 🎄🍷

23/11/2023

Don't forget it is the Soup and Games Friday session tomorrow This week Tomato and Red Lentil from 12noon to 3pm.

17/11/2023

On Saturday 2nd December from 11am to 2pm we will be having a Christmas Fayre. Come and join us for a fun, festive community event with craft activities for adults and kids and shop for affordable, sustainable gifts. We will have a range of festive craft activities, a wide selection of books, toys and other seasonal gifts that are sustainable and about the environment, as well as our welcoming cafe with lots of different hot drinks and snacks. Bookable Crafts Activities are suitable for Children’s over 5 and Adults. Make your own Wreaths, Cards and Decorations, sessions at 11.15, 12.15 and 1.15 – also available as drop in on the day depending on availabilty.

Come and join us for a fun, festive community event with craft activities for adults and kids and shop for affordable, sustainable gifts.

17/11/2023

Wee reminder its Soup again today - this week Sweet Potato.

09/11/2023

Remember its our SOUPER SOCIAL at the centre tomorrow and it a warming butternut and carrot soup, from 12.00 noon, £2.50 for soup add 50p for a roll. There will also be board games, cards and dominoes to while away some time.

06/11/2023

Who wants to talk about Christmas?

I wish we could put it off but with less than a month until our Christmas Fayre, it can't be avoided any longer.

Join us at the Visitor Centre on Saturday 2nd December from 11am to 2pm. Buy some lovely gifts or take part in Christmas themed craft activities for adults and children. Our café will be open as usual and may even be offering some festive treats.

And you won't have to listen to Christmas music on repeat!

03/11/2023

Our first customer for soup and games Friday was Hilary, delicious leek and potato followed by a game of 'The Good Life' like monopoly for allotment holders and gardeners. Join us next week it will be Mediterranean Lentil Soup.

02/11/2023

All set for soup and games tomorrow from 12...hope you can join us