Currie reveals itself through its historic village centre, river landscape and paths into the surrounding area. The village lies on a ridge above the Water of Leith and is surrounded by Greenbelt. When considering Currie as a travel destination, you can take in its cultural history and landscape together: the historic settlement developed around Currie Kirk, and paths connect the village with Juniper Green or lead towards the Pentlands.

Landscape and Historic Village Centre

The Currie Conservation Area centres 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 over 1,000 years. Woodland and vegetation along the Water of Leith contribute to the area’s character. Together with its ridge-top location and the surrounding Greenbelt, they create a village landscape shaped equally by its historic centre and natural setting.

Bridge, Well and Milling History

Two dates need to be distinguished when it comes to Currie Brig: the original bridge is believed to date from the 14th century, while its present form dates from the 18th century. The first date is explicitly a matter of conjecture; the second refers to the bridge’s present form. These are two different periods, not competing dates.

St Mungo’s Well is dedicated to Saint Mungo, also known as Saint Kentigern. The Bottle Kiln 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. The accounts emphasise different points: the Bottle Kiln is notable for its rarely surviving design, while Kinleith is notable for its former size within a particular stretch of the river.

Paths and Getting Around

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 people walking their dogs. Another path leads through Poet’s Glen and climbs into the Pentlands. The routes differ in direction: the Muir Wood Path connects two places, while the path through Poet’s Glen leads into the Pentlands.

The Water of Leith walkway, the churchyard and the valley paths in Currie are also used for recreation and education. One historic transport route is Lanark Road: it was Currie’s main route south and is still known as “The Lang Whang”. Currie therefore brings together a range of connections: paths between places, a route climbing into the Pentlands, recreational and educational spots in the valley, and the history of a once-important southern route.

Discover more destinations: Leith, Ratho, Queensferry, Newbridge.

For the main travel guide: Edinburgh.