Day 51

Coallie Park

Map from 1966

Map after 1980 redevelopment

Charlotte Encombe, Chair of Leith Central Community Council tells us about Coallie park - the section of the water of Leith from Keddie Gardens Park to Coal Hill.

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At the end of the tidal flow  of the Water of Leith lay Coal Hill.  It was a coal depot, railway yard and a place for ship repair. After comprehensive regeneration in the 80s, the area became Coallie Park.  It is said that the concrete structures in the park are part of the Edinburgh sewer system.  Although now completely silted up, the river is home to extensive wild life.  The disused railway line running through it is popular with walkers and forms an essential part of Edinburgh’s cycle network.

Images of Coallie park taken in the 1980’s

There are now several new housing developments in the surrounding area, increasing the pressure on this dilapidated greenspace.   Coallie Park could and should become a high-quality recreational open space to Leith’s increasing population, providing the green lungs to Scotland’s most densely populated area.

Remaining Concrete Structures - possibly part of the Railway infrastructure.

One oddity to be found further along the path from Coallie park, just at the turnoff to Victoria Park is the top part of a water fountain. This is the top part of the first drinking fountain in Edinburgh. It was a gift to the city from Catherine Sinclair, a 19th Century Edinburgh author. The fountain was originally placed at the junction of Lothian Road and Princes Street, and had drinking spouts for dogs and horses as well as people. A part of the inscription reads “Water is not for man alone”. It was removed from it’s original location in 1932 to make way for (ironically) trams. In 1983 when the park was redeveloped, the fountain top was dusted off from storage and placed in it’s current position.

Leith Central Community Council, in collaboration with Leith Harbour and Newhaven and Leith Links Community Councils would like to see Coallie Park transformed into a park fit for the next century. Contact your local community council for more information on what they do, and how you can get involved in projects like this one.