The Canal Village, Ratho, West Edinburgh, Scotland

Ratho, Edinburgh is a great wee village and I hope my video inspires you to come along and visit :-) Come along, enjoy a walk along the Union Canal, visit Jupiter Artland, admire the amazing views from Tormain Hill and finish your day with a delicious cake n’ coffee at Cafe No. 77, or a pub lunch at the Bridge Inn.
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About Ratho
Ratho is a small rural village of around 2,000 people, located ten miles west of Edinburgh City Centre. The older part of the village was designated a Conservation Area in 1971. The village can be traced all the way back to 1243 and its name is thought to originate from 'Rath' the Scottish Gaelic word for hill fort. Excavations have found Neolithic and Bronze Age artefacts close to the village, including cup-and-ring stone markings on Tormain Hill, just a few minutes walk south west of the village. Before the arrival of the Union Canal, the village was primarily an agricultural settlement with distilling, corn grinding and farming being the main employment. The Union Canal, which opened in 1822, runs right through the village and links Edinburgh to Falkirk and the Forth & Clyde Canal. The Canal is 31 and a half miles long and follows the 240ft contour, which just happens to go right through the village. The opening of the canal brought great prosperity to the village, which became an important stop-off for passengers, canal workers and their horses seeking refreshment and shelter before continuing their journey. Sadly, this prosperity wasn't to last, when the first railway service between Edinburgh and Glasgow opened in the 1840's and the village, along with the fortunes of the canal, went into great decline. Today, however, it's a beautiful, thriving little village. A little oasis just a stone throw away from Edinburgh. Ratho is fortunate to have the Seagull Trust, located next to The Bridge Inn, which provides free cruises for people with special needs. It’s also home to the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, which is the biggest climbing centre in Europe. The future for Ratho is exciting, with a new surfing centre called 'Wavegarden' being built in the disused Craigpark Quarry, close to the village, which will include a surfing lagoon, surfing school, cafe and accommodation. It's expected to open in 2021.
Ratho Marina
Ratho Marina is located close to the Bridge Inn and is part of the Living on Water initiative from Scottish Canals. There are moorings for eight boats which are all currently filled. Each mooring comes with its own parking space and there’s a fully equipped service block with storage. If you fancy a life on the water this is the ideal place to set up home.
Ratho Parish Church, Baird Road
Ratho Parish Church is a medieval cruciform church, dating all the way back to the 12th century. The remains of an ornate 12th century doorway can still be seen. In 1932, a stone Celtic cross was discovered, suggesting very early worship on the site. Of particular note, located in the south porch, is a 13th-century, tomb slab, belonging to one of the Knights Templar who owned Ratho in the Middle Ages. The graveyard contains lots of really interesting headstones, including a fascinating panelled coffin, carved from just a single piece of stone. This intriguing stone coffin belongs to master stonemason, John Mitchell, who died in 1749.
Wavegarden Project At Craigpark Quarry
In October 2019, construction started in Craigpark Quarry in Ratho of the first inland surfing lagoon in Scotland. It is scheduled to open in 2021. The facility is designed to occupy an area of 48,500 square metres, and will have a user capacity of up to 100 surfers per hour. The amenities will include a surf school, surf shop, and cafe/restaurant as well as accommodation of mixed sizes including bothies, pods and lodges.
The Almond Aqueduct
The Almond Aqueduct, at Lin’s Mill, is just a 5-10 minute drive away from Ratho. It carries the Union Canal over the River Almond, and was constructed by Hugh Baird and Thomas Telford between 1819 and 1821. It’s 130m long and 23m high and utilises an iron trough design to contain the water of the canal above. Today, it’s a scheduled monument and the river Almond below marks the boundary between Edinburgh and West Lothian. There are great views of the river and surrounding landscape from the aqueduct, and lovely woodland walks, which makes it well worth a visit.

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hope everyone is well. I'm hoping that next month I'll be able to travel a little further afield, but in the meantime I've kept myself busy filming in my home village of Ratho. It's only 10 miles from Edinburgh city centre and a great wee place to live. I can recommend a walk along the canal and then having lunch or a beer at the Bridge Inn (when it reopens). If you're adventurous, try a climbing class at the Edinburgh International Climbing Centre, or if you fancy something a little less energetic, Jupiter Artland is a wonderful art gallery and sculpture park with an excellent cafe. I have plans to visit Assynt and Sutherland next month fingers crossed :-)

[@donaldmichaellumsden2714]

I've never been to Rattho , but have been to Edindburgh I enjoyed it very much , and would like to return .

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

@@donaldmichaellumsden2714 Thanks Donald, I really hope it won't be too long until you can return to Edinburgh. It's been quite empty since the pandemic and I can't wait to see it alive again with people and get the buzz back. Have a great weekend :-)

[@summittaedae2323]

Growing up in ratho was amazing. As by picturesque as it is. The people made it what it was, a community

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thank you, I couldn't agree more. Great to hear you enjoyed growing up here. We've been here 14 years and have enjoyed it immensely. Thanks for commenting. Best wishes, David

[@hamhamhamhamify]

Really superb photography there and listening to the blackbird and the other birds made me homesick for Scotland...from north- east China. Thank you David for a wonderful video

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Stephen, apologies for the delay in replying, YT is quite erratic with their notifications! Thanks for your very kind words, I'm really pleased you enjoyed it and that it brought back good memories of home. I hope you're staying safe and well in North East China and that you're able to get out and about. Things are starting to ease a little here, although the economic situation is looking very bleak, but fingers crossed we can beat it and people can get back to work soon. Warmest best wishes, David :-)

[@hamhamhamhamify]

@@DavidWheaterScotland Thank you so much David, I look forward to catching up with your other videos.

[@diydoneright]

My beautiful little village! I moved away in 2004 and its so nice to see such a beautiful videa

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thanks Casey, glad it brought back good memories. It's a lovely wee place and I'm glad you enjoyed it. All the best, David :-)

[@nosystem1098]

That new camera is quite something! Beautiful scenes.

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thank you :-) I have to admit that a lot of it was filmed on my other cameras, but I did get some footage of the swans and coots on the new one, which was really exciting. Thanks for all your support, best wishes, David

[@marianfrances4959]

Beautiful! Thank you! 👍😉🇨🇦

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thank you Marian, I'm really glad you enjoyed it and thanks for commenting, it always makes my day. All the best, David :-)

[@jimwilson4651]

Wow I can certainly see why you would want to live there! Great video as always, stay safe my friend and hopefully things will open up some more soon

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thanks Jim for your continued support, I'm glad you liked this one. I'm hoping, that with the easing of restrictions in the hospitality industry in Scotland on the 15th of July, I'll be able to visit some of my favourite locations in Assynt and Sutherland and do a bit of filming too. I've been basing myself in Lairg every year since 2000 and have really missed it. I always fish the lochs around there - Shin, Craggie, Dola and Beannach at this time of year and I just can't wait to go back to all my special places. Hope you and you're family are all well. Warmest best wishes, David :-)

[@CathyMark-sr7qy]

Thank you for this lovely video- really well done! was deciding on visiting Ratho, after viewing we will be booking a stay-

[@sleeride]

Soooo beautifully filmed and edited. LOVE Ratho, this place is magical.

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thanks so much Annemarie, I'm so glad you liked it. Warmest best wishes, David :-)

[@vickieragle4130]

Lovely. Thank you

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thanks Vickie, glad you liked it.

[@annac7003]

Such beauty, lost for words, appreciate your amazing videos, thank you so much🌹

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Anna, hope you're well and apologies for the late reply. I've been up north for the last 5 days and reception has been a bit patchy. So glad you liked this one. I'm very lucky to live here and it was great fun to make a video of it. I have a new series of 5 videos coming out over the next month all about my favourite places in Caithness and Sutherland which I hope you'll enjoy too. Thanks for all your kind words and support, best wishes, David :-)

[@edinburghwalks9137]

Lovely video my friend wonderful share

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thanks so much. I really appreciate it. Hope you have a great week. Best wishes, David

[@frankfitzgerald5832]

Stunningly beautiful thank you David ..were planning to walk from Ratho back to Edinburgh during our stay in march so thank you for this video ...take care Frank & Lee......

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Frank, so glad you’re doing this walk. There’s so much to see and I’m sure you’ll really enjoy it. If you combine it with a bite to eat at The Bridge Inn, it makes for a great afternoon out. Thanks again for watching and if you have any questions about visiting don’t hesitate to ask. All the best, David

[@SCOTTISH-ACE]

Another fantastic. Vid mate. Love ur. Videos. Amazine. How u edit them all with music. And. Does edinburgh. Justice. Must sae love ma city and what u do for it and how capture it. Sums it up. well done sir. Keep them comin

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thanks Alan, I really appreciate your kind words :-) It's sometimes hard to fit in making these videos, but it's all worthwhile when I get a lovely comment like yours. Hopefully I'll be able to get a little further afield next month and get back to some of my favourite places in the north. Thanks again for your support & best wishes, David

[@gabilang8407]

So beautiful and you catch the light in exellent way . Friendly greets from Hamburg

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thanks Gabi, really glad you liked it. Thanks so much for commenting. All the best, David :-)

[@alexandersupertramp3415]

Love 🖤

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Really glad you enjoyed it. Thank for commenting. Best wishes, David :-)

[@karenpeterson5780]

Another great video! And what a beautiful place to live!

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thanks Karen, hope you're well. Yes, we're very lucky to live here. It's a great village and we kinda get the best of both worlds, only being a short drive to Livingston and Edinburgh. It's also really handy for the airport and major road links, so all in all it's a great wee place to stay. Thanks for commenting, best wishes, David :-)

[@donaldmichaellumsden2714]

I like this vid a lot Dave , You have a very special gift .

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Donald, that's incredibly kind of you to say and hugely appreciated. I have a lot of fun and work really hard to try and show off Scotland the best I can. Support like yours really helps me to keep going, as KZbin can be a surprisingly difficult platform at times. Warmest best wishes, David :-)

[@donaldmichaellumsden2714]

@@DavidWheaterScotland I especially like the music in Your videos , Perhaps if it's not to difficult , You could put the names of the artists in the credits . Also , i am interested in living in Edinburgh . However I am to a rich person and cannot afford to live in a place like Stockbridge . And I would not want to . Some place more afforable is my style .However I am not familiar with theese parts of the city , and am interested in how normal people live in Edinburgh . Most of the vids I see online are meant for tourisim . Can You recommend some videos of Edinburgh. where average people live in the city ? Perhaps I can lesrn about the real city of Edinbugh .

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

@@donaldmichaellumsden2714 Hi Donald, glad you like the music :-) I did plan this year to show more about life in Edinburgh, but it's been difficult with the pandemic and most places being closed for lengthy periods. We're still under a quite severe lockdown now, but hopefully with the vaccine on it's way I can get back on track and show more about ordinary life. I've written quite extensive guides to living and relocating in all the Scottish cities of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee, Inverness, Stirling and Perth, which will be published on my website very soon at www.adventuresinscotland.uk/. They all include detailed guides to all the local areas and I hope you'll find the Edinburgh one useful when it's published. Thanks again for your very kind words and support. Best wishes, David

[@martynjg]

Hi David, I hope you are well, we have passed the sign for Ratho many times and had no idea what a lovely area it is, we will definitely be visiting. Stay safe 👍

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Martin, I'm good thanks. Hope you are too. I have to admit that growing up in Corstorphine I never even knew Ratho existed, despite it only being a few miles away! If you get the chance it's well worth a look, especially if you combine it with Jupiter Artland and a hearty pub lunch at the Bridge Inn when things get going again. Best wishes, David

[@Phoenix_Photography_Scotland]

The Cafe @ 77 was owned away back, by my grandparents & run as a small general grocery store.,,,, Jim & Nan Hunter..... I grew up in North Street.... Seems so far back in time...... Colin WIlson

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Colin, many thanks for getting in touch. That's really interesting to hear. We've been here for nearly 15 years and it's been a wonderful place to live. Thanks for commenting. Best wishes, David :-)

[@bergkamp10able]

Beautiful voice-over, David.

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thanks Gary. Much appreciated. Hope you're well :-)

[@bergkamp10able]

David Wheater. Apart from a little boredom and work being slow I’m ok thank you. How’s yourself?

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

@@bergkamp10able I'm good thanks Gary. Being self-employed I'm used to working by myself and can usually keep myself busy. Really looking forward though to being able to travel a little further afield with my camera. Hope you have a great day. Best wishes, David

[@jstanders6973]

Beautiful video David - Hope all is well in Scotland and Ratho looks so very nice. How lovely it would be to live there and sounds like it will have lots more to offer going in to 2021.I would imagine the little café has nice treats on offer. Your videos always cheer me up and I enjoy your photography and music choices.. Thank you David. Best wishes Julie..

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Julie, hope you're well and surviving lockdown ok. I'm so glad my wee films cheer you up. It really makes all the hard work worthwhile and I really appreciate all your kind words and support. Yes, the cafe have some seriously nice cakes and tray bakes and the do a really good cheese toasty. Unfortunately, they're only open for takeaway, but it's great to have them back. Sadly the Bridge Inn remains closed which is a great shame and I can only hope they find a way to reopen safely very soon. I've really enjoyed filming around my own patch over the last couple of months, it has been amazing rediscovering the real beauty and wonderful wildlife right on my doorstep, but I'm itching to get back up north and do some filming. I'm hoping to visit Lairg, Assynt and Caithness fingers crossed. Stay well and thanks again for your kind words, Warmest best wishes, David :-)

[@davedineen1223]

Extraordinarily beautiful! Well done! We set out on foot from the canal's terminus in Edinburgh the other day, but didn't get as far as Ratho. We plan to get there next week; you've really motivated us!

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Dave, thanks so much. I really appreciate it. So glad it's inspired you to explore the canal and the village. I've recently taken up cycling again and am really enjoying exploring the canal again with my camera. Hope you have a lovely time. Warmest best wishes, David :-)

[@ezraferguson4048]

I actually live in Ratho and I think you did a great job with this video!

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thank you. I really appreciate it :-)

[@ezraferguson4048]

No problem!

[@CentralScotlandBusesYT]

I enjoyed the video, but I have to say that ratho is just out side of Edinburgh, however Ratho Station is Still IN side of Edinburgh, so I don’t blame you. Ps I’m only ten, so I don’t know how I know just about evry street in Edinburgh!

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Morago, glad you enjoyed it. I really appreciate you taking the time to comment, best wishes, David :-)

[@percivalthomas5729]

There is a beautiful village in St. Vincent and the Grenadines called Ratho Mill. I am wondering how Ratho Mill got it's name and if there is connection between Ratho in Scotland and Ratho Mill in St. Vincent and the grenadines in the Caribbean? One can think of St. Vincent being a British colony.

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Hi Percival, I've no knowledge of the St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ratho, but it would be interesting to find out. I know from spending a lot of time in Australia, that many places share Scottish names and it is common to find them around the world. All the best, David

[@open-to-new]

Sehr Schönes Video. Habe sie jetzt auch abonniert ich nehme auch Binnenschiffe zum gröbsten teil auf scheuen sie vorbei danke machen sie weiter

[@DavidWheaterScotland]

Thank you very much AndBo for watching and subscribing, it's much appreciated. Best wishes, David :-)