Dean Village, a very picturesque village in Edinburgh in Scotland

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During my recent to trip to Edinburgh in Scotland, I managed to run out things to do during my 3 day 2 nights trip. That was my own fault really due to lack of planning. I always tend to wing it when I go away. Luckily I found a little gem to visit on my last day. This is called Dean Village, and is a short walk away from Edinburgh city center.
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When I showed the two above photos to my friends and family they were all in awe of its beauty. Quite a few of them have been to Edinburgh before, but they weren't aware of Dean Village, and like me, was so surprised that somewhere so beautiful and European like existed in UK.
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My first glimpse of Dean Village (above image) was from Dean Path. This part of the Village is positioned slightly higher over the Water of Leith, overlooking the most beautiful part of the village. There weren't that many other people around and I spent a little time here before I headed down to the village.

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It was quite interesting to see a mix of architecture here. For example there was traditional stone build large properties, like the former Edinburgh School Board from 1875. And then there was this yellow property on the other end of the road. I don't see too many buildings like this in UK, especially the decor on the right hand side corner of the building. It's really neat how it slopes in in reverse steps. Plus it looks like there used to be an opening in the front which they have now sealed off. That looks a bit too low to be a door entrance, I wonder what it could be.
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Dean Village isn't itself isn't very big and I did a circular walk going over the Water of Leith twice. That's the river that runs alongside the village. Dean Village used to be a milling village milling grain, and during it's heydays had 11 mills that were hydro powered by the Water of Leith. When new modern mills were built in other parts of Edinburgh, Dean Village started to fall to near-derelict and poverty. Thankfully, someone's lightbulb lit up and decided to redevelop the area. Smart move. Many of the old mills and cottages were restored, but thankfully it seems they've kept its character and haven't rebuilt swanky new modern flats.

They have added a walkway across the Water of Leith, that blends in ok, so as a tourist, I'm fine with it.
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Especially it offers such a quaint picturesque view of the village. I think it's all very magical.
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This is me across the other side of the river, and the arch bridge you see behind me is the Dean Path where I started off.
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Dean Village isn't really a travel location, but many (or those who know about it) come here because it is so pretty. Normal folks actually live here, if you do ever visit, just remember this is somebody's home so don't be an annoying rowdy tourist and disturb the locals' daily life. Everyone was on best behaviour this day!!! From this point, I walked back up towards Dean Path. There was a gentle slope, nothing too strenuous, plus it was such a pleasant walk. Just needed a bit more sun, and everything would be perfect. But life is never perfect!!!
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Once I got to the top, and look back down, the view was really breathtaking. The Water of Leith splitting Dean Village into two. On the north bank (right hand side of the river) is Well Court. This was built in 1886 and was built for the workers. In 2007 there was a big project to restore it back to its former glory, and I think the work has definitely paid off.

I hope you enjoyed the walk around this little gem in Edinburgh, Scotland, still part of UK.
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You can checkout all my travel post on the Pinmapple here or click on Mr Pinmapple below



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wow, amazing , looks so amazing.

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That looks a bit too low to be a door entrance, I wonder what it could be.

Perhaps it was a gallows? But I've probably watched too many TV shows about the cruel Middle Ages...))

The locations are very atmospheric! Very beautiful!

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ha ha!!! the criminals would have to be very short.

Thanks for dropping by, and I glad you found it beautiful as well.

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Thank you for sharing these beautiful pictures and such an entertaining review.
Some of them even look like paintings! Looks like a really nice place to be.

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Now that you mention it, I loved the clouds that day, so very spongy, it does look a bit like paintings

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I loved it. Such a lovely village. There's something about Scotland.... Such a beautiful country 😍

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Thanks. Scotland has such a variety in landscape, from the large cities such as Edinburgh to the more rural ones further up north, it has so much to offer, I need to explore more myself if I have a chance

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fantastic shots @livinguktaiwan captures the atmosphere brilliantly. It is weird, we travel the world with our cameras but forget what we have on our own doorstep. This annoying covey malarkey has got me appreciating things closer to home these past few weeks

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kept its character and haven't rebuilt swanky new modern flats.

I think this is just the beauty of some places. Leaving it the old way rather than doing some remodelling shit.

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I'm so glad they didn't spoil the character and even spent so much time, effort and money to restore Well Court as well.

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They are doing a great job. If the place could be made a tourist centre it will be nice

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I'm always into these architecture, it looks so authentic.
I bet it looks even more stunning in the sunshine 🥰

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Kudos to those who did the restoration work, and yes, I wished there was some sunshine that day, would have been really perfect.

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Unexpected instances of a gorgeous location or a stunning aspect, whether familiar or frequently encountered. I'm curious if that person works hard to wander and explore so much, or if they constantly shift their perceptions and open their hearts even more to appreciate the simple beauty?

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Wow. That looks amazing. Like my kind of place. Funny how it was just a spur of the moment thing and that it worked out. Looks like it would be a highlight of any trip.

Also I love this phrase

Thankfully, someone's lightbulb lit up

Lmao 🤣 I've never heard that before but I may start using it myself lol

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I been reading about all the stunning places you been, so figured I had to find at least one place to match yours!!

Lightbulb moment, never heard of it? I wonder if it's another English thing?
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You definitely found a good one. 👍

I know of the light bulb lighting up as a symbol that is associated with thought or a good idea, I just haven't heard it said in that specific way lol. It's clever and funny

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What a lovely place!

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Thanks Harmen. How are you finding Hive so far? Hopefully will see you posting again so, and don't forget to hope onto the haveyoubeenhere community https://peakd.com/c/hive-163772/created if you're doing travel stuff!!!

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Thanks for the reminder!! I will in the near future! Just added a now post to Photographylovers. But I have a very cool travel story ready soon!

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It's a very beautiful village, it's very old-fashioned. I will come here if I have a chance. Thank you for sharing about it!

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It's on Pinmapple, if and whenever you come to UK, you know where to find it!!! Likewise if I ever go to Vietnam now, there's loads of places for me to go

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Great to hear people are starting to appreciate the old style, adding modern features I have no problem with tasteful conversion breathing new life into old buildings!

Bells Brae After pontificating did research attached.

Have a great day!

Nice find, thanks for taking us along with you!

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Thank you so much for finding the additional information Joan!!!! You're a star.

I think there are more and more people appreciating traditional style buildings now, and certainly there are plenty of them around Europe and UK. It just needs a bit more TLC and will last a few liftimes

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Conversions are tastefully done I would be happy to live in a place like that.

Heritage can last for all to see the outside when TLC is given. With space becoming premium these will be enjoyed to the full and never stand empty or neglected again.

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What a delightful village! I lived and worked in Scotland (on Loch Tay) years ago. Spent a few days exploring Edinburgh. What a pity I missed Dean village. Thanks for giving the tour @livinguktaiwan. And I'm with you on "Many of the old mills and cottages were restored, but thankfully it seems they've kept its character and haven't rebuilt swanky new modern flats." It truly does seem like a gem of a place

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Maybe they hadn't done it up and promoted it so much when you were in Scotland? I googled free things to do in Edinburgh and this came up, being a cheapskate pays off sometimes 😅.

But seriously, I really think it's quite stunning, and true gem, just hope it doesn't get too touristy like some of those pretty chocolate box villages in Oxford

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I really love your photos, I really want to go there too, it looks so peaceful and I'm curious what device you used to take these pictures.

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Definitely worth going if you ever visit Scotland. I use my Samsung A42 now, really pleased with my images since I got it a few months ago, but of course the village itself is so beautiful and that helps a lot!!

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A pretty little gem! Fun to see such an array of different architecture styles just by the river.

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I'm sure the village would look a lot more stunning under your lenses Donica

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The things we do to get that great shot... ('like standing in the middle of a river in November').

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Welcome to my Uni City! Hope you had a wonderful visit to Edinburgh 😁 also really glad you found Dean Village, I only visited it for the first time last summer, even though I've lived 40 miles from Edinburgh all my life!

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I'd like to go back to Edinburgh again, maybe in the summer. This is my second visit, still haven't done Arthur's seat yet!

And, I'm pretty amazed with finding Dean Village, only coz I was googling for freee things to do 😅

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