Colinton, whose name means 'the village in the wood' was originally an isolated rural community that grew up around the head of Colinton Dell at a place that was easily forded by herdsmen and other travellers. It is now part of the city of Edinburgh, but has retained an authentic village quality with a variety of buildings spanning the past four centuries. The parish church, rebuilt in 1909, stands on the site of a church dating back at least to the 11th century.

Further on is the point where an off shoot of the Edinburgh to Glasgow railway reached Colinton in 1874. The line, was closed in 1967 and now forms a fine walking route through Colinton Dell. The eerie Easter Hailes Gate Tunnel is a long, curving and dimly lit structure, with an uneven top and a constantly dripping roof. Indeed, after prolonged spells of heavy rain has eased, one is more likely to get wet within the tunnel than out in the open.

Soon after, you come to the Union Canal. The Colinton area has one of its finest stretches, with a 600 feet (183 metre) eight arched aqueduct that gives fine views over the city.