Dean Village & Cemetery

Dean Village has become my first stop to visit once arriving in Edinburgh. Every post I've ever read about Dean Village refers to this picturesque village as a gem, and it is! I just think it deserves an even better adjective. I love this place. It's a refuge from the chaos and crowds of Princes Street and the Royal Mile. 

Dean Village is fairytale-esque with its cobbled streets, stone bridge, colorful historic buildings, narrow alleyways, babbling river and the enchanting old cemetery. 

You can only get here by foot, as there is no place to park within the village. It's about a 15 minute walk to Dean Cemetery from St Cuthbert's in the west end of Princes Street. There are some steep streets but it's totally worth visiting if you can manage. 

Dean Village Entrance
Dean Village 4
Dean Village
Dean Village From the Bridge

If you go through the entrance in the wall near the cemetery, to the Water of Leith walkway, it will take you down a very steep staircase. Hang a left and walk for a few minutes to find a small waterfall.

Keep walking on this idyllic path to get a good view of Bell's Brae Bridge from below.

The full Water of Leith walkway, is a 13 mile route but you can walk just a fraction of it through Dean Village.

Water of Leith Walkway
Dean Village Stairs
Dean Village Water Feature
Dean Village from Below
Dean Village Bridge
Dean Village 5
Dean Village 6
Dean Village 8

Dean Cemetery

Dean Cemetery is one of my favorite cemeteries. I love the grandiose intricate headstones and monuments. I love the the old trees and how they hang over the ancient headstones. I love the way the earth smells here. I love the sound of the Water of Leith just outside the wall. It's a taphophile's dream. I never tire of visiting this place.

Dean Cemetery is still a working cemetery with plots available. I don't have kids or nieces or nephews, perhaps one of my dear readers would do me the honor of making arrangements for me here. I'd be eternally grateful.  ;-)

Dean Cemetery
Dean Cemetery 2
Dean Cemetery 5
Dean Cemetery 3
Dean Cemetery 6
Dean Cemetery 7

<<Greyfriars Cemetery                        


 St. Cuthbert's Cemetery>>


More Scottish Sites:

  • I love Edinburgh's medieval Old Town with it's castle looming over the city. It's such a cool city to explore.

    Edinburgh, Scotland

    I love Edinburgh's medieval Old Town with it's castle looming over the city. It's such a cool city to explore.

  • Scotland Home Page

    Scotland

    Scotland Home Page

  • Temple Old Kirk is located in Temple Village outside of Edinburgh. This site was the headquarters of the Order of Knights Templar in Scotland.

    Temple Old Kirk

    Temple Old Kirk is located in Temple Village outside of Edinburgh. This site was the headquarters of the Order of Knights Templar in Scotland.

  • Medieval Rosslyn Chapel was made famous for being featured in the The Da Vinci Code. It's intricate carvings are associated with many legends and secrets.

    Rosslyn Chapel

    Medieval Rosslyn Chapel was made famous for being featured in the The Da Vinci Code. It's intricate carvings are associated with many legends and secrets.

  • Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo is an event worthy of your bucket list. It's a unique performance from military bands across the globe and of course bagpipers!

    Royal Military Tattoo

    Edinburgh's Royal Military Tattoo is an event worthy of your bucket list. It's a unique performance from military bands across the globe and of course bagpipers!

  • Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a haunted graveyard best known for providing inspiration for Harry Potter characters.

    Greyfriars Kirkyard

    Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh is a haunted graveyard best known for providing inspiration for Harry Potter characters.

  • St. Cuthbert's cemetery is another one of Edinburgh's cool old cemeteries. The oldest headstone is dated 1606.  It has great views of the castle.

    St. Cuthbert's Cemetery

    St. Cuthbert's cemetery is another one of Edinburgh's cool old cemeteries. The oldest headstone is dated 1606. It has great views of the castle.

  • The gardens of Drummond Castle are spectacular. They were filmed in Outlander as a stand in for the Palace of Versailles.

    Drummond Castle

    The gardens of Drummond Castle are spectacular. They were filmed in Outlander as a stand in for the Palace of Versailles.

  • An unexpected detour on our road trip around Scotland led us to the picturesque village of Killin.

    Killin

    An unexpected detour on our road trip around Scotland led us to the picturesque village of Killin.

  • The Clachaig Inn, located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, was where we spent the first night of our road trip around Scotland. The grounds are stunning. Hagrid's Hut was built across the highway.

    Clachaig Inn

    The Clachaig Inn, located in the beautiful Scottish Highlands, was where we spent the first night of our road trip around Scotland. The grounds are stunning. Hagrid's Hut was built across the highway.

  • Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most photographed castle. It's been in several films. It's a must stop on the way to Skye.

    Eilean Donan Castle

    Eilean Donan Castle is one of Scotland's most photographed castle. It's been in several films. It's a must stop on the way to Skye.

  • Visiting the Isle of Skye was on my bucket list. It was everything I wanted it to be. Mossy and magical. So green and lush. Water cascading everywhere. It feels like a fairy place. I'm a fan.

    Isle of Skye

    Visiting the Isle of Skye was on my bucket list. It was everything I wanted it to be. Mossy and magical. So green and lush. Water cascading everywhere. It feels like a fairy place. I'm a fan.

  • The Isle of Lewis & Harris is home to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones and stunning Caribbean looking beaches.

    Isle of Lewis & Harris

    The Isle of Lewis & Harris is home to the ancient Callanish Standing Stones and stunning Caribbean looking beaches.

  • Dunrobin Castle is picture perfect with it's turrets and elaborate gardens. If you can only visit one castle in your life, make it this one.

    Dunrobin Castle

    Dunrobin Castle is picture perfect with it's turrets and elaborate gardens. If you can only visit one castle in your life, make it this one.

  • Urquhart Castle overlooks Scotland's famed Loch Ness. Explore the castle ruins while keeping an eye out for Nessie.

    Urquhart Castle

    Urquhart Castle overlooks Scotland's famed Loch Ness. Explore the castle ruins while keeping an eye out for Nessie.

  • Elgin Cathedral, known as the Lantern of the North, is an impressive 800 year old, Medieval ruin. It was once Scotland's second largest cathedral.

    Elgin Cathedral

    Elgin Cathedral, known as the Lantern of the North, is an impressive 800 year old, Medieval ruin. It was once Scotland's second largest cathedral.

  • Castle Fraser is one of Scotland's largest tower houses. There are numerous furnished rooms accessed by climbing the narrow turret stairs.

    Castle Fraser

    Castle Fraser is one of Scotland's largest tower houses. There are numerous furnished rooms accessed by climbing the narrow turret stairs.

  • I loved Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, so much, it felt like I was staying in a castle. It was so fun! It's almost its own attraction, complete with it's own highland coos.

    Ardoe House

    I loved Ardoe House Hotel & Spa, so much, it felt like I was staying in a castle. It was so fun! It's almost its own attraction, complete with it's own highland coos.

  • Dunnottar Castle, is a medieval fortress, perched atop a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Although it's now a ruin, it's location makes it highly photogenic.

    Dunnottar Castle

    Dunnottar Castle, is a medieval fortress, perched atop a cliff overlooking the North Sea. Although it's now a ruin, it's location makes it highly photogenic.

  • Craigmiller Castle is a medieval fortress just outside Edinburgh city center.

    Craigmiller Castle

    Craigmiller Castle is a medieval fortress just outside Edinburgh city center.

  • Edinburgh's windy cobblestoned Victoria Street, lined with its colorful shops, is thought to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley, the famed street that sells wizarding supplies in Harry Potter.

    Victoria Street aka Diagon Alley

    Edinburgh's windy cobblestoned Victoria Street, lined with its colorful shops, is thought to be the inspiration for Diagon Alley, the famed street that sells wizarding supplies in Harry Potter.