Dean Village is one of the most beautiful and peaceful places in Edinburgh. It sits beside the Water of Leith, only a short walk from the busy city centre. Long ago, Dean Village was not a quiet place at all — it was full of noise from water mills! For more than 800 years, people here used the power of the river to grind grain into flour. You can still see old millstones and carved symbols of bread and pies on the buildings today.

The name “Dean” comes from an old word meaning “deep valley,” and that’s exactly what it is — a green, leafy valley hidden between stone bridges and high houses. Walking through Dean Village feels like stepping back in time. The colourful buildings, cobbled paths, and gentle sound of the river make it a favourite spot for photographers and artists.

One of the most famous sights is Well Court, a group of red-roofed houses built in the 1880s for mill workers. It was designed with a courtyard where people could meet and children could play. Nearby, you can also see the impressive Dean Bridge, built by engineer Thomas Telford in 1831.

Today, Dean Village is a quiet residential area, but it still keeps its old charm. Visitors love to come here for a relaxing walk, a picnic by the river, or simply to enjoy one of the prettiest corners of Edinburgh’s history.

The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (often called Modern) is a big art gallery in Edinburgh. It shows modern and contemporary art — art made since about 1900 until today. It has two main buildings, Modern One and Modern Two, and beautiful gardens with sculptures.

 Modern One used to be John Watson’s School, built in 1825. It was changed and opened as Modern One in 1984. 

Modern Two was originally built in 1833 as the Dean Orphan Hospital. In 1999 it became a gallery and later changed its name to Modern Two.