Home Report Balerno

Balerno, is a village of roughly 6,500 residents located on the outskirts of Edinburgh city centre, roughly 8 miles to the southwest. It is right next to the town of Currie, and Juniper Green. It is likely it would have shared a contiguous border with Currie by now if not for the confluence of the Water of Leith and Bavelaw Burn surrounding the northern tup of the town akin to a moat.

In the 18th and 19th century, Balerno was home to several mills using the nearby waterpower. Naturally these attracted many in search of work, continuing through to the 20th century until the mills eventually closed. In the time the mills were open, many of the stone buildings that hold much appeal were built giving Balerno an historic feel. In time as the importance and influence of Edinburgh became even greater the village evolved to become the sought-after commuter suburb of Edinburgh as it is today.

Transport links for commuters are mainly by road, whether car or bus. The A90 trunk road is a short distance away to the north and takes commuters heading to Edinburgh through Currie and Juniper Green before reaching the outskirts of Edinburgh city. There is no dedicated train station for the town and the nearest is Curriehill in Currie which does have park and ride facilities.

In terms of local amenities, the village has all the usual local shops and services you would expect, such as a local supermarket, hardware stores, eateries, pubs and even a local inn. It likely relies a bit on its close neighbours and even Edinburgh for a wider range of shops and services such as larger supermarkets and entertainment options.

A particular draw of Balerno however is its proximity to the scenic Pentland Hills which almost loom over the town to the south. The Pentland Hills and regional park as you would expect are an area awash with natural beauty. In fact, over 10,000 hectares of countryside and 100km of paths of natural beauty, with plenty of opportunities for walking, running, cycling, horse riding, fishing, orienteering, bird spotting and more. Likewise, The 17th century Malleny House and Garden – owned by the National Trust for Scotland – are popular with locals and visitors alike. The house incorporates parts of an earlier house dated to 1589. While the house is not open to the public the gardens are and consist of a 3-acre walled garden set in approximately nine acres of woodland. The gardens feature four 100-year-old yew trees known as the “Four Apostles”. The gardens are home to one of the largest rose collections in Scotland.

Worth also mentioning is the community spirit in Balerno reflected in various events throughout the year. A farmers market is held in the main street each month, ran by the village trust. There is also the Barlerno Village Screen which is a community cinema project with free admission all funded by donations. The screenings are shown monthly on the first Saturday of every month.

In terms of local schooling, Dean Park Primary School is the local primary school and Balerno Community High School provides secondary education for local children. Harmeny School is a grant-aided special school for primary school aged children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties.