Unsound

Travel Guide

Edinburgh and Aberdeenshire

Water of Leith Walkway

The Water of Leith Walkway is a 12-mile path that runs along the river Leith through Edinburgh, taking in some beautiful sights, such as the picture-postcard Dean Village, St Bernard’s Well and the life-like Anthony Gormley statues standing in the rushing water. The walkway plays an important part in Unsound and is well worth a visit. Start at Dean Village and walk out to Leith to cover the parts featured in the book.

Leith

The fictional grain house that features in Unsound was based on the old Imperial Dock Grain Warehouse in Leith. The warehouse was demolished in 2021 but you can still see the historic docks if you make the trip out there, either or the tram or along the Water of Leith Walkway. Shedding its industrial past, Leith is now packed with plenty of bars, restaurants and activities to keep visitors happy.

Pollock Halls

The student accommodation sits in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat, with some spectacular views. Perhaps not a tourist destination, it nevertheless plays a part in Unsound as this is where Arran lives when he goes to university and where he meets the friends who will change his life. The walk into Edinburgh City Centre takes you past many of the coffee shops where Arran and his friends hang out.

The Meadows

The Meadows is a large public park in Edinburgh and this is where Arran bumps into his friend Donny. The tree-lined open space is a wonderful place to hang out on a sunny day or to get swept through when the wind is up.

Balmedie Beach

In Aberdeenshire, Cal and Shona take walks on the dune-lined golden sands of Balmedie Beach, just a few miles north of the city centre. Take the boardwalk from the car park to the shore and you can walk miles in either direction with the might of the North Sea beside you.