Currie Community Council

Geography of Currie
 Modern housing in Currie
In 1995 the population of Currie was 6343 and it contained 2300 houses, 850 of them less than 20 years old. There were 2661 cars. 505 houses had no car, 1020 houses had 1 car and 775 houses had 2 or more cars.
By 2001 the population had increased to 8550 and there were 3454 houses. Of these, 652 had no car, 1618 had one car or van, 981 had 2 or more, 164 had 3 or more and 39 had 4 or more.

There are minor differences in the boundaries of "Currie" relating to these two groups of figures. The 2001 figures refer to postal code EH14 5

Currie has a superb situation. It lies at a height of 600 feet on a ridge running along the Water of Leith valley with the Pentland Hills rising up to the south and an extensive view over the Forth Valley to the Ochil Hills in the north and round to Ben Lomond in the west. The country around is primarily mixed farmland with predominately sheep on the higher land and arable land with some cattle elsewhere. A number of long-established tree belts separate the fields and provide cover for wildlife including badgers and deer. Since fox-hunting ceased in this area, some large groups of foxes have become established.

The village is very accessible. It lies on one of the radial access roads to the city, is within easy reach of the city by-pass and is only ten minutes drive from the airport. Curriehill Station serves both Edinburgh and Glasgow, and intermediate stations, and there is a good bus service into the centre of the city.

Cyclists and walkers are well served by an attractive route along the Balerno - Leith Water of Leith Walkway. This is part of the millenium cycle network which runs right across the country. Also, the Union Canal runs along the northern boundary of Currie. Recent work with millennium funds has improved the tow path for walkers and cyclists and the construction of the Falkirk Wheel has provided a connection with the Forth Clyde Canal to give a navigable waterway from Edinburgh to the Clyde.

The Water of Leith flowing through Currie

A project currently underway with the support of SUSTRANS is to provide a Link Foot/Cycle path between the Walkway and the Canal. This will provide a safe route to the High School, the Youth Club and the University, connecting two radial bus services and the rail station. It will run through Roley's Wood, which lies to the east of the High School and has recently been upgraded by means of a woodland management programme.

The centre of the old village lies on the main Lanark Road and has Conservation Area status. There are a number of community facilities in the village including a Community Hall, a Youth Club and two primary schools. The High School, now known as Currie Community High School provides a learning and recreation centre for all - adults as well as children - in the community. A new school for youngsters with moderate learning difficulties will shortly be opened in at he area adjacent to the Community High School.

The Riccarton Campus of Heriot-Watt University lies to the north, between Currie village and Hermiston and, with its associated Research Park, provides employment and various facilities for the local community including weekend sports for local young people, adult membership of its well-equipped sports centre and a programme of musical events and lectures.

The Pentland Medical Centre was extended some years ago to enable it to house speciality outpatient services. Clinics and consultations are now available locally which reduces the need for hospital visits.

Further information about activities in and around Currie can be obtained from the Currie Library. Recent copies of minutes of the Community Council are held there, together with a list of the current members of the council and also a complete set of the Currie and Balerno News and the Facilities Register (accessible via the C&B News website).

Currie is alive and a good place to be, but ... it is still a distinct village!

Brenda McGovern

January 2008