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After passing the walled garden the canal enters a cutting we call the "Quarry Straight". There were quarries on each side of the canal at this point.
"The Pop Inn" pub ruins are behind the wall on our right. It was called the Pop Inn because bargees would pop in one door, have a quick drink and pop out the other to catch up with their horses. Eventually it closed because of lack of passing trade. Originally the Pop Inn was a gatehouse to Ratho Hall (probably pre-canal) and latterly became a cottage again. One Trust member knew people living there.
We now pass the "Edinburgh International Climbing Arena". This was built in the old horse shoe shaped Ratho quarry as a Millenium project. The quarry has its open side towards the quarry. A building was put across this open side and the quarry covered by a tent like canopy.
The base of the quarry forms the climbing arena with natural and artificial climbing walls. It is thought to be the largest facility of its kind in the world. There is footpath access via a stair from the canal tow-path. Road access is from the Newbridge to Wilkieston Road and crosses from the south to the north side of the canal via a new bridge.
Shortly after opening, the project went into receivership and was bought from the banks by the City of Edinburgh Council to become a public facility. It is the venue for many televised international climbing events.
Ratho Quarry, locally just known as the "Old Quarry", was one of the main industries in the area. Stone was shipped out in barges. It is said that it provided the stone forming the Heart of Mid-Lothian in Parliament Square in Edinburgh.
These are photos of the old quarry taken in 1961.
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