Balgreen is located approximately two miles west of the city centre, most commonly known for its primary school, Balgreen Primary, and Saughton Park.
The name comes from Balgreen House once situated where Balgreen Primary School now stands and is probably derived from Scottish Gaelic, perhaps being Baile na Grèine (sunny farm) or Baile Griain (gravel farm) from the gravel on the riverbank, or perhaps from Baile Grianain (farm of the sunny enclosure).
The Water of Leith flows through here, connecting the area to Stockbridge to the north east and Colinton and Balerno to the south west. There is also a library, primary school and a bowling green here.
While the large Saughton Park includes a modern playpark, skatepark, football pitches and a running track, as well as extensive gardens with a visitor centre, cafe and bandstand.
The Water of Leith flows through here, connecting the area to Stockbridge to the north east and Colinton and Balerno to the south west. There is also a library, primary school and a bowling green here.
![Hearts star Bruno Aguiar helps out five-year-old Graeme Dailly with the most important meal of the day at the launch of Balgreen Primary's AEGON Breakfast Club, in November, 2008.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/17/14/08/Scoring%20at%20breakfast.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
13. Scoring at breakfast
Hearts star Bruno Aguiar helps out five-year-old Graeme Dailly with the most important meal of the day at the launch of Balgreen Primary's AEGON Breakfast Club, in November, 2008. | TSPL Photo: National World
![The Saughton Park bandstand at Balgreen Road, pictured in August 2015, when the park was opened again following an extensive renovation project.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/17/14/20/Centre%20stage.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
14. Centre stage
The Saughton Park bandstand at Balgreen Road, pictured in August 2015, when the park was opened again following an extensive renovation project. | Ian Georgeson
![Conservative politician Lord James Douglas Hamilton acts as lollipop man to teach pupils of Balgreen Primary School about road safety in September 1989.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/17/14/34/Safe%20crossing.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
15. Safe crossing
Conservative politician Lord James Douglas Hamilton acts as lollipop man to teach pupils of Balgreen Primary School about road safety in September 1989. | TSPL Photo: National World
![Police investigating an incident at the shops on Balgreen Road and across the road at Saughton Park in 2013.](https://www.thestar.co.uk/jpim-static/image/2024/04/17/15/24/Police%20incident.jpg?crop=3:2&width=800)
16. Police incident
Police investigating an incident at the shops on Balgreen Road and across the road at Saughton Park in 2013. | TSPL