It is far from perfect. In the autumn, it's slippy with fallen leaves. In the winter, it's icy. It can be infested with oaves, particularly around school holidays, and I can count on the fingers of two mittened hands the times I've seen police patrolling it on foot.

Since the threat of losing the path resurfaced, I've popped along it at every opportunity. I've been meaning to go along the equivalent on-road routes for comparison, but haven't yet done so, as it's just such an unpleasant journey in comparison.

Where it is absolutely invaluable is the reverse - the uphill from Granton or following the NEPN round from Leith, where the gentle slope doesn't feel very up and can be ridden at your own speed, without any revving noises from behind, without having to stop and lose momentum at traffic lights.

Even with the occasional wait behind a walker, jogger, or slower cyclist, it's so direct and convenient (and without any vehicle-favouring road crossings) that you can get from the West End down to Granton in ten minutes, with barely any effort.

At the height of summer, the Roseburn Path can often be crowded, but I have never ever left the path to use an alternative road route. It's a nice path to have to take a little extra time on.