The name "Slateford" comes from local rock found in the area and the old fording point on the Water of Leith that the village grew round.

In 1882 it had a post office with money order savings bank and telegraph departments, a police station, a Good Templars Hall, School, U.P.

The village was crossed by the Union Canal Slateford Aqueduct in 1822 and a few years later the 14-arch viaduct carrying the Caledonian railway line.

In 1952 and later in 1967 major road widening projects removed all but a few of the original cottages, though Slateford House, School (Now the headquarters and visitor centre for the Water of Leith conservation trust), and Church (used as a warehouse) still stand today.

[2] Slateford railway station is served by hourly trains to Edinburgh Waverley to the east and Shotts and Glasgow Central to the west.