7 Scenic Parks of Edinburgh – Don’t Miss Them
Top 7 Parks And Nature Attractions In Edinburgh
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Edinburgh is not only known for its majestic castle, but the city also benefits from lush green parks and various other natural attractions. Offering opportunities for orienteering and bird watching, the city has an abundance of nature reserves and wetlands. In addition, there are award-winning Botanic Gardens offering a way of escaping the hustle-bustle of the city life.
So, whether you are a nature lover or just want to relax, these are top 7 parks and natural attractions in Edinburgh.
Holyrood Park
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With its steep pathways, hillside ruin (St. Anthony’s Chapel), and steep pathways, this park offers you a once in a lifetime opportunity to cherish mother nature. This place is also quite popular amongst hikers and all those who enjoy walking. During the Spring time, the grassy slopes are covered in yellow-flowered gorse and you will also find well-maintained paths along the way leading you to Arthur’s Seat.
Make sure you have spent some time at the highest point in Edinburgh – Arthur’s Seat. Reaching up there, you will have the opportunity to witness breathtaking views of the city and you will also come across walks suiting all levels of expertise within the park.
Blackford Hills
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As per a traditional claim, Edinburgh is built on seven hills and Blackford Hills is one of those hills. It is just 2 miles towards the South of the city centre. It is popular nature reserve with nearly 30 acres of mature woodland and it is divided by the Braid Burn which flows from Pentland Hills to Portobello.
The hill is around 539 ft. high and near the top of the hill, you get to visit Royal Observatory, an establishment of a UK Research Council and Visitor Centre. The star-gazers of the observatory were removed from the Calton Hill (1896) due to the increasing light population in the city centre. Here, you also find Agassiz Rock bearing both historical and geological significance. This is actually the first evidence of the action of glaciers in Scotland.
Figgate Park
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In order to explore one of the beautiful parks of Edinburgh, head towards Mountcastle, this park is conveniently situated beside the High School. You can capture a glimpse of Arthur’s Seat from this park. This is a great place to wander around and soak in the gorgeous views nature has to offer, make sure you have clicked some pictures of the beautiful surroundings as well.
You can also bring along your dog and there are picnic tables to enjoy a nice & relaxing picnic with your loved ones. If you are visiting with your kids along, then there are kids’ playing area and there is even a pictorial wildflower meadow.
Calton Hill
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Calton Hill is set right in the city centre and it is also one of the key hills of Edinburgh. It is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Site and offers bird’s eye view of the city. The city’s first substantial development was made in the form of The Old Calton Burial Ground, this is where David Hume is also buried.
At the hill, you also get to see various popular monuments & buildings including – The Robert Burns Monument, The Dugald Stewart Monument, National Monument, City Observatory, Nelson’s Monument, The Political Martyrs’ Monument, and The Old Royal High School.
If you are visiting during the morning hours, the top of Calton Hill remains quite calm. Reaching to the top, you get to enjoy mesmerizing views of the city including Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street.
Royal Botanic Gardens
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Located just 1 mile from the city centre, this is a scientific centre used for studying plants, their variety, and conservation. This garden offers 72 acres of lush green surroundings and this is where you witness nature at its best. Being one of the best botanic gardens in the world, this is a must-visit for the whole family. There are ten outstanding glasshouses and the best part is that each one bears a different climatic zone. Here, you also get to explore a huge variety of plants and a 200-year-old palm tree is the key attraction.
Princes Street Gardens
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Princes Street Gardens is a huge public space and it is divided into three parts – towards the east of The Mound and The Scottish National Gallery you will find East Princes Gardens and towards the west, there is West Princes Street Gardens. The Gardens are frequently visited by the tourists and locals alike. Royal Bandstand, also known as The Ross Theatre, is the place where various concerts and events take place such as – Survival of the Fittest, Festival Fireworks Concert, and various others.
Corstorphine Hill
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This is both a public park and nature reserve located towards the west of the city. Its low-lying hill (161m) is a great place for walking. There is a folly at the top of the summit – Clermiston Tower. This is a memorial of the famous romantic novelist Walter Scott. Walled Garden is the second attraction of the hill. Since the rocks and other landforms can be easily accessed, this is the reason Corstorphine Hill is also a Regionally Important Geological and Geomorphologic Site (RIGS).
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About The Author: Adam Smith is a content writing professional at alwaysreview, an inbound marketing and sales platform that helps companies attract visitors, convert leads, and close customers. Previously, Adam worked as a marketing manager for a tech software startup. He graduated with honors from California University with a dual degree in Business Administration and Creative Writing. Follow Me @ Google+, Twitter, Pinterest
