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Edinburgh's best urban oases for quiet contemplation & scenic strolls
Dr Neil's Garden
This spellbinding garden was created by doctors, Andrew and Nancy Neil, who set about transforming church land beside Duddingston Loch – an area used for grazing calves and geese – in 1963.
There are many horticultural delights to be enjoyed: heather, alpines, primulas, magnolias, rhododendrons and azaleas. The majestic tree specimens include a monkey puzzle, as well as coast redwood, white fir, Chilean lantern and Scots pine.
It exudes a fairytale-esque vibe, with elements such as Thomson's Tower, built in 1825 for the Duddingston Curling Society to store its stones. The Physic Garden, with its daisy-shaped layout, was devised as a memorial to the founders, who both died in 2005.
Water of Leith Walkway
Stretching from Balerno to the Firth of Forth, the Water of Leith Walkway showcases a glorious greatest hits of the capital's charms, meandering its way past idyllic spots such as Craiglockhart Dell, Dean Village, Stockbridge and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Highlights of the 12.5-mile (20km) path include waterfalls, weirs and wildlife, with cormorants, herons, kingfishers, roe deer, foxes and otters residing in and around the once-industrial river, where remnants of the mills – used for grain, paper, cloth, snuff and spices – are still visible.
Among the myriad photogenic gems are the colourful, mural-emblazoned Colinton Tunnel and Turner Prize-winning artist Antony Gormley's series of standing figures, 6 Times, which can be found dotted along the section from Dean Village to Leith.
Craiglockhart Hill
Part of the septuplet landforms that make up the 'Seven Hills of Edinburgh', I've spoken about Craiglockhart Hill previously. With its grand panoramas over Morningside towards the Old Town and New Town, Firth of Forth and Fife beyond, I have fond memories of it from my student days.
Described by The Woodland Trust as 'one of Edinburgh's best kept secrets', it comprises the dual summits of Easter Craiglockhart and Wester Craiglockhart.
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The former is the site of Craighouse, a Victorian-era psychiatric hospital, with the latter home to Craiglockhart Hydropathic – requisitioned as a war hospital in 1916 – where poets Wilfred Owen and Siegfried Sassoon met while being treated for 'shell shock' during the First World War.
Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill
The last time I wrote about Craiglockhart Hill, I was contacted by a reader who pointed out it was remiss not to also mention the excellent Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve – I thoroughly agree.
Located 3.5 miles south of the city centre, there are several lovely walking routes in the vicinity. The shorter red loop takes in the wooded trails around the pretty and tranquil Hermitage of Braid, passing an ice house and impressive doocot.
You can extend this onto the longer blue loop to ascend Blackford Hill, which has incredible views of Edinburgh from its summit. The surrounding locale includes the Royal Observatory, the erstwhile Blackford Quarry and Agassiz Rock, a geological landmark frequented by boulderers.
Silverknowes Beach
A daunder along the beach and adjacent esplanade at Silverknowes is a superb head clearer. You can – tide dependent – make the short crossing over the causeway to the fascinating Cramond Island.
Situated on the north-west fringes of the city, Silverknowes is typically quieter than Portobello to the east. On Saturday mornings the shorefront hosts Edinburgh parkrun, a popular course because it is fast and flat (Olympian Andy Butchart set a parkrun world record here).
Be sure to explore nearby Cramond Village where the historic kirk, built on the site of a Roman fort, dates from the 15th century.
Susan Swarbrick is a columnist and freelance writer who loves history and the outdoors. Follow her on X @SusanSwarbrick and Bluesky @
