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Daily Record
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
The Edinburgh hidden gem garden perfect to escape the chaos of the Fringe Festival
It is just a short walk from Scotland's oldest pub. The Edinburgh Fringe is underway, which means the Scottish capital is once again positively buzzing with activity. Everywhere you look in the centre of the city, there are locals and tourists soaking up the atmosphere. Throughout August, Edinburgh welcomes millions of visitors from across the UK and beyond for the biggest arts festival in the world. The legendary event sees countless shows put on all over the city, from standup comedy to theatre and dance. Whether you live in Edinburgh, or are visiting for the Fringe, everybody needs a break from the hustle and bustle. For that reason, the Daily Record's Walk of the Week is a secret gem garden in the city. Dr Neil's Garden is a hidden retreat located in the historic village of Duddingston in the east of Edinburgh, next to Holyrood Park. Situated beside an idyllic pond, the garden features various plants, flowers, and winding paths. Although the garden can be reached in around just 40 minutes on foot from the centre of Edinburgh, it feels worlds away from the chaos of the Fringe. Dr Neil's Garden is the creation of two local doctors: Andrew and Nancy Neil. The GPs started work on the garden in 1963, and they encouraged their patients to help out with the gardening to help clear their heads in tranquil surroundings. Today, the little-known garden is a place where city dwellers can take some time out of their busy lives to reconnect with nature. Visitors will find conifers, heathers, alpines, herbaceous borders, and even a physic garden. After you're done soaking in the tranquil atmosphere of Dr Neil's Garden, you can enjoy a picturesque walk around Duddingston before heading into the historic Sheep Heid Inn for some food and drink. Read on for some photographs that show why Dr Neil's Garden is the perfect destination this Edinburgh Fringe Festival. More information can be found on the Dr Neil's Garden website. If you are still looking for travel inspiration, a few of our recent Walks of the Week can be found below: The Scottish beach just outside of Edinburgh named 'best in the country' The Scottish island walk that was named country's 'best hike' by experts The Scottish beach walk that ends at award winning fish and chips The 'virtually uninhabited' Scottish beach perfect for family summer day out The Scottish 'subtropical' garden that was crowned Family Venue of the Year The stunning Scottish beach with cosy pub by the sand perfect for family day out The perfect Scottish Father's Day hike that ends at inn with delicious Sunday roast Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - sign up to the Scotland Now newsletter here. More On Edinburgh Festival Edinburgh Fringe Festival Walking and climbing Edinburgh Discover Scotland Gardens and flowers
Scottish Sun
17-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Scotland's best dog-friendly beer garden revealed in country's ‘oldest pub'
Scroll down to see the full top 10 Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BEER garden weather is here - and Scots will be looking for the perfect pint with their pups. A recent study shows that 40 per cent of UK drinkers consider enjoying a cool drink in the sunshine as their 'ultimate happy place', with many visiting pub gardens up to five times a month in summer. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 An increasing number of people are planning dog-inclusive city breaks 3 The Sheep Heid Inn came out on top for Scotland Meanwhile, as an increasing number of people are planning dog-inclusive city breaks, pubs are stepping up. In fact they are going above and beyond 'dogs allowed' and offering tailored hospitality for four-legged visitors, including dog snacks behind the bar, water bowls on arrival and nearby green space for post-pint strolls. Experts at Dog Friendly Retreats have scoured Google reviews and TripAdvisor scores to find the best bars with dog menus and green spaces to find the UK's top 10 pooch-friendly spots. And one Scots venue features in the ranking. The Sheep Heid Inn in Edinburgh ranks number one for Scotland. Nestled at the foot of Arthur's Seat in Edinburgh, this venue holds the title of Scotland's oldest pub, dating back to 1360. The Dog Friendly Retreats team said: "Charming, yes. And its beer garden is a perfect spot for al fresco dining and drinks on a sunny day. "Why does it come up trumps in our top doggy pubs? According to a review on Dog Furiendly, 'this 600-year-old pub is completely dog friendly and they even welcome our tail-wagging friends to join us on the skittle alley'. "Additionally, notes that 'they welcome dogs, provide water and even a dog bed', ensuring your canine companion is comfortable during your visit." Newcastle takes the crown as the UK's most dog-friendly pub city. Inside luxury dog-friendly glamping pod with wild Scottish spa and its own fairy pools The analysis, which scored 100 expert-recommended pubs, also found that the top venue in the UK was Brandling Villa in South Gosforth. It took the number one spot thanks to its full dog menu - complete with Sunday roasts for pups - and quirky beer garden, with lots of shade for dogs during the summer. The Tyne Bar and Free Trade Inn, both local favourites near the Ouseburn Valley, also made the top 10, showcasing the North East as a top-tier region for dog-loving pub-goers. TOP OF THE PUPS HERE is the full UK top 10 with a Dog-Friendliness Score out of 100: Brandling Villa, Newcastle - 63.5 The Greyhound Inn, Coventry - 58.6 The Cliff, Poole - 51.7 The Fishermans Arms, Plymouth - 51.5 The Tyne Bar, Newcastle - 51.3 Free Trade Inn, Newcastle - 50.8 The Cutty Sark, London - 49.8 The Dirty Onion, Belfast - 49.6 The Wharf, Manchester - 49.1 The Sheep Heid Inn, Edinburgh - 45.6 Josh Williams from Dog Friendly Retreats added: "We know that more people than ever are travelling with their dogs, and city pubs with outdoor space offer a perfect way to include pups in holiday-maker plans. "These spots don't just allow dogs, they celebrate them."
