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Daily Record
6 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
Daily Record
01-08-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish beach just outside of Edinburgh named 'best in the country'
August is officially here, which means we are in the final stretch of summer. Don't fret, though, as you still have plenty of time to make the most of the season. When the weather is nice, nothing hits quite like a day at the beach. While there is certainly no shortage of fabulous bays in Scotland, the Daily Record's latest Walk of the Week was just named the best in the country. Gullane Beach is a sandy bay in East Lothian, around 20 miles out of Edinburgh. It is one of the most renowned beaches along the East Lothian coast. On Wednesday, July 30, holiday rental portal Holidu analysed Google Maps user data for over 9,500 beaches to reveal the most loved UK beaches for 2025. Gullane topped the list for Scotland with a rating of 4.8 out of five. Also known as Gullane Bents, the bay is family -friendly and is a popular destination for activities such as windsurfing and kitesurfing. If it is a more relaxing day out you are looking for, it is also perfect for sunbathing as you listen to the soothing sounds of the waves. The experts praised Gullane for its magnificent views out over the Firth of Forth and its golden sands. It was also singled out as a top destination for golf lovers, with famous courses such as Muirfield and Archerfield Links just a short walk away. Meanwhile, after you are done soaking in the views on the beach, the town of Gullane offers a variety of popular food and drink venues. Among these is The Bonnie Badger pub and restaurant with rooms, where you can enjoy delicious seafood dishes. Holidu wrote: "Gullane Beach in East Lothian, Scotland, is a true Scottish standout, uniquely blending stunning natural beauty with a world-renowned golfing backdrop. This expansive golden sand beach offers breathtaking panoramic views across the Firth of Forth to Edinburgh and Fife. "However, what truly sets Gullane apart is its direct adjacency to some of Scotland's most prestigious golf courses like Gullane Golf Club and Muirfield, making it a unique destination where the pristine shoreline meets legendary fairways." Read on for some images showcasing why Gullane Beach is a great spot for a walk. Elsewhere, the full list of the best beaches in the UK can be found on the Holidu website. For additional travel inspiration, a few of the Daily Record's previous Walks of the Week can be found here:
Daily Record
25-07-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish island walk that was named country's 'best hike' by experts
The Daily Record is back with another Walk of the Week. For the latest edition of our regular series, which highlights Scotland's best hikes and beauty spots, we are heading to the Hebrides. Ben More is the highest mountain—and only Munro—on the Isle of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. It is also the highest peak in the Scottish Isles aside from those on the Isle of Skye. The Munro was previously named the "best hike in Scotland" by Much Better Adventures. It topped the experts' country-wide list, triumphing over beauty spots such as the Uath Lochans in the Cairngorms and Ben Nevis. According to Much Better Adventures, Ben More is a moderate-to-challenging hike. This makes it ideal for those looking for more of a challenge as we approach the end of summer. The walk is approximately six miles in length, and should take between six and seven hours to complete. It starts from and finishes at the Ben More Car Park. From the car park, the route is "fairly apparent" according to the experts. Climbers will pass by streams, rock pools, and waterfalls as they make their way up Ben More, as well as "the ruins of some ancient houses". While the walk up to the top isn't easy, the views will be well worth it. On a clear day, the vistas stretch all across Mull. Much Better Adventures wrote: "The island of Mull is easily accessed on the ferry from Oban, and it's an island made for adventure. Follow the rolling roads—ideal for cycling—over to the west coast of the island, which is particularly scenic, with Loch Na Keal (a sea loch) providing a beautiful combination of Atlantic coastal beauty and Highland mountain drama. "The biggest mountain of all here in Ben More. At 966m (3,169ft), it's the only Munro on Mull, and indeed, the only Munro on any Scottish island that isn't Skye. It's also a beauty of a walk—and on a sunny day, it's not overly demanding, and provides sensational views from the summit over all of Mull and out to Ulva, the majesty of Staffa, Lunga and the Treshnish Isles beyond." See below for some photographs that showcase why Ben More is a great hiking destination. Meanwhile, the full list of the 26 "best hikes in Scotland" can be found on the Much Better Adventures website. For more travel inspiration, some of the Daily Record's past Walks of the Week can be found below:
Daily Record
19-07-2025
- Daily Record
The Scottish beach walk that ends at award winning fish and chips
The scenic bay famously featured in an iconic film. Temperatures are soaring all over Scotland, which means a trip to the beach is in order. For the Daily Record's latest Walk of the Week, we have chosen a breathtaking bay that is just a short walk from an award-winning fish and chip shop. West Sands is situated in the idyllic town of St Andrews in Fife. The beach is backed by sand dunes and the town's world-renowned golf courses. Stretching for nearly two miles, West Sands offers a seemingly limitless stretch of sand to explore. Whether you are travelling there with friends, family, or alone, it is hard to think of a better place to make the most of the sun this weekend. Movie buffs may recognise the beach from the iconic opening sequence of the 1981 film Chariots of Fire, in which a group of runners journey across the sand. West Sands is very popular amongst runners, but with temperatures set to be over 20 degrees in St Andrews this weekend make sure you don't overheat while trying to recreate the movie. For those travelling to West Sands by car, the beach offers plenty of parking. There are also toilets, while the amenities in St Andrews are easily accessible. After you are done soaking in the sun, your final stop before heading home should be Cromars. The fish and chip shop is only a short walk from West Sands, and is the perfect capper to a day out at the beach. The eatery has been recognised by numerous awards bodies over the years, including the Scottish Fish and Chip Awards and the National Fish and Chip Awards. It has also earned positive reviews from customers, with recent visitors describing it as "excellent" and "absolutely outstanding". See below for some photographs showing why West Sands is worth a visit this week. For further travel inspiration, a selection of the Daily Record's previous Walks of the Week can be found here: 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 The secret Scottish beach that was named 'best for dreamy holiday' The serene secret garden tucked away in the heart of Edinburgh's bustling city centre
Daily Record
03-07-2025
- Daily Record
The 'virtually uninhabited' Scottish beach perfect for family summer day out
The Daily Record is back with our first Walk of the Week of July. In honour of the occasion, we are heading to the beach. Clashnessie Bay is a secluded bay situated in Sutherland, around 10 miles from the village of Lochinver. If you are fed up of rowdy beaches swarming with people looking to catch some sun, this might be more to your taste. Thanks to its isolated location, Clashnessie Bay is quiet and tranquil. While it is smaller than other beaches in Scotland, you are still unlikely to have to contend with many visitors. Most beachgoers usually head to the better-known nearby Clachtoll Beach or Achmelvich Bay, making Clashnessie somewhat of a hidden gem. One past visitor has even described it as "virtually uninhabited". A unique feature of Clashnessie Bay is that it enjoys a relatively mild microclimate when compared to other parts of Scotland. This is because of its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean Gulf Stream. On Google, Clashnessie Bay has earned rave reviews from visitors. The beach has an average score of 4.6 out of five based on 13 reviews. One past beachgoer shared: "A stunning, white, sandy beach hidden away in the far north-west of Scotland. Reached by a must drive road around the Stoer peninsula, every bend reveals another amazing vista. "Virtually uninhabited for 95 per cent of the year, once visited, never forgotten!" Meanwhile, just a short walk from the beach is another spectacular beauty spot. Clashnessie Falls is a 15-metre waterfall that looks especially powerful and picturesque after a few days of rain. Continue reading for a few photographs that show why Clashnessie Bay and Clashnessie Falls are worth visiting this July. Those still seeking travel inspiration can find some of our past Walks of the Week below:
