Green Spaces – ‘In and Around’ Edinburgh
In Part 2 of her blog, Phd student Ita takes us a little further afield in search of green spaces in Edinburgh.
Occasionally, you might have more free time to spare, feel slightly more adventurous, or simply want to ‘escape’ your student life for a while. The following five ‘green spaces’ offer a good and easily-accessible opportunity to explore the beauty of Scottish landscapes without the need to leave Edinburgh. You can also find places Ita visited near Central Area (around George Square Gardens) in her blog, ‘‘Edinburgh Green Spaces – Close to Central Area’.
Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve
Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve
The first option and one that is relatively near to the Central Campus (approximately 30-40 min walk away, at a leisurely pace) and very near to King’s Buildings (KB),the Science and Engineering Campus for the University of Edinburgh. This one is perfect for a shorter ‘get-away’ or if you have some friends studying at KB and want to meet up with them in nature. This Nature Reserve offers an amazing opportunity to explore ancient Scottish woodland, go mushroom-spotting/hunting, lose yourself in birdsong, or just simply escape into nature for a while. Although it feels far removed from ‘civilisation’, in fact you will never be too far from the city. That is why it is perfectly suited for short excursions when you are suddenly in need of a wee study break.
Craiglockhart Hill and Colinton and Craiglockhart Dells
Close by, just on the other side of Morningside, is the Craiglockhart Hill (or rather Hills, as there are two – East and West). A beautiful, peaceful spot offering amazing views of the city and the Pentlands (depending on which way you face). Plus, if you are a fond of literature, you might appreciate it even more. After all, you will be walking around the same area as Siegfried Sassoon, Wilfred Owen, and Robert Graves who stayed at the Craiglockhart Military Hospital during WWI.
Additionally, just a stone’s throw away there are the Craiglockhart and Colinton Dells – another ancient woodland where, if you are lucky, you might be able to spot some grey herons. If you follow the Water of Leith, you will reach Colinton Village – a charming little spot where Robert Louis Stevenson (RLS) spent much of his childhood. On your way, you can walk through the Colinton Tunnel which is decorated by beautiful paintings inspired by RLS’s poem, “From a Railway Carriage”. Is there a better way to combine nature and culture?
More on the Colinton Tunnel mural
 View from Craiglockhart Hill (West) towards the Pentlands |
 Craiglockhart and Colinton Dells |
 part of the Colinton Tunnel Mural |
The Pentlands
The Pentlands – one of the paths leading to Bonaly
If you are looking for something a bit further away, then the Pentlands are a very convenient option. Located just outside Edinburgh, they offer an amazing opportunity to lose yourself completely in nature. Personally, this is my go-to location whenever I need a ‘proper’ get-away from student life (which we all occasionally need). There are so many paths, hills, reservoirs that you will never be quite finished exploring them all. Every visit will be different, surprising, and immensely enjoyable (at least that has been my experience so far . Just one tip, don’t try to explore everything all at once – it is much better to return time and again, to explore the Pentlands in a slower, more immersive way.
The Seaside
Well, maybe not exactly a ‘green space,’ but definitely worth checking-out. We are quite fortunate to have everything in Edinburgh – hills, gardens, woodlands, sea. It is so wonderful to have all these options depending on your particular mood and the weather. The Edinburgh’s seaside is quite varied with some sandy and some stony beaches. However, my favourite thing about it is the promenade which stretches along the shoreline. You can literarly walk from one end of Edinburgh to the other (and beyond if you so wish). One of the most enjoyable summer walks I have had was the one where I walked all the way from Crammond to Musselburgh visiting Granton, Newhaven, Leith, and Portobello along the way. It was a very long walk, but you don’t need to visit all these places in one go. To be honest I often return just to particular locations, depending on how I feel on a given day. Plus, you can find many hidden gems along the shoreline – one of my favourites is definitely Starbank Park, especially during the brief cherry blossom season.
 Edinburgh’s seaside – Granton Newhaven |
 Edinburgh’s seaside – Portobello |
 Starbank Park – one of my favourite hidden gems near the shore. |
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
A Rock Garden at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Last, but certainly not least – the Royal Botanic Garden. Certainly, one of the spots I visit very often, you could almost say habitually. It’s just a wonderful space to be in. It has so many various parts with different landscapes and blossoms. And it is so very soothing to be there, to simply enjoy all the plants and learn a bit about their stories. Plus, again it is quite near to the city centre and the Central Campus itself – perfect for a short escape or a bit longer study break.
Go exploring
These five recommendations are by no means exhaustive but hopefully, it will give you some inspiration and be useful for your very first excursions when you come to Edinburgh. To me, Edinburgh is a place of endless opportunities for immersing yourself in nature and although I have been here for over six years now, I am not yet done exploring it – perhaps that’s one of the reasons why I love Edinburgh so much. Hopefully, you will fall in love with it too!
See the places Ita visited on a map
Disclaimer
University of Edinburgh Student Ambassadors are financially compensated to tell their stories.
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