Relaxing

Inverleith Park is just 15-20 minutes walk from the centre of town, yet it can feel like you’re miles away from the hustle and bustle of a city. It’s a great place to go for a run, cycle or have a picnic or simply just sit and watch the world go by.

I love to head there on a summer’s day and wander around – visit the duck pond or get an ice cream from the kiosk van that’s usually parked at the entrance opposite the Botanic gardens.

On occasion I’ll go for a run around the park and for those that are slightly more energetic, they’ve recently added an ‘assault course’ to the outskirts of the park for people to use.

With an amazing view of the Castle, Inverleith Park is also a great place to go and watch the closing fireworks that are put on every year at the end of Edinburgh Festival, but any time of year, it’s worth a visit.

The Shore is quite simply, one of the most beautiful areas in all of Edinburgh. Situated at the mouth of the Water Of Leith, it used to be the heart of industry within Edinburgh. More recently it has been converted into a more upmarket area, bustling with bars and restaurants.

Like most coastal areas in Scotland, there is an abundance of seafood restaurants. There is even a bar on a boat called Cruz, and I recently saw Scottish anarcho-punk legends Oi Polloi play in its basement! You don’t have to spend money to have fun at The Shore, though. The views are absolutely stunning, and there is always plenty going on.

Between Spring and Summer is the best time to see The Shore, with the wildlife flourishing in the area, and particularly on a beautiful weekend when the whole area feels alive. 

The Shore used to be quite a tough area of Edinburgh, but has become gentrified over the years and is now relatively safe. The lighter evenings mean that now is a good time to enjoy some of the bars with patios to have a drink on – I particularly like a new bar called Leith Beer Co, which has a very good sized patio. The best way to get to The Shore is to take a number 22 bus eastbound from Princes Street (the buses are every 5 – 10) minutes. It should take around 20 minutes from the town centre.

Cramond Island is a tidal island lying just off the mainland in the Firth of Forth. The island can only be accessed at low tide and the tide comes in deceptively fast. Times are posted at the start of the causeway so be sure to check the times or you might end up having to spend an unscheduled night on the island.

If you do get stuck, there are a few ruins on the island from the Second World War. In fact the concrete posts which run the length of the causeway were put there to protect the River Forth from enemy boat attack during the war. Other than the remains of the war defenses there is not much on the island. However the constant feeling that the tidal clock is ticking and the views of the the Forth and in particular the Forth Rail and Road Bridges makes the game of tidal roulette worth while.

To celebrate passing the tidal challenge stop for a beer at Cramond Inn which is a few metres up the hill from the start of the causeway to the island. It has a good range of beers and a excellent menu. Buses from the city centre stop not far from the Inn (Lothian buses Number 41 from Queensferry Road 30 minutes )

Thirty acres crammed full of plants and trees from all over the world. The gardens, or as the are known by the locals- the botanics, has been collecting plants since 1670. And although it is world renowned for plant science, it is a great place to escape the noise of the city centre.

It is certainly does not feel like it is less than one mile from Princes Street, although the great views of the castle and Arthur’s Seat don’t let you forget the fact. If the weather is good I recommend a walk up to Inverleith House, in the centre of the gardens, where you will find the best views of the city and a great coffee shop. If the weather is not so good, there are a number of glasshouses to visit.

The most impressive and oldest, the Tropical Palm House, is free, the others are £4. If you have a particular interest in the plant collection there are two tours each day during the summer. (11:00 and 15:00 daily £3.) What ever your interest in visting the gardens, be prepared to loose a few hours in one of the best green spaces in the city.

Dean Village is named after the deep valley that hides it from view just five minutes walk from Princes Street. For 800 years it was the site of Edinburgh’s flour mills. Today the mills are gone and it has become a tranquil oasis as well as a good starting point for a walk along the Water of Leith to Stockbridge and beyond.

The village can be found by turning down Bell’s Brae from Queensferry Road. A loop back to the city centre can be made by following the Water of Leith Walkway under the Queensferry Road viaduct towards Stockbridge. If you are lucky the 18th century medicinal well of St Bernard will be open and you can try your luck getting some water from the ancient well. It is marked by a statute of the greek goddess of good health – Hygeia.

A more modern statue sits in the river just before Stockbridge. Created by the famous artist, Antony Gormley, for the National Galleries of Scotland, it is one of six statues between the Modern Art Museum and the sea. (The statues are currently underwater as they are designed to fall over in floods, but they will pop up again in the Spring hopefully.)