The zoo is one of Edinburgh's most popular tourist attractions. Thousands of visitors go every year to see the pandas or the world-famous penguin parade. But I don't think many of them know that right next door is a nature reserve with miles of walkways.
Because of its proximity to the zoo, Corstorphine Hill is not hard to find. Just to the east of the Zoo entrance, on the main road, there is a small gate which leads up into the park.
Unlike many of the other hills in Edinburgh, it's actually pretty hard to find a good viewpoint on Corstorphine Hill due to the density of the trees. However, this also makes it much more interesting to explore!
There are a few landmarks in the park such as a Walled Garden and the Scott Tower. The Tower was built in 1871 as a memorial for the author Sir Walter Scott (he wrote the Waverley novels which our train station is named after). It's usually shut but opens occasionally on occasions like Doors Open Day. The views from the top are said to be amazing!
Barton Quarry is also within the area of the park, in the northwest corner. After the Quarry was closed in 1914 it was used by the military as a radar station during the Second World War and as a nuclear bunker during the Cold War. The plan was to use it to shelter the Queen in case she was in Edinburgh during a nuclear attack!
Find your way with 138 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Edinburgh's Leith Walk is filling up fast with trendy new coffee shops, bakeries, and local maker stores - "Nott Wine Bar" is one of my favourites!
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"Lochend Park" in Edinburgh is for you if you want a peaceful stroll around a loch (small lake), a gander at a doocot, a dander under mature trees...
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Cute, quaint "Newhaven Harbour" is a hidden gem in Edinburg. Try walking around the area - it will take you about an hour...
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The "Water of Leith" is a river that runs from one side of Edinburgh to the other, and it runs through some of the city's most scenic & interesting sites...
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"Wardie Bay" in Edinburgh is a bijou beach on the Firth of Forth and my favourite spot for wild swimming in the city...
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"Dance Base" is an award-winning building in Edinburgh established to provide classes, workshops & performances. Please do join me in dancing!
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"Starbank Park" in Edinburgh offers cracking views over the Firth of Forth - it's such a peaceful, beautiful place to sit and sun yourself in the sea air!
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The "Dovecot Studios" in Edinburgh were once public swimming baths where I'd swim every morning - now I can have a bird's eye view of weavers & looms...
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The "Edinburgh Sculpture Workshop" is a bit of an institution. Going regularly means I can keep up with the artist’s work and enjoy a scone & jasmine tea.
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"Granton Hub" (aka Madelvic House) in North Edinburgh is a community centre in a prosaic, truly historic building with a rich industrial heritage...
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"Inverleith Park" is kind of a mirror-image of the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens: one is lauded for its unusual trees, the other for its wide-open spaces
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"Lauriston Castle" in Edinburgh is fairly well known to tourists, but its Japanese garden is not. All is perfectly balanced here...
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