safari park near edinburgh

Welcome to Highland Wildlife Park

Home to the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).

Opening hours

Wednesday 26 June

Location, parking, information and park map

Maps and guides

Find your way around the park

Park developments

News and stories from the park

Meet our animals

From cheeky monkeys and elusive wildcats to Scotland's only polar bears - there's something for the whole pack to explore! With one of the largest park-based conservation and science programs in the country, we fund, support, and lead research projects locally and globally. Find out more about some of the animals you might meet on your visit.

Join the herd!

Help the animals you love by becoming a member and enjoy wild days out at Highland Wildlife Park and Edinburgh Zoo!

By joining today, you help care for your favourite animals and protect vulnerable wildlife here in Scotland and around the world. With more than a million species at risk of extinction, your support is more vital than ever.

Our role in global conservation

By 2030 we will:

Reverse the decline of 50 species

As our planet's biodiversity declines at an alarming rate, modern-day zoos and wildlife conservation charities such as RZSS are more relevant than ever before. With your support, we can achieve our pledge to reverse the decline of at least 50 species , from pine hoverflies and wildcats in the Cairngorms National Park, to chimpanzees in Uganda, giant anteaters in Brazil and many more.

Create stronger connections

Making nature more accessible is fundamental because people protect and value what they love and understand. Highland Wildlife Park is a gateway to the natural world through which people can learn about the challenges facing wildlife and how we can help save species from extinction. We pledge to create deeper connections with nature for more than a million people .

Better protect nature

Stronger communities have a greater capacity to care for wildlife – and through our zoos and our global reach we can help people realise the mental and physical health and wellbeing benefits of being close to nature. This is why we are pledging to enable more than 100 communities to better protect nature . Now is the time to work more collaboratively than ever before.

How you can help

Together, we can create a world where nature is protected, valued and loved. 

More than a million animals are at risk of extinction. Nature needs us all now more than ever. Now is the time to act. 

Your support will help protect the nature that you love today, tomorrow and for generations to come.

Our latest activity highlights

Get involved in our wild events

Upcoming events

Book your tickets today

Nature Photography Workshops

Our latest news and blogs.

29 May 2024

One minute read

24 May 2024

Three minute read

01 Apr 2024

Keep in touch with wildlife

Be the first to hear about our latest offers, animal stories, event news and learn about the work we do for preserving endangered wildlife.

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Availability Search for  East Links Family Park

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East Links Family Park

East Links Family Park is a family attraction offering a train safari where you can feed the farm animals, as well as pony rides and small animal handling.

East Links Family Park is a multi award winning 20 acre farm-themed adventure park providing a fun day out for all the family.

Our narrow gauge railway takes visitors on a train safari through the paddocks of friendly farm animals, while the driver gives a fun and interesting commentary.  Animal food is available for the ponies, cattle, sheep, goats and pigs as well as deer, lama, wallaby and prairie dogs and they are experts at encouraging visitors to feed them, often running alongside the train! 

In the small animals barn visitors can get up close to our smaller animals including rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens and degu.

Everyone can join in the fun of the go karts, trampolines, jelly belly, hay barn with climbing walls and ball blast arena; while the smaller children can experience a soft play area, toddlers tractors and crazy bikes.

In the 15,000 square foot Fortress you can scale the four-levels, climb the nets and bridges, shoot the enemy with tennis balls fired from cannons and escape down the giant slide. 

On our 18 hole, farm-themed crazy golf adventure you can putt your way through the farm yard before playing across the bridge to Duck Island. 

In the warmer days try the Water Wars! This floating platform features 8 water jet canons, a huge fountain and duck targets (although human targets are more fun!).

Transport and Parking

• Coach Parking

Accessibility

• Accessible Parking Or Drop-off Point
• Partial wheelchair access
• Large print, braille or audio
• Level Access
• Accessible toilets
• Wheelchairs or mobility aids provided
• Partially suitable for visitors with limited mobility
• Children's Menu Available
• Indoor Play Area
• Outdoor Play Area
• Baby Changing Facilities
• Public Toilet Facilities
• Picnic Area
• Cafe or Restaurant

Payment Methods

• Credit Card
• Coastal Location

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What's Nearby

Accommodation, attractions, food & drink, terms and conditions.

Accessibility Guide for Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park

Contact for accessibility enquiries: Sasha Muir

Guide last updated: 18 March 2024

• At a glance

Getting here

Getting around inside, getting around outside.

Customer care support

We are one of Scotland's most popular visitor attractions and a great choice for a fun family day out.

Blair Drummond Safari Park is home to over 350 rare and exotic animals including lions, tigers, giraffes, monkeys, chimpanzees, meerkats, elephant and penguins. You can drive through our safari reserves, watch our bird of prey shows, go wild in our adventure play area, and explore one of the UK’s top dinosaur attractions, with more than twenty moving, roaring, life-size animated dinosaurs. ROARsome!

We are committed to making our attraction as accessible as possible for all our visitors. 

Please get in touch if you require any further information about access or need advice on planning your visit.

• Level access icon Level Access
• Hearing icon Hearing
• General icon General

Level access

There is level access from the main entrance to:

There is level access from the car park to:

Access with steps

There are steps from the main entrance to:

Travel by public transport

The new pedestrian path is created alond Lime Avenue and is accessible for wheelchairs and prams. The surface is tarmacked.  

Travel by taxi

The Safari Park is easily accessed by car and our large car park is located next to the animal enclosures and attractions. Bus transport to visitors without vehicles is no longer available. 

Path to main entrance

Main entrance

Blair Drummond Safari Park is easily accessed by car. Visitors are required to pre-book their tickets online. The admission tickets are no longer sold at the ticket booths. Pre-booked tickets will be scanned at our ticket booths, located at the main entrance. Visitors will make their way to the drive-through reserves or directly to the car park without having to leave their vehicle.

Ticket/ information desk

Ticket Office

There is no wheelchair access into the Ticket Office. Visitors have to pre-book tickets online. They can get information online prior to their visit, or on arrival from our ticket booths which are all accessible by car. 

Things to See and Do

Drive-thru Reserves

Our four drive-thru reserves can be accessed by car, minibus or coach. All visitors driving through these areas must stay in their vehicles and keep windows closed. Our Safari Bus is not running. This means that visitors who arrive without their own transport will be unable to visit the drive-thru. If you don’t have a car, not to worry. The majority of our animals can be viewed from the platforms or animal enclosures.

Pets Farm is an outdoor area and home to animals such as horses, alpacas, rabbits and guinea pigs, penguins, goats, sheep, meerkats, and lemurs. There is a hard-surface pathway throughout, fencing with open spaces at various heights and glass viewing panes from floor height. There are opportunities to pet some of the animals, and a handwashing station with wheelchair accessible sinks is located in the farm area. There is also a tiger viewing area in the Pets Farm. 

Access from the top of the park to Pets Farm has a gravel path but part of it is tarmac. Some of the surface is not smooth but it is wheelchair accessible.

Tiger viewing platform

The viewing platform is a great way for visitors to see our tigers, and the display panels with information about the animals can be read from a seated position. The ramp leading to the platform has a slight incline and has anti slippery surface.

Our tiger viewing platform is now open for all visitors. Our tigers can be also viewed from an additional area in Pets Farm.

Amusement rides

Our outdoor amusement area includes dodgems, tea cups and saucers, chairoplanes and astroglide slide. Most rides have some steps including the dodgems — access is by a permanent ramp and a single step — and the astroglide slide has a steep flight of steps.

All rides are supervised by staff members who will be happy to help assist visitors with disabilities. 

The outdoor play park has a giant play fort, a new smaller fort, large sandpit, swings and see-saw. The 'crow's nest' and infant swings are both easily accessible, and we also have an undercover play area. There are hard pathways throughout for easy wheelchair and pram access.

There is a brand new Inclusive swing that is available for wheelchair users. This swing is in an enclosed area and is easily accessible through wide gate. 

Bird of Prey Centre

The Bird of Prey Centre has an outdoor arena where our bird of prey presentations take place three times a day. There is plenty of seating and a designated area for wheelchairs and pushchairs — access is flat and open. 

There is also an enclosed area called Birds of Prey Centre that can be accessed through a doorway which is 780mm wide. There is a permanent ramp and hard flat path, the narrowest point being 2500mm. It is wheelchair and pram accessible. 

Lion viewing platform

Visitors can watch the lions from a raised viewing platform which is accessed by permanent ramp — the narrowest point is 990mm. You can also see them from ground level, where there are seating areas. 

Rhinoceros House

The Rhinoceros House has outdoor and indoor enclosures, with glazed viewing panes from floor level. 

Elephant House

Elephant House is accessed by a permanent ramp which has a slight incline. You can see our elephant from the outside viewing platform or indoors, accessed via a double door — windows are floor to ceiling. 

Giraffe viewing platform

The giraffe viewing platform has a permanent ramp with a slight incline and viewing glass. Visitors can see the giraffes in their enclosures thanks to a new big viewing window. 

Chimp Island

Our vistors can see our chimps from a viewing platform. The path is not smooth but it is accessible by wheelchairs and prams. 

Pedal boats

There is a flat, hard pathway leading to the pedal boats. Note that there is a step down to pedal boats so wheelchair access is not possible. 

Access to Lemur Land is through double electric doors and the pathway is flat and smooth throughout. It is wheelchair accessible and all the signs are visible from seated position. There is a one-way system. 

Animal enclosures

The enclosures for our penguins, giraffes, ostrich, rhinos and elephant all have low viewing glass. Our new meerkat enclosure is fully wheelchair accessible. The sea lion enclosure called California Cove is fully wheelchair and pram accessible.

Meerkat Mansions

Visitors can now view the meerkats in their outdoor and indoor habitat too, with floor-to-ceiling glass viewing areas. This new indoor space is also fully wheelchair accessible.

Public toilet

Changing Places toilet

You will need RADAR keys to access Changing Places toilet. The RADAR keys are available at the Taco's or amusement ticket booth.

There are several standard accessible toilets, as well as disabled toilets with raised seats and handrails, and baby changing rooms.

The Gift Shop is situated beside the amusement area. Entranceway to the shop is flat and there is enough space inside to turn a wheelchair or pram.

Place to eat and drink

Food Court Restaurant

The Food Court Restaurant overlooks the play park. The restaurant is wheelchair accessible and has ample indoor and outdoor seating. We also have facilities to warm baby food and an allergens list is available for visitors with food allergies.

Taco Bar & Ice-cream parlour - outside

Taco Bar & Ice-cream parlour. The ultimate folded fast-food with a choice of filling and ice-cream offerings. There’s outside seating and the food ordering point is accessible for wheelchair users. New stretch tent has been added to the area providing more undercover seating. It is wheelchair and pram accessible. 

Safari Shack Grill & BBQ - outside

Head to the Safari Shack for a homemade burger, chips and hot dogs. There's level access to the food ordering point and outside seating is available. Open at peak times only. It is wheelachair and pram fully accessible. 

Hot Chocolate Bar

This is an outdoor kiosk that sells delicious hot chocolates. It is a wheelchair accessible area and there are benches nearby for seating. 

Donuts & Coffee Bar

This is an outdoor kiosk that sells doughnuts, coffees and teas. It is situated near the BBQ area. There is a slight incline but it is wheelchair accessible and the visitors are welcome to use undercover BBQ area nearby. 

Sea Lion Building

The sea lion habitat is called California Cove. There are viewing windows around the enclosure with an easy access via raised walkway. The walkway and viewing area around the enclosure is wheelchair and pram accessible. Our vistors can see the sea lion presentation also in our indoor arena. Visitors in wheelchairs have a dedicated access.  

Barbecue area

Our barbecue area is easily accessible by wheelchair users, and families with prams and buggies. It is sheltered so it can be used on rainy days. Barbecues can be booked on arrival and we provide charcoal. There is £5 charge for the use of BBQ. 

Picnic areas

Picnic areas are located throughout the park, all easily accessible by wheelchair. We also have specially designed picnic benches for wheelchair users.

The dinosaur exhibit has over 20 life size dinosaurs. The prehistoric animals are installed into a 1000m2 area of woodland at the Safari Park, which visitors enter through giant ‘Jurassic Park’ style gates. The path has a slight incline and decline.  

We have a limited number of wheelchairs for hire on a first come, first served basis. We charge a £20.00 deposit, fully refundable when you return the wheelchair.

There is no designated charging area for mobility scooters or battery-charged wheelchairs, but we do have access points where batteries can be charged if needed.

Emergency evacuation procedures

Our emergency planning and procedures take into account visitors with disabilities, and we have a Tannoy loudspeaker system.

For information:

We have spare harnesses available for emergency use in the Changing Places toilet.

All Safari Park staff in customer services roles have had disability awareness training. 

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Scotland Info Guide

A Guide to the Scottish Highlands Islands and Mainland

Scottish Wildlife Parks and Zoo’s

Although Scotland has great amount of wildlife to discover all over the country, it is always nice to have a closer view of the inhabitants of this great land. There are many wildlife parks and Zoo’s in Scotland showcasing the many different types of wildlife in Scotland past and present, and also allowing visitors to discover animals from other parts of the world. We have listed below some of Scotland’s well known Wildlife Parks and Zoo’s.

Edinburgh Zoo

You can experience and explore the animal walkthroughs bringing you closer than ever before to monkeys, lemurs, wallabies and pelicans. The Tiger Tracks enclosure brings you closer than ever to our Sumatran tiger – featuring a glass viewing tunnel as you come face to face with this beautiful feline. If in Edinburgh its most definitely worth a visit. More details are available at the Edinburgh Zoo Website

Blair Drummond Safari Park

Highland Wildlife Park

Daily keeper talks and animal feeds hosted by an expert team give visitors a unique opportunity to find out about endangered species like Scotland’s elusive wildcats, and how you can help to save them in the wild. You can find more details at the Highland Wildlife Park Website

Black Isle Wildlife Park

Camperdown Wildlife Centre

Auchingarrich Wildlife Centre

Deep Sea World

Deep Sea World is only 20 minutes from Edinburgh and located in North Queensferry, just under the Forth Rail Bridge. The aquarium offers the largest collection of Sharks in the UK, and you can have the chance to dive with these magnificent creatures, if you are brave enough. The rain forest exhibit gives you the opportunity to experience life in the Amazon, with tropical frogs and the chance to see piranha and electric eels. The kids will just love the seal enclosure where they can get close to Scotland’s grey and common seals, and the underwater safari offers a 112 meters of underwater adventures, and one of the longest in the world. Altogether the centre offers a fabulous experience and will give you a day to remember. More details are available at the Deep Sea World Website

Discover Amazonia

Discover Amazonia is Scotland largest indoor tropical rainforest and home to over seventy different species, from parrots, monkeys, snakes and butterflies. Located in Strathclyde Country Park, Motherwell, the centre offers an experience of a tropical climate, together with the animals and birdlife for a great day out. Amazonia interactive is educational and fun, where you can learn about all the wildlife of the Amazon, and lets you digitally interact with monkeys and insects. There is a handling area offering the chance to get close and personal to some of the animals, and sessions are available throughout the day. Some great facilities are available and great access for disabled visitors. Find out more about Discover Amazonia at their Website

St Andrews Aquarium

Sea Life Loch Lomond

Set only 30 minutes from the city of Glasgow, and situated on the lovely shores of Loch Lomond , this sea life centre is a great day out for everyone. View the stunning green turtle in the ocean tunnel, the only green turtle in Scotland, and can live up to 100 years old. Other creatures you can see are the octopus and the black tip reef shark, if you prefer the more gentle fish you can see the clownfish also known as “Nemo”. For the kids there is a touch pool where you can view the many creatures that live in our rock pools around Scotland. Well worth a visit if you are in Glasgow or staying in the Loch Lomond area. Find out more at the Sea Life Website

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The Scottish Deer Centre

We look forward to welcoming you.

Our collection includes 13 species of Deer and animals which are long lost from the Scottish countryside including Wolves, Lynx and Scottish Wildcat plus our European Brown Bear. 

We are open all year round with lots to see and do! Learn about our animals with daily feeding talks, tours, Falconry shows and play areas both inside and out for our younger visitors.

***** WE ARE CURRENTLY OPERATING A PAY AS YOU PLEASE ENTRY FEE AT THE PARK *****

EDUCATION & SCHOOLS

Food & drink, book your tickets and come see us soon, fallen in love with one of the animals at the scottish deer centre.

Then here is your chance to adopt your favourite animal species and play your part in caring for them!

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The Deer Centre Scotland Ltd. Registered Company No. SC686400

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Opening Times

Animals & Experiences

From our safari drive-through reserves, to the rhino house, Pet’s Farm, Lemur Land and Chimp Island, we’ve got hundreds of animals to visit. You can even adopt your favourite! Or why not plan a special up-close animal experience? Unforgettable.

Our animals

Meet all of our residents, big and small, that call Blair Drummond home. We have over 300 wild and domestic animals at the park

Up-close experiences

Give your friends and family a gift they’ll really remember with a voucher for one of our up-close animal experiences.

Animal adoptions

Support our work at Blair Drummond by adopting your favourite animal. Our adoption packs make a great gift for any animal lover.

Newsletter Signup

Sign up for our monthly newsletter to stay up to date with latest park news, updates on the animals and events.

• City of Edinburgh

The Best Family Days Out In City of Edinburgh

Queensferry.

10 great wildlife parks and petting farms to check out to keep the kids happy over summer 

In need of some inspiration on fun ways to entertain the kids during the holidays?

• 12:40, 20 APR 2022

With summer not far off, thoughts will soon be turning to the best ways to entertain the family over the holidays as the warmer weather arrives.

Getting outside to enjoy the sunshine and rediscovering our love of nature has been two of the only benefits of the pandemic and what better way to explore than by getting up close and personal with some exciting wildlife .

Thankfully, Scotland has a vast array of excellent petting farms, zoos and wildlife centres, that are ideal for helping curious children learn more about the natural world around them.

From getting up and close with farm animals to learning more about exotic species, here are some of the best wildlife parks and petting farms to check out to keep the kids happy over summer.

This week's top Scotland Now stories

Highland Wildlife Park, Kingussie

This unique wildlife park near Kingussie is a great place for wee ones to discover some incredible sights they won't be able to see anywhere else.

Recently three rare Amur tiger cubs were born at the park, while other residents like elusive snow leopards, cuddly polar bears and fascinating wolverines are all sure to wow.

The park is also home to Scotland's rarest native creature, the Scottish Wildcat and you can learn all about plans to save this endangered species.

Scottish Seabird Centre, North Berwick

Combine a seaside trip with a visit to this excellent educational centre in the picturesque town of North Berwick, where you'll find interactive live cameras which can be used to explore the nearby gannet and puffin colonies on Bass Rock.

Afterwards, you can relax and enjoy the view from the Seabird Café, buy gifts from the shop, or if you are feeling extra adventurous, book one of their exciting seasonal boat trips.

LOVE Gorgie Farm, Edinburgh

This welcoming urban farm can be found right in the heart of the capital and is free for visitors.

You don’t need to book in advance, but the staff will be monitoring numbers in line with their space and capacity and government guidelines on social distancing.

You'll find plenty of cute animals, a playpark, and even the chance to enjoy fun events like alpaca trekking.

Camperdown Wildlife Centre, Dundee

Those enjoying a trip to the City of Discovery can also enjoy a visit to the nearby Camperdown Wildlife Centre, this great value park has plenty of animals to spot including marmosets, lemurs, Golden Eagles, and of course the beautiful lilac-breasted roller.

Five Sisters Zoo, West Lothian

Recent arrival Rufio is the star attraction here, you can view him in his specially built enclosure.

What was originally just a garden centre with a small collection of rabbits, guinea pigs, goats, and pigs, has grown into one of Scotland's top zoos, which offers homes to animals rescued following lives performing in travelling circuses.

Now home to over 180 different species, there are daily keeper talks, lemur feeds, animal encounters, and a large outdoor play.

SEALIFE, Loch Lomond

Found at the picturesque Loch Lomond Shores, which is a fun day out in its own right, SEALIFE offers all the fun of a top aquarium with over 1500 species of underwater creatures waiting to be discovered.

Featuring interactive Rockpool Experiences, a Tropical Ocean Tunnel and of course, their cheeky Asian Short Clawed otter trio named Lily, Pickle and Cub, it's a magical way to discover a whole new variety of wildlife.

Scottish Deer Centre

Though their 12 species of deer are the stars of the show, with reindeer, sika deer and the enigmatic Reeves Muntjac Deer just some of the herds you'll find, the centre is also home to many other exciting creatures.

You'll find animals long lost from the Scottish countryside including the Lynx and the European Brown Bear as well as a wonderful array of Birds of Prey at their Raptor Centre.

If that's not enough to keep even the fussiest kid enrapt, then there's also a treetop walk and go-kart track for an added element of fun.

Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh

Opened in 1913, Edinburgh Zoo has been a Mecca for generations of animal-mad Scottish schoolkids. Set up on an 83-acre site on Corstophine Hill in the capital, the zoo was one of the first to have an open design rather than steel cages. The zoo has been home to a plethora of animals in the century since, none more popular than the penguins whose daily parade is a highlight.

Blair Drummond Safari Park, Stirling

Located near to Stirling, Blair Drummond has been a family favourite for decades.

Open seven days a week, the safari drive-thru is a fun way to see some wonderful animals including cheeky monkeys and majestic giraffes.

Oh, and did we mention the prehistoric forest (with actual dinosaurs) and giant outdoor play area?

Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, Aviemore

It might not be Christmas but that doesn't mean you can't enjoy these wonderful animals and a trip to the Cairngorm mountains is only made better by being able to get up close and personal with Britain's only free-ranging herd of reindeer.

With 150 of these beautiful animals, daily herder talks and the chance to get up and close with the herd - be warned you will need to book in advance.

Don't miss the top culture and heritage stories from around Scotland. Sign up to our twice weekly Scotland Now newsletter here .

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What to see in Edinburgh's best parks and open spaces

Sep 22, 2021 • 5 min read

Explore these top parks in Edinburgh, and then keep wandering to find some gems of your own © Joe Dunckley / Shutterstock

Edinburgh is one of Britain’s greenest cities. In its parks you’ll find rugged peaks, great picnic spots and botanic glasshouses. There are cutting-edge skateparks to ride, art galleries to explore and even otters to spot. Visitors may come to hilly Edinburgh for its urban charms, but it’s often in its many parks – by turns lively, bucolic and utterly epic – that the city’s life finds its greatest expression. 

Here are just a few of Edinburgh’s biggest and best parks. A great part of the pleasure of exploring this city is digging out its surprising corners, the little spots of wild tucked behind hills and railway tracks, the playgrounds nestled in residential areas, the grassy patches that echo with the shouts of five-a-side football. Start with the parks here, and just keep walking – you’ll find some gems of your own.

Princes Street Gardens

Edinburgh has two historic hearts: the medieval Old Town, with its cramped alleys and towering castle , and the Georgian New Town, where elegant streets run between grand squares. Between them is the clipped green valley of Princes Street Gardens . It’s a glorious place for a stroll, a picnic or a break from sightseeing.

The gardens were created in the 1820s after the foul-smelling Nor Loch was drained. It’s actually made up of two sections. East Princes Street Gardens is home to an annual Christmas market and the Scott Monument , while the larger West Princes Street Gardens features the Ross Bandstand (which hosts open-air concerts and is the centerpiece of Hogmanay ), the ornate Ross Fountain, and a bright floral clock. 

There are plenty of nearby attractions, including the neighboring Scottish National Gallery , but many folk are happy to just laze beneath trees and feast their eyes on the bright flowerbeds or the great bulk of the castle.

Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park rises from the base of the Royal Mile , past basalt crags, small lochs, glens and great stretches of gorse up to the rugged peak of Arthur’s Seat . This former royal hunting ground feels like a wilderness in miniature, and it's a wonderful place to blow away the cobwebs (or a hangover). 

Car parking is available, but it’s an easy walk from the Old Town, and it's possible to make a day of it by heading across the park to the Sheep Heid , a 700-year-old pub with a country feel and a skittle alley.

Other walks take you around its western edge (via sights including the Dynamic Earth and the Palace of Holyrood House ), along the Radical Road at the top of the Salisbury Crags, or up paths to Arthur’s Seat itself. This 251m (823ft) ancient volcano once held a prehistoric hill fort and offers the finest views in the city.

Inverleith Park and the Botanics

Two of Edinburgh’s finest green spaces sit next door to each other just north of the city’s New Town. Inverleith Park is popular for its pond and excellent sporting facilities, while the world-leading Royal Botanic Garden is packed with almost a quarter of a million plant species. The Botanics is the older of the two and has been collecting species since 1670. There’s no charge to stroll through its landscaped acres, where you may pass rhododendrons, azaleas and countless rare species, although there’s a small fee to enter the elegant glasshouses. 

Inverleith Park is a more everyday space, with football, rugby, tennis courts, cricket, petanque and a children’s playground, plus runners galore. Edinburgh looks distinctly green from here and there’s an impressive swan population.

The Meadows

South of the Old Town, the ground dips towards the expansive Meadows . Cherry-tree-lined paths cut across grassy stretches that are often packed with casual games of football at the weekend. When the sun’s out local students gather in gaggles to toast it with beer and chatter. Summer also sees events occupy part of the space, including fairs and temporary venues for the hugely popular Edinburgh Fringe .

Bordering the Meadows to the southwest are the Bruntsfield Links, which contain more open space, plus an enjoyable (and free) pitch and putt golf course – you can hire clubs and balls at the nearby Golf Tavern .

Saughton Park and Gardens

An £8 million restoration, completed in 2019, made Saughton Park one of the finest green spaces in the city. Walled gardens, orchards, a glasshouse and bright blossom in season give it a bucolic feel – you may even spot otters in the neighboring Water of Leith. But this is also a very modern space, with a swish kids’ playground and a smart cafe that runs on hydroelectricity. 

Its extensive skate park was designed by local skaters and is one of the finest in the UK, with street-style zones and a bowl section. There are also playing fields for team sports. It’s in the suburb of Gorgie in western Edinburgh, which isn’t known for its sights, although Murrayfield rugby stadium is only a stone’s throw away.

Calton Hill

Home to wonderful city views and a half-finished acropolis, Calton Hill is not a typical Edinburgh park. It rises above the east end of Princes Street, passing several Scottish government buildings on the way. The brisk climb to the top brings you to the National Monument , a pillared homage to Athens’ Parthenon that was never finished and has since became known as “Scotland’s folly.” You’ll also find a temple-style monument to Scotland’s national poet, Robert Burns, and an art gallery housed in a former observatory. 

The views stretch right down Princes Street and across to the Firth of Forth, and a few times a year, the hill is the focus of events – notably Beltane , a wild, fire festival celebrating the coming of summer.

Other great parks in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has many other excellent green spaces. In the north of the city, Leith Links and Victoria Park offer play spaces and great spots for breezy walks. From here, you can follow the Water of Leith, a river lined by parks and wooded stretches, past Inverleith Park and the New Town to Saughton Park. 

Out west, Corstorphine Hill is a large, appealing wooded hill that borders Edinburgh Zoo . South of the center, the Hermitage of Braid is a beautiful reserve, its green valley rising up to the slopes of the Braid Hills.

You might also like: 17 best things to do in Edinburgh - Scotland's lively capital city    Hiking, birding and wild camping at the best beaches near Edinburgh    Old Town and beyond, these are Edinburgh's best neighborhoods   

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