Craigmillar Castle Park Old Dalkeith Road, Edinburgh South EH16 4TB | |
Craigmillar Castle Park Website | |
In 1997, over 40,000 trees were planted as part of the millennium forest for Scotland project. This park provides an excellent place to walk, cycle or jog on many different paths to explore the different habitats. The park has been awarded a Green Flag since 2010, in recognition of it being a quality greenspace.
History and heritage:
Craigmillar Castle Park is set against the backdrop of Craigmillar Castle . An enormous baronial structure famously associated with Mary Queen of Scots, was built in the 15th century by Sir John Preston. It passed from the Prestons to Sir John Gilmour (a distant relative) in 1660 and remained with that family until 1946 when it passed to the state and then onto Historic Scotland who manage it today.
Wildlife:
The area is a mixture of open parkland with groups of veteran trees; mature woodland located around the fringes of Craigmillar Hill; and recently created woodland established on the fields on the north and western edges of the Hill. The young woodlands at the north of the park are made up of many different native species: alder, birch, oak, ash and hawthorn are just some. These trees are excellent places to see and hear the many small birds that live in the park, such as bullfinch. Watch for the buzzards soaring over the grasslands in the park. They make a mewling cry as they call to each other. The range of grasslands and woodlands means there are plenty of rabbits and voles for them to eat.
Sighthill is a large park with flat expanses of grass which are dedicated to football and it is bounded by community woodlands.
READ MOREThe Park offers beautiful woodland and riverside walks, play area, picnic areas with seating and a barbecue facility.
READ MOREThe Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction.
READ MOREPrinces Street Gardens lies at centre of Edinburgh's World Heritage Site, within New Town and Old Town Outstanding Conservation Areas.
READ MOREInverleith Park is in the heart of Edinburgh, right next to the Royal Botanic Gardens, just to the north of the New Town & Stockbridge.
READ MOREVogrie offers a haven of tranquillity in the heart of Midlothian's countryside.
READ MOREDiscover 300 years of Scottish history through the magnificent and carefully conserved neo-Palladian villa that is Newhailes House and Gardens!
READ MOREBeecraigs Country Park is a great place to visit. It caters for a wide range of leisure and recreational activities within its 370 hectares (913 acres).
READ MOREThis park is dedicated to sport, and home to the Jack Kane Centre, which provides a range of sporting and leisure facilities.
READ MOREThis pleasant, leafy green space located at the heart of the historic New Town is an oasis of tranquility.
READ MORECockenzie House and Gardens is a hidden gem, a Jacobean house built in 1675 by the Seton family and surrounded by gardens.
READ MORECalton Hill is a hill in central Edinburgh, just to the east of the New Town and is included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site.
READ MORE