Edinburgh's green spaces: a walk on the wild side of Scotland's capital

EDINBURGH is known for its castle skyline and cobbled streets, but what surprised me most when I moved there at 18 was how wild it felt.

Between the medieval rooftops and Georgian crescents, nature is thriving everywhere – hidden parks, wooded riverbanks, and then, suddenly, the sea.

When I lived there, I found the best way to discover the city’s natural beauty was on foot. Years later when I returned, I found a community who shared the same love of Edinburgh's green spaces.

A walk down memory lane

Those early wanders helped me find my bearings. Edinburgh soon felt like home. Every turn seemed to lead to a new pocket of nature – a park, a canal, a river path. I loved how easily city became green and green became city again.

That’s what I still love about Edinburgh: it doesn’t draw a line between the two.

Increasingly, these refreshing spaces are becoming the beating the heart of Edinburgh. They're places where communities are thriving, and both mental and physical health are strengthened.

Enjoying the outdoors – together

One of those communities is Good Time Running Club (GTRC), launched by Craig Hannigan and his friend Oliver Gardiner.

Both began running around five years ago and discovered Edinburgh's natural environment provided the chance to connect with others. But they felt there was a lack of inclusive, non-competitive clubs.

“We're on the same page massively about what we want from things, and we don't want to seem like an intimidating group,” Craig says.

“We want to champion someone's efforts, but we always say, ‘everyone's the best runner’. Everyone should be welcome."

Running along the city's seaside

The idea was to offer events that are free, open to all, and provide space to socialise.

“We brought around four friends each to the first run we did, including both our partners. It was a small group of maybe 10 runners.

"Two people were running together, having a conversation, and I realised they hadn't arrived together – they’d met that night, and just started chatting.”

Now, the club does three runs a week and has a lot more people taking part – GTRC has more than 6000 followers on Instagram – all making connections by enjoying Edinburgh’s outdoors (and some great post-run food!).

I joined Craig and the GTRC for one of their Monday runs at Portobello beach — a 5km (3 mile) route followed by a slice of pizza from Civerinos, once voted the 13th best pizza in the world by TimeOut Magazine.

In the 19th century, Portobello was one of Scotland’s key seaside destinations.

While no longer a holiday hotspot, it remains a favourite escape for Edinburgh locals year-round. I used to visit often to bask in the sunshine and eat my way around the promenade.

Training for a half marathon, I’ve spent most of the year running alone through Glasgow’s streets several times a week. I don’t mind solitude, but running can feel clinical when it’s only about distance and pace.

Lacing up to join the run

So to run purely for fun – and meet new people – felt ideal (and the promise of pizza didn’t hurt).

During the run, I chatted with someone who’d recently completed a marathon, and physios offered tips for my troublesome left shin in the pizza queue later.

It felt relaxed and warm — a gathering of people enjoying movement and fresh air, rather than chasing a personal best.

Self care in the city

What I loved most was how the club treats movement as a way of caring — for yourself and for others. It’s about checking in, chatting as you go, and finishing feeling lighter than when you started.

Running with others felt like a breath of fresh air. It was nice waving goodbye to people I’d connected with over a shared hobby, saying, “Hope to run with you again.”

Connecting people

Craig says those connections are at the heart of GTRC.

“We've been doing this for three years now, and I know people who now go away for whole weekends together,” he adds.

“They do runs, half marathons – all sorts of things, and that's amazing.”

Walking and running through Edinburgh has taught me that, even in Scotland's biggest cities, you don't have to travel far to tap into the healing power of nature.

Top 5 green spaces in Edinburgh

Did you know these incredible spots could be found in the heart of the capital? Here are my favourite places to enjoy restorative time in nature while keeping the bustle of the city a stone's throw away.

Arthur's Seat

My most challenging outdoor adventure in the city was climbing Arthur’s Seat, Edinburgh’s extinct volcano.

Even though it rises straight out of the city, it feels surprisingly wild – craggy rock, wind, and views that stretch all the way to the Firth of Forth.

I went up one summer with friends and Hector, the world’s most enthusiastic hill-climbing Pomeranian.

It’s not too demanding a hike; the short, sharp climb rewards you with a panorama of the city fanning out on one side and the coast on the other. On a clear day, you can even spot Bass Rock in the distance.

Arthur’s Seat is an easy introduction to just how close nature sits here. But it was only the start.

As I settled in, I realised the city isn’t just ringed by green – it’s built around it.

Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows

Living in the south of the city meant I spent a lot of time wandering through Bruntsfield Links and The Meadows, two wide lawns connected by a shared path.

They’re the kind of places where life just happens: dogs chasing tennis balls, cyclists weaving past friends eating cinnamon rolls, students sprawled on blankets in warm weather.

In autumn, the trees turn gold and the whole space feels like a warm, leafy bowl in the middle of the city.

At the edge of the park, there's a very fitting mural quoting The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie by Muriel Spark, the famous Scots author who grew up in the city:

“They were crossing the Meadows, a gusty expanse of common land, glaring green under the snowy sky. Their destination was the Old Town, for Miss Brodie had said they should see where history had been lived.”

Princes Street Gardens

Naturally, I found myself drawn to Princes Street Gardens, one of Edinburgh’s most romantic green spaces, tucked right beneath the castle.

In summer, it’s lively; in cooler months, it becomes a quiet, colourful corridor between the Old and New Towns - except during the festive season when it hosts the fabulous Christmas Market.

If you walk down towards the Ross Fountain, the castle rises above like something from a painting.

These spaces feel like breathing rooms – places to pause before stepping back into the city’s rhythm.

Cramond Beach

Another thing I love about the city is that you can go to the beach. One of my favourites is Cramond because it blends coastal calm with proper adventure.

At the right tide you can walk the raised causeway out to Cramond Island, though it’s essential to check tide times and avoid getting stranded.

The sheltered shoreline is great for wild swimming, especially on summer evenings, and the village has a relaxed café scene perfect for warming up after a dip.

There are lovely coastal paths for running or cycling, views across the Firth of Forth, and plenty of spots to sit, breathe, and watch seabirds.

Water of Leith Walkway

Picturesque Dean Village, with its cobbled lanes and fairytale architecture, is one of the entry points to the Water of Leith Walkway, a 12-mile path that threads from Balerno to Leith – with many tempting stops along the way.

This route became one of my favourite escapes when I lived here.

The trail shows a wilder side of the city. It winds beneath trees, following the river past moss-covered walls and the occasional café.

Centuries ago, Dean Village was full of mills along the Water of Leith. Today, it’s one of the city’s most beautiful spots to visit.

Some stretches feel almost secret, even though you’re never far from shops, flats, or people walking their dogs.

Walking the trail, the cityscape quickly melted into woodland. Traffic faded, replaced by birdsong and the crunch of leaves.

You can dip into the Royal Botanic Garden, pause in Stockbridge, and follow the path all the way to Leith, where the river widens and the sea air starts to push in.

Today, Leith is one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods, full of independent shops, restaurants, lively bars, and boats docked – it always reminds me of those trendy riverside locales in European cities.

There are plenty of great food and drink spots, including Heron and Barry Fish, both perfect for a special dining experience, or after a long walk perhaps you'll prefer a cold pint at the Malt & Hops.

That’s what I love about this route – it feels like an escape even in the heart of the city.

It’s one of the reasons I believe Edinburgh is best explored on foot – you never know where you’ll end up.

Which is your favourite? Or do you have another go-to green space? Hit reply and let us know!

Scots Snippet

Word of the Week

"Pechin"

(v.) - panting or puffing with exertion.

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