Though many visitors to Scotland seek out hiking and walking trails far from the buzzing big cities, in fact, Glasgow and Edinburgh are replete with placid and picturesque green spaces. Interestingly, in some of these foliage-laden retreats, visitors may more likely bump into a heron than a fellow traveler. Each of the following leafy spots offers a close connection with nature, something that is sure to de-stress. And, to help guide the visitor so they can make the most of their green travels, various experts offer their insights and recommendations.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is very near the city center.
VisitScotland /Kenny Lam
It’s easy for visitors to spend a large part of their day at this lush, 70-acre expanse that’s oh-so-near the city center. In fact, roaming about, many may be surprised to see the centuries-old Edinburgh Castle in the distance.
This is one of the city’s oldest gardens, dating to the 17th century. Founded by a pair of physicians, it was developed to grow plants that could be used to treat diseases, referred to as physic garden. Currently, plants have been sourced from numerous countries that include Chile, China, Nepal and Japan.
Glasshouses at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
VisitScotland /Kenny Lam
“Visitors enjoy walking through the peaceful surroundings of the garden and its wonderful collection of plants,” says David Knott, Curator of the Living Collection at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. “As all the plants in the garden are labeled, they can learn as they walk. With the seasons, the garden and its many plants of interest change weekly.”
The garden’s rhododendron collection is most impressive — it includes around half of all known species of this flower. According to Knott, “The first rhododendrons start flowering in the Research glasshouses in January and outdoors, if we are lucky to avoid spring frosts, we can have rhododendrons in flower from February through to July.”
Another unexpected feature is the 25-foot-tall beech hedge that’s lengthy — more than 500 feet — allowing it to protect the flowers in the herbaceous beds that display a cornucopia of colors. “The double herbaceous borders are color-themed with hot reds and oranges at the center moving through to softer blues and greys at either end against the backdrop of the magnificent Beech Hedge,” says Knott. (The flowers are at their peak in July and August.)
Other surprising findings include a Nepal prayer bell hanging from a stone arch. Says Knott, “The stone gate is similar to those found on Nepalese mountain tops, where the custom is to pick mountain flowers, place them on top and ring the bell three times. They are spiritually very important to the people of Nepal.”
In the Garden, a network of paths weave through numerous themed gardens. For example, the undulating landscape of the Chinese Hillside Garden is threaded with meandering paths that wind through a woodland of conifer trees and beside a narrow stream with a small waterfall.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has numerous paths winding this way and that.
VisitScotland /Kenny Lam
The waterside pavilion makes for a lovely location to sit and linger a while. Here, visitors will find plants that are native to China. In fact, it’s said to be one of the biggest such collections outside of that country.
Another garden highlight is the Lower Woodland Garden that grows immense trees, such as Scots pines and sequoias, with benches in the shade. The Upper Woodland Garden is home to some grand tree specimens, including giant redwoods. This particular location is famed as a magnificent spot for outdoor weddings. This garden shows off its autumnal hues as does the Lower Woodland Garden with its gentian trees.
The Rock Garden is especially popular with its rushing stream. Stone stairs climb to a waterfall where visitors find a footbridge. This garden is noted for foliage sourced from alpine areas around the world, from Japan to Chile. (Some lovely autumnal colors include the golden-yellow hues from the aptly named Golden Scots Pine.)
Visitors can spend hours examining the many colorful specimens at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
VisitScotland /Kenny Lam
Knott wants visitors to know that the Garden holds guided Daily Walks. During these one-hour tours, they may see various bird species. Says Knott, “Twenty-one different species of birds have been spotted this year, including goldfinches, sparrowhawks, greater spotted woodpeckers and treecreepers.”
The Water of Leith Walkway couldn’t be more bucolic.
Charles Everitt.
Visitors who can’t get enough of the Botanic Garden’s bucolic vibe can stroll from there to the Water of Leith Walkway. Tackling the entire path entails 13 miles of walking from Edinburgh’s suburb of Balerno right through the city center and ending at the Port of Leith.
Water of Leith flowing through the Dean Village
Charles Everitt
Says Helen Brown, Chief Executive of the Water of Leith Conservation Trust, “[Walking this path] is a very different way to explore the city. The river connects greenspaces and attractions, so you can explore by foot, for example, The Gallery of Modern art to the Royal Botanic Gardens. And for a more rural feel, head out of the city. Take the 44 bus to Balerno and Currie and head downstream, highlights include: Colinton Tunnel, The Dells and the Visitor Centre.”
Visitors will want to spend time looking at the foliage along the Water of Leith Walkway.
Charles Everitt.
The pathway and the river itself is home to a wealth of plants and animals. Sycamore, ash, elm, willow, oak, and horse chestnut are just a few of the many trees found along its length. Wildflowers, from bluebells to red campion, coat the woodsy river banks where some old, towering trees can be seen. In fact, tree canopies provide delightful shade allowing the sun to dapple the path. A smattering of benches beckon visitors to sit and linger.
Weir beneath city bypass on Water of Leith
Charles Everitt
Birders will likely be delighted with the number of species that have been spotted — over 80 — including kingfishers, cormorants and herons. Other birds that may be spied, depending on the season, include song thrushes and great spotted woodpeckers. Those who are lucky may notice foxes, badgers, otters or deer along the route. “Especially in the spring time, birds are easier to spot and are more vocal,” says Brown.
Birders are especially enthralled by the Water of Leith Walkway.
Charles Everitt.
Even a short jaunt — from the Botanical Garden to Dean Village, for example — will provide a sense of peace, with the sounds of bird song and the rushing waters from old spillways.
Grey heron in the Water of Leith
Charles Everitt
But it’s not just nature that’s on display. Walkers will find numerous historical and cultural reminders. On the route from the Botanical Garden (and Stockbridge) to Dean Village, St. Bernard’s Well with its neo-classical architecture can be found. Positioned on top of spring waters, this structure is home to the statue of the Greek goddess of health.
There are numerous architectural and cultural features along the Water of Leith Walkway
Charles Everitt.
The path weaves under the impressive 19th century Dean Bridge and continues on towards Dean Village. Dean Village with its centuries-old stone buildings is worth visiting for its charm.
Dean Village on the Water of Leith Walkway
Charles Everitt
According to Brown, “visitors find Dean Village particularly appealing because of its unique variety of architecture and evidence of an industrial past. There’s a mix of 17th century industrial buildings (such as Baxters Tollbooth 1675) and Victorian residential developments (such as Wells Court 1884).”
Water of Leith running through the Dean Village
Charles Everitt
Visitors will notice old milling stones at an overlook once they arrive at Dean Village that was known for its mills, including those used to mill grains. (It had its milling heyday in the 17th and 18th centuries.) In fact, the weirs found along the route were involved in the milling process.
Gormley statue on the Water of Leith
Charles Everitt
The Water of Leith also has artistic elements, thanks to the sporadically placed figurative iron sculptures by Antony Gormley. Though there are half a dozen, one of the easiest to spot is in Stockbridge, when looking down from the bridge above the river. (The works are life-size and they reference the artist himself amid nature.) Why do visitors find these works of art so appealing? Says Brown, “They are unexpected and sometimes seem at odds with the natural setting but remind us of mans involvement and impact on the river.”
Antony Gormley statue in the Water of Leith at Stockbridge
Charles Everitt
Each one is different in terms of form (full figure or head and shoulders) and location. (One appears to rise from the cement.) Visitors are surprised at first seeing even one sculpture appear out of nowhere standing in the river. Those who want to see all six in a day would have to walk quite a bit — it’s about six miles from the Gallery of Modern Art to Leith.
Set in Glasgow’s West End, these Gardens date to the 19th century. The signature sight is the Kibble Palace, a Victorian curvilinear glasshouse with classical marble statues, including the most popular one, Eve. Framed in iron, this glass structure is said to be one of the world’s most elegant glasshouses. The main dome has four different sections with specimens from South America, Australia and New Zealand, Australasia and Southern Africa. (The national collection of tree ferns found in the central area is particularly noteworthy.) Says Ishbel Leddy, Vice-Chair of Friends of Glasgow Botanic Gardens, “There are two sections adjacent to the entrance with temperate carnivorous plants and plants from Canary Islands.” Visitors often find the carnivorous plants — they include sundews and Venus fly traps — most curious.
The glasshouses are especially popular at the Glasgow Botanic Garden
Glasgow Life / Paul Watt Photography
A much larger glasshouse compared with the Kibble is the Main Range with sections that include ferns, begonia collection and tropical orchids.
According to Leddy, “Most visitors enjoy the Kibble Palace and the changing displays in the formal beds, from spring bulbs to annual bedding plants.
Visitors will want to wander indoors and outdoors at the Glasgow Botanic Garden
Glasgow Life / Paul Watt Photography
Ambling along the winding paths, visitors will notice a demonstration garden with culinary, medical and scented herbs; vegetable beds; and species seen in peat bogs. The Chronological Border arranges the beds in chronological order from the 16th to the 20th century. Thanks to plant explorers, the specimens arrived not only from Mediterranean areas but also from elsewhere.
The Arboretum is most impressive and can be accessed by strolling to the back of the Gardens and exiting a gate, before entering this tree-laden landscape. According to Leddy, visitors delight in the arboretum because “it’s a pleasant walk along the river. The River Kelvin at this point is very picturesque, with bends and steep slopes. It is not a large arboretum but it has several interesting paths to explore.”
Kelvin Walkway connecting the Glasgow Botanic Garden
Glasgow Life / Paul Watt Photography
Among the majestic tree specimens are Douglas firs that were first introduced in the 1800s by the renowned plant collector, David Douglas. Other trees are giant sequoias, redwoods, alders, Japanese black pines and Arran whitebeans, endemic to the Isle of Arran, says Leddy.
When strolling through the Garden, she recommends that visitors not miss: the national collection of begonias and the Tree Trail with many notable specimens.
Spread across more than 360 acres, Pollok Country Park is Glasgow’s largest park. Visitors, whether they come with their young kids or not, will find it easy to spend hours here. On this historic estate stands the majestic Pollok House that dates to the 18th century. (This mansion designed in the Georgian architectural style is closed for renovation until summer 2026. Once it reopens, visitors can check out the stellar art collection that includes works by Rembrandt and El Greco.)
The Pollok House is the centerpiece of Pollok Country Park
Visit Scotland/Kenny Lam
The gardens surrounding the house are stunning and include the Fairy Village, aka Children’s Fairy Garden, and the Parterre Gardens, aka Hedge Maze. The Fairy Garden is an unexpected find, resembling a hobbit garden, riddled with rocks that have been fashioned into tiny stone houses with brightly hued doors. This shaded area is worth ambling through even if children are not in tow. Says Rachel Smith, Glasgow City Council’s Parks Development manager, “The Fairy Garden is a hidden gem, which will spark the imagination of visitors of all ages, and will helpfully tempt younger visitors to walk a little further than they might usually.”
Nearby, kids will also enjoy discovering faux dinosaur bones and skulls huddled among the trees and shrubbery.
The landscape surround the Pollok Country Park is especially lush and bucolic.
Visit Scotland/Kenny Lam
The property with its myriad gardens is also threaded with six miles of trails for walking or cycling that course beside the river and wander through meadows and forests. According to Smith, “Our walking trails offer visitors all the sights of a day out in the country, but in the heart of the city: woodlands, and our highland cattle. They have been featured in television shows such as Outlander.”
It’s easy to spend hours wanding through the many green spaces and along the paths at Pollok Country Park
Visit Scotland/Kenny Lam
A favorite activity, especially for children, is observing any of the dozens of Highland cows grazing. (They’re given this name because they come originally from the Scottish Highlands and were brought to the estate a couple of hundred years ago by the former owners.) According to Smith, a visit to the Highland cattle is a don’t miss. Says Smith, “Cows and calves will often graze together near the estate fence, sometimes coming close enough for a friendly head scratch, delighting kids and adults, especially considering we are so close to the city centre.”
Art aficionados will enjoy prowling around the building snuggled in this park that houses The Burrell Collection. The two-story structure exhibits thousands of works, from Medieval stained-glass to Gothic tapestries. The sun-filled, many windowed “Walk in the Woods” gallery brings visitors into an intimate connection with the surrounding treescape.
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