We love Edinburgh's many green spaces and for us, it's a huge part of the appeal of the city, from Princes Street Gardens smack bang in the heart of the capital to the soaring ridges of the Salisbury Crags there are plenty of spots to escape to when the weather is good (and even when it's not).
With summer on the way, there are plenty of excuses for discovering some new spots to enjoy for a wee wander when the hustle and bustle of the busy streets get too much.
One lesser-known walk, that is loved by one of Edinburgh's most famous crime writers, is a beautiful woodland walk that is found in the south side of the city.
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Ian Rankin, the much-loved author behind the Inspector Rebus novels, recently revealed that the Hermitage of Braid at the foot of Blackford Hill just south of Morningside is one of his and his family's favourites.
Described by Ian as a "little piece of wilderness in Edinburgh", according to Forever Edinburgh, the route follows the Braid Burn and offers plenty of shallow spots in the water for dogs to play in and wild paths and little bridges for children to indulge their imaginations.
Fun to visit all year round, it comes into its own in the summer, though studied footwear might still be recommended.
An easy walk, it meanders around as it follows the small stream and the more adventurous can extend it up and onto Blackford Hill for a more strenuous walk and stunning views of the city.
Or you can loop back and enjoy a drink or two and some delicious grub in the stunning Victorian Braid Hills Hotel – which also has a beer garden for eating al fresco on warmer days.
This is where the writer connection also shines through as the hotel has been made famous by the fact it features in Muriel Spark’s iconic novel ‘The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie’,
Landmarks you can also check out include the striking 18th-century Hermitage House, The Royal Observatory, the walled garden and the doocot.
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