A 150-acre local nature reserve with wooded glen walks, Blackford Hill viewpoints, and rich birdlife in south Edinburgh.

The Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve is a 150-acre haven of woodland, grassland, and hillside on the south side of Edinburgh. The reserve encompasses the Hermitage of Braid, a narrow wooded glen carved by the Braid Burn, and Blackford Hill, which rises to 164 metres and offers sweeping panoramic views across the city to the Firth of Forth and beyond. Hermitage House, an 18th-century mansion built in 1785, serves as the visitor centre and provides information on the reserve's history and wildlife. | The reserve is home to an impressive diversity of birdlife including woodpeckers, sparrowhawks, buzzards, kestrels, owls, nuthatches, goldcrests, and a variety of warblers and finches. Blackford Pond attracts swans, ducks, little grebes, and gulls. Well-maintained walking trails follow the Braid Burn through the woodland and wind up Blackford Hill, offering accessible routes suitable for families and visitors of all abilities. Popular routes include the Hermitage of Braid Circular and the Blackford Hill Loop. | Gifted to the city in 1937 by John McDougal and opened as a public park in 1938, the reserve is managed by the City of Edinburgh Council with active support from the Friends of the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill, a volunteer charity dedicated to conserving and enhancing the landscape and biodiversity. The reserve provides a peaceful escape from the city for walkers, nature lovers, and families seeking woodland trails and hilltop views year-round.

Venue Details

What this place offers

Toilets

Public transport nearby

Accessible toilets

Free WiFi

Baby changing facilities

Food available

On-site parking

🐕Dog-friendly

Parking nearby

Pushchair friendly

☕ Food & Drink