A walk at Mortonhall

Unusual things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a magical city, full of iconic and spectacular landmarks. I have loved this city from the moment I first saw her, and to this day I feel very fortunate to live here. Over the years, Mr Ioweittospaghetti and I, have moved further and further south of the city, and discovered on our weekend walks, some pretty lovely gems. One of our favourite walks is at Mortonhall, a beautiful and quiet park situated in the Liberton area of the city.

How to get there

You can start your walk from Mortonhall Gate on Frogston Road, or from Alnwickhill Road, both ways are equally beautiful. When you come in from Alnwickhill Road you will have some excellent views of the city. If you choose to start from Frogston Road, you will get great views of the Pentland Hills and meet some very fluffy Highland Cows.

You will also be able to spot Mortonhall House, which dates back to 1769. Fun historical fact – the original Mortonhall estate dates back to 1317, and it was given to Henry St Clair of Roslin from none other than Robert the Bruce. The house is still privately owned, so it can only be admired from the outside.

What to do in Mortonhall

Apart from walking or cycling around, Mortonhall also offers other amenities. On the Frogston road entrance you will find an excellent Garden Centre, where you can find all sorts of beautiful plants, and stop for coffee and cake (never a bad idea). I would also recommend a visit to the Farm shop (you will find it behind the Garden centre), where you can find lovely local veg, sourdough breads, and some excellent cheese choices. You can also enjoy some food and drinks at The Stables, a pub restaurant set in what used to be the estate’s stables. I would highly recommend visiting on a sunny day, so you can sit outside and enjoy the beautiful settings.

Bonus tip for knowledgeable foragers – this is also an excellent location to forage some wild garlic! You can use it to make a fabulous pesto (just swap the basil in this recipe ). If you fancy doing something different, or feeling like you are in the countryside, while you are still in the city, have a walk at Mortonhall, you won’t be disappointed! You can find more info on Mortonhall here.