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Hill
Blackford Hill
Hill of 164 metres with an ancient hill fort on the summit, wide views over Edinburgh and the Pentland Hills, and paths for walkers.
A mini guide to
Bruntsfield & Morningside
Leafy southern suburbs with local high streets, Blackford Hill and a hillside observatory
Photos
1 / 3Welcome to the area
Leafy southern suburbs with local high streets, Blackford Hill and a hillside observatory
Bruntsfield and Morningside run south from the Meadows along Bruntsfield Place and Morningside Road, a long string of cafés, bakeries, independent restaurants and pubs. It is a residential part of Edinburgh, popular with locals rather than built around big sights.
The reward for coming this far is green space: Blackford Pond, the Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill, with its hill fort, city views and the Royal Observatory. Guest houses and small hotels around Gilmore Place and Bruntsfield make a quieter base than the Old Town.
Highlights
Start here
If you only have a few hours, these are good places to begin.
Observatory
Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Astronomical institution near the summit of Blackford Hill, with a research centre and a visitor centre. Check its site before visiting.
Directions Website Report a problem with Royal Observatory Edinburgh
Park
Hermitage of Braid
Wooded valley of the Braid Burn, with paths and a castellated house of 1785 that became a public park in 1938.
Pond
Blackford Pond
Small Victorian pond below Blackford Hill, home to swans and ducks.
Geological site
Agassiz Rock
Quarry-like rock face near Blackford Hill where glacial action was first recognised in Scotland. A Site of Special Scientific Interest.
Hills and golf
Braid Hills
Open hills in south Edinburgh known for views of the city and a golf course.
Find your way
On the map
The map shows Bruntsfield & Morningside and the streets around it. The Getting there page lists nearby stops and stations.
Insider tips
Before you go
1
Take a bus south
Morningside has no railway station or tram stop, so use Lothian Buses from the centre.
2
Walk the hill
Blackford Hill has paths up to the summit and views over the city and the Pentland Hills. Wear shoes that cope with mud.
3
Check the Observatory
The Royal Observatory has a visitor centre, but its public opening is limited. Check roe.ac.uk before you go.
4
Browse the high streets
Bruntsfield Place and Morningside Road are lined with independent cafés, so there is no need to book far ahead for lunch.
Tips from the Britlens editors
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Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Bruntsfield & Morningside (area photo): Macumba, Public domain, source
- Blackford Hill: Leslie Barrie, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Royal Observatory Edinburgh: Macumba, Public domain, source
- Hermitage of Braid: M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Blackford Pond: Richard Webb, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Agassiz Rock: Magnus Hagdorn from UK, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Braid Hills: Jim Barton, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Braidburn Valley Park: Leslie Barrie, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Merchiston Tower: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Barclay Viewforth Church: Ham, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Portobello & the Coast: M J Richardson, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Old Town & Royal Mile: Anthony O'Neil, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- New Town: Chris Morgan, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Holyrood, Arthur's Seat & Calton Hill: Peulle, CC BY 4.0, source
- Stockbridge & Dean Village: Mike Shaw, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Leith & the Waterfront: Alan Murray-Rust, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
- Grassmarket & Southside: rboed*, CC BY 2.0, source
- Haymarket & Murrayfield: Kim Traynor, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
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