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Hill
Blackford Hill
Hill of 538 feet (164 meters) 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 center and a visitor center. 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 recognized 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 center.
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 center, 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
Explore this guide
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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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