Braidburn Valley Park has been a public park since 1933. It is located in South Edinburgh in the Morningside/Oxgangs area. The Park is a steep grassy valley cut in two by the Braid Burn which flows north from the Pentland Hills to the Firth of Forth. The Park covers 11 hectares making it the fourth biggest Community Park in Edinburgh. In 2007, it was awarded Scotland’s first Green Flag for excellence in parks. And it has continued to receive that award every year since! The Park is open to the public 24 hours a day. It is popular for dog walking, informal sports and relaxing on the grass, or at one of the picnic tables sited close to the main path though the park.
History The Park has a wealth of local history. On its western boundary is Fly Walk – the route that Robert Louis Stevenson followed when travelling between his home in Swanston and the city of Edinburgh. In 1935, 5,000 Girl Guides planted cherry trees in a trefoil shape to commemorate the Silver Jubilee of King George V. A grassy theatre and stage has hosted many outdoor performances over the years, a practice which restarted in the summer of 2026.
Wildlife The Park is also home to an increasing range of wildlife. Local children have created a wildflower meadow to attract more insects and birds. A heron, bats, foxes and even a shy otter make their home in the Park. The burn is clean enough for small trout. The Park has been designated a Local Biodiversity Site reflecting its importance for nature.
FOBVP The Friends of Braidburn Valley Park was formed in 2002 to give local people the opportunity to have their say in how the Park would be managed and developed. This website began its life a few years later, and is maintained by the Friends. The Friends work in partnership with Edinburgh Council and others to conserve, enhance and promote the park area for the benefit of people and wildlife.
Select from the menu on the leftbelow to find more about the Park’s history, and wildlife; about what FOBVP does, and how you can join in; and some of the projects we have undertaken. The second menu (on the rightbelow) gives access to park news, and allows you to search this website to see if your favourite wild creature gets a mention…