Royal Botanical Gardens Edinburgh

I consider myself lucky to live in Edinburgh, Scotland's beautiful capital city. I moved here almost 40 years ago - to go to university. Apart from a couple of sojourns to Paris and Porto Alegre in Brazil, I've lived here ever since.

One of my favourite places in the city - and Edinburgh has a great many nice places - is the Royal Botanic Gardens. Edinburgh locals just call them "The Botanics". They're well worth a visit if you're ever in Edinburgh.

These are at the foot of Inverleith Row, and I've always lived within walking distance of the gardens.


Twenty years ago, you would normally find me pushing my sons around the gardens - one in a buggy, the other toddling along behind. Feeding the ducks was always a favourite thing to do for my boys.

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There is an incredible variety of flowers, shrubs and trees in the Botanics. No matter what the season is, there's always something to see.

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I'm pretty sure that the grey squirrels that live in the Botanics are the fattest in Scotland. They get massively overfed by visitors to the gardens. They are also very tame - they will come right up to you in their constant search for more food. Peanuts are a favourite of theirs.

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7Y6WFrxWCSE/WgyqeZ-AaqI/AAAAAAAAAvw/6KPMqp6RhuEm8O8d37ViAt-ejemT6j-6ACLcBGAs/s320/DSCF0054.JPG Entrance to the gardens is fee - but you'll have to pay if you want to go ito the large glass houses (well worth it).

Find out more about the Edinburgh Royal Botanic Gardens here:

http://www.rbge.org.uk/