Revealed: Edinburgh's 5 best picnic spots

Thanks to the recent heat wave that we've all been basking in, picnics have been at the forefront of our minds. Few of life's pleasures are as simple yet enjoyable as a good picnic with loved ones or friends, relaxing in good company and enjoying a hastily put-together lunch of treats and nibbles, perhaps a book, a deck of cards or a football and frisbee.

There's something truly international about picnics too. Wherever you are in the world, there are always people enjoying a picnic unique to their local cultures. As there are few better places to enjoy the delights than in the beautiful Scottish capital, we thought we'd put together a list of the top spots to lay down the rug when you're staying in our hostel in Edinburgh...

Water of Leith

Cutting through the heart of Edinburgh is the Water of Leith, a majestic strip of water that makes its way 24 miles from its Pentland Hills source to the Firth of Forth at Leith where it reaches the North Sea.

Within the city is a wonderful 12 and three-quarter mile walkway along the river's banks that is maintained and preserved by the Water of Leith Conservation Trust – and it makes for a picturesque scene that is rich in picnic spots as it meanders through the urban sprawl of the city.

Named in the Independent's top 50 UK urban picnic spots, the walkway makes for a beautiful day out in Edinburgh and boasts many places along the way where you can stop and unpack your goodies for a spot of lunch.

Areas near the Botanic Gardens or Spylaw Park could prove to be most tempting, but there will be plenty of chances to make an impromptu picnic along the way. Anthony Gormley - the artist behind the Angel of the North - has also installed his wonderful '6 Times' work of art depicting six characters standing in the river.

The Meadows

Sitting to the south of the city centre is the Meadows, a hugely popular and very large public park that is packed full of things to do. Bordered by the Edinburgh University campus to the north and Melville Drive to the south, it is a vast swathe of green within the city, perfect for a picnic.

As well as being home to an adventure playground of epic proportions, it has cricket pitches, a golf course and tennis courts, and is one of those rare places where a croquet club is still thriving (Pimms and cucumber sandwiches optional). What's more, there's even talk of installing Wi-Fi in the park, though whether this becomes a reality remains to be seen.

Unlike many public parks, the Meadows welcomes barbecues, as long as you put them on one of the slabs provided and don't light them up in the middle of the golf course. If that wasn't enough, on June 2nd and 3rd it is also home to the Meadows Festival – an excellent community-oriented weekend event with great live music, amazing food and an abundance of craft stalls.

Arthur's Seat

If a strenuous day out with a picnic sandwiched (ahem!) in the middle of a brisk walk is more what you had in mind, then head to Arthur's Seat for a walk up the tallest hill in Edinburgh and the most stunning views you're likely to find.

Situated in the vast 650-acre Holyrood Park, the huge hill to the east of the castle is one of seven that stand proud above the city and it has a range of graded walks that are suited to ramblers of all abilities. If you're feeling particularly brave why not head to its peak for the tallest picnic in Edinburgh? But if heights aren't your thing, just stay at the lower levels of the 251m-tall hill.

Don't just take our word for it though. Lucy Bird, chief executive officer of Marketing Edinburgh, says that when it comes to the seven hills, Arthur's Seat is the most iconic. "The hill can be climbed by foot and offers unrivalled views of the city, [and] there are plenty of picnic spots at the top to take a well-earned rest," she explains.

Inverleith Park

To the north-west of the city centre, next door to the Royal Botanic Garden, is Inverleith Park, another wonderful urban park that is great if a day kicking a football or throwing a frisbee is what you have in mind.

Spread over 54 acres, it offers a range of football, rugby and cricket pitches as well as a top children's play area. Inverleith is a more conventional park to spend the day relaxing in as you work your way through your cool-bag of goodies.

The park hosts hundreds of events every year - including French Boule Competitions at its petanque square - and has a beautiful lake complete with wooden bridge through the reeds that is always fun to explore. Other events worth taking in include the night-time MoonWalk on June 9th and the Festival Fireworks Concert on September 2nd.

Calton Hill

Another of the seven hills of Edinburgh worth hauling your picnic to the top of is Calton Hill. The historic site is in the centre of the city and overlooks the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood.

With such epic views down over the city and the base of the Scottish government, it's no surprise that Calton Hill is popular with picnickers, but what is at the top is equally as impressive as what is at the bottom. An incomplete Athenian acropolis stands stunningly alongside the Nelson Monument, a tower built in the early 1800s to celebrate the vice admiral. The City Observatory can also be found on Calton Hill, as can other monuments to political martyrs and the poet Robert Burns.

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