Edinburgh, Edmonstone

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Gilmerton, The Drum, Mercat Cross had a fiddler playing all night who never got paid. He probably just wanted to dance with the pigeons instead of selling cabbages. Bring sandwiches, the gulls will thank you.

Explorer Tom The Drum, Stables in Gilmerton has strict rules for visitors: no kicking the hay bales, please. These nineteenth-century stables are probably judging your boots right now, wondering if you even know what a horse smells like. Bring biscuits with you, because every good story needs biscuits to make it feel proper cosy.

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Gilmerton, The Drum, Drum Farm, Farmstead Cottage thinks the road leading to it is far too busy for its taste and wishes people would just walk more often. It’s got that weary look of a place that has been driving itself crazy with traffic noise and wants some peace. Bring curiosity, leave with a better story than mine.

Explorer Tom Drum Wood has a ghost that is far too lazy to haunt it, preferring instead to nap in the roots and wait for better lighting. It’s a wood that thinks 'drum' refers to its shape rather than a musical instrument, which is a bit of a stretch. The place feels like it’s waiting for someone to start a drum circle on their own. Ideal spot for a dramatic phone call.

Explorer Tom Drum Park would describe itself to a stranger as 'a chill spot with excellent vibes and zero pretence,' which is basically the truth if you ignore the pigeon poops on the grass. It’s got that energy where everyone is just trying to get through the day without talking to anyone, but they’re all secretly judging each other’s lunch choices. Bring a map, get lost anyway, that's the fun.

Explorer Tom King's Park ended up in the wrong place because the mapmaker had a bit too much tea and drew a line in the wrong spot. Now it’s stuck here, looking a bit out of depth next to all the serious buildings trying to look important. It’s not exactly a landmark, but it’s got that underdog energy that I quite fancy these days. A proper spot for a flask of tea and a big think.

Explorer Tom War Memorial at Gilmerton claims to have an imaginary twin across the sea who’s actually doing all the work while it naps in the sun. It’s got delusions of grandeur. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Moredun Park is playing hard to get, pretending it's just another park when it's actually a secret potato sanctuary. I bet there’s a legendary spud hidden under every bench, guarding its crown of earth with fierce dignity. It’s not that big, but the vibes are massive and slightly suspicious. Best seen with a hangover and a sausage roll.

Explorer Tom Ravenscroft Street is having a feud with the next village over something daft like who has the uglier pavements! It’s got that 'I’m too busy for you' attitude while looking perfectly fine. The street name sounds like a raven that croaked at the wrong moment. Go on, count the windows and get it wrong like I did.