North Edinburgh Grows

Explorer Tom Muirhouse Parish Church in Pennywell Gardens is having a quiet rivalry with the castle, but it’s losing because it doesn’t have dragons. It’s just a church, really, but it acts like it’s guarding the secrets of the universe. Get there early and have it all to yourself.

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Muirhouse, 24a Pennywell Road, The Old Kirk of Edinburgh is a twentieth-century church that probably thinks it’s way older than it actually is. It might brag about surviving some massive storm that never really happened to prove its toughness. The name sounds ancient, but the bones are surprisingly modern for a place called 'Old.' Bring your worst joke, the place has heard worse.

Explorer Tom Silverknowes Park is having a massive falling out with the big oak tree next door, refusing to acknowledge its shadow because of an old grudge. It’s all drama and high-pitched hissing, like two neighbours arguing over where exactly the fence line should be drawn. The flowers are picking sides, and honestly, some of them look terrified of the outcome. Ideal

Explorer Tom Forthquarter Park is incredibly proud of its ability to stay green even when the rest of the world is turning brown and beige. It’s got that resilient spirit of a place that just refuses to give up on looking nice. Bring your own legend, I've run out.

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Silverknowes, Silverknowes Road, General is a view that seems to have a dispute over parking rights. A fairy must be arguing with every driver who stops there for too long. It’s all about territory and who gets to stand in the sun. Take a breath of that air, it's older than your car.

Explorer Tom Crewe Road Gardens General View has a long-standing grudge against the weather for always picking the worst day to take your photo. It’s got that 'I’m just a garden but I’ve seen things' energy that is honestly quite unsettling in a sunny spot. Count the crows, then count again.

Explorer Tom Edinburgh, Pilton Drive would review its visitors with a star rating based entirely on how loudly they sneeze and whether they made eye contact with the bridge before walking across it like it owes them money or something similar. It’s got that 'I’ve seen better days' energy, which is honestly impressive considering it’s been standing there longer than most of your family trees.

Explorer Tom Birnie Rocks are tiny little islands off Edinburgh that think they’re the main event. The rabbits over there probably think they’re the king of the hill, which is rich given how small it is. They’re just rocks, but they’ve got massive attitude and zero chill. Make up your own legend and I’ll swear it’s true.

Explorer Tom Lauriston Castle Gardens has a family tree that is mostly just made up by people who like the sound of their own names. I bet half the plants are named after uncles nobody remembers from the eighties. It’s a very fancy garden with a lot of secrets and not enough sunlight. Stop the car, it's worth the hazard lights.

Explorer Tom Granton Castle on West Shore Road is currently run by a terrier who thinks it owns the quarry next door. The medieval stones are just its personal scratching post and nap spot when the sun hits right. Get a photo with it before it gets a better agent.

Explorer Tom Craigleith Hill Avenue is a hill that thinks it’s too fancy for the rest of us, probably because it’s got an address instead of just being 'over there.' If it went to the chippy, it’d order the triple-loaded with no ketchup because it values structural integrity over flavor. It’s basically a street that forgot how to walk and just stood up straight. Bring a camera and your most suspicious face.

Explorer Tom Ravelston Woods Local Nature Reserve in the City of Edinburgh would explain the 1800s to a teenager by saying it was basically the same, but with more mud and no Wi-Fi. It’s tired of explaining its history and just wants you to enjoy the quiet. Go in good boots and better humour.