← Back 🦉 Nature reserve
Hermitage of Braid / Blackford Hill ✦ Ancient woodland 58 ha
Plan your visit
🧺 Picnic🦅 Birds🦉 Wildlife
Public access Free entry Dogs welcome 58 ha
Getting here
55.92170, -3.19449
Open directionsv
Best for 8 activities 🧺 Picnic day out
Very strong match
Free picnic area, car park; Nature reserve — public outdoor space
🦅 Bird watching
Very strong match
Free Birds — Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit +49 more · last seen 2026
Nature reserve; Birds — Robin, Blackbird, Long-tailed Tit +49 more · last seen 2026
🦋 Insect spotting
Strong match
Free Insects — Red-legged Shieldbug, Harlequin Ladybird, 2-spot Ladybird +56 more · last seen 2026
Dogs allowed — nature reserve
Trails nearby Within roughly 5 km 17 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
The Royal Mile Walking route ▾ Innocent Railway Walking route ▾ Named route Ref CEC5
Show on map Forth & Clyde/Union Canal Towpath Walking route 106 km ▾ Named route Length 106 km National walking route
Show on map Pentland Way (Glencorse Reservoir to Swanston) Walking route ▾ Named route Local walking route
Show on map Water of Leith Walkway (Slateford to Leith) Walking route ▾ Named route Ref CEC18 Local walking route
Show on map 154 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Route RR Cycling route ▾ Named route Ref RR Local cycle route
Show on map NCN National Route 754 Cycling route ▾ Named route Ref 754 National Cycle Network
Show on map Quiet Route 10 Cycling route ▾ Named route Ref 10 Local cycle route
Show on map Quiet Route 6 Cycling route ▾ Named route Ref 6 Local cycle route
Show on map Quiet Route 9 Cycling route ▾ Named route Ref 9 Local cycle route
Show on map Quiet Route 11 Cycling route ▾ Named route Ref 11 Local cycle route
Show on map 6 signed routes nearby
Signed route nearby
Dreghorn-Castlelaw Mountain bike route ▾ Bonaly - Glencorse off road cycle route Mountain bike route ▾ Great North Trail (Central Belt) Mountain bike route 83.7 km ▾ Named route Length 83.7 km National Cycle Network
Show on map Pentland Reservoirs MTB Mountain bike route ▾ Capital Trail Mountain bike route ▾ Great North Trail (Scottish Borders) Mountain bike route 154.8 km ▾ Named route Length 154.8 km National Cycle Network
Show on map About this nature reserve Hermitage of Braid / Blackford Hill is an ancient nature reserve covering 58 hectares. As an ancient woodland, it has been continuously wooded since at least 1600 AD — a rare and irreplaceable habitat rich in biodiversity and historical character.
Photos
15 photos from nearby open sources
▾ Visiting this spring
Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now
▾ 🌸 Ancient woodlands are famous for bluebell carpets in April and May — one of Britain's most spectacular wildflower displays 🐦 Prime nesting season — listen for woodpecker drumming, warbler song and the first cuckoos from April 🦌 Roe deer are active before the leaf canopy closes in — dawn and dusk are best 🌱 Visiting this spring
🌸 Ancient woodlands are famous for bluebell carpets in April and May — one of Britain's most spectacular wildflower displays 🐦 Prime nesting season — listen for woodpecker drumming, warbler song and the first cuckoos from April 🦌 Roe deer are active before the leaf canopy closes in — dawn and dusk are best Facilities 🅿️ Parking
8 nearby · Free · 299m
✦ Ancient ✓ Public access Free entry 🐶 Dogs
Good to know £ Free to visit — no entry charge🐕 Dogs welcome🌿 Ancient woodland — rare wildlife habitat
Weather for this location Next 14 days Nearby places Useful places within 5 km
UK green spaces mapped from open public data — so anyone can find the woodland, trail, or nature reserve closest to them.
© 2026 Glade · Made with care for UK green spaces
Wildlife to spot
87,997 records from NBN Atlas
▾
Wildlife to spot 87,997 records · NBN Atlas Robin · Blackbird · Long-tailed Tit · Blue Tit · Magpie
+47 more species Hide species list All 52 birds recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
Robin Erithacus rubecula Blackbird Turdus merula Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Magpie Pica pica Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Great Tit Parus major2025 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Carrion Crow Corvus corone2025 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Coal Tit Periparus ater Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Greenfinch Chloris chloris Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Dunnock Prunella modularis Rock Dove Columba livia2025 Mute Swan Cygnus olor Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Stock Dove Columba oenas Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Goldcrest Regulus regulus Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Starling Sturnus vulgaris2025 Herring Gull Larus argentatus2025 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Siskin Spinus spinus2025 Coot Fulica atra2025 Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba Teal Anas crecca Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea2025 Tawny Owl Strix aluco2025 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus2025 Canada Goose Branta canadensis2025 Nuthatch Sitta europaea2025 Jay Garrulus glandarius2025 Redpoll (cabaret/flammea) Acanthis flammea cabaret/flammea2025 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto2025 Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus2025 House Sparrow Passer domesticus2025 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major2025 Goosander Mergus merganser2025 Lesser Redpoll Acanthis flammea cabaret2025 Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus2025 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus2025 Grey Squirrel · Stoat · Red Fox · Brown Rat
🐸 Amphibians 4 species
spring
2026 Common Frog · Common Toad · Alpine Newt · Palmate Newt
Red-legged Shieldbug · Harlequin Ladybird · 2-spot Ladybird · Orange Ladybird · 10-spot Ladybird
+54 more species Hide species list All 59 insects recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis 2-spot Ladybird Adalia bipunctata Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata 10-spot Ladybird Adalia decempunctata 7-spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Wildlife to spot 87,997 records · NBN Atlas Robin · Blackbird · Long-tailed Tit · Blue Tit · Magpie
+47 more species Hide species list All 52 birds recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
Robin Erithacus rubecula Blackbird Turdus merula Long-tailed Tit Aegithalos caudatus Blue Tit Cyanistes caeruleus Magpie Pica pica Jackdaw Coloeus monedula Chaffinch Fringilla coelebs Woodpigeon Columba palumbus Bullfinch Pyrrhula pyrrhula Goldfinch Carduelis carduelis Great Tit Parus major2025 Mallard Anas platyrhynchos Wren Troglodytes troglodytes Carrion Crow Corvus corone2025 Tufted Duck Aythya fuligula Coal Tit Periparus ater Moorhen Gallinula chloropus Greenfinch Chloris chloris Black-headed Gull Chroicocephalus ridibundus Tree Sparrow Passer montanus Dunnock Prunella modularis Rock Dove Columba livia2025 Mute Swan Cygnus olor Blackcap Sylvia atricapilla Stock Dove Columba oenas Treecreeper Certhia familiaris Goldcrest Regulus regulus Song Thrush Turdus philomelos Starling Sturnus vulgaris2025 Herring Gull Larus argentatus2025 Grey Heron Ardea cinerea Siskin Spinus spinus2025 Coot Fulica atra2025 Oystercatcher Haematopus ostralegus Pied Wagtail Motacilla alba Teal Anas crecca Kestrel Falco tinnunculus Grey Wagtail Motacilla cinerea2025 Tawny Owl Strix aluco2025 Mistle Thrush Turdus viscivorus2025 Canada Goose Branta canadensis2025 Nuthatch Sitta europaea2025 Jay Garrulus glandarius2025 Redpoll (cabaret/flammea) Acanthis flammea cabaret/flammea2025 Collared Dove Streptopelia decaocto2025 Waxwing Bombycilla garrulus2025 House Sparrow Passer domesticus2025 Great Spotted Woodpecker Dendrocopos major2025 Goosander Mergus merganser2025 Lesser Redpoll Acanthis flammea cabaret2025 Pink-footed Goose Anser brachyrhynchus2025 Lesser Black-backed Gull Larus fuscus2025 Grey Squirrel · Stoat · Red Fox · Brown Rat
🐸 Amphibians 4 species
spring
2026 Common Frog · Common Toad · Alpine Newt · Palmate Newt
Red-legged Shieldbug · Harlequin Ladybird · 2-spot Ladybird · Orange Ladybird · 10-spot Ladybird
+54 more species Hide species list All 59 insects recorded nearby (NBN Atlas)
Red-legged Shieldbug Pentatoma rufipes Harlequin Ladybird Harmonia axyridis 2-spot Ladybird Adalia bipunctata Orange Ladybird Halyzia sedecimguttata 10-spot Ladybird Adalia decempunctata 7-spot Ladybird Coccinella septempunctata Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas
Ectopsocus petersi Ectopsocus petersi
Ectopsocus petersi Ectopsocus petersi
Cream-spot Ladybird Calvia quattuordecimguttata
Cream-spot Ladybird Calvia quattuordecimguttata
Hawthorn Shieldbug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale
Hawthorn Shieldbug Acanthosoma haemorrhoidale
Peripsocus milleri Peripsocus milleri
Peripsocus milleri Peripsocus milleri
Elipsocus hyalinus Elipsocus hyalinus
Elipsocus hyalinus Elipsocus hyalinus
Birch Shieldbug Elasmostethus interstinctus
Birch Shieldbug Elasmostethus interstinctus
Acericerus heydenii Acericerus heydenii
Acericerus heydenii Acericerus heydenii
Eyed Ladybird Anatis ocellata
Eyed Ladybird Anatis ocellata
Syrphus Syrphus
Syrphus Syrphus
Graphopsocus cruciatus Graphopsocus cruciatus
Graphopsocus cruciatus Graphopsocus cruciatus
Buchananiella continua Buchananiella continua
Buchananiella continua Buchananiella continua
Trichopsocus brincki Trichopsocus brincki
Trichopsocus brincki Trichopsocus brincki
Rabocerus gabrieli Rabocerus gabrieli
Rabocerus gabrieli Rabocerus gabrieli
Larch Ladybird Aphidecta obliterata
Larch Ladybird Aphidecta obliterata
Common Flower Bug Anthocoris nemorum
Common Flower Bug Anthocoris nemorum
Ectopsocus axillaris Ectopsocus axillaris
Ectopsocus axillaris Ectopsocus axillaris
Epicaecilius pilipennis Epicaecilius pilipennis
Epicaecilius pilipennis Epicaecilius pilipennis
Cartodere bifasciata Cartodere bifasciata
Cartodere bifasciata Cartodere bifasciata
Valenzuela burmeisteri Valenzuela burmeisteri
Valenzuela burmeisteri Valenzuela burmeisteri
Pine Ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus
Pine Ladybird Exochomus quadripustulatus
Cerobasis guestfalica Cerobasis guestfalica
Cerobasis guestfalica Cerobasis guestfalica
Anthocoris confusus Anthocoris confusus
Anthocoris confusus Anthocoris confusus
Phloiophilus edwardsii Phloiophilus edwardsii
Phloiophilus edwardsii Phloiophilus edwardsii
Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens
Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens
Dromius quadrimaculatus Dromius quadrimaculatus
Dromius quadrimaculatus Dromius quadrimaculatus
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Marmalade Hoverfly Episyrphus balteatus
Eristalis tenax Eristalis tenax
Eristalis tenax Eristalis tenax
Common Earwig Forficula auricularia/dentata agg.
Common Earwig Forficula auricularia/dentata agg.
Empoasca vitis Empoasca vitis
Empoasca vitis Empoasca vitis
Ocys quinquestriatus Ocys quinquestriatus
Ocys quinquestriatus Ocys quinquestriatus
Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys resedae
Birch Catkin Bug Kleidocerys resedae
Pteroxanium kelloggi Pteroxanium kelloggi
Pteroxanium kelloggi Pteroxanium kelloggi
Tachypeza nubila Tachypeza nubila
Tachypeza nubila Tachypeza nubila
Syrphus torvus Syrphus torvus
Syrphus torvus Syrphus torvus
Dorytomus rufatus Dorytomus rufatus
Dorytomus rufatus Dorytomus rufatus
18-spot Ladybird Myrrha octodecimguttata
18-spot Ladybird Myrrha octodecimguttata
Gorse Weevil Exapion ulicis
Gorse Weevil Exapion ulicis
Striped Ladybird Myzia oblongoguttata
Striped Ladybird Myzia oblongoguttata
Lispocephala brachialis Lispocephala brachialis
Lispocephala brachialis Lispocephala brachialis
Anthocoris nemoralis Anthocoris nemoralis
Anthocoris nemoralis Anthocoris nemoralis
Chilenocaecilius ornatipennis Chilenocaecilius ornatipennis
Chilenocaecilius ornatipennis Chilenocaecilius ornatipennis
Sylvicola Sylvicola
Sylvicola Sylvicola
Leiodes calcarata Leiodes calcarata
Leiodes calcarata Leiodes calcarata
Grypotes puncticollis Grypotes puncticollis
Grypotes puncticollis Grypotes puncticollis
Suillia pallida Suillia pallida
Suillia pallida Suillia pallida
Cuneopalpus cyanops Cuneopalpus cyanops
Cuneopalpus cyanops Cuneopalpus cyanops
Tephrochlamys rufiventris Tephrochlamys rufiventris
Tephrochlamys rufiventris Tephrochlamys rufiventris
Ectopsocus briggsi agg. (briggsi/petersi/meridionalis) Ectopsocus briggsi agg. (briggsi/petersi/meridionalis)
Ectopsocus briggsi agg. (briggsi/petersi/meridionalis) Ectopsocus briggsi agg. (briggsi/petersi/meridionalis)
Trioza centranthi Trioza centranthi2025
Trioza centranthi Trioza centranthi2025
Temnostethus (Montandoniella) gracilis Temnostethus (Montandoniella) gracilis2025
Temnostethus (Montandoniella) gracilis Temnostethus (Montandoniella) gracilis2025
Cream-streaked Ladybird Harmonia quadripunctata2025
Cream-streaked Ladybird Harmonia quadripunctata2025
Juniper Shieldbug Cyphostethus tristriatus2025
Juniper Shieldbug Cyphostethus tristriatus2025
Cartodere nodifer Cartodere nodifer2025
Cartodere nodifer Cartodere nodifer2025 Events & activities nearby Switch provider to compare local events, tours and bookable activities.
6 events Skiddle GetYourGuide Tripadvisor
Upcoming events within 5 km
