← Back🌱 Urban park

Craigmillar Castle Park

📷 Richard Webb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

WildlifeBirdsPicnic

Public accessFree entryDogs welcome

Getting here

55.92605, -3.14476

Open directionsv

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Visiting this summer

Seasonal nature notes and what to look for now

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
🛝Playground 182m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

🌤️ Visiting this summer

🌞Midsummer — early morning visits most comfortable; look for deer fawns in quieter clearings
🧺Good picnic destination in summer — open space and facilities for a relaxed day out
🛝Playground 182m away — built-in entertainment for younger visitors alongside the wider site

Good to know

£Free to visit — no entry charge
🐕Dogs welcome

Bike parkingParking· FreePicnic spotPlayground

Best for

7 activities

Wildlife

Very strong match

Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals; Multi-group wildlife — Birds, Mammals

Free

Bird watching

Very strong match

Birds — Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Blackbird +58 more · last seen 2026; Birds — Black-headed Gull, Blue Tit, Blackbird +58 more · last seen 2026

Free

Picnic day out

Strong match

picnic area, car park; Urban park — open green space

Free

Family friendly

Strong match

playground, picnic area; Urban park — family destination

Free

Insect spotting

Strong match

Insects — Orange Ladybird, Harlequin Ladybird, 2-spot Ladybird +54 more · last seen 2026; Insects — Orange Ladybird, Harlequin Ladybird, 2-spot Ladybird +54 more · last seen 2026

Free

Playgrounds

Strong match

playground, parking

Free

Trails nearby

Within roughly 5 km

🚶

Walking

11 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

The Royal MileWalking route

Named route

Innocent RailwayWalking route

Named routeRef CEC5

Forth & Clyde/Union Canal TowpathWalking route106 km

Named routeLength 106 kmNational walking route

Core PathsWalking route

East Lothian Core Path Network

Named routeLocal walking route

Pentland Way (Glencorse Reservoir to Swanston)Walking route

Named routeLocal walking route

🚴

Cycling

135 signed routes nearby

Signed route nearby

Route RRCycling route

Named routeRef RRLocal cycle route

NCN National Route 754Cycling route

Named routeRef 754National Cycle Network

Quiet Route 10Cycling route

Named routeRef 10Local cycle route

Quiet Route 6Cycling route

Named routeRef 6Local cycle route

Quiet Route 11Cycling route

Named routeRef 11Local cycle route

Greenbank to Meadows Quiet RouteCycling route

Named routeLocal cycle route

🚵

Mountain biking

1 signed route nearby

Signed route nearby

Capital TrailMountain bike route

Named route

Wildlife to spot

83,052 records · National Biodiversity Network

Wildlife to spot

83,052 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds65 species

autumnwinter

2026

Blue Tit · Black-headed Gull · Mute Swan · Carrion Crow · Blackbird +60

Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Mute SwanCygnus olor
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
RobinErithacus rubecula
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
JackdawColoeus monedula
MagpiePica pica2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
MoorhenGallinula chloropus
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
BuzzardButeo buteo
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
Great TitParus major2025
CootFulica atra2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
JayGarrulus glandarius
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
DunnockPrunella modularis
TealAnas crecca
RavenCorvus corax
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
SiskinSpinus spinus
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
GadwallMareca strepera
KingfisherAlcedo atthis
NuthatchSitta europaea2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
CurlewNumenius arquata
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Ring-necked ParakeetPsittacula krameri2025
WigeonMareca penelope2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
Barn OwlTyto alba2025
Northern Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus caudatus
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
White-fronted GooseAnser albifrons2025
Stock DoveColumba oenas2025
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2025
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2025
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2025
LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis2025

🦌

Mammals4 species

autumnwinter

2026

Grey Squirrel · Red Fox · Roe Deer · Otter

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2025
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
OtterLutra lutra2025

🐝

Insects57 species

winterspring

2026

Orange Ladybird · 2-spot Ladybird · Harlequin Ladybird · 10-spot Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird +52

Orange LadybirdHalyzia sedecimguttata
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Cream-spot LadybirdCalvia quattuordecimguttata
Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescensDeraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens
Eyed LadybirdAnatis ocellata
Acericerus heydeniiAcericerus heydenii
Larch LadybirdAphidecta obliterata
18-spot LadybirdMyrrha octodecimguttata
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale
Common Flower BugAnthocoris nemorum
Empoasca vitisEmpoasca vitis
Ectopsocus axillarisEctopsocus axillaris
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes
Ectopsocus petersiEctopsocus petersi
Cream-streaked LadybirdHarmonia quadripunctata
Anthocoris confususAnthocoris confusus
Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus
Phloiophilus edwardsiiPhloiophilus edwardsii
Western Conifer Seed BugLeptoglossus occidentalis
Buchananiella continuaBuchananiella continua
Trichopsocus brinckiTrichopsocus brincki
Sphaeriestes castaneusSphaeriestes castaneus
Pine LadybirdExochomus quadripustulatus
SyrphusSyrphus
Striped LadybirdMyzia oblongoguttata
Epicaecilius pilipennisEpicaecilius pilipennis
Cartodere bifasciataCartodere bifasciata
Tephrochlamys rufiventrisTephrochlamys rufiventris
Bronze ShieldbugTroilus luridus
Juniper ShieldbugCyphostethus tristriatus
Valenzuela burmeisteriValenzuela burmeisteri
Dromius quadrimaculatusDromius quadrimaculatus
Elipsocus hyalinusElipsocus hyalinus2025
Epistrophe grossulariaeEpistrophe grossulariae2025
Andrion regensteinenseAndrion regensteinense
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum
Cerylon ferrugineumCerylon ferrugineum
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax
Acompocoris alpinusAcompocoris alpinus
Adonis' LadybirdHippodamia variegata
SylvicolaSylvicola
Philosepedon humeralisPhilosepedon humeralis
Spotted-winged DrosophilaDrosophila suzukii
Balclutha punctataBalclutha punctata
Chilenocaecilius ornatipennisChilenocaecilius ornatipennis
TephrochlamysTephrochlamys
Trioza centranthiTrioza centranthi2025
AtlantopsocusAtlantopsocus2025
Pinalitus cervinusPinalitus cervinus2025
Euophryum confineEuophryum confine2025
Trioza urticaeTrioza urticae2025
Scaptomyza pallidaScaptomyza pallida2025
Pine Cone BugGastrodes grossipes2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

83,052 records · National Biodiversity Network

🐦

Birds65 species

autumnwinter

2026

Blue Tit · Black-headed Gull · Mute Swan · Carrion Crow · Blackbird +60

Blue TitCyanistes caeruleus
Black-headed GullChroicocephalus ridibundus
Mute SwanCygnus olor
Carrion CrowCorvus corone
BlackbirdTurdus merula2025
RobinErithacus rubecula
BullfinchPyrrhula pyrrhula
WoodpigeonColumba palumbus2025
JackdawColoeus monedula
MagpiePica pica2025
Herring GullLarus argentatus2025
MallardAnas platyrhynchos
MoorhenGallinula chloropus
Canada GooseBranta canadensis
GoldfinchCarduelis carduelis
WrenTroglodytes troglodytes2025
Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus2025
Common GullLarus canus2025
ChaffinchFringilla coelebs
BuzzardButeo buteo
Tufted DuckAythya fuligula
Great TitParus major2025
CootFulica atra2025
TreecreeperCerthia familiaris
JayGarrulus glandarius
PheasantPhasianus colchicus
Little GrebeTachybaptus ruficollis2025
DunnockPrunella modularis
TealAnas crecca
RavenCorvus corax
GoldcrestRegulus regulus2025
KestrelFalco tinnunculus
StarlingSturnus vulgaris2025
GreenfinchChloris chloris
Grey HeronArdea cinerea
Coal TitPeriparus ater2025
SiskinSpinus spinus
SparrowhawkAccipiter nisus
Rock DoveColumba livia2025
Great Spotted WoodpeckerDendrocopos major2025
RookCorvus frugilegus2025
GadwallMareca strepera
KingfisherAlcedo atthis
NuthatchSitta europaea2025
CormorantPhalacrocorax carbo
CurlewNumenius arquata
Song ThrushTurdus philomelos2025
Pied WagtailMotacilla alba yarrellii2025
Mistle ThrushTurdus viscivorus2025
Grey WagtailMotacilla cinerea2025
Ring-necked ParakeetPsittacula krameri2025
WigeonMareca penelope2025
ChiffchaffPhylloscopus collybita2025
Barn OwlTyto alba2025
Northern Long-tailed TitAegithalos caudatus caudatus
Greylag GooseAnser anser2025
GoosanderMergus merganser2025
White-fronted GooseAnser albifrons2025
Stock DoveColumba oenas2025
Pink-footed GooseAnser brachyrhynchus2025
Reed BuntingEmberiza schoeniclus2025
Lesser RedpollAcanthis flammea cabaret2025
LinnetLinaria cannabina2025
BlackcapSylvia atricapilla2025
Long-tailed DuckClangula hyemalis2025

🦌

Mammals4 species

autumnwinter

2026

Grey Squirrel · Red Fox · Roe Deer · Otter

Grey SquirrelSciurus carolinensis
Red FoxVulpes vulpes2025
Roe DeerCapreolus capreolus
OtterLutra lutra2025

🐝

Insects57 species

winterspring

2026

Orange Ladybird · 2-spot Ladybird · Harlequin Ladybird · 10-spot Ladybird · 7-spot Ladybird +52

Orange LadybirdHalyzia sedecimguttata
2-spot LadybirdAdalia bipunctata
Harlequin LadybirdHarmonia axyridis
10-spot LadybirdAdalia decempunctata
7-spot LadybirdCoccinella septempunctata
Cream-spot LadybirdCalvia quattuordecimguttata
Deraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescensDeraeocoris (Knightocapsus) lutescens
Eyed LadybirdAnatis ocellata
Acericerus heydeniiAcericerus heydenii
Larch LadybirdAphidecta obliterata
18-spot LadybirdMyrrha octodecimguttata
Hawthorn ShieldbugAcanthosoma haemorrhoidale
Common Flower BugAnthocoris nemorum
Empoasca vitisEmpoasca vitis
Ectopsocus axillarisEctopsocus axillaris
Red-legged ShieldbugPentatoma rufipes
Ectopsocus petersiEctopsocus petersi
Cream-streaked LadybirdHarmonia quadripunctata
Anthocoris confususAnthocoris confusus
Birch ShieldbugElasmostethus interstinctus
Phloiophilus edwardsiiPhloiophilus edwardsii
Western Conifer Seed BugLeptoglossus occidentalis
Buchananiella continuaBuchananiella continua
Trichopsocus brinckiTrichopsocus brincki
Sphaeriestes castaneusSphaeriestes castaneus
Pine LadybirdExochomus quadripustulatus
SyrphusSyrphus
Striped LadybirdMyzia oblongoguttata
Epicaecilius pilipennisEpicaecilius pilipennis
Cartodere bifasciataCartodere bifasciata
Tephrochlamys rufiventrisTephrochlamys rufiventris
Bronze ShieldbugTroilus luridus
Juniper ShieldbugCyphostethus tristriatus
Valenzuela burmeisteriValenzuela burmeisteri
Dromius quadrimaculatusDromius quadrimaculatus
Elipsocus hyalinusElipsocus hyalinus2025
Epistrophe grossulariaeEpistrophe grossulariae2025
Andrion regensteinenseAndrion regensteinense
Hairy ShieldbugDolycoris baccarum
Cerylon ferrugineumCerylon ferrugineum
Marmalade HoverflyEpisyrphus balteatus
Eristalis tenaxEristalis tenax
Acompocoris alpinusAcompocoris alpinus
Adonis' LadybirdHippodamia variegata
SylvicolaSylvicola
Philosepedon humeralisPhilosepedon humeralis
Spotted-winged DrosophilaDrosophila suzukii
Balclutha punctataBalclutha punctata
Chilenocaecilius ornatipennisChilenocaecilius ornatipennis
TephrochlamysTephrochlamys
Trioza centranthiTrioza centranthi2025
AtlantopsocusAtlantopsocus2025
Pinalitus cervinusPinalitus cervinus2025
Euophryum confineEuophryum confine2025
Trioza urticaeTrioza urticae2025
Scaptomyza pallidaScaptomyza pallida2025
Pine Cone BugGastrodes grossipes2025

Species observations from the last 10 years via NBN Atlas

Wildlife to spot

Photos

📷 Richard Webb · Geograph · CC BY-SA 2.0

Old quarry, Craigmillar Castle Park

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Nearby places

Useful places within 5 km

🌱The MeadowsUrban park3.4 km→🌱West Princes Street GardensUrban park4.4 km→🌱Newhailes House & GardensUrban park4.5 km→🌱Craigmillar Castle ParkUrban park0 m→🌱The FieldUrban park2 km→🌱Hunters Hall ParkUrban park1.8 km→

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