Thirty-four of Edinburgh’s parks have achieved Green Flags in the 2020 national competition, which recognises high quality green spaces.

The city received almost half of the 77 flags issued in Scotland. Two city parks, Saughton Park and St Katharine’s Park, received the status for the first time in 2020, joining the other 32 parks already waving their Green Flag.

The Green Flag Award is the UK’s national standard for parks and green spaces and is administered in Scotland by Keep Scotland Beautiful. To make sure the Capital’s parks are kept to a high standard, each year the Council checks all its parks and gardens using Green Flag Award criteria. This inspection is carried out by formal Green Flag judges along with other Council officers, Council partners and members of the public. From this assessment, each park is given a parks quality score.

Culture and Communities Convener, Councillor Donald Wilson, said:

“The awards are given to those parks that give everyone access to a safe, clean and pleasant green space where they can relax, play and exercise and I’m delighted that so many of our parks have achieved this important and much sought after recognition.

“The quality of Edinburgh’s parks continues to improve in spite of these challenging times. I am very proud of all our award winning parks and of those who work all year round, and in all weather to keep our parks beautiful.”

Culture and Communities Vice Convener, Councillor Amy McNeese-Mechan, said

“This is fantastic news, parks have proved to be real havens this year and my thanks to our hardworking parks staff for their continued care for our much-loved parks through challenging times. My thanks also to dedicated Friends of Parks groups for everything they do. I would encourage everyone to explore our parks this Autumn.”

The Council has been taking part in the Green Flag Award scheme since 2007, when two Green Flags were achieved.

Green Flag Parks:

• Braidburn Valley Park
• Burdiehouse Burn Valley Park
• Corstorphine Hill
• Craigmillar Castle Park
• Easter Craiglockhart Hill Local Nature Reserve
• Fairmilehead Park
• Ferniehill Community Park
• Ferry Glen & Back Braes
• Figgate Park
• Hailes Quarry Park
• Harrison Park
• Hermitage and Blackford Hill Local Nature
• Hopetoun Crescent Garden
• Inverleith Park
• King George V & Scotland Yard Park
• Lauriston Castle
• Lochend Park
• London Road Gardens
• Morningside Park
• Muir Wood Park
• Pentland Hills Regional Park
• Portobello Community Garden
• Prestonfield Park
• Princes Street Gardens
• Ravelston Woods Local Nature Reserve
• Rosefield Park
• Seven Acres Park
• Spylaw Park
• St Margaret’s Park
• Starbank Park
• Station Road Park
• Victoria Park