Hermitage and Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve

The Hermitage of Braid and Blackford Hill (HoB BH) is the first site in Edinburgh to achieve Local Nature Reserve (LNR) status in 1993 and is a key asset providing a unique place for visitors to experience a wild place 15 minutes from Edinburgh city centre.

Hermitage House, dating back to the 18th century, is located within the park is the headquarters of the City of Edinburgh Council Natural Heritage Service. The House also has displays and information on the site and others managed by the Service.

The park follows the Braid Burn and is an important green corridor for wildlife linking the Braid Burn Valley Park (a Green Flag site since 2007) with the Craigmillar Golf course, Inch Park and Craigmillar Castle Park (Green Flag Award 2010) for species such as otters, kingfishers, herons, woodpeckers and buzzards.

The park has something to offer to all type of users: an enjoyable walk for walkers, accessible and good path network for cyclists and horse riders, a pond popular, and, a hill offering a panoramic view of Edinburgh’s landscape.

The Friends of HoB BH are very active and support the work of the Natural Heritage team. They undertake practical conservation activities, manage the Wildlife Community walled garden near the historic Doocot and are involved in fund raising to carry out projects and events for the local community.