The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of my favourite places. We lived not far from it, and it was my go-to escape when on maternity leave; somewhere to walk a sleeping (or reluctantly sleeping, or wide awake and grumpy) baby while getting a much needed dose fresh air with the added bonus of beautiful surroundings.
Having been blessed with gorgeous weather in Edinburgh this past week, after arriving for our annual visit last Sunday, we arranged to meet a friend in the Botanics for a quick catch up. All catch ups are quick when we do our whirlwind visits to the UK and Ireland!
Although we only managed to see a fraction of the gardens this time, what we did see was stunning. And, having come from Boston where spring had not yet sprung when we left, it was simply wonderful to see blossom :)
The kids had a blast running around, spotting ducks, squirrels and a heron (which I sadly didn’t manage to get a photo of) and having the odd rest :)
Of course, no outing is complete without finding excellent sticks (which I feel the need to point out were found on the ground, not taken from a plant as the grumpy man in the cafe thought!).
After running around for an hour we discovered some steps. So much fun to be had, who knew!
I really wish we had been able to spend longer there, and explore more of the gardens (especially the herbaceous border which is one of my favourite spots!). Next time…
It was however wonderful to revisit the gardens; somewhere that the 8yo remembered well, the 6yo recognised a little, but the wee girl had only ever visited in a stroller.
Seeing her run around the Botanics brought home to me just how long we’ve been away, and reminded me how important it is that we revisit our favourite places; creating new memories for us all, to sit alongside the old ones.
I’m linking up with the wonderful Country Kids at Coombe Mill, as always. Click on the badge to see what everyone else has been up to and be inspired to get outside!
What a beautiful place to visit – that blossom is so gorgeous and I love the photos of your three running up and down the steps having so much fun – looks like they found some great sticks too :-)
It is beautiful, love the Botanics!
Ohh it looks beautiful, I’m so glad all the great coloured flowers are back. Mich x
It really is beautiful, it was a lovely morning x
Sounds like these gardens are full of memories for you and returning is a little like time stood still but your family continues to grow! Places like this must make you realise how important it is to share your upbringing with your children, to give them a sense of their past and how wonderful to have picked such a glorious week. That blossom really is beautiful and I’d say early this year with the spring weather. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
It was especially lovely to see the wee girl running around, as her brothers had done before her x
Aaahhh such lovely photos, loving the tutu and makes me smile to see how amusing steps are x
Thanks Karen, a lovely morning :)
I really love gardens at this time of year, just when the blossom and spring flowers are out (and before the weeds takeover, in my garden at least). The Botanic Gardens look gorgeous, hopefully memories your children will remember for a long time.
I hope so, it is one of my happy places x
That looks so beautiful. I love the blossom and flowers of spring especially. We didn’t make it to the botanic gardens when we went to Edinburgh a couple of years ago but now I wish we had! #countrykids
It is definitely worth a visit, I wish I’d had more time to wander x
It’s no wonder that this was your “go-to-place” for some peace and quiet. It’s beautiful :) #countrykids.
It really is, it’s one of the places I miss most x
It looks amazing there Sara and I’m glad you managed to get back there to make some new memories of fun with the kiddies while you are over here! Xx
Thank you, it was lovely x
If you end up with a duplicate comment I apologise, have internet gremlins. Looks like a great place to explore and love the sticks #CountryKids
It is lovely, lots of space for the kids to run around :)
It looks absolutely fabulous here Sara and I’m so pleased you got to enjoy some lovely weather. It makes such a difference when the sun is shining. I love that wee girl is in her tutu! POD decided she had to wear hers when I met a few bloggers at RHS Wisley on Saturday. It actually looks like they have the same one (and very good taste obviously!) x
Oh, it really does make a difference! We had a lovely week in Edinburgh. I did notice that POD’s tutu looked rather like the wee girls :)
It looks like you had so much fun. I am really quite jealous, we love our trips to Edinburgh and the sunshine always makes it even more special
The sunshine definitely helped, we had a really wonderful time x
I love it there too. And steps-of course they are the best playground ever, didn’t you know?! :-)
Your wee girl is such a character, bless her. My favourite place there has to be the alpine borders-could spend all day there (not that the children would ever allow me that luxury!) x
She is indeed a character…! The alpine borders are fab, but I do love the herbaceous border :)
Oh, I just know that I would love it there, looks gorgeous and my kids would no doubt run round it, too! x
You definitely would Jocelyn :)
This is such a beautiful place, and it looks like the weather was lovely too! Wish I’d known about it when we visited Edinburgh last year.
Oh, you would have loved it! Next time :)
My friend’s mum used to love this place – it was her real happy place and seeing your wonderful photos I can see why.
I hope you are having a lovely holiday over here
It is definitely on my happy place list :) We had a lovely time, thank you x
Aww, I’ve never taken the boys to the Botanics, I need to take them there soon (on a nice day). Thanks for reminding me about it, been ages since I’ve been. Lovely photos! :) x
You’re welcome, definitely worth a visit :)
What beautiful pictures. Blossom always puts me in a hopeful frame of mind. Isn’t it amazing how much fun children can have with a humble stick?
Completely amazing, and it’s always sticks!
What a lovely beautiful place for children to have fun and run around in and you’re right, there has to be a stick involved! ;)
Thanks for linking #LetKidsBeKids
Always! It really is beautiful, love it there x
It looks lovely and you obviously had gone weather as you’re all without coats -must be nice after all that snow!!
It’s also lovely to see how the children can be so happy being outdoors with just a stick each and lots of steps!
Gorgeous photos xx
The weather was amazing! It snowed after we left… :)