🍂 Autumn Waterways at the Hermitage of Braid

Date: 23rd October 2025
Time: 13:00
Meeting Point: Outside Hermitage of Braid House – walk south-west from the Midmar Drive car park
Address: Hermitage of Braid & Blackford Hill Local Nature Reserve, Edinburgh EH10 6JF
Parking: Small car park at the bend of Midmar Drive and Hermitage Drive or street parking. NOTE: NO PARKING at the Lodge Coffee House.
Light lunch: 14:30 PM – Lunch / refreshments at The Lodge Coffee House (a short walk west along the reserve path).

Event Overview
This autumn, we’ll explore the Hermitage of Braid - one of Edinburgh’s most picturesque urban nature reserves. The wooded valley of the Braid Burn bursts into shades of red, orange, and gold in October, offering some stunning autumn water-way compositions for photographers.

The reserve combines dense woodland trails, a historic 18th-century house, and open hillsides with great panoramic views of Edinburgh from the top of Blackford Hill.

This outing promises a engaging mix of autumn woodland and waterway photography, wildlife spotting, dogs (dog walkers) and panoramic cityscapes — all within easy reach of the city centre.

Please RSVP by clicking 'Attend' so we can confirm numbers, and let us know if you’re joining us for refreshments at the cage afterwards.

NOTE: For those well-footed, bring wellingtons and a tripod for some simply stunning slow-shutter waterway shots.

About the Hermitage of Braid

• The surrounding woodland follows the course of the Braid Burn, with stone bridges, waterfalls, and mossy trails ideal for atmospheric shots.
• Blackford Hill rises to 164m and is a prime location for landscape photography, especially at sunset.
• The Hermitage House was built in 1785 for Charles Gordon of Cluny and is now used as a visitor centre and ranger base.
• The site is designated a Local Nature Reserve, home to foxes, badgers, owls, and a variety of birdlife.
• A stepped-bed walled garden is situated along the Braid Burn.

🚗 Getting There

• By Car: A small car park is situated at the bend of Midmar Drive and Hermitage Drive - entrance off Braid Road, additional street parking nearby.

GPS location: 55°55'16.2"N 3°11'56.9"W

• By Bus: Lothian Buses services 11, 15, 15A, and 38 stop on nearby Comiston Road / Morningside Road. From there walk to The Lodge Coffee House then head east on the path for 7-10 mins following the Braid Burn to Hermitage of Braid House.

ℹ️ Notes

• Bring sturdy walking shoes, as paths can be muddy in autumn or Wellington boots for some amazing waterway shots.
• Great for woodland and waterway photography, macro shots of autumn detail, and panoramic views from Blackford Hill.
• Tripods welcome for long exposures along the burn.
• Dogs are welcome on leads.