More lambs are being killed by dogs in the Pentlands in 2008 than in any previous year according to park rangers and farmers.

St. Andrew Square is one of the most prestigious locations in Edinburgh New Town.

When swans that flock together on St Margaret’s Loch in Holyrood Park started mysteriously dying of lead-poisoning, the park's custodians Historic Scotland took the step of draining the pond. However, instead of getting to the bottom of the mystery of the poisoned swans, it has turned up another mystery.

Holyrood Park is a windswept, wild, and rocky public park, but a few minutes walk from Edinburgh Old Town. Holyrood Palace, the royal residence in Scotland, is situated on the edge of the Royal Park.

Buildings, private gardens, and venues across Edinburgh, normally closed off to the general public, throw open their portals and doors as part of the Doors Open Day this Saturday.

Inverleith Park is a major public park, managed by the City of Edinburgh, a little North from the city centre.

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE), located in Edinburgh's Inverleith area, is often dubbed Scotland's answer to Kew gardens. It is not only a place to learn about plants and flora from around the world, but its lush surroundings make it the perfect place to wile away a sunny afternoon.

Although fenced off with Edinburgh's characteristic black, wrought iron railings, The Gardens are open to the public and easily accessed at

West Princes Street Gardens is the larger of the two tracts of green space (the other being East Princes Street Gardens) that run parallel to Princes Street in the heart of the city. The gardens were formerly the Nor' Loch, a body of water that provided added defence on the North face of the Castle. The famously stinky loch was drained and ornamental gardens put in their place from 1816 onwards.

Edinburgh has a fair selection of parks. If you are looking to escape the festival to an oasis of calm or just looking for a good walk read on.

Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh's main hills, set right in the city centre. It is unmistakable with its Athenian acropolis poking above the skyline.