Southernmost of the Seven Hills on which Edinburgh is traditionally said to be built, the Braid Hills are largely occupied by golf courses. This circular walk enjoys superb views throughout.
Path or track throughout; the route is also used by horses and can be very muddy in places.
Bus to Comiston Road (nos. 11, 15 or 15A).
Golf car park, Braid Hills Approach.
the walk is best reached by public transport. Take a bus to Comiston Road and alight near the junction with Braid Hills Road. Take the second right turning and immediate left fork onto Braid Hills Approach to reach a parking area and the start of the walk. Go through the iron gates towards the Club House but immediately turn left onto the bridle path (with a sign, 'Riders Keep to Bridle Path'). The path is often muddy, and some runs parallel to and above Braid Hills Drive, with views over Blackford Hill and its observatory to Arthur's Seat beyond.
The path crosses the entrance to what was once a car park and then a gap in the railings where a path heads down towards the Hermitage of Braid nature reserve on the opposite side of the road. Ignore this and continue directly ahead, still parallel to the road, amongst the trees of the Braid Hill Community Woodland, then follow a red earth path which heads to the right along the edge of the golf course. Keep to this path when it turns right.
The path now heads towards the two prominent masts; continue on it as it winds left and then right to pass between them. Just beyond them it forks; take the right fork to reach the bench, trig point and view indicator on Buckstone Snab.
From the viewpoint the two paths rejoin and descend through the trees to reach a path junction behind some houses. Turn right here to follow the often muddy path past the back of the houses. Finally a left turn heads back to the road by the car park and the start.
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