A summer evening walk in Saughton park

One of summer’s pleasures is the extended light, meaning we can head out after work for some exercise, fresh air - or preferably both. Saughton Park is a place that meets those needs in abundance and has done so for Edinburgh residents over multiple generations.

This oasis of West Edinburgh is cradled by the Water of Leith as it loops southward to skirt Gorgie Road on its route through the city to Leith.

This well-watered and fertile area of land gifted Saughton its name, owing to the willow trees that grew here – Sauch meaning willow in old Scots. Originally the grounds of Saughtonhall House, the park has been open free to the public since 1905 and came to prominence just a few years later when it was the chosen site for the 1908 Scottish National Exhibition, which welcomed 3.5 million visitors from across the globe to marvel at the Winter Gardens, Palace of Industries and other attractions.

We hop out of the car and begin our circuit of the park’s perimeter, passing the athletics track on our left, where young athletes are mid warm-up. Sprinters’ fast feet pound the track, while a phalanx of middle-distance runners exit the gate and drift past us in loping strides, chatting all the while. To our right, football is in full flow. Hoarse coaches put youth teams through their paces while, behind the chain-link, 5-a-side battles are pitched.

On the grass by some benches, a family have brought full barbeque gear and are cooking up a feast. The mouth-watering aromas of Asian food diffuse around us and we are momentarily the Bisto kids, heads turning… just managing to maintain our course. Next is the skate park where boarders bravely pit wits against gravity and unyielding concrete in graffiti-covered wickedly dipping curves. A respectful hush hangs in the air, punctuated now and then by the slap of an overturned board or murmured approval at a trick pulled off.

There are outdoor exercise machines and a basketball court here too, facilities to cater for every interest. However, the true jewel of this park is without doubt Saughton Park Gardens. The centrepiece is the impressive rose garden, a legacy of that great Exhibition. Divided in pleasing geometry by low ornamental hedging, it feels like the prize possession of some stately home, the like of which might be kept locked away or command a princely entrance fee, but not so – it’s ours to enjoy, gratis. Lining the paths, pom-pom heads of allium sway on long stalks and beds burst with catmint like purple and green fireworks in suspended animation, each irresistible to bumblebees – we see four species in the space of just a few paces.

Beyond the rose garden clematis climbs on frames, the flowers scented of marshmallow with a hint of custard cream. Fruit trees line the perimeter wall where a serious-looking young student reclines on the grass reading a book. Then we enter the Physic Garden, which contains a series of raised beds with herbs and plants traditionally used for their therapeutic properties – each carefully tended and labelled: Juniper ‘for colds fevers and coughs’, St John’s Wort ‘for depression and anxiety’ and Autumn Crocus ‘for rheumatoid arthritis and gout’, amongst many others. Indeed, the healing power of plants is a theme that runs like a thread through the history of this place. It was in these grounds that, in the 19^th century, physician and botanist Dr William Henry Lowe, one of the earliest exponents of occupational therapy, pioneered the use of gardening as therapy for treating mental health problems.

Finally, we exit the gardens by the south gate and return towards the car park along the riverbank. Locals pause on their way past to lean against the fence and watch the mallards and goosander dabble and dive. A grey heron stands still as a statue at the base of the weir, its motionless form juxtaposed with the cascading waters. Suddenly it springs to life, extending angular legs and snaking neck to pluck a small fish from the flow, before returning to its static repose. Above the weir, still waters reflect overhanging willow boughs. The perfect calm of the scene diffuses through us.

I reflect too, not only on the beautiful surroundings, but also on the wonderful cross-section of city society here tonight, all enjoying this green space, with not a cross word uttered. It’s easy to forget, isn’t it? In a world so plagued by war and division how lucky we are to have this space, this peace.

We are back at the car and I glance at my watch. I think I might just go round again….

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Published in Konect August 2022

Author: William Weir

All photos by William Weir