Things to do in Corstorphine

Three fantastic ways to get some fresh air with the family.

Historic buildings

The Corstorphine Heritage Centre, run by the Corstorphine Trust, is one of the oldest inhabited buildings in Edinburgh. On record since 1587, the building has been home to many prominent Corstorphine families over the centuries. In 1991, the Trust restored it from a derelict building into a museum and archive of local history. In 2000 it was renamed to better reflect its current use. It’s a small museum, so it won’t take you long to explore, but it’s full of the rich detail of the lives of ordinary people over hundreds of years.

The Corstorphine Sycamore Tree was a local landmark for hundreds of years but blew down on Boxing Day in 1996. The tree was famously haunted, perhaps the site of buried treasure, and certainly witnessed at least one infamous murder. Its remains can be seen near the Dovecot, just on the corner of Sycamore Terrace. A section of the tree is housed in the Corstorphine Heritage Centre, along with more tales of its ghostly past.

Lastly, the Corstorphine Dovecot is the last building standing from the estate of Corstorphine Castle. The Castle itself and other buildings mostly demolished in the late 1700s, but this distinctive round building is still standing on Dovecot Road. You can wander past to visit it yourself, perhaps on the way to St Margaret’s Park. The Scots name is Doocot, and the building was home to pigeons in the hundreds of nest boxes inside. The pigeons themselves would have been a key food source for residents of the castle while it was inhabited.

Outside

A walk up Corstorphine Hill is the perfect thing to blow the cobwebs away on a weekend morning, and see some incredible views of the city and the Pentland Hills. There’s a walled garden and Corstorphine Tower for you to find as you explore the wooded trails and open spaces. It’s also a great spot for sledging in the snow!

Other fun

Edinburgh Zoo, is a must-visit attraction for animal lovers. With over 1,000 animals from around the world, it offers a unique experience to interact with some of the world’s most fascinating creatures. From the majestic big cats like lions and tigers, to playful primates like lemurs and monkeys, there’s something for everyone at the zoo. Visitors can also see some of the world’s most endangered species, such as the Scottish wildcat and the Amur leopard. The zoo is a great place for a family day out, and with plenty of outdoor space, it’s the perfect place for kids to learn about and explore the natural world.

Just outside Corstorphine you’ll find the Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, home of Edinburgh Rugby, and the scene of all of Scotland’s home games at the 6 Nations. On match days the stadium is a hive of activity with fans enjoying food, drinks and activities in the stadium grounds.

The rest of the time you can visit the stadium for a guided tour and a look around the Scottish Rugby Store.