📌 Gorgie, City of Edinburgh
★★
🛠️ Gorgie Farm closed in early 2023 but there are plans for it to (eventually) reopen as a community-led venture (checked April 2024)
Right at the middle of the busy Edinburgh suburbs of Gorgie and Dalry, and almost directly opposite Tynecastle football stadium, the gap between a railway line and a cemetery allows just enough space for a city farm. Yes, really – a farm at the heart of Scotland’s capital. This family-friendly animal attraction is home to all the usual suspects including cows, pigs, sheep, goats, alpacas, chickens and ducks, as well as numerous rehomed domestic pets. Many (or all?) of the animals have been named, and some are local celebrities: famously grumpy Olive the duck even had an audience with Queen Elizabeth II before Olive passed away in 2019. And we couldn’t omit to mention the Dalry Llama – perhaps our favourite ever name for a farm animal. Like many of the animals housed here, Gorgie Farm’s recent life story has been a rather rocky one; it was forced to close in 2019 due to a lack of funding, before being saved by an educational charity the following year. Anyone can visit, but the farm also performs a particularly vital role in running various programmes ranging from an Earth School, through mental health support and a foodbank, to giving those not fortunate enough to have access to rural areas a chance to spend time with animals. Entry is free, though donations are welcome.
🌍 Location
📌 51 Gorgie Road (A71), Gorgie, 2 mi southwest of Edinburgh Waverley station
🧭 O.S. Grid Reference: NT 233724
🛰️ GPS coordinates: 55.938242,-3.228676
🚌 Numerous local buses | 🚆🚋 Haymarket (0.5 mi)
🚗 Street parking nearby
📝 Key info
⌚ Daily
🎫 Free
