Edinburgh is renowned for many architectural and historic sights, so a glimpse of a thousand yellow plastic ducks sailing down the Water of Leith may come as something of a surprise to the unsuspecting visitor. But, every summer, that is exactly what happens at the Stockbridge Duck Race, an enduringly popular event that, having taken place annually for the past 30 years, is now ingrained in the village’s calendar.
During the past three decades, the Stockbridge Duck Race has become one of the most eagerly anticipated charity events in the city, raising tens of thousands of pounds for good causes. The ducks are sold in advance of the race at cafes, restaurants, bars and shops throughout Stockbridge for a nominal fee, and are then taken to the event on the day, where they are dropped by the duckload into the river from the bridge adjacent to the village’s Pizza Express.
The rules are somewhat simple: in the spirit of Poohsticks, the ducks float downstream, bobbing along on the current while the eager crowd cheer on from the side-lines, with those that cross the finishing line first winning their owners a variety of prizes donated by local businesses.
PHOTO By @willow_boutique_uk
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There’s so much to see and do in Edinburgh’s city centre, however, if you’re a local whofancies a change of scene or a visitor who would rather avoid the city’s busier, more well-known attractions, Newhailes Estate is a lovely option for a countryside day trip.
There’s so much to see and do in Edinburgh’s city centre, however, if you’re a local whofancies a change of scene or a visitor who would rather avoid the city’s busier, more well-known attractions, Newhailes Estate is a lovely option for a countryside day trip.
The “lost” Walled Garden on Corstorphine Hill was built for Hillwood House, a mansion adjacent to the garden, but due to lack of upkeep became overgrown with weeds and sections of the walls were in need of repair.
Sitting in the shadow of the Pentland Hills, the Secret Herb Garden stretches out over seven acres and is home to a beautiful shop, cafe, rose garden, fairy wood, several vegetable gardens, beehives, plus it’s the only gin botanical garden with a distillery in the UK.
Sitting on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Jupiter Artland is a spectacular hidden gem set in over 100-acres of meadow, woodland and indoor gallery space.
Sandwiched between Leith Docks and Granton Harbour, Newhaven (meaning “New Harbour”) is a charming neighbourhood which was once a thriving, tight-knit fishing village and, despite its close distance to Edinburgh, was known for its distinctive dress and traditions.
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