Scotland the best
Town parks
You don’t have to travel out into rural areas to enjoy the outdoors. Town parks fit the bill, too Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy
A big municipal park with a duck and boat pond, wide-open spaces and many amusements (bowling, tennis, putting, plootering). Ravenscraig, a coastal park on the main road east to Dysart, is an excellent place to walk. Great prospect of the firth and its coves.
Rouken Glen & Linn Park, Glasgow
Both on south side of river. Rouken Glen via Pollokshaws/kilmarnock Rd to Eastwood Toll then right. Linn Park via Aikenhead and Carmunnock road. It’s a journey but worth it; this is one of the undiscovered Elysiums of a city that boasts more than 60 parks. Activities, wildlife walks, kids’ nature trails, horse-riding and Alexander “Greek” Thomson’s Holmwood House.
Station Park, Moffat
On your right as you enter the town from the M74. Well-proportioned people’s park; boating pond (with giant swans), 18-hole putting. Annan water alongside offers nice walking. Notable also for the monument to Air Chief Marshall Hugh Dowding, Commander in Chief during the Battle of Britain.
Dean Castle Park, Kilmarnock
A77 south, first turn-off for Kilmarnock then signed; from Ayr A77 north, third turn-off. Surprising green and woody oasis in suburban Kilmarnock; lawns and woods around restored castle and courtyard. Urban farm, adventure playground, caff.
Callendar Park, Falkirk
Park on edge of town centre, signed from all over. Overlooked by high-rise blocks and near a busy road system, this is nevertheless a beautiful green space with a big hoose (heritage museum with exhibitions), woods and lawns. You can’t help feeling they could do with it here. See also The Kelpies and The Helix.