Scotland the best
Climb off the couch and head to your nearest public park. Need inspiration? Look no further
Duthie Park, Aberdeen
Large, well-kept park with duck pond, summer rose gardens, carved sculptures and the famous David Welch Winter Garden of subtropical palms/ferns, home to one of the UK’s biggest cacti collections. aberdeencity.gov.uk
MacRosty Park, Crieff
On your left as you leave Crieff for Comrie and Crianlarich. A perfect green place on sloping ground to the River Earn (good level walk – Lady Mary’s Walk) with mature trees and superb bandstand. Brilliant for kids. pkc.gov.uk
Wilton Lodge Park, Hawick
A nice park with facilities and diversions enough for everyone, eg the civic gallery, rugby pitches (they like rugby a lot in Hawick), a large kids’ playground, a seasonal café and lots of riverside walks by the Teviot (you can smell the river banks). All-round open-air recreation centre. South end of town by A7. scotborders.gov.uk
Callendar Park, Falkirk
Park on edge of town centre, signed from all over. Near a busy road system, this is nevertheless a beautiful green space with a big hoose (heritage museum with exhibitions), woods and lawns. See also The Kelpies and the Helix 2/attractions. falkirkcommunitytrust.org
Beveridge Park, Kirkcaldy
Another big municipal park with a duck and boat pond, wide-open spaces and many amusements (eg 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 and cruise. fifedirect.org.uk