The park features a working hydro-electric scheme that powers the visitor center and glasshouses.
The sunken garden was originally designed in 1908 by the City Gardener, James McHattie.
The rose garden contains approximately 2,000 individual rose bushes.
A significant portion of the park is designated as part of the Water of Leith Walkway, a 12-mile urban nature corridor.
The site includes a specialized sensory garden designed for accessibility.
Saughton Park & Gardens is a historic 34-acre green space in Edinburgh featuring a restored Edwardian sunken garden and one of the largest public rose gardens in Scotland. The site is split by the Water of Leith, which offers a riverside walkway connecting the park to surrounding areas. Its horticultural highlights include a collection of over 500 rose varieties and a formal winter garden. The park features a community-run bistro located within the renovated stable block. Sports facilities on-site include an extensive network of tennis courts and an inclusive play area. The gardens were comprehensively restored between 2014 and 2019 to preserve their original 1900s design features. It serves as an active hub for urban horticulture, utilizing a renewable hydro-powered heating system for its glasshouses.
The raised vantage point overlooking the symmetry of the sunken rose garden.
Visit the rose garden in mid-summer when the vast majority of the 500 varieties are in full bloom.
Check the Friends of Saughton Park website for seasonal plant sales and gardening workshops hosted in the community space.
Walking through the rose beds; stick to the paved pathways to avoid damaging the flora.
Stay on designated paths in the formal garden areas to protect the flower beds.
