The Meadows: the great green south of the Old Town
A cherry-blossom avenue, the oldest golfing turf in town, and the city's flattest, friendliest green. This is a Claude-drafted route awaiting the editor's walk.

1. Jawbone Walk and the entrance
Start at the north-east corner where a whalebone arch once stood — the gateway's still called the Jawbone. The diagonal path strikes across the whole green from here. The university's edges are at your back; the open grass is ahead.

2. Middle Meadow Walk
The tree-lined spine running south, busy with students, prams and bikes at all hours. Coffee carts and a row of cafés sit at the top end by the old infirmary. The best people-watching in the south side, and free.

3. The cherry-blossom avenue
Off the main walk, the double row of cherry trees that turns the whole park pink for two weeks each spring — late April into May, weather depending. The rest of the year it's a fine avenue of shade. If you've timed it right, you'll know.

4. Bruntsfield Links
Cross Melville Drive into the Links, the rougher green rising to the west — and one of the oldest places golf was ever played. The short-hole pitch-and-putt is still free to walk among; people have knocked balls about here for centuries.

5. The Golf Tavern
At the top of the Links, a pub claiming a line back to 1456 and a fair share of golfing history. Whether or not you believe the date, it's the right place to stop. Sit outside if the sun's out and watch the putting.

6. Bruntsfield Place
Walk up onto Bruntsfield Place, the cheerful run of independent shops, delis and cafés that edges the Links. The buses back into town run from here. End with a browse rather than a rush.

The Meadows: the great green south of the Old Town