Scotland’s “best town parks” have been named in a new list.
As we enter the second week of February, Valentine’s Day is getting closer and closer. Even if you haven’t made plans yet, there is still time — and sometimes there is nothing more romantic than a simple walk in idyllic surroundings.
On Wednesday, The Times shared a list of “five of the best town parks in Scotland”. Topping the list at number one is Duthie Park in Aberdeen.
Beloved by locals and tourists alike, Duthie Park is renowned for its restored Victorian features such as its band stand, fountains, and boating ponds. The park also features an astroturf area for ball games and play areas for children both young and old.
Duthie Park also includes a ‘Winter Gardens’, which is home to one of the most visited public indoor plant collections in the whole of Scotland. As well as being a top destination for a walk, the Winter Gardens is also a popular wedding spot.
According to Aberdeen City Council, Duthie Park received the city’s first Green Flag Park Award in 2013 and has maintained it ever since. The park has also been recognised by organisations such as Keep Scotland Beautiful and Britain in Bloom.
The Times wrote: “A large well-kept park with a duck pond, Victorian bandstand, hugely impressive summer rose garden, a boating pond, café, carved sculptures and the wonderful David Welch Winter Gardens of subtropical palms and ferns, home to one of the UK’s biggest cactus collections. It’s the starting point for a great family-friendly cycle to Inchgarth nature reserve along the old Deeside railway line once linking Aberdeen with Banchory.”
Elsewhere, The Times also singled out Station Park in Moffat as another of the top town parks in Scotland. The small park is located on the edge of the Dumfriesshire town, along the River Annan.
Station Park was created towards the end of the 19th century, and has remained popular amongst visitors ever since. It features a children’s play park, a boating pond, and various picnic areas.
Another notable feature of Station Park is the monument dedicated to Air Chief Marshal Hugh Dowding, who is considered the architect of victory in the Battle of Britain during World War Two. The memorial to Dowding, who was born in Moffat, reads: “Never in the field of human conflict was so much owed by so many to so few.”
The Times stated: “This well-proportioned people’s park has a boating pond (with giant swans), an 18-hole putting green and a great children’s play park (the toddler-friendly splash zone called Moffatasia is a boon in summer). Annan Water alongside is nice for walking.”
The full list of “five of the best town parks in Scotland” can be found on The Times shared .
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