Green spaces
Being in nature is a brilliant way to boost your mental health and wellbeing. Fresh air and natural surroundings can help you feel more relaxed, and sunlight increases serotonin which improves mood.
Spending time outdoors can involve going for a walk, taking up gardening at home or through a community project, or simply by sitting in a green space and enjoying your surroundings.
Local green spaces
We’re lucky in Midlothian to have beautiful country parks and nature reserves to visit and explore. Why not visit one you haven’t been to in a while?
- Dalkeith Country Park
- Gore Glen Woodland Park
- Hillend Country Park
- Penicuik-Dalkeith Walkway
- Pentland Hills Regional Park
- Roslin Glen Country Park
- Springfield Mill
- Straiton Pond Local Nature Reserve
- Vogrie Country Park
Midlothian Council has put together a full list of parks in Midlothian.
The Woodland Trust have created handy tools to help you find your closed greenspaces and woodland areas: Woodland areas.
Midlothian Council have an interactive travel map of walking and cycle paths throughout Midlothian. They also have a range of orienteering maps and activities for Vogrie Country Park.
Ideas and resources
The Woodland Trust has a wide range of activities for adventures in the woods including identifying wildlife, fun and games for the whole family and foraging.
The RSPB has resources to help kids and families connect with nature, from simple activities they can do at home or at school, to wild clubs, fun articles and family-friendly reserves and events.
Ideas from Mindful on a daily mindful walking practice.
A factsheet from Mind on nature and mental health.
The Mental Health Foundation’s ‘Thriving with Nature’ guide can help you make the most of our natural spaces to boost your wellbeing
These factsheets and resources from Trellis have lots of gardening activity ideas relating to therapeutic gardening.
Taking notice
Taking notice is also one of the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Taking notice of our thoughts, emotions and surroundings is a great way to stay present and pay attention to our needs. Taking notice of things we’re grateful for, big or small, is a great way to boost our mood and appreciate our surroundings.
Learn more here about the other ways to wellbeing on our Five Ways to Wellbeing page.
Organisations and projects
Health in Mind run groups using green spaces and activities to help with stress and, anxiety, building hope and connecting with others across Midlothian. The groups include: The Secret Garden, a Walking in nature group and a Gentle cycling group.
The Midlothian Community Hospital Garden, managed by Cyrenians, is used to grow food, build communities and educate people.
Mayfield and Easthouses Development Trust is a community-focused organisation creating opportunities and improving facilities to regenerate the community of Mayfield and Easthouses. It has a community garden that local residents are welcome to join in and help with.
One Dalkeith Community Development Trust has several environmental activities including improving community spaces, litter picking and fruit planting activities, and
Botanical Society Scotland aims to advance the appreciation and understanding of all plants and fungi.