This nature reserve sits between two major arteries running into Edinburgh - the A90 and A8. Corstorphine Hill is over 500 feet high and covered mainly by woodland. There are however a couple of excellent viewpoints across the city. With entrances at both ends, you can do this as an "up and over" walk. The A90 (Queensferry Road) entrance is roughly opposite the junction with Quality Street. An information board displays the myriad paths through the reserve. Height is gained rapidly and it's best to branch right at the first fork. Keep going upwards basically. An old quarry is passed and hanging right at the next split brings you close to the open grassy hillside looking west. Head through the gap for a fine view of the shale bings in the distance.
Multi-directional stone waymarkers are dotted around. Follow the arrows to the tower which was constructed in 1871 and gifted to the town in 1932 to commemorate the centenary of Sir Walter Scott's death. Pick up the John Muir Way as it skirts the boundary fence of the neighbouring Edinburgh Zoo. We descend upon a superb viewing area known as Rest and be Thankful. It offers an amazing vista of central Edinburgh. The obvious downwards route eventually brings you out on the main thoroughfare Corstorphine Road.
