A guided family journey through Edinburgh’s creatures, statues and stories
Audio trail
Edinburgh is a city full of secret animals — some hiding on rooftops, some perched on fountains and even a few guarding palaces. We're on a quest to find them all! At each stop, solve the clue, spot the animal and learn something new about this incredible city
This trail is designed so you can pick and choose the stops you like best. Every family has its own pace and there’s no right or wrong way to go exploring. But if you’d like a friendly suggestion, I’ve set out a path that tells a kind of story.
We begin in the quiet of London Road Gardens, where you’ll find creatures carved in wood that were roaming about before Edinburgh grew into the busy city it is today. From there, we stroll through the heart of the city, meeting all sorts of animals — some ancient and full of legend, some modern or a bit cheeky. And at the very end, waiting inside the National Museum, is Dolly the Sheep. Not just any sheep, but one who became quite famous for helping scientists learn new things about how life works. A quiet wee creature with a big story behind her.
Whether you follow the whole route or just pick the bits you fancy, I hope the trail brings you a spark of curiosity, wonder, and a good bit of fun.
Ready? Let the adventure begin!
1. London Road Gardens Badger, Owl & Bug Log
2. Pigeons of Elm Row
3. Greenside Place (OMNi Centre) Mother Giraffe & Baby Giraffe
4. Paddington Bear
St Andrew’s Square
5. Lion statue in St Andrew’s Square
6.Maida, Walter Scott’s Dog Scott Monument
7. Sea-unicorns on Hanover Street
8. Wojtek the Soldier Bear West Princes Street Gardens
9. The Ross Fountain (Princes Street Gardens) Mermaids
10. Gladstone’s Land (Royal Mile) The Golden Bird
11. Deer at St Giles’ Cathedral
12. Royal Mile The Unicorn at Mercat Cross
13. Cowgate The Cow and the Old “Cow Road”
14. Old Town — Bobby the Dog (Greyfriars Bobby)
15. Bristo Square
The Rhino
16. National Museum of Scotland
Dolly the Sheep
Edinburgh is a city full of secret animals — some hiding on rooftops, some perched on fountains and even a few guarding palaces. We're on a quest to find them all! At each stop, solve the clue, spot the animal and learn something new about this incredible city
This trail is designed so you can pick and choose the stops you like best. Every family has its own pace and there’s no right or wrong way to go exploring. But if you’d like a friendly suggestion, I’ve set out a path that tells a kind of story.
We begin in the quiet of London Road Gardens, where you’ll find creatures carved in wood that were roaming about before Edinburgh grew into the busy city it is today. From there, we stroll through the heart of the city, meeting all sorts of animals — some ancient and full of legend, some modern or a bit cheeky. And at the very end, waiting inside the National Museum, is Dolly the Sheep. Not just any sheep, but one who became quite famous for helping scientists learn new things about how life works. A quiet wee creature with a big story behind her.