I'm a resident of Edinburgh and live within 2 minutes of the Meadows.
A park that was once well maintained, is now muddy, filthy and full of sights that wouldn't have been out of place in some of the worst areas of the city. With Trash bins overflowing, scorch marks (In summer and autumn), construction waste, used condoms, used needles or empty beer cans/bottles.
The people in the meadows are another story, You have 4 main classes of people who occupy The Meadows.
Cyclists:
The City of Edinburgh Council have made this a cyclists dream, with your average cyclist not wearing a helmet, having any real reflective clothing or lights you're almost certain to have a bad experience if you visit daily.
Joggers/Fitness seekers
Sure to run into you or your dog eventually, be sure to watch out especially for Edinburgh Athletics or British Military Fitness who can be especially bad with their large groups not being careful enough!
Some of these freaks even enjoy running at 2 AM! Scared of joining/too poor to join a Gym, There's a 24 hour cheap Pure Gym within 2-5 Minutes of The Meadows!
Students:
Just making their way to and from the University most of the year, dropping food around The Meadows and the nearby streets. In the summer, sure to be in The Meadows scorching the grass if they haven't gone home.
Dog Pests:
For some of these! It's not just a daily visit.
I'm kind of in this camp, but unlike some of the others abide by the Control of Dogs Act and keep my best bud on his leash at all times and pick up his poop when needed.
The others however think that The Meadows are great and their dog is perfect, until it attacks you, or your dog. Most dog owners don't have their dog under control or on a leash, and some of them don't even own a leash as I found out last year!
Beware of dogs indeed.
There is also the special type of dog owner who visits The Meadows who merges a daily duty with Leisure by breaking/entering the City Council run Tennis court at 6AM every day to let their dogs run and pee all over the Tennis Courts. Think twice before entering this lair!
So that's the meadows, It sure used to be a nice place and you'll occasionally see someone walking to and from work, or some kids in the park at the weekend, but otherwise this is one place in Edinburgh that's often best avoided unless you absolutely need to go. read more