Separating the Old and New Town, the Public Garden area  was inaugurated in 1820 when the Nor Loch was finally completely drained as old and new town were connected via the mound.
Gruesome tales of witch ducking abound about the Loch, and in past times many a body would disappear in the Loch, along with general waste. Nowadays on a warm sunny day, the Gardens are once again filled with scary semi naked bodies, white and pink desperately trying to catch some sunrays! At Christmas time the Gardens are transformed into a Winter Wonderland with ice rink and Christmas market. generally the gardens act as a social hub - year round.