Top 5 Edinburgh Outdoor Adventures: See Scotland

Edinburgh, very famously the capital city of Scotland, is really much more than just castles and old streets; its surrounding region is just jam-packed with spots where you could experience what’s sometimes called ‘the great outdoors’. Very likely, if you’re keen on experiencing something different during your travels, then perhaps stepping away very slightly from the busy tourist spots and properly getting to know the landscape surrounding Edinburgh is very likely a great idea. Let’s take a peek at, possibly, five brilliant outdoor activities around this particular part of Scotland. Maybe, it is going to give your visit just a little bit of zing, who knows?

1. Hiking Arthur’s Seat

Arthur’s Seat, certainly the most famous bump in Holyrood Park, sometimes provides a genuinely wonderful hiking experience actually right smack in the middle of the city. Reaching its peak definitely isn’t seriously taxing, yet that little climb gives you absolutely stunning views right the way across Edinburgh and then out into the Firth of Forth. Almost, if you go near sunrise or sunset, you know, the experience is just that extra bit spectacular. It might be pretty windy up top there, so probably, pack your layers!. Also, a very slightly humorous thing happened to me on the way up, I sort of bumped into a bagpiper practising, it seemed, for an event – talk about embracing the city’s culture in a genuinely scenic spot!.

2. Biking Along the Water of Leith

The Water of Leith Walkway really delivers just a gorgeous, practically car-free route brilliant for those who like to go cycling or maybe simply for a leisurely walk. More or less, this path runs the length of the river right into Leith, allowing what you might call fantastic views as you scoot along through very verdant scenery. Maybe, stop along the route at Dean Village – basically, a proper stunner that seems almost hidden away, or, how about the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art? Actually, for me personally, just tooling around on two wheels whilst gawking at the natural backdrop just gave a nice breath of very much welcome air. I mean, it is just what you need from a simple getaway in a pretty major city!. Finding a place to rent a bike isn’t tricky either, so pretty much all you’ll require is the will to pedal!

3. Exploring the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

For something genuinely chilled but genuinely very appealing, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is really spot-on. Very much across over 70 acres, it is brimming, really, with so, so many plants originating from all parts of the globe, what might be called quite special themed gardens, plus quite whopping greenhouses. The gardens, honestly, give all comers the opportunity to enjoy, what you might call, the very quiet corners or stroll alongside incredible collections of flowers. Really, I mean it’s absolutely magnificent. Anyway, during one of my visits, I spotted a gaggle of very excited children near the pond that’s basically brimming with water lilies, plus it just made me fully appreciate exactly what sort of, very welcome, natural space the garden really creates close by the urban centre. Basically, if you like, chilling a little, this place could be right up your alley!.

4. Day Trip to the Pentlands

If perhaps you fancy escaping urban streets and buildings completely, then actually plan a day trip so as to roam through the Pentland Hills. Very likely, you can actually get yourself to the park not very difficult on public transport coming from Edinburgh. Or you could just, quite simply, rent a car to make life a tad easier. Very much throughout these hills are many tracks suitable for almost any hiking ability levels – that runs the range right from gentle low-lying strolls right up to considerably rugged, sometimes steep, hikes. On a super bright day, expect really far-reaching landscapes showcasing just the gorgeous Scottish countryside, very far away, indeed, coming from Edinburgh. It is just one thing to have the scenery there, very nearby but being far from Edinburgh feels incredibly nice!. Maybe just don’t forget your hiking boots – those trails possibly are a bit cheeky!.

5. Climbing Calton Hill

Fairly close to the shops found on Princes Street lies Calton Hill; an exceedingly accessible hilltop spot best-known in a way for its iconic monuments combined with absolutely awesome panoramic sights right around the entire city. You’ll perhaps gaze in complete fascination towards the Scottish Parliament Building that stands almost smack against Arthur’s Seat whilst pretty much lapping up Edinburgh’s, mostly unique, skylines. The monuments found here, which can actually feature Nelson’s Monument, plus that not so finished National Monument, really definitely make a statement so as to stand just against this skyline that might be great both to peek at and that sometimes could provide brilliant talking points!. The climb itself could very well be fairly modest but the visual jackpot could sometimes feel very huge, very making Calton Hill worth every footstep you take!