Staying at university over the Easter break? That doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the fun. Luckily for us, Scotland has an abundance of fantastic days-out to keep us occupied, and there is a vast wilderness to explore as soon as you leave the city bounds.
There really is something for everyone here, and what’s more, being in the capital city makes it marvellously easy to travel almost anywhere you could want to in the space of a day. Here are some ideas for potential daytrips to fill the Easter break, just a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh.
Take an Adventure: Just an hour and a half away on the train is Nae Limits. Situated in Perthshire, the company offers almost any kind of adventure day that you could ask for: canyoning, quad-biking, white-water rafting, paintballing and even cliff-jumping. You will need to book in advance if this is the kind of adventure you are after, which can easily be done through their website naelimits.co.uk. In addition to your activity, you will be provided with all the safety gear you need and supervision at all times, plus the prospect of a discount if you choose to go back again.
A Day at the Beach: Following an exhilarating day of adventure, if you are looking to slow down the pace a little, then a day at the beach can be the perfect solution. Luckily for us, Scotland has 9,910 kilometres of coastline, and it is certainly not too difficult to reach from Edinburgh.
One of most beautiful nearby beaches is Seacliff Beach in North Berwick, which takes about an hour on the train to reach. It is a beautiful, quaint, and peaceful beach that has earned itself a mention on Undiscovered Scotland’s website. The beach boasts numerous rockpools to explore, plus unbeatable views of Tantallon Castle and one of the tiniest harbours in the United Kingdom. I imagine on a sunny day this would be the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh’s New Town and a chance to see a quieter side of Scotland.
Become a Photographer: Scotland is undoubtedly one of the most picturesque areas of the world. The natural beauty of the rolling mountains and mysterious lochs means that there are a million photo opportunities to be discovered. Unfortunately, I must admit that if you want to experience the views from Ben Nevis, or capture Harry Potter filming locations by Loch Shiel, it will take more than a day trip.
On the bright side, there are still wondrous places to visit a little closer to Edinburgh, and the one I would recommend the most is Loch Lomond. Not only is it the largest freshwater body in the UK (and in some places it is deeper than the North Sea!), it is also just over an hour away from Edinburgh, and there are regular coach tours that will take you there for a decent price. The Loch is situated in The Trossachs National Park, and whilst it might not be at the same standard as the Highlands, you will still want a full camera battery if you visit.
Challenge Yourself: If you want to challenge yourself in Scotland, the obvious option is walking. Check out walkhighlands.co.uk for a full list of walking routes both near and far from Edinburgh, ranging from daylong hikes to scenic strolls. One of the best-looking routes to adequately challenge yourself without journeying too far from the city is Allermuir Hill – the Pentland peak nearest to Edinburgh. Approximately six kilometres long, the path ascends 385 metres. But the views from the top are said to be better than those from Arthur’s Seat: a well earned reward.
As such, why not give Scotland a chance and try something new this holiday too? Maybe you will beat your friends’ pictures from their backpacking trip to Iceland or their beach-lounging in Majorca.
Image: Yoxin Chin
