edinburgh recreational activities

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital city, a world-class city of culture and heritage - Edinburgh is truly a great place to visit, but what about outdoor pursuits and activities?
Well, challenging golf courses, skiing, sailing, fishing, archery, riding, 4 x 4 driving, shooting, paintball - and that's just a taste of what's on offer within Edinburgh and the Lothians! And because Edinburgh is a compact city, it's easy to get out of town and to the places - rivers, firths, country parks, beaches, rolling hills - where the activities take place.
If you would like some more information on activity holidays and outdoor pursuits in Edinburgh and Lothian, contact us (link to contact page)
And a short distance from the country's historic capital you are in the beautifully contrasting scenery of the Lothians. To the east it's not just the superb choice of golf courses such as Muirfield that will enthral. Mavis Hall Park offers traditional pursuits such as clay pigeon shooting and cycling along with the more unusual like falconry and quad bike driving. The area's golden beaches are also popular with both windsurfers and paddlers, particularly near North Berwick and Dunbar.
Activity breaks in Edinburgh, stag and hen weekends in Edinburgh with adventure, challenge and fun - we’ve got it all.

Golf

Golf has been played in Scotland since the 14th century. Today you'll find some world-renowned courses around Edinburgh, including Gullane, the Open Championship course at Muirfield and the Open Qualifying course at Dunbar. Little wonder then, that East Lothian has been called the 'Cradle of Golf'.

Golf was first officially recognised in 1502, but back in the 15th century it faced serious opposition. Both James II and James III tried to ban it, as it was becoming more popular than archery. James IV also tried to ban it, but was later converted to the game. Another keen royal golfer was Mary Queen of Scots, who reportedly played at Musselburgh Links - the world's oldest playing course - in 1567.

One of the world's first established golf clubs, The Gentleman Golfers of Leith (later the Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers) was formed in Edinburgh in 1744.

Opportunities
Edinburgh and the Lothians is one of Scotland's best golfing regions. The mix of historical (Musselburgh Links is the oldest continuously playing course in the world) and modern courses (such as the specially designed courses at Craigielaw) makes the area particularly popular with golfers of all handicaps.

There is a wide choice of golf courses throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians, so whether you prefer to play on sandy links with sea views or parkland greens, you're bound to find at least one new course to add to your list of favourites.

Get more golf for your money with the Golf East Lothian passport, which offers great discounts (15% in high season 30% in low) at various golf courses across East Lothian. It's available for just £7.50 from North Berwick Tourist Information Centre and various hotels in the area. You can also buy online at the Golf East Lothian website, or phone (+44) 01620 892 197 for details.

Walking/cycling

In the city itself, the City of Edinburgh Council is committed to make walking and cycling in Edinburgh pleasant, without obstruction and danger from traffic.

See everything the city centre has, by bike - Monuments, Squares, Edinburgh Castle, the Queen's Palace and much more.
The cycling is energetic but non-strenuous, no fitness is required! We cycle the city in 3 hours with stops every few minutes for Adrian to provide commentary. "Highly recommended" - Lonely Planet.

Further afield, great walking and cycling opportunities abound in Fife – with the Fife Coastal path and Fife Cycleways, and in Perthshire, in particular.

And for great walking in particular, look no further than the Scottish  Borders. For the walker, it offers space to breathe clean air.  There are rolling hills, extensive mature forests, superb river valleys and interesting towns and villages. The region is seamed with tracks and paths so that you can walk for an hour, day or week.  For the walker, it offers the space to be invigorated - experience the tranquillity and freedom of walking in the Scottish Borders.

Walking in the Borders is good all year round. 

Adventure

Adventure sports activities and activity breaks in and around Edinburgh, explore Edinburgh, Bedlam paintball

Laser clays, paintball, snowsports, clays, archery, watersports, 4  x 4, rally driving &c – something for everyone – Edinburgh is not just a place to visit.

Bedlam Paintball
What a day you get at Bedlam Paintball in Scotland, b asedd in Edinburgh. One of the best paintballing days you're ever likely to have. You can play Bedlam paintball at Edinburgh, -  give Bedlam Paintball a call-07000 233526. Bedlam Paintball in Scotland at Edinburgh has hosted some famous names -  HRH Prince William, all of the Scottish PL teams, the SA Springboks, Border Reivers, The Cast of Ms. Saigon, The Chairman of RBS, Ed Byrne and others...

Kingsfield Leisure
Kingsfield Leisure is located just outside the Royal Burgh of Linlithgow, Scotland, UK, and is the only 4 Star Visit Scotland Activity Centre in the surrounding area.

The Golf Range is renowned for its Green Keeper Standard Practice Area and Putting Green. PGA golf tuition is available in our GASP Tuition Studio with our three PGA Golf Professionals.

Kingsfield Clays is our 'shoot to thrill' laser shooting experience which is available at Kingsfield, at the clients' own site, or at a hotel.

Our Helicopter Pilot Training School provides theory and practical training as well as awareness flights.

Kingsfield Leisure activity days can provide a selection of outdoor and indoor pursuits which are ideal for corporate and staff days.

Midlothian SnowSports Centre
Seven days a week, fifty weeks a year, Midlothian Snowsports Centre offers the exhilaration you would expect from Europe's longest and most challenging artificial ski slope, regardless of the weather. Our two main slopes, two nursery slopes and fun slope are all floodlit and have something to offer every standard of skier, boarder or blader. If you've never tried snow sports before, it's easy to start. We provide the equipment, and our qualified team of instructors will introduce you to the thrills and spills of the sports.

Other activity highlights in edinburgh

Edinburgh offers an impressive and ever changing choice of activities for its visitors. The city is a lively centre for both sport and the arts all year round.

Enjoy the city’s green and open spaces including parks, gardens and playgrounds. Also its health, fitness, leisure and sports venues and events

We are delighted to announce that the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena, Ratho successfully reopened (to climbers) on Monday, 19th February. We were delighted to welcome well over 100 climbers on our first night.

The Meadows tennis courts will be closing for essential refurbishment work on Monday 26th February. We hope to be ready for action again sometime in May. However, all is not lost! Tennis courts are available for hire at Craiglockhart Tennis Centre and St Margarets Park in Corstorphine.

In order to meet the growing demands on the health & fitness facilities at Leith Victoria Swim Centre, Edinburgh Leisure have taken the decision to extend the centre by building out over the Bonnington Road car park – the extension will be on ‘stilts’.

And - If you are interested in getting out on the water, Edinburgh Leisure have something for you. From beginners sailing courses, to advanced powerboating and kayaking, we offer courses and activities for all ages and abilities.
Most of our courses are based at Port Edgar Marina - a large Water Sports centre based on the Firth of Forth. The marina has over 300 berths available, and also offers a large fleet for hire to the general public.