Like everyone else in Edinburgh University, I was in shock on Sunday when at 4:30pm I looked out my window to find nothing but dark. Whilst the dark and the cold does make the perfect excuse to buy some extra fairy lights, it can make getting out in nature even harder.
Getting outside daily remains a key box on most people’s to-do list. Whether it’s to romanticise the autumnal leaves, get your jeans annoyingly muddy, or pretend your too-thin scarf is in fact keeping you warm, going on a walk can bring significant benefits to both your mental and physical health. Removing yourself from your university headspace and giving your brain a break can boost your mood, help you focus, and improve your physical wellness. So, if you have an upbeat walking playlist, or a slightly intellectual podcast for all those academic weapons out there, here are some ideas as to where to get outside more (and no, walking to Cowgate a 1am does not count as the outdoors).
The classics:
A staple on any Edinburgh university student, a quick trip round or too The Meadows is a quick and easy way to engage in nature. A lunch picnic between lectures, or a stroll to distract you form the horrors of the library third floor, The Meadows is a quick and easy way to re-connect with nature after one-to-many VBLs the night before. Arthur’s Seat is another classic, promising too many steps but a satisfying view at the top. Heading down to Holyrood Park the Arthur’s Seat trail takes you through the hills and up the summit. Alternatively, turning to your right and heading up the crags offers another option for views across all of Edinburgh – you can even see the dreaded King’s Campus.
Further afield:
If you’re feeling adventurous and want to catch the 27 bus down to New Town (or you’re unlucky enough to be at Beaverbank, like I was), Inverleith Park is the perfect picnic spot. Just outside of Stockbridge, it takes you slightly outside of the university bubble and allows you to stroll next to some good-natured ducks in a 54-acre park, one of Edinburgh’s largest green spaces. You can even pop over to Stockbridge after for an overpriced coffee. Alternatively, just opposite sits the Botanical Gardens (free entry!) for all the biology enthusiasts. Added bonus: a cute gift shop complete with Jellycats.
Hiking special:
For those looking for a more challenging walk, the Pentlands is a little further out of Edinburgh. Reachable by bus 44, it’s the perfect day trip to don your walking boots (or Sambas) and meander through some peaceful Scottish scenery. You might even see a highland cow! In addition to the various trails you can find, a range of activities such as fishing, skiing and kayaking are available, letting you embrace the outdoors to the fullest.
Photo by Rosalind Chang on Unsplash.