No matter if you’re a first-year just coming to Edinburgh, excited to explore the city or a returning fourth-year, I would recommend drafting up a bucket list of day trips out you want to do. If you’re lost for inspiration, here are some of my personal recommendations!
In a city as rainy as Edinburgh, having a good few indoor activities up your sleeve is an excellent idea, and given the history and culture of Edinburgh, there are plenty of museums and galleries to choose from. The National Galleries and the National Museum of Scotland are world-renowned and well worth a visit. But if you’re looking for places a little less touristy, The Writers Museum and Surgeons Hall Museum provide a much more quirky look into Edinburgh’s past. My personal favourite museum, however, is The People’s Story Museum at the end of the Royal Mile. It specialises in the social and working class history of Edinburgh, providing a unique look into the city’s history.
We are also lucky to live in a city that’s filled with as much green space as Edinburgh, which can provide the perfect place for a day out. Whether it’s a catch up picnic with a friend or one of those reconnecting with nature solo dates, Edinburgh has you covered! Princes Street Gardens, and the Meadows are popular student favourites. The Pentlands also are only a short bus-ride away and provide the perfect escape from the busy nature of the city and displays some stunning scenery come rain or shine.
Edinburgh further boasts an impressive seven hills throughout the city. Arthur’s seat is obviously a bucket list hike for any visitor, but if you want the best views of Edinburgh, I’d recommend checking out Blackford Hill, which on a sunny day, truly cannot be beaten. If you are feeling adventurous, you could even try the Seven Hills Challenge, where you climb all sevenl in a day!
If you’re anything like me, an absolute must-do when in Scotland is seeing some Highland Cows. Whilst you could make the most of your Young Scot card to take a weekend trip to the Highlands and see some along the way, you don’t actually need to travel that far to see them. Swanston Farms, in Southern Edinburgh, houses a few of these very friendly farm animals which can make for a very wholesome day out.
Whether you’re in dire need of retail therapy or grossly underestimated how many going-out tops you actually need, Princes Street and St James Quarter are well-stocked. However, for a more environmentally-conscious option, I would recommend checking out Edinburgh’s incredible charity shop scene with Stockbridge and Clerk Street both providing the perfect place for a charity shop crawl.
Edinburgh also has a bustling live action scene that is definitely worth checking out. With iconic venues such as Murrayfield, Usher Hall or Festival Theatre putting on an array of events, there is undoubtedly something for everyone to enjoy. Even better, you could visit some of Edinburgh University’s own venues — such as Bedlam — to support student performances!
So, whatever your preference, there is a perfect day out in Edinburgh for everyone!
Photo by jim Divine on Unsplash.