| If you’re
itching to get out and about during your stay in Edinburgh,
there’s a range of activities on your doorstep.
You can’t guarantee snow, even in Scotland, so why
not visit The Midlothian Ski Centre [map] at Hillend, Midlothian? This massive ski centre has two
huge dry slopes, two nursery dry slopes and Snowflex
surfaced jump slopes for both beginners and advanced
skiers. Qualified instructors are on hand to give tuition
whatever level skier you are and there are also designated
snowboard instructors available to introduce you to some
fancier footwork.
Don't forget your mountain bike, as there are plenty
of designated routes and off road paths in and around
Edinburgh. Try one of the impressive mountain bike centres
such as Glentress, a large and popular centre near
Peebles, and Innerleithen, just 29 miles south
of Edinburgh, which is home to the UK's world cup downhill
venue and a cross-country route.
Edinburgh is surrounded by mountainous scenery and some
of Scotland’s best climbing surfaces are
located here. Places such as Salisbury Crags [map] in Holyrood Park and Roslin Glen are extremely popular
with experienced climbers.
If the weather isn’t being kind you can still get
your crampons out and hit the rock surface with a visit
to one of Edinburgh’s indoor climbing centres.
The Adventure Scotland Centre [map],
South Platt Hill, Ratho, is the largest indoor climbing
centre in the world. With 2,400 square metres of artificial
climbing wall plus 5,000 square metres of outdoor rock
cliffs this really is the perfect venue to find your feet
or practice your skills. It’s also a great place
to take the whole family as safety is paramount and friendly
instructors are on hand to help and assist with any problems.
You don't have to be a mountaineer to enjoy the many hills
and highlands of Edinburgh, the Ramblers Association are a huge force in Edinburgh and have some excellent
designated routes to suit varying fitness levels.
There are several picturesque fishing ponds in
Edinburgh, including Gladhouse Reservoir [map] at Eddleston, and Pumpherston Pond at Broxburn.
For those that like to combine a spot of angling with
some real visual treats, head to Duddingston Loch [map] which has inspired painters, photographers and poets over
the centuries.
Take to the sea, or at least take your first tentative
steps to being the master of your sea legs with a visit
to Port Edgar Marina and Sailing School [map].
Located at Shore Road, South Queensferry, the school offers
a wide range of tuition and training courses, boat
and canoe hire, along with essentials such as luxurious
changing rooms and hot showers. Keep the kids happy by
getting them involved in one of the schools popular activity
weekends.
Stay on sturdy ground and practice your serve at The
Craiglockhart Tennis Centre [map],
Colinton Road, for a family-orientated day of tennis fun.
There’s a range of courts to choose from including
six indoor and eight American fast dry clay courts,
so you can be sure there’ll be opportunities to
play whatever the weather.
If you want to comment on our choices or recommend somewhere,
why not use our What
You Recommend form to let us know.
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