Outdoors

These are the five best beaches in and around Edinburgh.

The 5 best beaches in and around Edinburgh where you can enjoy the heatwave

Several of our readers recommended Edinburgh Botanic Gardens as a great place to go to enjoy a free day out. There are over 70 acres of beautiful land to explore, with sections including the Rock Garden, the Woodland Garden, the Pond, the Arboretum and the Chinese Hillside.

The 10 best free activities to do in Edinburgh

Roz taking an Edinburgh Leisure class Pic: Chris Watt Photography

We try Totally Shredded with Edinburgh Leisure

Dunbar East Beach was just one of the East Lothian beauty spots granted the prestigious Scotland’s Beach Award. This beautiful beach, which has plenty of rock pools to explore, is only a five minute walk from Dunbar's High Street.

The 8 award-winning beaches near you

This beach, which is situated between the Joppa area of Edinburgh and the East Lothian town of Musselburgh, is one of the beaches with the poorest water quality. Locals were previously warned not to swim at the beach, after it received a 'poor'' rating for five years in a row. However, Fisherrow Sands has recently been re-designated as an official bathing water by SEPA.

These are the 7 local beaches with the dirtiest water

The Genesis Scottish Open takes place in July

Gallery: Scottish Open golf stars ranked by career earnings

This set of three munros is a tough walk, talking around eight to 10 hours to complete, however, the views from the top are magnificent. Beinn a'Ghlo is situated in the Cairngorms National Park, near Blairgowrie. It's a two hour and 20 minute drive from the centre of Edinburgh.

10 munros to bag near Edinburgh

Finlay Wilson, the Kilted Yogi

Yoga Scotland: top teachers share their favourite poses and practice tips

Sunrise swim at Portobello Beach for International Women's Day cancelled due to extreme cold weather. (Photo by Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Sunrise swim for International Women's Day cancelled

The Northern Lights might be visible in Edinburgh and the Lothians in the coming days.

Northern Lights could be visible in Scotland this weekend

The next event to collect a free tree will be at Inverleith Park on March 3 between 12pm to 3pm and March 4 between 10am to 2pm
Photo: Stephen Bowler, Flickr

Residents offered 10,000 free trees to fight climate crisis

The Northern Lights may be visible in skies above Edinburgh and the Lothians on Monday night. (Photo credit: Craig Timmins)

When and where to spot the Northern Lights tonight

One Edinburgh local captured the colourful Northern Lights display over the Capital's Inverleith Park.

10 pictures of the dazzling Northern Lights display

Campaigners are calling for Leith Links to be made more safe with improved lightning

Leith Links: Campaigners urge council to improve lighting

If you want a proposal spot with 360 degree views of Edinburgh, take a wander up Calton Hill with your beloved. At the top of the hill, there are plenty of historic landmarks to serve as a backdrop to your special moment, such as the Nelson, Dugald Stewart and National Monuments.

The 9 most romantic locations for proposals

Edinburgh Zoo's Valentine events will run on selected days between February 11-15. Picture: RZSS

Edinburgh Zoo launches Valentine's Day celebrations
Celebrate Valentine’s Day with the one you love at Edinburgh Zoo - from a romantic candlelit dinner to painting pebbles for penguin’s nests

Leith resident, Annette, said her proposal would enhance the Water of Leith for the local community and support biodiversity in the area. She said the floating ecosystem islands provide a safe haven for birds, improve water quality and residents in the densely populated area would have increased contact with nature.

Resident's disappointment after Water of Leith project given 'cold shoulder'

With the New Year marking a fresh start what better way to begin the year with some crisp fresh air.
From country strolls to urban jaunts, Edinburgh offers a wide variety of beautiful walks. Here are 12 popular walks you do New Year Year’s Day.
Photo Credits: Chris Combe, flickr - Calum McRoberts - photo - kaysgeog, flickr

12 popular walks to kick off the New Year

Here are the best seven winter walks in around Edinburgh and the Lothians.

7 of the best winter walks in the Capital

Edinburgh in the snow.

11 stunning photos of the Capital in the snow

Bar Hutte Pic: Jessica Shurte

Bar Hutte Santa Claus Club review

The animals are in the Christmas spirit at Love Gorgie Farm

Gorgie farm hosts Christmas experience

The 'banana flats' are rated alongside the likes of Edinburgh Castle, the Forth Road Bridge, the Royal Commonwealth Pool and the 1967 glasshouses at the Royal Botanic Garden.

11 photos of Leith's ‘banana flats’ down the decades

The Meadows is a much-loved space where locals just love to gather, especially when the sun shines.

In pictures: The Meadows over the years

Edinburgh's Botanic Gardens will light up the night sky with festive light installations. (Photo by Phil Wilkinson)

All you need to know about Christmas at the Botanics

Masini and Velu Pic: RZSS

Day in the Life: Roslin Talbot, senior keeper at Edinburgh Zoo

Living Rent say local residents would like to see additional lighting at Leith Links.

Campaigners stage Halloween protest at Leith Links
An Edinburgh organisation says ‘insufficient lighting’ is leaving local residents spooked in Leith Links

Children can enjoy the new playpark in Edinburgh's Portobello

New play park opens in Portobello

Witch in a tree

Edinburgh Zoo Spooktacular returns for its second year - trick or treat?

Orchard Pic: Adobe

Apple inspiration: there's a bumper crop this year, here's what to do with them

The Born Free Forever exhibition can be seen at the meadows and St Andrew Square until January.

Lion statues unveiled in Edinburgh

Pic: Tatevosian Yana, Adobe

Brambles: where, how and when to pick these seasonal fruits

Craigie's Farm

Craigie's Farm at South Queensferry launches new look cafe

Ben Chonzie in Perthshire has a well-trodden path to the top. PIC: geograph.org/Richard Webb.

Here are the 5 best Munros near Edinburgh to climb this weekend

Pic: Chris Watt

Meadowbank has opened, so we try one of their musical theatre fitness classes

Greyfriars Bobby Pic: Ian Rutherford

Time Out lists Edinburgh as the best city to visit in the world: do we agree?

Giraffe About Town: Daz the Dazzling Giraffe brings delight to Newhaven

Swimmers have been told not to bathe in the waters at Thorntonloch beach in East Lothian.

Locals warned against swimming in East Lothian beaches after oil spill

Barbecue pic: Getty

All you need to know to be prepared for National BBQ Week in Scotland

The National Trust for Scotland is hosting a dog show at Newhailes House in Musselburgh this summer. (Photo credit: Mike Wilkinson)

National Trust for Scotland to host summer events in Edinburgh and the Lothians

The play park first built in 1992 has now been removed to make way for the exciting new development.

Renovation underway on Figgate Park play area

Felicity Cloake

Felicity Cloake's new Red Sauce Brown Sauce is a breakfast lover's bible

Residents of Willowbrae have previously held a Big Lunch in their community to share food, friendship and fun.

All you need to know about Leith's Big Lunch

Wendy Barrie

The Royal Highland Show is back: we find out what's new for 2022

Lemon Squeezy

Here are the finalists for this year's Scottish Street Food Awards at The Pitt

Jane Austen Pic: By Veronica Photography

Fleurs de Villes comes to Edinburgh's St James Quarter

The Lobster Shack

Restaurant Review: The Lobster Shack, North Berwick

An aerial view shows the new 230-metre cycle track in Figgate Park next to the Craigentinny Train Maintenance Depot

New railway themed cycle track unveiled at Figgate Park

Pokemon Go players will be flocking to Princes Street Gardens to enjoy Pokemon GO Fest 2022 this weekend.

Everything you need to know about playing Pokémon GO Fest 2022 in Edinburgh

Giacopazzi's ice-cream

Ice-cream and our favourite flavours, Scottish parlours, cones and toppings

Runners in the Edinburgh full Marathon run through the four mile mark in the Craigentinny area of the City on Sunday morning.

Watch as runners take to streets for Edinburgh Marathon

Some of the spectacular scenery you can see on walks in and around Edinburgh.

11 stunning walks in and around Edinburgh for the Jubilee holiday weekend

A few of the places you can enjoy trying watersports near Edinburgh.

13 places in and around Edinburgh where you can try water sports

Portobello beach is a popular swimming spot, however, it is not the cleanest.

What are the cleanest and dirtiest beaches in Edinburgh and the Lothians?

Holyrood Distillery

Holyrood Distillery's The Mash Up is Edinburgh's first beer and whisky event