Inspiration: Outdoors in Edinburgh, Scotland

Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh has for centuries been a prized gem, fought over by warring nations and awed by writers and artists. The city’s charms continue to be the muse of many and provide inspiration to millions of tourists every year. Edinburgh’s compact size makes it a great city to walk; here are three suggestions for walks where you might find your own muse and inspiration.

The Water of Leith
Winding around the western and northern sides of the city centre, The Water of Leith is a world of its own away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. The walking path straddles a small river that meanders alongside walkers nearly the entire route. 12 miles in length, the path can be easily walked in partial sections. Along the way you’ll encounter rafts of ducks, historic architecture, and even a small waterfall or two, leftover from the industrial days of milling that occurred here.

Cramond Island
Just northwest of the city on a short bus ride is Cramond, the city’s “beach.” From the long-standing village here one has a great view of the Forth Rail Bridge, still an architectural beauty, as well as wonderful panoramic views of the Firth of Forth estuary. At low tide, it is possible to walk via a concrete causeway – leftover from the days of World War II – across to Cramond Island. It is the perfect spot for a picnic lunch or just to wander the small island, which was a working farm before becoming a military fortification and then abandoned completely.

The Royal Mile
Ok, so this is an obvious one – as the busiest street in the city lined with many of Edinburgh’s major attractions, this is a hard mile to miss. Don’t just spend the day in the souvenir shops! Duck into one of the many courtyards that line the mile on its descent down from the castle to the parliament. The architecture is stunning and several of these hideaways have tasty cafes and cosy pubs. If you’re feeling a bit more energetic, why not head up/down a couple of the steep stairways, called “closes”, and get a feeling for what life might have been like in the cramped quarters of the medieval Old Town.

I leave you with the words of Alexander McCall Smith, one of Edinburgh’s prolific authors who found inspiration in Edinburgh:

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Andy Hayes is a freelance travel writer and photographer based in Edinburgh, Scotland. When not crossing the world to have his next travel adventure, he is hitting the walking trails near home. In July 2009, his historic walking guide will be available, which includes some of the great spots mentioned above. To get in touch or see Andy’s other travelogues, visit his website, Sharing Experiences.