A local's guide to Edinburgh & the Lothians

Coast & Countryside

If your ideal holiday is far from the hustle and bustle of Edinburgh or you just fancy a change then touring the countryside and coastline of the Lothians will have you spoilt for choice of the places on offer. There is the walking and mountain biking country of the Pentland Hills Regional Park on your doorstep or the golden sands of Yellow Craig, Sea Cliff and North Berwick beaches - at the furthest just a 40 minute drive away from Eastside Cottages.

Boat trips from the harbour at the Sea Bird Centre in North Berwick take the more adventurous souls around the Bass Rock gannet colony, and those that really want to brace the Scottish North Sea can join the Coast to Coast Surf School at the nearby town of Dunbar.

The Glenkinchie distillery in Pencaitland provides tours for those wishing to sample the national drink - whisky!  If you're feeling particularly active then we have some of the best mountain biking in the UK (if not the world) very close by.  Glentress and Innerleithen are dedicated mountain biking centres with purpose-built paths and tracks through forests in the Scottish Borders.  If you're enjoying a trip into the Borders then why not visit the market towns of Melrose and Peebles. Peebles has a large number of local shops and the best butcher for miles around!

Further north, Fife has some wonderful coastal towns and many excellent golf courses.  Take the ferry to Inchcolm Abbey on an island in the Forth, spotting seals the way with the glorious backdrop of the two Forth bridges. Relive the domestic life of the 16th and 17th centuries at the riverside Royal Burgh of Culross . The old buildings and cobbled streets create a fascinating time-warp for visitors. The towns of Anstruther and Elie are also worth a visit and why not end the day in St. Andrews with tea or supper in a sea-side eatery.

If you don't even want to leave the cottage relax with spa treatments by AR Therapy. The beauty team now come to you at Eastside Cottages so if you fancy anything from a hot stone massage to facials and manicures look no further. More information on the treatments can be found here.

Eating out in the Lothians

A quick list of some special places to eat out in the Lothians. All within a few miles of Eastside Cottages.