Bucket list 2019: Outdoors Activities from Edinburgh
New Year, 2019 has arrived! Now, the January lull presents the perfect opportunity to plan something exciting and memorable to do this year. In this list, we would like to show you the eight outdoor activities that we think should go directly onto your bucket list for 2019!
Did you know that beside the beautiful nature and human-made wonders, Edinburgh also offers a wide range of fantastic outdoor activities that will satisfy even the most hardened of thrill seekers? The below-presented list introduces the activities that we think will help you make 2019 a year to remember.
Could there be a better time to plan your New Year’s resolution checklist? We don’t think so!
Bucket list 2019: Outdoors Activities from Edinburgh
1. Coasteering
The first stunning activity that straightaway brings excitement to everyone’s mind is coasteering. Scotland, due to its amazing location, is surrounded by a lot of sea and what comes with that is incredible coastline. People from all over the world come to Scotland to discover the beauty of our remarkable seaside scenery. However, they can only partly experience those places from the path. You can only fully explore these amazing coastal areas when you are coasteering.
Coasteering is a combination of rock and water adventuring which is “extreme” in nature. Not only will you get a great adrenaline rush but also, coasteering will allow you to experience the unforgettable outdoor moments that you can only get from total emersion. One of the exciting features of this activity is the diversity of the experience. Everyone will find something that will excite, entertain or thrill. By choosing a coasteering adventure you can tick cliff jumping, exploring sea caves and body surfing across over the turbulent channels off your to do list! Coasteering is a fantastic, ultimate memorable adventure day out. What more could you ask for in 2019?
For more information about what is coasteering check out our “What is coasteering blog?” equally if you want to hear about other peoples coasteering experiences read about “Jen’s first coasteering adventure”.
2. Canyoning
The second amazing activity on this list is canyoning and it also involves adventuring through water and over rocks. However, canyoning is Scotland’s ultimate adventure as it takes outdoor activity to new heights. This outdoor activity is a real extreme experience that involves abseiling down waterfalls, jumping from cliffs and sliding natural water shoots. To explain more about this thrilling adventurous day out, it is essential to point out that there is absolutely no chance for you to come out of this adventure without being soaking wet and your fix for adrenaline thoroughly satisfied.
Canyoning is all about getting up close and personal with the beauty and fury of Scottish nature. You will spend the day jumping off canyon cliffs, abseiling waterfalls, scrambling through incredible rock formations as well as sliding down natural water shoots. All this makes it an ideal adventure that will push you out of your comfort zone! Canyoning will take you to places that most people would only photograph from a viewing point.
For more information about what is canyoning check out our “definitive guide to canyoning” equally if you want to hear about other peoples coasteering experiences read about “Gemma’s first canyoning adventure”. Alternatively, if you just can’t choose if you want to go coasteering or canyoning first, our “Canyoning V Coasteering” blog should help you make your mind up.
3. Mountain Biking
Another exciting outdoor activity that you must try in 2019 is Mountain Biking. Scotland has a vast range of amazing, word class Mountain Biking trails which provide not only the endorphins boost, due to excellent exercise drive, but also the experience of discovering the magnificent landscape.
Intrepidus Outdoors located in Edinburgh offers three types of packages divided by the difficulty levels. You can choose from the Adventure package, a bike trip to Glentress Forest, the Advanced one which will take you to Innerleithen and the Adventure Further that use the trails located in Laggan Wolftrax. Each of these mountain biking packages will test your courage and require a sense of adventure. Mountain Biking in Scotland will surprise you with its extraordinary opportunities.
4. Canoeing
The fourth position on our list is connected to the canoeing. Scotland has beautiful lochs, rivers and remote landscapes, all that can only be truly explored by canoe. A canoe is a tool that will carry you, under your own steam, through the incredible Scottish wilderness. You will get up close and personal with the tranquillity of our wildlife, history and nature. There is no better way to discover what Scotland has to offer than by canoe.
Canoeing is for everyone who is looking to explore a stretch of Scottish nature in style and peace. Canoeing does require a medium level of fitness and to learn some core skills to control and steer the boat, but if you don’t already have this experience our guides will teach you in no time at all. The Intrepidus Outdoors canoeing day trips are the perfect outdoor pursuit tour for people visiting Edinburgh.
5. Running Tour
Running might not be for everyone. However, the combination of running through the most amazing parts of our historical cities and being joined by an awesome guide who tells you everything you need to know… if Carlsberg did running tours, I’m sure that’s how they would do it.
Running Tour in Edinburgh provides not only the exciting outdoor activity related to running but will leave you with a greater understanding of this great city. This is a perfect combination for those avid runners who looking to add a touch of exciting information about the place they visit. By choosing a running tour as your outdoor activity, you will exercise not only your body but also your brain. Doesn’t it sound fantastic?
We would really recommend Run the Sights for a running tours in Edinburgh. We took the team canyoning last year and they were awesome people!
6. Skiing
Fans of skiing can also find something for themselves in the areas around Edinburgh. The Midlothian Snowsports Centre is the longest dry ski slope in Europe and provides not only a great place to ski but also a wide range of skiing and snowboarding lessons for adults and children.
However, if you are more into natural places, you can experience a great adventure in Glenshee, Aviemore and Glen Coe. The mountains of Scotland are a great playground for the adrenaline lovers and the winter sports enthusiasts alike.
7. Pony Trekking
There has to also be something for the animal lovers on this list, so the Pony Trekking is a perfect option to discover the beauty of Edinburgh sights as well as to spend quality time with adorable ponies. It is an excellent opportunity to experience the breathtaking countryside scenery and explore the pony riding at any level of experience.
It is also important to point out that the ponies available in this trekking activity are listed as a rare breed that is called Exmoor. All of those features make this adventure even more exciting.
8. Fishing
The last but not the least, the final outdoor activity presented in this list is Fishing. Scotland offers a vast range of fishing opportunities. You can experience traditional Scottish techniques of fly-fishing, catch salmon, pike, rainbow trout and more magnificent fish. Fishing, like golf, is a Scottish classic and certainly something that should be given a go.
We hope that the outdoor activities that we have talked about in this blog post have awakened a spirit of an explorer in you! Everyone can find something to excite, challenge or thrill in the Scottish Outdoors. It doesn’t matter which options excite you the most, the essential thing is to get out and enjoy 2019. So pack your bags and come to discover the adventure of your life in Edinburgh.
Who are Intrepidus Outdoors?
MY Adventure and Intrepidus Outdoors are adventure tours and outdoor experience providers, both based in Edinburgh, Scotland. We specialise in private and open canyoning, coasteering, mountain biking and hill walking tours, and deliver these adventurous experiences across Scotland. We are also a provider of the Duke of Edinburgh Award Expeditions where we run bronze, silver and gold level awards for young people.
If you are looking for additional information about adventures from Edinburgh, we have published a number of blogs:
- 6 steps to being happy like a Scot here
- You’ll never get bored in Edinburgh here
- Best Budget Hotels and Hostels Edinburgh here
- Hen Party Adventures Edinburgh: here
- Stag Party Outdoor Adventures Edinburgh Essentials: here
- SUP, A Buying Guide: here
If you haven’t already seen it, check out the our Trip Advisor, Youtube channel, Visit Scotland page and blog to hear about how others found their outdoor adventures with us! Equally, if there is any gear that you would like us to review, drop us a DM.