Edinburgh is home to:
- two football teams, Heart of Midlothian and Hibernian (Hearts & Hibs – you can learn to love at least one of them!)
- an international rugby ground, hosting teams from all over the world – and of course, the Six Nations Championship
- the biggest indoor climbing arena in Europe
- 10 public swimming pools, including the Olympic-sized Royal Commonwealth Pool
- the biggest artificial skislope in the UK
- 15 public gyms and even more private ones
- 6 indoor and outdoor public tennis courts, some at the Meadows, right in the city centre.
As well as having the facilities for sport and exercise, there are clubs in a great many sports, which accept temporary members, for example:
- Running clubs, which often have informal “meets”
- Rugby
- Golf clubs and driving ranges, which can be used on a “play as you go” basis
- Tennis
- Volleyball.
Outdoor activities:
A good starting point is the Pentland Hills Park, which you can reach by bus from Edinburgh. There’s even a pub there, for a drink or something to eat after your walk.
Further away, Glen Tress in the Borders has mountain bike trails, and Fort William, in the Highlands, is a centre for all kinds of outdoor activities, from kayaking to ice climbing.
Port Edgar Marina, near Edinburgh, has opportunities for water-sports – if you’re brave enough!