A Fit and Healthy Guide to Edinburgh
To celebrate Burns Night tomorrow and all the greatness Scotland has to offer (haggis not included), we’re handing over to Neat Pal Katie Morgan to give you all the ultimate guide to having a fit and healthy weekend in the beautiful capital of Edinburgh…
A 4-5-hour train away from London, Edinburgh was the perfect weekend getaway to see a Rugby game and enjoy the beautiful city. We ate, shopped and got festive. Here are my Edinburgh must see and eats.
To Caffeinate…
The Milkman Coffee: great coffee, a quirky vibe and some amazing looking almond croissants too. Wellington Coffee is also a good little coffee bar on the corner, tucked away. They also make giant divine scones. Lastly, Burr & Co. Coffee – yes another coffee spot, because that's what travel is all about right?
To Feast…
The Pantry Stockbridge: this place had the best breakfast and you MUST go here. I had the NY eggs with Salmon and my partner Rob had the full Scottish (this contains haggis AND black pudding, so beware)! The Edinburgh Larder is another great spot for bread, granola or grab-and-go breakfasts and lunches. We got salmon and egg roll..mmmm! If you fancy an acai bowl or vegan raw treatie, head to Pumpkin Brown.
And for dinner? Makars Gourmet Mash Bar, is a dinner must do! I don't like mash potato and I still loved this place. I had the ox cheek and Rob got the lamb shank teamed with a glass of red – the perfect combo!
To get a sense of the city…
Head to Victoria Street: located in the old town, it’s the perfect place to stroll around. The main street is full of curved, colourful buildings – it’s beautiful. From there, make sure to wander past Princes Street and Princes Street Gardens; this is the main strip in town, and if you fancy some shopping – this is the place for you! If you’re lucky enough to be visiting in between November and January, the Edinburgh Christmas Markets are hard to miss and well worth the visit! Get ready for mulled wine and hot waffles galore.
For the sports fans…
Murrayfield Stadium is a must; go and see a game. The Scottish are very patriotic, so be ready for endless choruses of: "and I would walk 500 miles and I would....”.
I'd recommend staying in an AirBnb Near Murrayfield Stadium: we stayed at Jonathan's flat and it was everything we needed, as well as being super easy to get a 7-minute bus straight into town. Maybe if we weren't going to a game we wouldn't have stayed that far out of town but regardless, we loved it! (Side note: the fire place is a painting NOT a real fire!)
For those wanting exercise and a dose of nature…
Head up Carlton Hill or Arthur’s Seat, perfect for you active types who want a good hike and a beautiful view. Or for something a little more cultural, explore the famous Edinburgh Castle – the top is a pretty ace place to look out over the city.
If you have time…
Do a tour out to see the hairy highland cows; unfortunately, we only had 40 short hours in Edinburgh but it’s highly recommended and there are plenty of little tour places offering day trips to the Highlands to see the cattle – total Instagram heaven!
For the true Edinburgh experience… Stay in the Old Town and be right in the midst of it all!
Enjoy this beautiful city my Laddy’s and Lassy's!
Katie Morgan is an Aussie blogger who writes about all things health, nutrition, fitness, love and travel on her website: Kale and the Kettlebell. She’s dedicated to living a healthier, happier and more active lifestyle. Obsessed with protein pancakes, smoothie bowls and nut butter, Katie is a big advocate for everything in moderation. Her hottest tip? Stop trying to eat and exercise for how you look - focus on how you feel and you will be surprised with the results. “Take care of your body – it’s the only place you have to live forever”