Activities

The best free and cheap things to do in Glasgow and Edinburgh

Visit a library, go for a walk, bake a cake or see some cheap theatre

21 Jan 2011

Beat the January blues with these guaranteed pick-me-ups, suggested by our writers and some friends of The List. They’re all free, or cost just a few quid, so you’ll come out of winter with your bank balance intact and a smile on your face

The best independent shops and designer boutiques in Edinburgh

From Harvey Nichols and Iain Mellis to Analogue Books and Demijohn

16 Feb 2011

Multrees Walk is the place to go if you want to splash the cash – Edinburgh’s high-end designer shops all rub their expensive shoulders together in one street. Harvey Nichols is here – it has five floors of designer goodies including womenswear…

Three others to try: Exotic and physical

31 Jul 2008

Capoeira An Brazilian blend of dance, martial arts and acrobatics, capoeira is not for the faint-hearted. Re-enact Vincent Cassel’s leaps through the lasers in Ocean’s Twelve with Group Senzala, who are one of the most famous capoeira groups in the…

A guide to the best ghost tours of haunted Edinburgh

The best of the spooky and haunted side of the historic Scottish capital

16 Feb 2011

In the words of Robert Louis Stevenson, one of Edinburgh’s most famous literary sons, ‘Only a few inches separate the living from the dead.’ And nowhere is that more true than in the Old Town. From Burke and Hare to Half-Hangit Maggie, the city has more…

The best golf courses in Edinburgh

Edinburgh and East Lothian courses include Musselburgh Links, Turnhouse, Gullane and Muirfield

16 Feb 2011

The game of golf got its first written mention in 1457, when King James II was so worried that his subjects were busy playing golf rather than practicing their archery that he issued an act of parliament, banning the game, with severe penalties for all…

Sushi making

19 Jun 2008

Sushi is like a chocolate box selection for grown-ups, says Kumiko Hatori, a Japanese chef, and my teacher for the day. ‘It should be full of pretty shapes and bright colours that tempt you to dip in.’ We’re in the kitchen of Hatori’s home in Glasgow, a…

Three others to try: Cooking classes

19 Jun 2008

Thai cooking Ever wondered how to transform a carrot into a rosebud? Get to grips with ornate vegetable carving and the basics of Thai cookery, then take the dishes home to eat. One-on-one tuition is available as well as group lessons for up to…

How to holiday in Scotland: Scottish Travel A-Z

9 Jun 2010

We’re here to persuade you that you don’t need foreign beaches or backpacking tours to make the most of the summer. There’s a world of wonder right on your doorstep, with plenty of Scottish excursions to keep you entertained until autumn. Anna Millar…

Outdoor Activities

4 Mar 2010

Are you looking for inspiration and awesome scenery in the Great Outdoors, but don’t know what to do or where to go?

Courses, classes and activities

8 Jan 2009

Alternative Therapy Edinburgh Aromatherapy Far superior to a nasty blast of air freshener, learn the subtle art of aromatherapy, with beginner’s classes in essential oils and massage. An 8-week non-vocational course is available through the…

Three to try: adventure sports

17 Jul 2008

Transgression Park Head to the top of Edinburgh’s Ocean Terminal for a spin on your BMX, skateboard or inline skates. Not yet a consummate professional? Lessons and equipment hire are available for all three ‘freesports’. There is also a designated…

Why the best way to discover the beautiful city of Edinburgh is on foot

A guide to the best walking tours of Scotland's capital

16 Feb 2011

Wandering around a city without a map can either turn up serendipitous gems or leave you hopelessly lost and frustrated with none of your must-see list ticked off. That’s when it’s a good idea to enlist the help of a walking tour guide who’ll whisk you…

Why the Water of Leith is one of Edinburgh's best kept secrets

The 12-mile stretch of walkway through the heart of the Scottish capital

16 Feb 2011

Take a stroll along the Water of Leith and you’ll feel as if someone is watching you. That’s because they are. It’s not the occasional posse of feral youths but, rather, naked men standing knee-deep in the water, staring. Before you dial 999, however…

The most amazing thing I did last week

23 Apr 2010

Thousands of people a day donate blood. And thousands of people don't. Yet it's easy, quick, completely different. Plus you get to do something that could save another person's life. And how good does that feel?

2010 preview: Courses and activities

7 Jan 2010

There are a few standard rules of healthy eating: low carb intake; five-a-day etc. But instead of advocating these shallow mantras and (supposedly) quick fixes, we’re opting for the ‘eat well’ approach. There are numerous establishments equipped to help…

Cycling to work

11 Jun 2009

Cycling is enjoyable, healthy and makes us feel good. But that’s not why most people in cities do it. Not me anyway. I don’t have ‘reasons’ for cycling any more than I have reasons for walking. Neither do I make use of specialist equipment. ‘Distrust…

Three others to try: Cycling gadgets

11 Jun 2009

HyMini Personal Wind Turbine Comes with a bike mounting bracket and connectors for iPods and most mobile phones. If you are lucky enough to live in a country that’s windy even when you’re not moving, it can charge your goods all the time, so it’s…

The Taste Of Bordeaux's Bar à Vin In Edinburgh

20 May 2009

Bordeaux – the wine, the châteaux and the region – has something wonderful in store on all counts. Summer means barbecues; long, leisurely, wine-filled “pique-niques” that stretch from noon until evening; and of course, holidays. An 18th century…

Women-only roller derby: Glasgow Roller Girls

19 Feb 2009

Mistress Malicious meets me, as arranged, in the foyer of the sports centre. She’s easy to spot: she’s tall and elegant, with tattoos and bright scarlet hair. Oh, and she’s on rollerskates. I’m here to train with the Glasgow Rollergirls and learn…

Kickboxing

31 Jul 2008

It’s nothing to do with overdosing on Buffy the Vampire Slayer re-runs, kickboxing is meant to be a great work out. ‘And let’s face it, would you rather I vent my frustrations at you or focus them onto a well padded target?’ I ask my rather frightened…

Streets of glory - Edinburgh Rat Race

17 Jul 2008

Edinburgh will be reclaimed by hundreds of scurrying creatures this month. Claire Sawers meets the people behind the Rat Race