News

Access to Industry will close at 5pm on Thursday 22 December 2022 and re-open at 9am on Wednesday 4 January 2023. This time of year can be challenging – if you find yourself in need of ideas to ‘keep busy’, or require specific help or support, here’s our useful guide for keeping busy outdoors…

Getting outdoors and maintaining exercise is good for brain and body. If routine is important for you, try having a set time each day for fresh air and movement. You could also connect with a trusted friend, family member or neighbour and try some activities together?

Central Edinburgh has lots of urban wooded areas and hills to escape the noise of the city – try Craiglockhart Hill and the surrounding woods, or The Hermitage of Braid and nearby Blackford Hill and pond. If vistas are your thing, Edinburgh also has Corstorphine Hill, Arthur’s Seat, and Calton Hill, all in the city centre.

If you prefer flat ground, Edinburgh has lots of parks and gardens to pick from – Leith Links; The Meadows; Inverleith Park; Saughton Park and Gardens; Holyrood Park; Princes Street Gardens (and Christmas Market, open until 4 January). Two favourites, visited by several of our groups this year, are The Royal Botanic Garden (pictured, free and open throughout, bar Christmas Day and New Year’s Day) and hidden gem Dr. Neil’s Garden (also open throughout, bar Christmas Day and New Year’s Day).

Beaches are also a beautiful and peaceful option in winter. Lothian bus 26 goes from Princes Street to Portobello, or bus 41 goes from George Street to Cramond, where you can (tide permitting) hop over to Cramond Island. Or jaunt a little further afield to North Berwick, just a 30-minute train ride from Waverley Station.

You can find our list of Indoor options here.
And our Help and Support Contacts here.
You can also see our list of Food Bank opening times 2022.