T IS FOR TRIKE
Turn heads on a Trike Tour, in a bright yellow three-seater motorbike that will take you on a personalised ride; alternatively let the whole family get in on the fun with a tour of Glasgow on the big red Cosybike (pictured), with its many seats and ‘boot’ for non-cyclists. ■ Trike Tours Scotland, 0800 056 7779, www.triketoursscotland.com; Cosybike Scotland, 07789 912462, www.cosybike.co.uk
U IS FOR UP
The northernmost balloon operation in the UK, Alba Ballooning offers classic hot-air balloon flights floating to 2000ft above the Lothian, Fife or Perthshire countryside. Check out the views, with a maximum of nine passengers on each trip. Flights usually take place a few hours after sunrise or a few hours before sunset, with around one hour in the air. ■ For more call 01875 830709 or see www.albaballooning.co.uk
V IS FOR VENUS Titian’s depiction of Venus in Venus
Anadyomene is just one of many must-sees at the National Gallery of Scotland, (arguably) the best collection of art in Scotland, including works by Van Gogh, Rembrandt and Degas. If you fancy some nosh afterwards, the resident Scottish Café & Restaurant serves up Scottish produce with views of Princes Street Gardens.
For more summer events visit www.list.co.uk/events
■ The National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh, 0131 624 6200, www.nationalgalleries.org the most playful of visitors happy. ■ Xscape Braehead, 0871 200 3222, www.xscape.co.uk/braehead
W IS FOR WHEELS Head to the top of Edinburgh’s Ocean
Terminal for a spin on your BMX, skateboard or inline skate at their ever-popular Transgression Park. Lessons and equipment hire are available for all three ‘freesports’ and there’s even a designated breakdancing area. ■ Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, 0131 555 3755, www.transgressionpark.com
X IS FOR XSCAPE
In the slightly random location of Braehead lies probably one of the most action-packed shopping centres in the world . . . OK Scotland. With its indoor snow slope, rock climbing wall, adventure golf, mini- rollercoaster and bowling alley, there’s plenty to keep
Y IS FOR YACHT Step on board the Royal Yacht Britannia and make like royalty. As a former Royal Yacht, this ship has hosted important people like Nelson Mandela and Winston Churchill – tread in their footsteps before an opulent tea at the Royal Deck Tea Room. ■ Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith, 0131 555 5566, www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Z IS FOR ZZZZZZ It’s a knackering old business this
staycationing, so might we suggest some well earned R&R in one of the many parks, from Kelvingrove in Glasgow to Princes Street Gardens and Holyrood Park in Edinburgh.
BEACH BABIES Yellowcraigs
While the Scottish weather doesn’t always afford reason to be cheerful, Scotland’s beaches can certainly put a smile on your face
Cramond Just four miles outside the city centre is Cramond beach, complete with scenic walkways and colourful moored boats. There is also the mysterious Cramond Island about a mile out from shore and only reachable via a stone causeway when the tide is out. Getting there: Lothian bus number 41 goes from Princes Street directly to Cramond, with a journey time of around half an hour. Gullane A little further out is Gullane, a petite village in East Lothian. A definite List favourite, expect a long, beautiful beach complete with big ol’ sand dunes. You won’t be disappointed. The village itself is worth a stroll, with its mix of shops, pubs and little restaurants, and a supper at The Gullane Super Fry comes highly recommended. Getting there: First bus numbers X5 and 124 go from Edinburgh Haymarket and stop at Gullane, with a journey time of around an hour.
Yellowcraigs With its golden sand, long grassland and dense surrounding forest, Yellowcraigs feels like a
proper escape to the country. From the beach, look across to the island of Fidra, famous as the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson’s Treasure Island. Getting there: First Bus numbers X5 and 124 go from Edinburgh to Dirleton – Yellowcraigs beach is a further one mile walk. Portobello Less than three miles from the city centre, Portobello is a bit of a doorstep beach. The promenade is nice for a stroll and the little rock pools are perfect for poking around for sea creatures. Even better, it has puggies to be played in the amusement arcades and pints to be supped in the mighty Espy bar. Getting there: Lothian bus numbers 12, 19 and 42 will all take you from the city centre to Portobello in about half an hour.
St Andrews Locals will know to head straight for St Andrews’ West Sands, one of the most picturesque beaches in the area and, incidentally, the place where they filmed the opening scenes of Chariots of Fire. Getting there: From Edinburgh: Cross the Forth road bridge (A90). Proceed north along M90 to Junction 2a (Dunfermline) onto A92, follow the A92 (through Glenrothes) until just before Cupar, and join the A91 and follow to St Andrews.
10–24 Jun 2010 THE LIST 17