Photograph St. Andrews' West Sands Beach

There is no better way to start your morning than by waking up to a picturesque sunrise and warm cup of coffee.  In Scotland, where a beautiful day is when it only rains half the day, catching a sunrise can be a bit of a challenge. But with a mix of rain, the sun piercing through the clouds and a 1,000 year old castle over your shoulder, it doesn't get much more rewarding than that.  Just to th...

Arriving at Kinnoull Hill Woodland Park is about a 1.5 mile walk from the center of town, or if arriving in a vehicle you can enter "Quarry Car Park" into your GPS and you should not have an issue.Once there you can leave your vehicle in the Quarry Car Park for free and the walking path is a couple of feet from the parking lot. There are various paths that will take you off the main path but th...

Run along the Forth, that leads out to the Atlantic Ocean, in Edinburgh at the Portobello Beach Promenade. Accessible by bus, Portobello Beach is generally a quiet and sleepy town. The promenade runs for 2 miles and because both the boardwalk and beach are wide. It is perfect for runners and cyclists. 

Just a 1.5 mile walk from Edinburgh Castle is the Royal Botanic Garden of Edinburgh.  It’s worth a stop and you could easily spend 1-4 hours here. Plus, it’s a fun walk from downtown Edinburgh.  There’s plenty of shops and restaurants along the walk, or just soak in the architecture. Additionally, you’ll be right by the Water of Leith river once you arrive at the Gardens.   The plants are beaut...

Calton hill is a great place and one of the easiest places to watch a beautiful Scottish sunset....as long as the weather cooperates. I tried for three days in a row to catch a great sunset from the top of Calton Hill. I was able to capture an average sunset, but nothing like the amazing pictures I've seen. My pictures don't do this cool and easy stop in Edinburgh justice. The hike is more of a...

Catch a beautiful sunrise (or sunset) from the top of Arthur's Seat. Although you are in the middle of Scotland's capital, you will feel as if you've reached the Highlands. The surrounding, panoramic views, the awesome silence, and the absence of urbanity, from certain viewpoints, makes this a very special spot. Start 1.5 hours before sunrise from the Scottish Parliament, located next to Holyro...