Camping in Edinburgh

If you want to find out more about Scottish culture, visit the National Museum and listen to traditional music in one of the many pubs, then camping in Edinburgh is just the thing for you. On the outskirts of the city, the green hilly landscapes also invite you to go hiking. These are perfect for camping with dogs and children. There are also a number of golf courses close to Edinburgh's campsites.

Special features of camping in Edinburgh

What makes a camping holiday in Edinburgh so exciting is the mix of culture and leisure activities. In the centre itself, sights such as the castle, the National Museum and the Scottish Parliament await visitors. Gothic churches such as St Giles' Cathedral are also an absolute must-see, and just a few minutes outside Edinburgh it is worth climbing the local mountain Arthur's Seat, which offers hikers a fantastic view of the city and the North Sea. Edinburgh is surrounded by many green spaces and nature parks as well as golf courses, such as the Braid Hills and the Merchants of Edinburgh Course. The Pentland Hills, where guests can get a taste of the Highlands, are among the most beautiful excursion areas.

Getting there

To get to Edinburgh, holidaymakers first take the ferry across the English Channel. This departs from Calais in France. The harbour town is around 400 km from the Rhineland and can be reached from Cologne via Belgium and Normandy, with short stopovers in Brussels or Antwerp, where the flamboyant Gothic buildings are among the most important sights in Europe. Those travelling from southern Germany can also take the route via Luxembourg, Reims and Lens. For the crossing from Calais to Dover, it is worth buying tickets online in advance to secure attractive discounts. Almost every hour, the ships take their passengers and vehicles to the south of England in around 90 minutes, with the mighty chalk cliffs catching the eye even before arrival. On the onward journey, those interested in culture and history will get their money's worth in the Anglican episcopal see of Canterbury as well as in the global metropolis of London. From there, it is still around 660 kilometres to the Scottish capital. There are other places worth visiting along the way, such as Liverpool, York and Newcastle upon Tyne.

Activities and excursions

Scotland is the perfect destination for anyone who wants to enjoy the lush green landscapes of the Lowlands and Highlands while hiking or cycling. Golfers and whisky lovers will also get their money's worth.

Visit Scottish whisky producers

The production of Scotch whisky is an art in itself. If you want to learn more about this ancient craft, you can visit one of the traditional distilleries near Edinburgh. Here, tour participants are given a detailed explanation of what is involved in distillation and maturation. At the end, there is of course a tasting session.

Hikes along the Scottish North Sea coast

A relatively easy hike near Edinburgh is the ascent to the 251 metre high Arthur's Seat, the Scottish capital's local mountain. Visitors should plan around two to three hours for the route. The approximately 100 km coastal walk from Edinburgh to the harbour and fishing village of St. Andrews is somewhat more challenging.

Golfing in a green landscape

More than a dozen golf courses await visitors just outside Edinburgh. The lush and easy-to-mow grass provides ideal conditions for the sport. Courses such as Portobello, Duddingston, Craigentinny and Braid Hills are within easy reach.

Gastronomy

Scottish cuisine is known for its simple and hearty ingredients. One of the most famous dishes is certainly haggis, a type of gizzard made from sheep's offal. Strongly flavoured, the meat tastes particularly good with potatoes and gravy. For those who prefer more classic dishes, Edinburgh's restaurants also serve succulent steaks from the famous Angus beef from the Aberdeen region and roasts from Scottish sheep, for example. Another delicacy is the Atlantic salmon, which is caught and farmed on the North Sea coast of Scotland. For starters, the flavoursome haddock, potato and milk soups are highly recommended, as is the rich Scotch broth with mutton, pearl barley and lentils. After the meal, the Scots like to treat themselves to a single malt whisky.

Best time to visit

Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the climate in Scotland is comparatively mild, so there is hardly any snowfall even in winter. On the other hand, changeable weather and rain can be expected all year round. The driest months are June, July and August. Temperatures in Edinburgh then range between 10 and 19 degrees Celsius, with higher temperatures occasionally being reached. Summer days are best for a camping holiday in Edinburgh. If you don't mind a little rain and are well prepared, you can also choose the slightly cooler spring and autumn months. In April and May as well as in September and October, the maximum temperatures are between 11 and 16 degrees Celsius.