“I struggle to find good decaf coffee spots as someone who struggles with the side effects of coffee. Any suggestions?“
If there is something that Edinburgh knows how to do well, it’s coffee. It’s a necessity for most of the city’s residents. The number of independent coffee shops spread across the city makes finding a good cup very easy. However, just because somewhere has good coffee coffee doesn’t mean that it will have a good decaf option!
After finding myself addicted to caffeine during my undergrad degree, I decided to give myself a break and go decaf for a while, but I didn’t want to give up my coffee catch-ups with friends! So ensued many trips to my favourite cafes, hoping (and praying) that I would like their decaf as much as their caff. Luckily for me, there were plenty of greats …some that I even preferred! Here are my favourites: Artisan Roast, Twelve Triangles, Ante, Project Coffee, Zebra Coffee Company, Argyle Place, The Milkman, Cairngorm, Room & Rumours, and Fortitude.
“How do I create a good morning routine in Edinburgh? I’m not a morning person, and it’s a big struggle.“
I’m a firm believer that having a good morning, no matter how that looks for you, is the best way to set yourself up to have a fab day. And not being a morning person doesn’t have to mean not having a good routine. Waking up in Edinburgh can often be a struggle, especially in the winter months when 8am still looks and feels like the middle of the night. Obviously everyone has a different idea of their perfect morning routine, so take this with a pinch of salt!
These are just some suggestions:
- Move – I find moving my body in some way in the morning sets me up well – whether that’s just a good stretch after waking up, going to the gym, or heading out for a morning walk. Edinburgh is a great city to walk around with lots of beautiful streets and parks. Especially in the quiet mornings – get out there and enjoy it.
- Chill – If you prefer to stay inside and take it slower in the mornings, maybe do something to get the brain working – a crossword, read your book, write in a journal or check the news.
- Listen– My other favourite thing to do in the mornings is just put on a good playlist and have a boogie! Listening to music can trigger serotonin release, which we all need in the morning.
- Nourish – Most importantly, eat breakfast. Your body needs fuel, and making yourself a delicious brekkie might change the game.
“Where in Edinburgh should I go for a nice, long and scenic walk?“
Edinburgh is an extremely walkable city. You can walk from one side to the other within a day and still have time for pit stops and pints!
If you fancy a neighbourhood walk, head from the city centre down to Stockbridge, walk down the iconic Circus Lane, cross the bridge over the Water of Leith and follow the main street (Raeburn Place) through to Inverleith Park.
For something a bit more woodland-y, head south of the city through Marchmont and The Grange to Blackford. From there you can find The Hermitage that sits below Blackford Hill – a lovely walk through these woods will revitalise you before heading back into the city! Head up Blackford Hill for a perfect view of Edinburgh’s skyline.
Finally, one of my favourite walks is from Holyrood Park to Duddingston. Starting at the foot of The Royal Mile near Scottish Parliament works well, or from Newington walk through to the base of Arthur’s Seat and follow the footpath around towards Duddingston. You’ll pass peaceful ponds and views of the South Side of the city before coming to a quaint village, home to Edinburgh’s oldest pub, the Sheep Heid Inn. You can follow the path the way you came or continue around the circular base of Arthur’s Seat to get back to the city.
Just remember to pack an umbrella, as Edinburgh’s weather is notoriously unpredictable!
“Are there any clubs or groups I can join in Edinburgh if I want to stay sporty as I get older?“
Definitely! Edinburgh is full of organised active groups – whether it’s run clubs or recreational sports, there are many options here and plenty of free ones too. Joining a group can be a great idea if you’ve just moved to the city and want an active way of meeting new, like-minded people. Many of these groups congregate on social media, so get sleuthing on Instagram and Facebook. A great example of an inclusive and fun group to join if you want to try something new is Jokes FC, the Leith-based football team featured in this issue of Surge.
“I’m really struggling with mixing studying and going out at the moment! Any suggestions on how to keep a good balance?“
Balance is a difficult thing to get right. Going back to being a full-time student after having a 9-5 job has definitely taught me that no matter what you’re doing day-to-day, you’ll never be able to balance all the things you want to. And that is okay. As a student, it’s important to prioritise your studies and honour the time and investment you’ve made to completing your course, but I would say that it’s equally important to get a good amount of downtime and have fun – we’re only young once! Try not to regret any decisions you make about going out or studying, but if you struggle to balance, it might be a good idea to set yourself some targets. Either a certain number of hours of studying to complete per week before going out or finishing a specific project/task, and see going out as a reward for what you’ve accomplished.
