Days out in or near Edinburgh

[JILS]

Going to be spending a couple of weeks staying near Edinburgh this August. Any good ideas for days out with my 3 year old (son) would be appreciated.

How near Edinburgh? And in which direction?
Sorry for the questions but will help with finding local activities

Get the train to north berwick - nice beach with little dunes, good digging sand, a Bird Life Centre with a cafe on a deck overlooking the beach and harbour, a little harbour, boat trips to Bass Rock.
If you have a car, go a bit further to the castle just beyond N Berwick (it begins with a T - Tarantallon?), very dramatic, great views, good battlements to climb up on to, good grass for a picnic.
That's what I did on a w/e trip, anyway, and my 4 year-old really enjoyed it.

The train takes about 40 mins from waverley Station, is a nice little ride, and N Berwick beach is about 3 mins walk downhill from the station.

How about \link{http://www.almondvalley.co.uk/default.htm\Almond Valley Heritage centre}?

Mawbroon, will be staying near Musselburgh, but have a car.

newhailes near musselburgh (national trust house and grounds) not v. exciting but near you and good for a run around. get the bus to portobello and go to the beach, there is also a really nice pool and lots of play parks. loads of lovely beaches in east lothian, gullane, sea cliff, john muir country park. dalkieth country park has a fantastic adventure play park with loads of death slides and the biggest shute in scotland.

chjily, you've stolen my favourite
I recommend Almond Valley to everyone - think it's great and really reasonably priced.
Yellowcraigs beach (near Dirleton) has a lovely beach, plus bbq pits and (possibly) playground (can't actually remember as it's been ages since I was there) plus Dirleton itself has a castle, a village green with swings and two nice pubs.
Also what about \link{http://www.eastlinks.fsnet.co.uk\this place}. I haven't been there myself but have heard it's good.

\link{http://www.edinburgh-butterfly-world.co.uk/info.htm\butterfly world}
\link{http://www.scottishminingmuseum.com/\scottish mining museum}
\link{http://www.deepseaworld.com/\deep sea world}

These are all paying attractions, but there is plenty free stuff too. The botanical gardens in Edinburgh are lovely.

North Berwick is nice too as someone has suggested.

For rainy days, sitting on the bus is good if you are not a regular bus user and there are lots of little free museums off the Royal Mile which have interactive stuff for kids.

I'm sure the lovely MNetters will come up with loads more, but if you are stuck, there is a book called \link{http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/0951239767/202-8857346-6919815\edinburgh for under fives} which has a load of information in it.

There's always the zoo (although I haven't been).

When I took LO to Edinburgh at Christmas we went to Deep Sea World and to the children's museum in the centre of Edinburgh.

I just googled Edinburgh and came up with loads of sites with useful places to visit.

There seemed to be loads of things to do.

Blair Drummond Safari Park, Stirling, is EXCELLENT. shouldn't take more than an hour from Musselburgh if you avoid rush hour.

you could take the train to Glasgow and then the underground to the transport museum.

Thanks for all your suggestions. I don't think we'll be stuck for things to do!!