Calm things to do during Festival time

[alteredimages]

I know that sounds like an oxymoron.

We're spending August in Edinburgh, like half of the UK, and I will be doing a full-time course Mon to Fri. I have almost 7yo DD and 3yo DS to keep occupied on the weekends, but they are not super keen on crowds. We will be in Newington, and much as I love Blackford Pond I probably can't cope with going every single day.

Are there any other places I could take them. Please not the zoo, we did it last year and I was ready to kill DB, a nephew and at least one DC.

You just want to avoid the centre.. the crowds die off the further you get away from over priced beer and trustifarians trying out out VIP pass each other..

Seriously though.. newington.. commie poll is near by or you could head up the braids for a walk or Arthur's seat.. but this might be busier... the park around holyrood is lovely and peaceful usually though.. or get a day saver and head out.. crammond is great out of the city and if kids have scooters a safe scoot, and a handy beach cafe. ( 31/33 or others to west end swap to 41 on queens ferry st... or can get 41 in meadows.)
Or portobello.. porty is much busier to be fair but still a great beach and great food and pubs.
Or you could walk the water of leith... the walk up at balerno is lovely and peaceful.. Roseburn to the modern art gallery and Stockbridge is a great stretch and Stockbridge to leith ..
Or get on a train and get out.. hit north Berwick/east lothian/fife/south queens ferry/linlithgow all within 20/30mins train...
Enjoy your course..

Thanks Topanga, you've given me lots of great ideas.

I just had a brainwave of walking round to Duddingston and the Sheep's Heid, but when I looked at the website I thought I'd got the one for Tigerlily or All Bar One. What happened?!? God help me, they serve the food in mini saucepans.

At least it's not shovels! The queen ate there recently ( according to the evening news!?) I don't imagine she would have been impressed! The bowling / skittles is great fun out the back..

True Topanga, true, but look they have a cosy couples and fab friends deal and sell gift cards.

Can you imagine the Queen being offered that menu?

If you have transport, fruit picking at craigies farm.

The National Galleries' modern art galleries out at Belford Road have lots on for kids right now as part of NOW Build! - www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/now-build . You could combine that with the Water of Leith walk as the galleries out there are a couple of minutes' walk up off the pathway.
The Sheep's Heid is a lovely place for lunch with young kids as they have a beer garden outside space which provides a chance to escape the confines of the lunch table if your kids don't fancy sitting still for the duration. I didn't find the food/presentation too hipster-y on a recent lunch there.