What do you actually do with friends?

[wahale]

I don't drink and meals out are expensive, other than a coffee and walks i have no idea what to do with my friends. Looking for budget options. Any ideas?

Movie night?

Whereabouts are you? I’m going to a free lecture at Gresham college in London with my friend tomorrow.

Hike, cycle, swim, cinema, cook dinner at home, visit a museum/ gallery/ see a band, swap plants, go shopping/ browsing shops.

arts and crafts?

We do go to the pub, festivals, gigs and restaurants but also go on long and short walks, have picnics, have board game nights, weekends away (at each others houses), quiz nights, play sport (tennis, badmington, football in the park), watch sport (low level football/rugby is cheap), go to museums, go to the gym, visit other cities, bike rides, paddleboarding, have them round for lunch or dinner or tea and cake.

Park run followed by coffee
Go on a community litter pick
Visit free exhibitions
Community sauna (£15)
Have people round for brunch at the weekend

this all sounds so lovely. I am Edinburgh!

As well as coffees at home and out, we go for walks. Sometimes take sarnis and a flask. Sometimes one of us hosts a lunch or supper, or afternoon tea. We all bring a plate / salad etc to contribute. In the summer we do safari afternoon teas, starting at one home and working our way round. We also do pizza nights.… nothing posh, just bring together and enjoying one another’s company.

Me too :)

museum or a gallery? Fruitmarket gallery is interesting and they have a cafe for after.

do you get the edinburgh minute emails? They always post loads of things happening that week, might find something random and interesting.

Walks, gym, runs

For a cheap night in you could do a "Bring a board" night. Each person brings a board full of snacks/picky bits, you could pick different colours, or different cuisines

I meet my friends at whatever activity I’ve met them through.
wasn't aware I supposed to do anything else with them?

My friends are all learning bridge and golf. Other than that we just go out for dinner with our husbands or have people round.

You’re very well served in Edinburgh for walks and free exhibitions in all the museums and galleries. There are some really cool walking guides that will give you ideas of quirky places you might never have been. Go down to Portobello and go for a swim and a coffee? Definitely games or cards nights. Get a gang round to yours and do potluck dinner.

Museums and galleries are often free, and have nice cafes for a brew. Our local Waterstones has author Q&As that are pretty cheap, I often go with friends even if we’ve only got a vague idea about the book, they’re always interesting.