Beautiful Scotland within a short train ride of Edinburgh?

[BodieBroadus]

Hi, we're going to Edinburgh to see some friends later in the year, by train, and wanted to take a train after to go on to somewhere else in the countryside/seaside. Ideally a reasonably short journey as we don't want to spend a lot of time actually on the train...

We have an 8 year old so looking for beaches to frolic on, not-too-tricky mountains to climb, lochs to wander by, or just somewhere scenic!

Have only ever been to Edinburgh so have no idea where we could go - does anyone have any suggestions?

Many thanks in advance.

East Lothian has lots of things to see and do.
www.visiteastlothian.org/home.asp

North Berwick is a lovely seaside town with a great beach only a short train ride away from Edinburgh. If you have access to a car, there are lots of lovely beaches in East Lothian (Yellowcraigs for sand, outside Dunbar for fossils) or slightly further south (Eyemouth) For lovely lochs and hills you can head for the Borders, less than an hour away, as well as to several pretty spots in East Lothian (we like Presmennan Wood which is near a beautiful stretch of water and has wee fairy houses to look for along the path.) Of course, Arthur's Seat is a good hill to climb in the middle of Edinburgh itself, and there's Duddingston Loch at the foot of it, but beautiful countryside is definitely within easy reach.

Coming on to say North Berwick but agree with all the Girl says.

St. Andrews is great for beaches and castles. Train to leuchars then short bus or taxi ride.
Hills and lochs are slightly harder to reach by train quickly. Maybe try the new borders railway?

I'd recommend Cramond. Close by, very charming.

Aberdour has a gorgeous beach and handy for the train station, Pitlochry and Stirling are lovely to visit too X

Portobello (part of Edinburgh) has a lovely, long sandy beach a 15 minute bus ride from Princes Street.

North Berwick or if you can get hold of a car go up to the Pentlands. There is also the new borders railway that might be worth exploring.

Oh wow thank you so much, lots to look into - North Berwick looks lovely, and there's several places mentioned I've never heard of. I'll have a day googling them all tomorrow.

Yes to Pitlochry for child friendly lochs and short walks and achievable hills. I think it has a train station!

I would second Aberdour or Burntisland, Burntisland has a nice sea front to walk along with a good play park and you can walk along to Kinghorn and get a nice lunch at the Bay Hotel in the caravan park.