6 Ways to Beat the Winter Blues in Edinburgh

Visiting Edinburgh in the beginning of the year is a mixed blessing.  The city is cold and crisp, with a definite chill in the air (nevermind the recent deep freeze).  Restaurants and pubs have deals and specials.  And there aren’t many other tourists, so you won’t find yourself queuing for classics like Edinburgh Castle or Holyrood Palace.

But for Britain as a nation, this is the most depressing time of the year.  In fact, one of the Monday’s in January (yesterday, as it happens) is called “Blue Monday.”  As the BBC reports:

Psychologists have dubbed it “Blue Monday”, a date in January when post-Christmas gloom is at its worst.
It is worked out with a formula taking into account six factors: weather, debt, time since Christmas, time since failing our New Year’s resolutions, low motivational levels and the feeling of a need to take action.

There’s no reason to have the blues in Auld Reekie.  Cheer up and enjoy yourself with some of these great ways to beat the winter blues in Edinburgh.

Bundle Up and Go For a Walk

Just because it is a touch chilly means you can’t go out!  Bundle up, wear some comfortable shoes, and go for a walk.  It really is a dreamy place to go exploring a bit further afield.  Try heading out to the Union Canal, where you can enjoy the outdoors while being relatively protected from the wind.  The canal goes quite a long way (all the way to the Falkirk Wheel!) but there is also a connecting point to the Water of Leith, so you can use that to get back into town.  Otherwise, double back to the start of the canal and pop into Zizzi’s on the Quay (our review) where there isn’t a fireplace, but the large pizza oven in the centre of the room gives you that warm fuzzy feeling.

Be Decadent with Cocktails

When it’s dark by three o’clock or four, why not treat yourself with a special drink to brighten up the evening?  Be a little decadent and head to one of my favourite cocktail bars:

• Dragonfly:  Just a stone’s throw from the Grassmarket, but with none of the riff-raff.  It can get quite busy, but for good reason: the drinks are fantastic.  Try a Cranberry julep for a refreshing afternoon drink.
• Bramble Bar:  Hidden down a stairway near the corner of Hanover and Queen street, Bramble feels more like a speakeasy than anything else.  It’s not very big, and if you secure yourself a good seat you won’t want to leave, but thankfully the staff will hand deliver your next champagne cocktail to your table.

Have Some Comfort Food

We have so many pubs and yes, all that heavy greasy food can get old after awhile.  But if you’ve been good, even if you have a strict new year’s resolution, there is no harm in a nice hot meal to warm your bones.  Here’s some top tips:

• Bangers and Mash: There’s no question the best place in town for sausages and mashed potatoes covered in gravy is Monster Mash.  In summer there is a queue out the door, so take advantage while they’re no so crowded.
• Shepard’s Pie: For ambience and a tasty bie to eat, check out the Jekyll and Hyde.  Since it’s dark inside and a touch creepy, you’ll forget about the not so nice weather outside.  And I love their shepherd’s pie and other classics.
• Steak and Ale Pie: You can go pretty much anywhere in town and get a steak and ale pie, but Bobby’s Bar does ‘em best.  Covered with gravy and served with tasty chips, you can’t go wrong here.

Get Religion

Edinburgh is full of amazing churches and cathedrals, but did you know that St Giles Cathedral has just finished a massive restoration project last year?  The interiors are now clear of construction, and the refurbished ceilings of the main nave are just jaw-dropping.  St Giles hosts concerts and events throughout the year so it’s always worth checking their website for the latest.

Shop Til You Drop

Shops are still offering great recession-busting deals, so why not stock up on some gifts and souvenirs?  Just remember the baggage limit for the flight home.  Some great shops:

• Cuttea Sark: A must for any tea or coffee lover.  Miles and miles of cups, sauces, pots, kettles, and anything eles you could want.
• Armstrongs: Even if you aren’t looking for vintage clothes, this very well known offbeat shop (often frequented by British celebs) has some great stuff.  With all the colour, it’s always good for a long browse through the racks.

Wander

Edinburgh is a city of hidden lanes, alleyways, and you never know what you’ll find.  Stick a map in your rucksack in case you get lost, but just head out and start walking, see where you end up.  Maybe you’ll find a hidden little cafe, empty apart from you, or a particularly striking piece of Georgian architecture.  Who knows?

By chatirygirl, preater, theedinburghblog.co.uk, kunalmehta, johndal, lawmurray