You can't talk about sport in Scotland without mentioning golf.  But did you know that St Andrews is not the true home of golf?  It is in fact Leith Links, where the first rules of golf were devised as long ago as 1744.  There are now 6 public courses in the city where anyone can play, including visitors to the city, and plenty of private courses including Links throughout East Lothian and within reach of the city.  If you are in Scotland to watch top level golf championships, then Edinburgh is little more than an hour from St Andrews and the infamous Old Course and nearby Carnoustie course - both of which host international golf competitions.  Even closer is Muirfield Golf Course - a regular venue for the British Open.

 

The home of Cricket Scotland is at Raeburn Place in Stockbridge.  International matches are sometimes played here and it's home to the Edinburgh Accies cricket club.  There are several other clubs in the city including Grange and South.

 

Cycling is big in Edinburgh.  A fantastic network of cycling routes are spread throughout the city, well away from ordinary traffic.  Most of these have been developed from the old railway lines that used to feed the port of Leith.  Now they are surfaced and most are lit too - used by cyclists and walkers, they mean you can get about much of the city without having to be on roads.  The fantastic Lothians campaign group 'Spokes' produce a brilliant map that you can order either on line or buy from any cycling shop, or the tourist offices.   The moutainbiking mecca of Glentress is less than an hour from Edinburgh, just outside the town of Peebles.  With cycling levels for all (and we mean all - young families, guys, girls, downhill junkies and cross country whippets), Glentress is a pilgrimmage for any mountainbiker.  For road cycling, the Edinburgh Road Club has weekend outings each week and their website includes listings of all upcoming races and events.  For more on planning routes and cycling in edinburgh, visit the Cycling Edinburgh blog.

 

For Triathlon lovers, the Edinburgh Triathlon Club is the place to be.  See their website for the race calendar.   Running clubs are available throughout the city, many meeting in the parks including The Meadows and Inverleith.  There are plenty of races too, including the Edinburgh full and half marathons as well as the challenging (read 'hilly') Seven Hills Race in June each year.

 

For climbers, the excellent and popular Alien Rock in Newhaven gives you the chance to climb the interior of a church.  They also have a nearby bouldering centre.  To be really impressed, head just beyond the airport to the west of the city to world's largest indoor climbing arena at the Edinburgh International Climbing Arena (EICA) at Ratho.

 

For swimmers, there are plenty of public baths you can visit.  Check out the Edinburgh Leisure website for more details (not just about swimming, but all other sports too!).  The fabulous Royal Commonwealth Pool which hosts the National squad, is undergoing a huge refurbishment programme due to complete in summer 2011 when it promises to be better than ever!  Another local pool that is undergoing refurbishment is the wonderful Glenogle pool in Stockbridge.  These beautiful Victorian baths are due to re-open in Spring 2010.  Do check out the lovely baths on Portobello beach and make sure you leave time to relax in their glorious Turkish Baths.