GO: East-Lothian & Edinburgh Easter Hiking Break

GO: East-Lothian & Edinburgh Easter Hiking Break

This year, Easter falls in early April, just one week after the freedom weekend (when the clocks return to BST) and we are planning to visit East Lothian and Edinburgh (where we would have gone 6 years ago had the pandemic not scuppered us).

For the first part (Fri-Sun) we will be staying and walking in spectacular East Lothian terrain situated to the east of Edinburgh. For the second part (Mon-Wed) we will be staying in Edinburgh itself for sightseeing and more walking.

Accommodation is proposed to cover Fri-Mon (basic) plus you can extend your stay (as we have) for Mon & Tue nights as you wish. This is designed to cater for those wanting just a long weekend break, or to spend some extra days given the distance.

Daytime hiking is planned in The Moorfoot Hills, Lammermuir, The Pentland Hills, and The John Muir Coast in Lothian. Though also possible to visit The Ochills and Perthshire lying north of the Firth of Forth if you're staying longer. There is also plenty to see in Edinburgh on the Monday, or Mon-Wed if you're taking an extended break.

Walking Options:

Subject to numbers and available route leaders, and weather, this will indicatively include:

Fri: Moorfoot Hills (afternoon walk) TBC
...Or somewhere convenient for our journey there
East Lothian Arrival Day Adventure, Fri, Apr 3, 2026, 1:45 PM | Meetup
Sat: Lammermuir Hills (full day)
...Wilderness adventure in sight of the north sea
East Lothian Walk: Lammermuir Hills, Sat, Apr 4, 2026, 10:00 AM | Meetup
Sun: Lothian Coastal Walk (full day)
...Some of Scotland's finest unspoiled coastline
East Lothian Walk: Coastal Cockenzie to Aberlady, Sun, Apr 5, 2026, 10:00 AM | Meetup
Mon: Arthur Seat walk and explore Edinburgh
...Discover Holyrood and Central Edinburgh
Arthur Seat walk and visit Edinburgh, Mon, Apr 6, 2026, 10:00 AM | Meetup
Tue: Pentland Hills (full day)
...Typical northern landscapes of central Scotland
East Lothian Walk: The Pentland Hills , Tue, Apr 7, 2026, 10:00 AM | Meetup
Wed: Chill out then return home

Once walk link are in place, please RSVP to these separately/ additionally so that we know who is planning to attend what!
Offers to join the 'walk leading team' are much appreciated.

Accommodation
FRI-MON: We are staying at Seton Sands Holiday Park along the splendid John Muir coastline. We have a number of places reserved, after which once exhausted we will either book more if possible or suggest members book their own, as we can't guarantee price and availability if people leave things until too late.

MON-WED: We are staying 2 extra nights in Edinburgh Park Travelodge, on the southwest side of the city, which is much cheaper than similar alternatives, with Edinburgh generally being expensive and touristy over bank holidays,

Other options:

We would strongly ask that members to use our suggested accommodation (first link listed) to be co-located for walks and evenings. But listed below are some other options if you're too late.

A. Holiday Parks
Seton Sands Holiday Park, Nr Edinburgh, Scotland | Haven
Pentland in Mortonhall, Edinburgh | Hoseasons
Mortonhall in Mortonhall, Edinburgh, Southern Scotland | Hoseasons
B. Budget Hotels
Travelodge | Edinburgh Park hotel - Edinburgh Park hotels
ibis budget Edinburgh Park · ALL - Accor Live Limitless
Travelodge | Edinburgh Cameron Toll hotel - Edinburgh Cameron Toll hotels

Travel.
Organise yourselves for this. For those not taking a car, there are ftrains from Birmingham to Edinburgh, and local public transport from Edinburgh to Port Seton. We will all car-pool to each walk assuming sufficient volunteer drivers on each walk, and use public transport or shanks pony for evening social events.

Evenings
FRI-SUN: These will probably be spent near our accommodation or in Prestonpans or Longniddry which are in walking distance.
MON-WED: These will be in Edinburgh once most tourists have gone.

Cost & Payment:
Basic cost of accommodation (FRI-MON) for places in super-large caravans at Seton Sands Holiday Park is only £49.99 per person with a £10 discount (£5 each) if booking a room as a pair. Note that use of entertainment and activity facilities is not included. Nearer the time we can discuss to organize a basic shopping delivery. There is a small charge of £8 for anyone booking alternative accommodation to Seton Park for FRI-MON to cover our general costs of booking, maps, materials, research & liaison etc.

For MON-WED, please book your own. At present, saver rate rooms for two people for the 2 nights at Edinburgh Park Travelodge are £83 which is much cheaper than comparable hotels in Edinburgh.

Please make payment to waldronp@rocketmail.com either via meetup's facility (which adds meetup fees and paypal fees) or directly (with paypal fees only, at your discretion). A confirmations list will be maintained within the comments below, an RSVP without payment does not reserve a place. Though do please RSVP if you are seriously intending to join us, to help with our projection of numbers. Thank you.

Happy Easter!