The Way to Health and Happiness

Edinburgh, Lothian & Scottish Borders’ favourite outdoor event guide is back with a new edition full of more ideas than ever, funded by Scottish National Heritage and Forestry Commission Scotland.

More studies than ever are highlighting physical activity and regular contact with nature as routes to improving our emotional, physical and environmental health. Outdoor events and activities offer the perfect way to put these insights into practice. And finding out what you can do outdoors in Edinburgh, the Lothians and the Scottish Borders – often at no cost – couldn’t be easier.

Available free of charge from Friday 4 April, the 2008/09 edition of the OUTDOOR DIARY is a non-profit publication that promotes outdoor events and activities in Edinburgh, Lothians and the Scottish Borders. Thirty organisations have listed almost six hundred events and activities with us this year.

This pocket-sized publication covers a whole year’s-worth of events. There are loads things happening for children of all ages, family groups, and adults of all levels of interest, fitness, knowledge and expertise. Outdoor Diary users can search the booklet for specific types of event, dates and locations, or just browse the listings for ideas and inspiration.

And there’s more inspiration than ever to be had. Why not let the Outdoor Diary help you to discover the area’s often world-famous flora, fauna, history, geology and archaeology on guided walks in the company of experts; visit walking, bike and natural craft festivals; improve your wildlife gardening; or spend a night with the Tweed salmon netters . . . or those other expert salmon fishers, the otters!

For children and families there are loads of weekend and holiday ideas, from helping to feed newborn lambs; building dens and shelters and practising survival skills; learning to track wildlife & make birdboxes and feeders; to getting creative making kites and woodland puppets.

The sheer volume and variety of ideas is a testament to how committed these regions are to helping us enjoy, understand, appreciate and conserve their unique, world-renowned landscapes and wildlife.

The Outdoor Diary will be available from 4 April from libraries, Tourist Information Centres, visitor centres, local ranger services, community centres, libraries and EAE leaflet racks throughout Edinburgh, Lothians and the Borders. Large print versions are also available – for information, call 0845 367 3787 – and a searchable online version of the diary is available at www.outdoor-diary.info