Active Pursuits

Bicycling -- Bicycles are used by a surprising number of people in Edinburgh, despite the many hills and cobbled streets. The city is linked to the national cycle path system, and you can use it to get to many places on off-road and on-road lanes. Rent bikes from Rent-a-Bike Edinburgh, 29 Blackfriars St., near High Street (tel. 0131/556-5560; www.cyclescotland.co.uk; bus: 35). Depending on the type of bike, charges range between £10 to £15 ($20-$30) per day or up to £70 ($140) for the week. Part-day hires are possible. A credit card imprint will be taken as security. The same company runs Scottish Cycle Safaris, which organizes tours in the city and across Scotland.

Golf -- Aside from the Bruntsfield Links, where all you need is a ball, one lofted club, and a putter, Edinburgh's environs offer a host of attractive golf clubs and courses. It always pays to call a day or two, preferably, in advance to reserve a tee time and confirm greens fees. Among those run by the city are Silverknowes Golf Course, Silverknowes Parkway (tel. 0131/336-3843), a 6,202-yard course above the Firth of Forth; Braid Hills (tel. 0131/447-6666), about 5km (3 miles) south of Edinburgh's city center, just beyond Morningside; and Carrick Knowe, Glen Devon Park (tel. 0131/337-1096), just west of Murrayfield Stadium. Weekday rates for 18 holes are typically about £15 ($30), with rental clubs for about £16 ($32).

Sailing -- Not far from Edinburgh is the Port Edgar Sailing Centre in South Queensferry (tel. 0131/331-3330; www.portedgar.co.uk). From spring to autumn, it offers sailing instruction and boat rental to qualified sailors.

Sports Complexes, Gyms & Pools -- The Meadowbank Sports Centre, London Road (tel. 0131/661-5351; www.edinburghleisure.co.uk), was built when the city hosted the Commonwealth Games in 1970. Then state-of-the-art, it still offers a good gym, track, and soccer fields. It costs about £5 ($10) to use the weight room. For swimming, the Olympic-size indoor pool at the Royal Commonwealth Pool, 21 Dalkeith Rd. (tel. 0131/667-7211), is best in the city.