The People That Surround Us: Connecting with Family and Loved Ones

In March, our team is exploring family and belonging through all of our content and how these bonds shape who we are. As the sun slowly returns to Edinburgh, and more people start spending time outside enjoying the early days of spring, there are so many great opportunities to reconnect with friends and family. If you are looking for inspiration on how to enjoy time with loved ones, look no further, as we have compiled our favourite ways to spend time in Spring this March.

Personally, my favourite place to spend time with friends is undoubtedly Stockbridge Market and the surrounding areas. Even if you don’t need to purchase anything or the student budget doesn’t cover yet another lunch out, the atmosphere alone makes a great activity to walk around and soak up the bustle of Stockbridge on a Sunday. From baked goods to insect cakes and generous paella portions, there are enough options for everyone to enjoy, and Stockbridge itself boasts a wide range of charity shops and endless benches, cafes and spots to sit and spend intentional time catching up with friends and family. Proximity to Dean Village and The Water of Leith also offers the perfect opportunity to extend your walk further if you have enough cheese tasters and cute dog spotting (what I would consider Stockbridge Sunday guarantees).

If you’re looking for somewhere to spend a fun time with loved ones, Crammond Village and beach is the perfect place to escape the business of Edinburgh city centre and provides a beautiful backdrop for time to connect with people. Out of all of the beaches in Edinburgh, Crammond is by far my favourite, as the island and pier are a picturesque spot for a walk, or if you’re feeling brave, a cold water dip. Crammond also hosts a weekly park run if that’s more your speed, which can also be a fun weekend activity to spend time with your loved ones.

There is such a strong connection between family, storytelling and childhood. It’s a reminder of where we’ve been, where we’re going and what holds us all together. There is no better place to reconnect with memories of youth than in the Museum of Children, as just walking through the rooms of memorabilia is guaranteed to transport you and evoke feelings of nostalgia and the perfect walk down memory lane. Situated just on the Royal Mile, there are plenty of coffee shops located in the immediate vicinity of the museum if you fancy a drink and reflection after visiting your own memories of childhood, one of my favourites being Cappuccino, just a few minutes walk away.

Whatever you decide to do, be sure to put intentional and conscious effort into reconnecting with loved ones this March. With Spring on the way, it’s a time for new beginnings, and if you are thinking about reaching out or reconnecting with someone, there’s no better time than now. With the cold and dark Edinburgh winters finally coming to an end and spring on the way, make sure to enjoy the sunshine with those you love (and tag us on our socials if you get up to any of our activities!)