r/Glasgow Tools

Title
Author	king_of_ash
Comment	First--\congrats\ on your sobriety! It's a big deal, and you should be proud of yourself for making the right choice for you. Depending on your injury (and whether you're scared of horses), horse riding is my activity/community of choice. It may not seem like a communal thing, but in the UK, it really is/can be. The best stable in the world happens to be in Scotland--(North Berwick--Seacliff Stables, which is as far East from Glasgow as its possible to be, I know) but the trainers are used to teaching people healing from injuries. It's run by a former Scottish national champion in carriage driving, so you could learn to do driving, which is its own awesome, fun, fast thing, and also perfect for people with back/hip/leg injuries. The riding community in Scotland is what started me on my path to moving from the US to Scotland (I've been riding since I was a toddler, but don't let that put you off--they take the most beginners of beginners). Riding is also a great way to heal from injuries, and a lot of the horses there have been trained from RDA (Riding for the Disabled). There are other stables closer to Glasgow if distance is an issue. If you have transport and can make it out there, one ride costs less than getting shitfaced at a pub, and it's also extremely COVID safe (outdoors with forced social distancing b/c horses are big). It can be as mild or hardcore as you want it to be--I ride in 3 degree weather, as long as the ground isn't frozen. I love it like nothing else. That's my own preference--but my Scottish and English friends who don't drink (and even the ones that do) are involved in dance communities in the UK (which are globally interconnected, turns out). They've met friends, partners, spouses, travel buddies, etc., all dancing (swing, balboa, contra, etc). You could also join a writing group--the Scottish Book Trust is a good place to get started. Like with book clubs, it turns something solitary into something communal. I'm more familiar with those resources in Edinburgh than Glasgow (so far), but feel free to PM me! My partner and I are thinking of starting up a regular non-drinking game night/trivia night near Lock 27 when we get back from traveling (they've got outdoor tables with umbrellas, and are dog friendly). You're not the only non-drinker in the city--you'll find your people! It just might take a bit of extra searching. Feel free to reach out anytime!
Reddit Link	https://www.reddit.com/r/glasgow/comments/w1cl4p/people_who_dont_drink_what_do_you_do_with_your/igjsh0c/
Created	Sun 17th Jul 2022 7:59pm
Status	normal ()

First--\*congrats\* on your sobriety! It's a big deal, and you should be proud of yourself for making the right choice for you.

Depending on your injury (and whether you're scared of horses), horse riding is my activity/community of choice. It may not seem like a communal thing, but in the UK, it really is/can be. The best stable in the world happens to be in Scotland--(North Berwick--Seacliff Stables, which is as far East from Glasgow as its possible to be, I know) but the trainers are used to teaching people healing from injuries. It's run by a former Scottish national champion in carriage driving, so you could learn to do driving, which is its own awesome, fun, fast thing, and also perfect for people with back/hip/leg injuries. The riding community in Scotland is what started me on my path to moving from the US to Scotland (I've been riding since I was a toddler, but don't let that put you off--they take the most beginners of beginners).

Riding is also a great way to heal from injuries, and a lot of the horses there have been trained from RDA (Riding for the Disabled). There are other stables closer to Glasgow if distance is an issue. If you have transport and can make it out there, one ride costs less than getting shitfaced at a pub, and it's also extremely COVID safe (outdoors with forced social distancing b/c horses are big). It can be as mild or hardcore as you want it to be--I ride in 3 degree weather, as long as the ground isn't frozen. I love it like nothing else.

That's my own preference--but my Scottish and English friends who don't drink (and even the ones that do) are involved in dance communities in the UK (which are globally interconnected, turns out). They've met friends, partners, spouses, travel buddies, etc., all dancing (swing, balboa, contra, etc).

You could also join a writing group--the Scottish Book Trust is a good place to get started. Like with book clubs, it turns something solitary into something communal. I'm more familiar with those resources in Edinburgh than Glasgow (so far), but feel free to PM me! My partner and I are thinking of starting up a regular non-drinking game night/trivia night near Lock 27 when we get back from traveling (they've got outdoor tables with umbrellas, and are dog friendly).

You're not the only non-drinker in the city--you'll find your people! It just might take a bit of extra searching. Feel free to reach out anytime!