THE coronavirus outbreak has transformed everyday life across the world – and Scotland is no exception.
Increasingly, we are being confined to our homes. But that doesn’t mean we have to neglect cultural, sporting or culinary interests.
Here are 14 great apps and websites to keep you active.
Book Depository
THIS website is a gem during the best of times, but now it might be more important than ever. The online shop offers free delivery – to and from anywhere in the world – with a stock of more than 20 million books. There are a dozen countries where delivery is no longer available but, for the time being, it is business as usual in Scotland. There’s no minimum spend either, keeping with the company’s mantra of “all books available to all”.
Supercook
STRUGGLING to think of what to have for dinner? This handy site will have the answer. Everyone’s cupboards and fridges are a little haphazard at the moment but using supercook.com, you can enter what ingredients you have and the website will provide you with recipe suggestions tailored to your needs. With loads of ideas, you’re just about guaranteed a meal out of whatever you happen to have in.
TooGoodToGo
IF you’re able to get out and about but you’re struggling to stock the fridge, TooGoodToGo might be able to help. Originally set up to minimise food waste, the app gives offers from local restaurants and hotels who are selling food that would otherwise be thrown out at a discounted rate. You can order through the app and collect it yourself – and you might be surprised at the number of hotels, cafes and takeaways that are still open and serving up meals.
#CovidCeilidh
SCOTS all across the country aren’t letting coronavirus get in the way of their musical gatherings. If it’s heartwarming videos of people playing fiddles, harps, bagpipes, accordions, pianos or just singing, then this is one Twitter trend you need to follow. Simply go on to the social media site and enter “#CovidCeilidh” in the search bar, and you’ll see plenty of videos of people taking part. If you’re a Twitter user you can get involved by uploading a clip and using the hashtag. And for those that aren’t usually all that bothered about social media, there’s good news; you don’t need an account.
READ MORE: United against Covid-19: How you can help ensure the show goes on
Zoom
THIS application was initially developed to help businesses conduct international conference calls but it has been given a new lease of life during the coronavirus shutdown. Users can create group video chats so that friends and family members can maintain contact remotely and get that all-important face-to-face contact – without risking your health.
Draw Something
A FUN game that can help pass the time, as well as keeping you in touch with your friends. The mobile game is exactly what it sounds like – you choose a word and try to illustrate it, and your friend tries to guess what it is. A minute to learn, a lifetime to master. Unless you happen to be an illustrator.
Edinburgh Zoo live feeds
STAYING indoors all day can leave you feeling disconnected from nature but by logging on to Edinburgh Zoo’s website, you can watch live feeds from some of their enclosures. You can view live footage of penguins, koalas, pandas and tigers all going about their daily business. As you would expect, it’s easy to waste hours watching penguins waddling around.
MIT Open Courseware
THE Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the world’s most famous universities and there are hundreds of online courses available to access online for free. From philosophical courses to advanced mathematics, business to fine art, there is something for everyone. With Open Courseware, every day really is a school day.
Duolingo
IF you’re in self-isolation and wanting to make the most of the time on your hands, you can go to duolingo.com, or download the app, to study dozens of languages. Lessons are available for free so there’s no excuse not to take that French class you always said you would. From Arabic to Vietnamese, they’ve got you covered.
Grokker
THE fitness and wellbeing website usually charges for its content but in light of the current crisis, it will be free to access until the end of April. Grokker provide videos on yoga, meditation, Pilates and cardio. Whether you want to keep fit or stay calm, Grokker can lend a helping hand.
Borrow My Doggy
THE dog walking app has been around for a while now but with some owners forced to self-isolate, you can help a neighbour and make a new furry friend at the same time. After signing up, you can browse the app to see which dogs in your area are needing some fresh air, message the owner and then go for walkies.
Dialup
IF you’re self-isolating alone and looking for some company then Dialup, created by artists Danielle Baskin and Max Hawkins, is the app for you. Their QuarantineChat service connects you to another person who is stuck inside and leaves you to blether away to your heart’s content.
Nike Training Club
ONE for the fitness fanatics. The Nike Training Club app has all sorts of exercise and regimes to suit your needs and has 185 free workouts at various skill levels to ensure that you can still keep in shape, even if you can’t make it to the gym. The programme is free to download and is suitable for both Apple and Andorid users.
Project Gutenberg
AN online library with more than 60,000 books – including a fair few classics – to choose from. There’s no sign-up and you can download e-books on to your phone, tablet or Kindle at no cost.
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