Edinburgh is a glorious city and not just because it’s the Capital of Scotland. It has fully paved and cobbled streets, fantastic gardens in the city centre, and some spectacularly atrocious history for those fascinated by the macabre. Very likely to be the most haunted city in Scotland; Edinburgh is the perfect place if you are planning to have a Hell of a Halloween.
Scotlands Capital City is even more spectacular at night. The Fireworks are only for special occasions though.
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On the face of it Edinburgh is home to the Scottish Parliamentary seat, a formal Royal Residence, and some of the best Gothic architecture you will ever see in your life. To the rest of Scotland, Edinburgh is like shining your shoes and putting on your Sunday Best for when your Great Auntie visits…. We polish Edinburgh, fill it with all the ‘nice’ bits of Scottish culture and use this city as our showpiece to the rest of the world.
If you want to see how the people of Scotland actually live, take a half-hour trip out to Queensferry, try fossil hunting at Wemyss Bay, or head inland towards Stirling and visit those stunning mountains.
All this being said, Edinburgh is one of our favourite places on earth. Like we said; it has a whole host of the best, nicest, shiniest things that Scotland has to offer. If you want to visit this glorious country without hiking the Cairngorms for the perfect Instagram shot – the Edinburgh will give you photo opportunities aplenty. Let’s get stuck into the five minute guide to Edinburgh. There’s tons of meaty stuff to get your teeth into.
Edinburgh at a Glance
If you were stopping in Edinburgh for only one or two days, then the sights below are the ones we recommend you make time for.
Edinburgh Castle
Make sure you are there at 1 pm sharp! There are likely to be queues if the sun is out, so factor this into account. The castle is breath-taking. It dominates the city skyline from every angle, perched on top of a sheer cliff edge and perpetually lit up like a Christmas tree light.
The castle has a rich, bloody history. You can visit the dungeons where real prisoners once stood, you can take a tour, or you can just wander round and take in the stunning city views. Why be there for 1pm? That’s when they fire the one-gun-salute every day. Make sure you are there to see it!
Possibly the oldest inhabited place in Scotland rumoured to sit on the top of a 350-million-year-old extinct volcano.
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Holyroodhouse Palace & Abbey
These two buildings sit right next door to each other in the Canongate area of the Royal Mile (which we will cover momentarily). You can get guided tours of the Palace and have a wander around the Abbey for a small fee.
Holyroodhouse is the Queen’s official residence on Scottish engagements. It includes some of the most detailed historical information on the Royal family, and the former Scottish Royal Family, than you will find anywhere else in the UK. Both Bonnie Prince Charlie and Mary Queen of Scots frequented these halls. It’s a marvel that it has survived the political struggles over the years.
Holyrood – The British Royal Families holiday cottage in Scotland.
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The Royal Mile
If you are in town specifically to shop then get off the train and head for one of two places: Princes Street, if you have a lot of money to spare, and the Royal Mile, if you don’t. The Castle sits at one end of the Royal Mile and the street was once a full mile long, hence the name. It connects the castle to the Palace at Holyroodhouse, with several attractions along the way.
No visit is complete without at least strolling along part of the Royal Mile.
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If you are in Edinburgh overnight be sure to take a plague tour. St. Mary’s Close is on the Royal Mile. In this area, a whole impoverished street was bricked closed to stop the spread of the plague. It is one of the most reportedly haunted sights in Scotland.
Calton Hill
Calton Hill is a great hike for the able-bodied. From the top, you have a beautiful panoramic view of the city. This is a UNESCO World Heritage site and, right at the top, you can find and photograph the iconic National Monument.
Calton Hill also homes the City Observatory since it has the clearest view of the stars. There are plenty of monuments up there so take your pick. Also, this activity is a free one… and there aren’t too many of those in Edinburgh!
It’s worth the hike to see this – stunning especially at dusk.
The National Museum of Scotland
This museum has a little bit of all things Scottish culture in it. So if you are only passing through and don’t have time to go out and explore the wild hills and rolling moors; the National Museum is a great substitute. They run different events throughout the year and house a performance space that sometimes hosts the Scottish Opera.
Where to Eat, Drink and Party in Edinburgh?
The locals who like fine-dining visit Rhubarb on Priestfield Road. If you are looking for a family feast instead, try the Scran & Scallie, instead. For the best pubs try the Bow Bar or Café Royal, depending on your taste. Stop by the Edinburgh Playhouse and catch a show or go dancing at Sneaky Pete’s to round off the night.
Other Notable Attractions
That doesn’t mean to say that there are only five attractions in Edinburgh! There are a number of notable places that we couldn’t cover in great detail. We found some of the best things to do in Edinburgh if you have a little more time, too!
Free things to do in Edinburgh:
- Climb to Salisbury Crags if you are able-bodied enough.
- Hike up Arthur’s Seat for spectacular views.
- Calton Hill, mentioned above, is a free trip.
- You can visit the Royal Yacht Brittania in the harbour.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is normally berthed in Edinburgh when not on the high seas.
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Things to do in Edinburgh if you have cash to splash:
- Take a Whiskey Tour – Scotland wouldn’t be Scotland without our national drink. You will find more whiskey tours in Edinburgh than just about anywhere else on the planet. Take your pick and book a taxi.
- The Vaults – Underneath Edinburgh are miles of tunnels, all of which were once home to the poorest members of society, black market traders, and smugglers. Nobody knows how far and how deep they go… you should definitely take a tour!
Whiskey tasting tours are hugely popular – Water is optional, but don’t take the Car!
Got Five Minutes Spare?
Don’t forget there are all sorts of fascinating things you can learn, see and do in five minutes nestled within our pages. Have a browse and don’t forget to share us with your friends!
