Edinburgh Things to Do Tips by scotlandscotour

This view of the Castle shows the road along which coaches park. It also shows the steep rock upon which the castle sits. This is an old volcanic plug of lava, and the Royal Mile that slopes gently down to the royal palace of Holyrood is a lava flow.

Those not wishing to part with money can get excellent views of the City from the Castle Esplanade for free. (Best in the morning).
Walking around the base of the Castle (to the left on this picture) takes you on a footpath into Princes Street Gardens. You'll notice how the rock, like the buildings is blackened by soot from the old coal chimneys - that gave the City the name "Auld Reakie".

The Castle is expensive to get in (9.50 I think nowadays) so if your budget is tight, don't worry, inside isn't so great. Like so many things, its the fear of missing out that persuades you to go in, then its a disappointment. For that money it is questionable.

If you want to see inside, go early and beat the crowds!

Historic Scotland membership is very sensible. Also check out the Explorer Pass - various types - giving you access to many Historic Scotland Sites and a great saving!

Information about the Explorer Pass can be found directly from my Scotland Tip - http://www.virtualtourist.com/m/70ef2/f8/1/ - Click link and scroll down.

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Address: Edinburgh
Directions: Centre of Edinburgh
Website: http://www.edinburgh.org/
Other Contact: www.historic-scotland.org.uk

A secret, roof top garden with fantastic city views:

Go to the top floor of the National Museum (free and wonderful) and take the steps to the rooftop viewing area. Here you'll see Edinburgh laid out before you. Its a great spot to sunbathe too, or picnic.

There are excellent places to eat here too, so why hurry?

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Address: National Museum

View Image Full Size To See Locations*

Typical views of the Edinburgh - from the Castle - just to give you the 'feel' of the place.

*The green area is part of Princes Gardens, on the north side of the Castle, a beautiful haven within the city. A very popular place. In the centre of this, the pointy tower (blackened by soot from all the coal fires Edinburgh used to have) is the *Scott Monument (Sir Walter).

*The two large buildings in the foreground are National Galleries - good for an hour especially in rain! If you look closely you will realise the gardens are used by the trains to reach Waverley Station*. Sigh.

The large block of a building (right of Scot monument) is an hotel* and beneath that is the main Tourist Information Office and Waverley Train Station*. Beyond that and further right is the old Observatory* - no longer able to cope with light pollution - but very significant and a delightful walk / views etc.

On the sky-line is the port of Leith* and the Forth Estuary, the Firth of Forth*.

I hope that makes sense!! Enlarge Pic to see.

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Address: Edinburgh castle, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK
Directions: Edinburgh Castle Esplanade, view north over City.
Website: www.visitscotland.com
Other Contact: http://www.edinburgh.org/

A Fantastic place, a delight, refreshing and informative. Go time and time again.

The Museum of Scotland tells the history of Scotland from its geological beginnings to the present day through the national collections. A striking piece of architecture that holds the treasured objects of Scotland's past and present. Free guided tours and audio tours are available.

Free admission! Adjacent to and joined with the Royal Museum.

Great Cafe ... for food, service and anbiance!

Opening Times: Jan - Dec.
Mon - Sat : 1000 - 1700 (open until 2000 on Tuesdays).
Sun : 1200 - 1700.

STB Award: ***** (5 stars = top score)

Disabled Facilities: Yes, Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes, Shops: Yes
Eating Places: Yes (Great view from rooftop restaurant! Excellent cafe in the Royal Museum, ground floor - see photo)

Tel: 0131 247 4422
Fax: 0131 220 4819
Email: info@nms.ac.uk

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Phone: 0044 131 247 4422
Address: Address: Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF
Directions: Just off the Royal Mile (pass the National Library)
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Other Contact: http://www.edinburgh.org/

Beautiful, calm and free!
See the Millenium Clock and eat at the Cafe!

Click on my photo to enlage - see the engraving on the brass plate!!!

"Scotland's premier museum housing international collections of African, American and Pacific ethnography, jewellery, scientific instruments, costume, fossils, Japanese and Chinese material, Middle Eastern cultures, mammals, fish, birds and insects! Guided tours and audio tours are also available. Adjacent to the Museum of Scotland. (Although admission is free, there may be a charge for some temporary exhibitions - like the Cats, 4 pounds)"

Opening Days/Times: Jan - Dec.
Mon - Sat: 1000 - 1700 (open until 2000 on Tuesdays).
Sun: 1200 - 1700.

Free Entry

STB Award: ***** (5= top score) Museum
Disabled Facilities: Parking: Yes
Toilets: Yes, Shops: Yes, Eating Places: Yes - Great cafe on ground floor

Tel: 0131 247 4219/
Fax: 0131 220 4819
Email: info@nms.ac.uk

Car Parking - Don't even think of it.

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Phone: 0044 131 247 4219
Address: Chambers Street, Edinburgh,
Directions: next to the National Museum - also MUST SEE.
Website: www.nms.ac.uk

This is Edinburgh:
The National Gallery is a beautiful building with its stone columns and Greek style architecture. They keep calling Edinburgh the 'Athens of the North', but that isn't helpful, except to affirm that both cities are well worth seeing for real.

In this picture you will also see the impossing Scott Monument, black with soot from the days when Edinburgh reaked with smoke from coal fires. Its far too ornate to be cleaned, and is almost a monument to global warming!

Also note the double decker buses (I wish they were a nicer colour, cleaner, and modern), and the lovely black railings and other street furnishings typical of the city.

If you come to Edinburgh and miss this scene, you never saw it.

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Address: The Mound
Directions: Between Royal Mile and Princes Street, Old and New.

A visit to Edinburgh is never complete without scaling the summit of Arthur's Seat, for a magnificent view, and the camaradery of fellow tourists, similarly breathless.

You will see Edinburgh laid out before you, be able to spot most of the main attractions, (as well as the Forth Rail Bridge & Estuary) and get some welcome exercise.

Allow a good hour, or two, and take water, food and warm clothing. Where else can you walk up a hill like this in the centre of such a beautiful city? It's like being God up there! But do take care as it has steep parts best avoided.

This picture was taken in Spring, and is of the southern approach, near the Commonwealth Swimming Pool. It is less busy than the way up from Holyrood. The summit can just be seen, through the trees.

Also see Salisbury Crags Tip. An enjoyable, shorter walk lower down the hill but with enough height for views of Edinburgh.

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Directions: Next to Holyrood Palace, at lower end of the Royal Mile. Also can be approached from the Commonwealth Pool.
Website: www.multimap.co.uk
Other Contact: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Avoiding the building site that is the National Joke (Parliament) and the huge white tent (Dynamic Earth), you can get from the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace and Abbey.
The abbey is a lovely, romantic ruin adjoining the Palace (entrance fee covers both buildings) -- note that when the Queen is in residence, you won't be able to get in. There is a good audio tour explaining the buildings' history and a good cafe. Walk around and soak up the atmosphere.
From here you can see the hill, Arthur's Seat, preserved by royal patronage, which is well worth every effort to get up. Honestly.
Take windproof clothing, water and a picnic (get before you head off down the Royal Mile), and enjoy Edinburgh!

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Address: Holyrood Abbey - bottom of Royal Mile - Edinburgh
Website: http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page559.asp

For a wonderful view of the city, without the effort or time to climb Arthur's Seat, head along the paths on Salisbury Crags - the very obvious sandstone rock before the full hill ascends. As well as joggers and photographers, you'll see Fulmers swooping and get wonderful scents off the flowering Gorse bushes (yellow flowers).

The Crags are now managed by Historic Scotland (also looking after Holyrood), so they don't like rock climbing - though you'll likey be tempted!

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Directions: Same as for Arthur's Seat.
Website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Other Contact: www.visitscotland.com

Spring time allows me to see the soot darkened monument, so much a feature of Edinburgh city scape, with a gentler eye. At this distance it is a mere spike in the sky, but no mere church spire, close up.

The Scott Monument was built 1840-46 as a memorial to the writer Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832). It was designed by architect George Kemp (1795-1844), who won a competition with his gothic design.
The public can climb the 287 steps to the top of the monument for "spectacular" views of the city.

Though the area beneath the monument is forever busy, being adjacent to the tour buses and tourist information at Waverley train station, I don't find this area particularly attractive. However, walk further along the gardens and you'll find beauty in the heart of this diesel and hop smelling city. Whilst the monument testifies to the pollution of coal fires, the traffic on Princes Street brings a modern day mess of fumes and noise. Yet just a step away is the sanctuary and calm of the gardens. Guess where you'll find me?!

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Address: Princes Street Gardens East