Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Flip

Original poster

Things to do in Edinburgh alone...

19 replies

RunSweatLaughAndLatte · 14/10/2018 09:28

My partner is going to Glasgow for work and has invited me to join, but one of the days he'll be away all day and is taking some clients out for a meal so I thought I might get the train to Edinburgh and have an explore. Any suggestions what a lone person can do in Edinburgh for their first ever visit? 😁

OP posts:

Peridot1 · 14/10/2018 09:31

The open top bus tour is always a good way to see a city.

It’s a city full of history -just wandering around really gives you a sense of history.

If you are a Harry Potter fan there is the cafe where JK Rowling wrote the first one - lots of HP stuff about.

If you are an Outlander fan there are some places of interest too.

LadyLaSnack · 14/10/2018 09:34

The castle, the vaults, Mary King’s Close, a walk up Arthur’s Seat.

sexnotgender · 14/10/2018 09:36

Go to the castle then take a wander down the royal mile.

If you are a Harry Potter fan go to Greyfriar’s graveyard and try and spot the character names on the gravestones. Church itself is beautiful inside too.

If you want to go shopping avoid Princes Street as it’s crap! George Street has nicer shops - the Dome does lovely cocktails and might have it’s ridiculously amazing Christmas decorations up already!

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Holidays

fourquenelles · 14/10/2018 09:37

It's a great city to walk around. Have lunch in a pub in the Grassmarket and poggle along Cowgate. I second visiting Mary King Close was about £11 adult ticket last time I went.

Original poster

RunSweatLaughAndLatte · 14/10/2018 09:42

Ooh this is all so exciting, thank you!

OP posts:

sexnotgender · 14/10/2018 09:45

Any other advice just holler, I’m edinburgh born and bred!

OatsBeansBarley · 14/10/2018 09:51

I'd do a bus tour and then wander the old town on foot.

If you go to the Holyrood palace / School Parliament end of the Royal Mile you can walk up Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano, for views of the city.

At the other end you have Edinburgh Castle. If you want to pay to go in I recommend seeing St Margaret's Chapel (oldest surviving building in Edinburgh) and the National War Memorial. Don't use the cafe.

My favourite "thing" in Edinburgh is the skyline of the old town. It looks good even as you exit Waverley Station: an easy win for the daytripper!

Blankiefan · 14/10/2018 09:51

The Museum of Scotland on Chamber Street is worth visiting (and it's free!)

Blankiefan · 14/10/2018 09:52

And is spa is your thing, the One Spa at the Sheraton is great. It has a roof top pool.

OatsBeansBarley · 14/10/2018 09:53

Scottish Parliament..autocorrect error.

fadingfast · 14/10/2018 09:57

I second the Chambers street museum, lovely city views from the roof terrace too. If you've never been, a walk from one end of the Royal Mile to the other is worth doing. Yes there's a fair amount of tartan tourist crap but lovely buildings and you can see Holyrood) Scottish parliament at one end, castle at the other. Lovely view from the castle terrace (don't bother paying to go in). A short diversion from the Royal Mile down Victoria Street to the Grassmarket is also lovely. Enjoy!

FizzPopping · 14/10/2018 10:03

Also visit Mary's Milk Bar for an ice cream at Grassmarket!

CormoranStrike · 14/10/2018 10:19

I didn’t know about Greyfriars cemetery, I’m so going to do that one day.

DisplayPurposesOnly · 14/10/2018 10:48

Go and see the pandas at the zoo There's a direct bus from the city centre that stops outside th zoo.

ForalltheSaints · 14/10/2018 11:21

The Castle definitely, and the Portrait Gallery I suggest.

midsomermurderess · 14/10/2018 11:31

The view from the esplanade over the New Town and across to Fife is fabulous but the castle itself, a little dull. What about the National Gallery, on Princes Street, a very manageable but lovely collection.
I'd suggest swerving the Royal Mile and all that, full of tourist tat and bag pipes, unless you just do it via an open-top bus and box it off quickly. Head north through the New Town, down into Stockbridge and into Inverleith Park and the Botanics. Catch a bus (8, 23, 27) back up into town. In fact, get an all day bus ticket, really good value. Get a DK guide for walk suggestions and buildings to look out for.

Observatorycrest · 14/10/2018 11:33

I love the train into Edinburgh and the castle just there as you arrive. You have to wander up from the station via Cockburn street and head down the royal mile. Spit on the heart of Midlothian (it has to be done) and wander up along the cobbled stones to the castle. Greyfriars and grassmarket etc is all around that area and is a lovely little walk. A drink at the last drop. Even wandering in princes street gardens is lovely too.

isseywithcats · 14/10/2018 12:47

Mary king street in the centre of the royal mile excellent, and the big museum free to get in and lots to see if the weather isnt good

moralminority · 14/10/2018 13:06

I got a one day city pass it was great. If I didn't like something I just went into the next thing. Fitted loads in, it was fantastic value and I had a fab day (OH was also working).

Flip