Edinburgh - things to do.

[notacooldad]

Hi I am going to Edinburgh for two days next week. Has anyone got any ideas of things to do. I have been going up there for years, usually to the festival in the summer and Christmas fairs in the winter.
Any thing new I can do?
I have been to the castle, camera obscura , the library , the Scott memorial , the botanical park, the dungeon tour, Arthur's seat, the national museum, the Royal yacht Britannia many times over so looking for something off the beaten track or hidden gems that get overlooked.
Has anyone any ideas please.

The Scottish Parliament, Palace of Holyroodhouse and Arthur's Seat? Down Victoria Street to the Grassmarket? Stockbridge? Cafes and shops on Broughton Street? Down Leith Walk, Water of Leith, Newhaven?

You've seen a lot of Edinburgh - what's bringing you back?

Sorry, saw you've already mentioned Arthur's Seat.

Mary kings close? Some of the historic walking tours? Maison de Moggie? The Zoo?

The surgeons hall museum is really interesting if you are into that sort of thing, not sure if it's open though.

Check the featured exhibition at the Museum of Scotland, they change regularly and can be interesting.

Whatever you do you will need to book in advance.

The gallery of modern art? Or the mid century modern exhibition at Dovecot studios? (Both need booked)

You will find a lot of things closed right now.
Scotland is in the midst of a rise in Covid numbers and stricter lockdowns are being put in place.
You will be limited.
I wouldn't bother.

You've seen a lot of Edinburgh - what's bringing you back?
DH's work. I've got a couple of days off so may as well have a free trip and nice hotel!

The zoo. We went in August and it was a lovely day

Nice walk at Cramond beach. Not sure if Cramond island has reopened though. There's lots of nice woodland walks if you like that sort of thing.
Or arcades at Portobello beach.

We did Mary king's close and Edinburgh Zoo last time we went.

I'm not sure if it has officially reopened but last time I was passing there were people walking out to it!
Are any of the boat trips to Inchcolm running I wonder? I've never done that.

Sorry that was to @Delbelleber

I don't know if the boats to incholm island are running. I have been out there a few times. Its quite fun to explore the Abbey and the rest of the island.
There is also Craigmillar Castle which is good for exploring.

If you've exhausted exploring Edinburgh why dont you explore areas nearby? Historic Scotland are opening lots of castles now, Linlithgow palace is gorgeous and not too far from Edinburgh or perhaps jump the train to Glasgow? Kelvingrove art gallery, Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow science centre, Riverside museum and lots of gorgeous architecture!

The streets will certainly seem quieter if the OP is used to the festival and the Christmas markets! So could be nice for a wander round.

Museum of Childhood down the bottom end of the royal mile is good if you haven't been before. Lots of toy exhibitions from years of old.

Return tram journey to see parts of Edinburgh you've not seen before?

Take a bus trip out to North Berwick for a mooch around.

The falls at Cramond are lovely too if you have a nice day, lovely nature walk.

If you get stuck with a rainy day the cinema down at Ocean Terminal is one of the luxe ones with the recliner seats.

Struggling now as you've already done everything I would usually suggest!

This is the best time ever to take photographs in Edinburgh.
Both the Old and new town and Unesco world heritage sites. The New Towns is the finest example of extensive Georgian architecture anywhere in the world, and the old town is an amazing labyrinth of cobbled streets, old closes and medieval buildings.
Normally the city is seething with tourists, but right now it is like a ghost town, which means amazing photo opportunities with empty streets- atmospheric shots.
So if you are all into photography take advantage of the quiet city- I haven't seen it like this ever.

If you've exhausted exploring Edinburgh why dont you explore areas nearby? Historic Scotland are opening lots of castles now, Linlithgow palace is gorgeous and not too far from Edinburgh or perhaps jump the train to Glasgow? Kelvingrove art gallery, Glasgow Cathedral, Glasgow science centre, Riverside museum and lots of gorgeous architecture
Thank you. Hiwever we have done Glasgow loads as well. We only live just over two hours by train to Glasgow and Edinburgh and can get some really cheap train tickets.
We nearly went to Glasgow last weekend but ended up near Loch Lomond and finished off in Dumfries ( again!).
There are some really good suggestions about going slightly out of town. This looks like a plan.
Someone said about the streets being quieter. I came up with my friend in February and Edinburgh was completely different to my usual vibe if the city which was great.

A bit further out, but what about the Falkirk Wheel or Stirling castle?

People's Story museum, museum of Edinburgh (they're pretty much opposite each other on the Royal Mile near Canongate), Greyfriars Kirk/Kirkyard, National Gallery, Surgeon's Hall Museum (you need quite a strong stomach for some of the exhibits but I love it there), wander around Dean Village/Stockbridge...

I miss Edinburgh so much, so envious that you'll be there soon!

I love the Falkirk wheel!