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Original poster

How to spend a day in Edinburgh

23 replies

Perfectlystill · 08/04/2022 22:32

After Easter I'm taking my DC aged 14, 11, 8 to Edinburgh for a day trip. Never been before. The little one won't really tolerate museums.

Where shall we go and what shall we see and where's good for a cheap casual lunch, preferably with a glass of wine for me and DH?

Can we walk up Arthur's Seat in an hour or two or is that better done another time? I suspect the latter.

We will get the train in to Waverley station mid morning and leave about 4pm and I would really appreciate any suggestions!

Thank you

OP posts:

biscuitdunkerette · 08/04/2022 22:37

It doesn’t sound like you’ll have much time. I’d suggest a walk up Carlton Hill (near Waverly) for a wee walk and great view of Edinburgh with much less effort than Arthur’s Seat.
The National Museum is really great, costs nothing and caters for all ages - very interactive for an 8 year old.
What sort of food were you thinking, there’s so many places in town?

Weesweetiewife · 08/04/2022 22:39

Do the bus top tour

Dinnaehinksae · 08/04/2022 22:42

Dynamic earth? I know some of the open top bus tours go way probably due to the parliament but there's bus stops right outside and it wouldn't eat up too much if your day.

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Original poster

Perfectlystill · 08/04/2022 22:45

Oh wow thanks both. These are great suggestions!

Love the idea of the hill above the station and the bus tour.

Food-wise, we like British gastropub stuff (burgers, steaks, pies), Italian, nothing too over the top. Relaxed vibe and friendly service is best.

I am so looking forward to it now. We won't have a long time as we're getting the train from quite far away, but we're desperate to see Edinburgh as we're in the vicinity.

OP posts:

Original poster

Perfectlystill · 08/04/2022 22:46

Will also look up Dynamic Earth, thank you @Dinnaehinksae

OP posts:

APurpleSquirrel · 08/04/2022 23:06

Years ago (pre kids) DH & I went to Edinburgh for a weekend. The best thing we did was Mary Kings Close - though the younger children may find it a little scary.

PenguinLove1 · 08/04/2022 23:13

Camera obscura is fun for those ages, its on the royal mile so maybe a nice walk from the castle to holyrood, stopping in there for some fun?

LizzieMacQueen · 08/04/2022 23:31

I'd head to grassmarket ( the beehive in particular but all are decent ) for lunch. I was there recently and was very impressed. TBH a walk from Waverley up the Royal mile for the views might be just as good as Calton Hill with lots of history to see on the way. Camera Obscura is good. Then from there down to the grassmarket for lunch. I'd recommend both the National History Museum and the Scottish National Gallery on the mound. I know you said your youngest isn't keen but they are free (i think , best to check ) so even a half hour visit may be tolerable.

ZeroCaffeine · 08/04/2022 23:57

You’re not giving yourself much time!

ReallyIrish · 09/04/2022 00:04

Get yourselves up to the royal mile and don't be entertaining ideas of climbing carlton hill.
The mile is magical and the kids will love the quirky side of it.
A bus tour or camera obscura will be much more fun for them than museums.
The Edinburgh dungeons are good fun too.

mickeypillow · 09/04/2022 00:15

Given your limited time, I’d say Camera Obscura. It’s entertaining plus you will get to see views of the City and see the Royal Mile. Don’t be doing Arthur’s Seat or Carlton Hill. It’s a waste of the short time you have.

mickeypillow · 09/04/2022 00:21

Oh and from Camera Obscura, it’s a very short walk to the Castle Esplanade which is worth a short visit.

GibbonsGoatsGibbons · 09/04/2022 00:23

If you do want a wander the Edinburgh science festival is on the weeks either side of Easter & there are several self led tours you might enjoy.

Dynamic earth is is great suggestion if the weather is lousy, NMS is brilliant for small children although there is less interactive stuff than normal "cos covid", if you walk up the royal mile go & have a look at the castle from the esplanade (but do not go in - It's not really a castle inside!)

TottersBlankly · 09/04/2022 00:28

The two buildings and surrounding grounds of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art are just about the loveliest places in the city. It would be a crying shame to miss them - and an 8 year old in particular would love the sculpted lawns surrounding ‘Modern One’ .

TottersBlankly · 09/04/2022 00:37

So, given your very brief time there I’d walk the length of the Royal Mile down to the Scottish Parliament building and cross the road for a stroll around Holyrood Park - which is an extraordinary thing in the middle of a city, even if you don’t go all the way up to Arthur’s Seat. Then after lunch (a million places to choose from) get the free bus to the Modern Art Galleries. Be sure to take the steps down to the waterfall.

But it’s criminal to cross the threshold of Edinburgh and only spend a few hours there …

ISpyCobraKai · 09/04/2022 00:46

Open top bus would be good, and they might enjoy Mary King's Close?
Depending where you are, Franco Manca pizza takeaway in St Andrew's Square on a dry day is great.

ISpyCobraKai · 09/04/2022 00:48

@TottersBlankly

I was there last month and only one is currently open. I loved it though, particularly the chair with a tail!

DoctorSnortles · 09/04/2022 00:55

I'd head for the Castle Esplanade for views across the city and a walk up the Royal Mile. The National Museum of Scotland is brilliant - lots of hands on stuff and completely free. It's also near Greyfriar's Kirk - you could go and say hello to Greyfriar's Bobby then pop into the graveyard to wave to the Mackenzie Poltergeist through the gates of the Covenentors Prison. Plenty of places nearby for lunch.

Original poster

Perfectlystill · 09/04/2022 07:02

This is all SO amazing! I knew MN would help. Thank you!

OP posts:

CormoranStrike · 09/04/2022 08:50

I really wouldn’t waste my time or money on dynamic earth.

Kittyshopping · 09/04/2022 08:59

Gallery 2 reopens today.

BarbaraofSeville · 09/04/2022 09:04

I went to Dynamic Earth years ago and I thought it was great. I've also walked up Arthur's Seat in a spare hour or two after visiting work clients in the city, so it's not a huge trek.

Edinburgh is surprisingly small and quiet for a capital city. I was surprised the first time I went.

mrstea301 · 09/04/2022 10:33

Camera obscura is good, and there's a good restaurant called the mash house on the mound, which might fit the bill for you! Arthur's seat is worth a walk but I think it'll take more than an hour or two, worth it though! Stockbridge is lovely for a wander as well if you have time.

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