Weekend in Edinburgh, what are the must sees?

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My DD (18) and I are coming to Edinburgh this week for an audition for university.

We have Saturday afternoon and all day Sunday to explore.

We've heard it's amazing and we want to see as much as possible to get a feel for DD possibly living there.

We're staying in Livingston and I've been told it's an easy train ride into the centre.

Any suggestions are gratefully received. Thanks.

Where are you staying in Livingston? As neither train station is very central. You might be better getting the bus...

Mary Kings Close and a ghost tour.

Open top bus ride with the live commentary is good and that way you can get off to see the castle and then Holyrood Palace

If you like something interesting and unashamedly touristy, we loved Mary King's Close - it is fascinating but you used to have to book in advance since it would sell out. Not sure if that is still the case

We have also done the underground vaults walking tour - good fun and the literary pub tour - another good one

Our son was at Edinburgh Univ, it's a fabulous city. We liked the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile. Holyrood Palace and the castle at the other end of the Royal Mile are both fascinating.
If you feel energetic, take a walk up to Arthur's Seat. The Botanic Gardens are lovely- one of the hop on hop off buses does that route.
In the evening a ghost tour is great fun.
As pp said, a bus tour to start off with is a great idea then you get an idea of the layout of everything you may want to see.

If either of you are interested in medical / science things, the surgeon's hall museum is interesting

Where would she be studying and living? An Edinburgh Uni student studying primarily in George Square would have a different day to day life than one studying at QMU, for example, or even an Edinburgh Uni student studying at King's Buildings. I'd take a walk around the Meadows, Bruntsfield Links and potentially into Marchmont/Sciennes if she will be based in or around George Square as that will be her day to day life. I didn't make it to the Botantics (which are excellent) until after I'd graduated. I was back last month and it was sad seeing how much Princes Street has deteriorated shops wise in the last decade or so, but that's an aside and definitely not unique to Edinburgh!

The Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street is excellent, and has bag storage lockers. Someone else has already mentioned the Museum of Childhood, and Arthur's Seat, but it depends on the weather. I'd focus on exploring the areas where she envisages spending her "day to day" life if she's accepted rather than hitting all of the tourist sites in a day, as she will potentially have years to do that whilst studying... or come back to visit with her kids, as I now do!

Before my son went to live in Edinburgh I was only familiar with the tourist type places such as Princes street and the castle and the myriad of art galleries and museums . It was a real eye opener for me when he first went there and he was lucky enough to rent a place in Stockbridge.
So now my favourite go to area is Stockbridge - only a short walk from.Princes street actually -with its interesting bars and cafés and shops. And walking along the beautiful Water of Leith and seeing Dean village and all the wild life. The Botanic Gardens are lovely too
But I think the suggestion of the tour bus is a really good one

Years ago I took a very small Wilf to Edinburgh.. He thoughtfully fiddled with the button on the open top bus tour.
I had the whole tour in Chinese!! 🤣 🤣 🤣 🤣

There are walking tours that start on the Royal Mile, I’ve done them a few times and they are very interesting (also a good way to find your bearings) they are free but most people give a small donation.

The thing you'll be doing most of is dodging all the other tourists and sightseers.

That’s small boys for you Elderflower14!

Mary Kings close is fascinating. It’s a tour around parts of the old city which still exist under the modern day streets. Best to book though.
A ghost tour or walking tour will help you get orientated. The tour of the vaults is good
Stockbridge is lovely and only 15 minutes walk from Princes Street. It’s good to get a bit away from the centre and the Royal Mile which are usually very busy with tourists .

Botanic garden , Royal Yacht Britannia at Leith, National Museum of Scotland (see Dolly the sheep), beach at Musselburgh,walk up Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill, have a drink sitting in Grassmarket below the castle walls

And for a student vibe try the Meadows, George Square , Old College and Marchmont

Livingstone is not very close to Edinburgh so make sure to leave plenty of time.
Agree it would be good to explore the areas she could be living so if you let me know where she'll be studying that would help.

Most universities offer halls so I would go again on an offer day to see where the halls of residence are. She will be at the university for the interview anyway so look around if you can.

For a first time visit: National Museum of Scotland is a must. Palace of Holyrood and National Gallery were interesting. Check opening times. When we went DD found the best coffee shops and lunch spots! Very enjoyable stay.

It's the Scottish Institute of Dance, Theatre and Acting she's auditioning for. We're staying in a hotel right next to it.

She has no clue where she'd live to be honest. I imagine the SI will help them with that and put them all together. They don't have accommodation so it will be in Edinburgh.

That's not near either train station then, so you are better getting a bus to Edinburgh, unless you have a car to drive to the train station.

If she decides to move here, and they will be staying in accommodation in Edinburgh, then that is roughly 1hr each way by bus. The advantage is she should get free bus travel.

Oh how exciting! My daughter is a dancer too (but she's 12 so a while to think about the next step!)

Weather looks good so I'd take the train in and wander up princes street gardens and the royal mile. Are you into museums? History?

I think a cocktail at The Dome is super fun, it's one of my go-to's for meeting out of town people. Depends a lot on where you live and what might be different about living here though.

I looked up what's going on this weekend at the Festival Theatre and it's a kids' ballet so probably not interesting! Many options for live music, drinks and food so if there's something you really like you could probably find it.

Museum of Scotland is lovely to walk through and you can head through the Meadows and around the University area to explore.

For the old town i'd do a walking tour to get to the more interesting hidden bits - this company are very good: https://www.mercattours.com/

there are plenty of private halls in Edinburgh which accommodate students from the various unis and colleges but they are expensive.

It's quite a hike to the station from that Institute. Have you got a car? If so, you'd be best to drive to Ingliston park & ride and hop on the tram into the city centre from there.
The weather forecast isn't great for the weekend so you might want to plan some indoor activities.

Good luck , daughter went in September and lives on Pollock . Having the time of her life . Fantastic city to be a student in and you get free bus transport with your young Scot card .

Forgot to say milkman cafe is a good coffee shop in old town . Lots of places around George square to eat and more competitive prices as catering to students .

Pollock is exclusively U of E students