Edinburgh

[tapdancingmum]

Me and my two DD's are going to Edinburgh for a couple of days. It is to celebrate my youngests 25th birthday. Is there anything that would make a special visit for her or just anything in particular not to miss? She has been to the zoo and already done some sightseeing and I have suggested a trip to the Kelpies.

What time of year? And what kind of food does she like? Any particular interests?x

We go to Edinburgh often - my DP was at uni there - but a few years ago I booked the Edinburgh Dungeon and it was so fun, I absolutely loved it. The Kelpies are quite a bit away if you are looking for things to do in actual Edinburgh.

Next week .

We did the London dungeon and both girls hated it so would probably give that a miss. I was looking at the ghost tours and wondered if they were any good?

What type of things does she like doing? Museums? Galleries? Cocktails? Restaurants? Shopping? Historical sites? Tours? Edinburgh has it all in abundance. If you share a bit more I’ll have some suggestions

Mary King's Close is always worth a visit.

I took my two dds last year and we loved it. Went onva ghost walk, walked up to the monument for sunset, wandered around, went to the national gallery. Beautiful city, have fun.

Camera obscura and world of illusion.. loved this, it was so much fun!

I second Mary Kings close.
The walking tours are variable as it depends on how good the guide is. But you do see and learn lots of interesting stuff about the past in Edinburgh. The vaults tour is very good.

I enjoyed the ghost tour OP - but not sure your DD would if she hated London dungeons. Why did she hate that?

Panda & sons is a cool cocktail bar - speakeasy style

I would definitely do Arthur's seat.

National Museum of Scotland is good. Lots there.

edited to add - I also like the Botanic Gardens but maybe the wrong time of year, not much in bloom yet.

Suggestions:

-go to food court at top of st James quarter or the Edinburgh street food market
-Have a wander round the meadows or princes street gardens
-surgeons hall museum is very cool if you like medical history and gory things
-grassmarket
-walk up calton hill for views and have a coffee and the new cafe at the top
-take the tram down leith walk and then walk back up to explore all the independent coffee shops

royal botanical gardens gardens and Stockbridge, through Dean Village, would be my ideal day destination but are a bit further from the centre- still walkable

Some great ideas, thank you. We've looked at Mary Kings Close but think we'll give it a miss as she has asthma and it's not recommended if you do.
We have settled on camera obscura and a wander to see where it takes us. I would like to see the kelpies and just need to work out the best way to get there.

I don't know if you're still interested, but the Museum of Childhood might be something you'd all like? It's in High Street.

It's three or four floors of children's toys going from the early years of toys to present day stuff. Some of it poignant, and very charming. I've been a couple of times and always loved it.

It's free as well, always welcome...

The kelpies aren’t particularly easy to get to without a car and if you’ve only got a weekend you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied in Edinburgh. https://www.thehelix.co.uk/about/getting-here-parking/

If you want to see the Kelpies get a train to Falkirk High then taxi down.
Alternatively walk from Falkirk Grahamston, but the train journey is longer.
I think you can get a canal boat from Linlithgow if you want to make a day of it.

The Kelpies look impressive, especially when you are driving on the motorway and they pop out at you. But em… once you’re there, have a look around, that’s sort of it. If the weather is nice there are a few nearby walks etc. I’m not even sure if the coffee shop open this time of year.

personally I’d just spend the time in Edinburgh.
do the hop on hop off bus tour, to get your bearings. Visit the Museum of Scotland ( free) Greyfriars Bobby nearby. The Chocolatarium is fab. It’s on the Royal Mile near Camera Obscura. You’ll need to book. The underground city tours are fab. I have asthma and don’t have any issues being there. Auld Reekie tours are the best. I prefer them to Mary Kings Close.
St James Quarter is fab for shopping. There’s a huge John Lewis, a Harrods Beaity, a ceildhi on the first Saturday of the month. Check out Bonnie and Wild. It’s a really cool food court but more upmarket with nicer food.
have a wander round Stockbridge. There is a fab farmers market every Sunday. On your way down to find it you can pass Circus Lane, or wander down the Water of Leith and see Dean village and the modern art gallery. It’s basically a gorgeous country walk right through the middle of the city.
get the tram down to Leith and explore the shore area. They have some amazing restaurants and bars including the Fingal. Try out the champagne deck. Lind and Lime gin distillery down there do a great tour. And of course you can also visit the Royal Yacht Britannia resting in Leith beside Ocean Terminal.
Cramond is gorgeous for a walk. When the tide is out you can even walk to the island. Plenty of lovely cake and coffee shops.

too many amazing restaurants. Anywhere near St Andrews Square- Dishoom, Forth Floor at Harvey Nicks, The Ivy, Tattu, HawksmoorGordon Ramsay ( all the big chains)
or for an amazing view and fab food, try SushiSamba at the top of the W.
smaller restaurants - I love Little Capo. Ka Pao at SJQ is nice Asian fusion sharing plates. Check out the Flight club near by for some entertainment.
Dine Edinburgh is always lovely for food. Brewhemia is a very cool music/entertainment venue.
there’s also a new Coyote Ugly bar which looks great fun.
oh! And even if you aren’t a whiskey fan, I love the Johnny Walker tour. Really interesting. Finish the tour at the roof top bar and try their haggis Bon Bon’s and Irn Bru cocktail.
venture over to Bruntsfield for some independent shops, arty stuff and lovely restaurants. Go for a walk in the Meadows. Or around Holyrood park ( take in the palace and parliament when you are there.
Visit Surgeons Hall museum for a look at all the medical /dental exhibits. Truly fascinating.
go for afternoon tea at the Signet Library ( pre book) or try the rooftop pool at Onespa in the Sheraton ( pre book)
the list is endless. But it’s a fantastic city, that will just captivate you.

There is so much to do in Edinburgh. Don’t bother with the Kelpies as quite a distance away

Edinburgh Castle
Mary Kings Close
Spooky or historical tour of the Royal
Mile
Climb the Wallace Monument
Open top his tour
Gladstones Land
Whiskey tasting in the Scottish Whiskey Experience

The Kelpies are pretty boring

Ruth Boreham does walking tours focused on women's history in Edinburgh.

https://www.facebook.com/people/Ruth-Boreham-Tours/100095194952511/

I've never managed to go on one of her actual tours but have heard her talks and she's an excellent story-teller with an encyclopedic knowledge of Edinburgh.

Oh, and Ruth celebrates International Women's Day by doing free tours. That's this coming Sunday 8 March.

Royal yacht Britannia is good. So is the Edinburgh gin distillery tour if you like gin.

The Georgian house is nice if you like period drama.

Afternoon tea at The Witchery.

Edinburgh is a fabulous city, the castle; the royal mile, The National Galleries, The National Museum. Great shopping & restaurants & bars. You can relax and walk everywhere and easily fill two days with fun, history, culture.
…. It would be madness to do a 60 mile detour from to see the Kelpies.