Edinburgh - what's cheap or free?

[dreamygirl]

I know there are probably loads of threads I could get info from but there's only so long I can spend searching for it so I'm just asking instead... We've just renewed the railcard and have planned a trip to Edinburgh on Saturday. We have a book with some stuff to do but I'd rather get some more personal recommendations for things to do which won't cost us too much. For instance is it right there are some bits of the castle you can go to without paying? (DH and I both remember only visiting the outside as kids and feel it might be because it was expensive to go inside but that was 25+ years ago.)
Would appreciate any suggestions - DDs are 7 and 4. Thanks x

you can request to visit the war memorial in the castle but i think it is would be taking the piss. botanical gardens are free and the have a new 'interpretation' centre thing. the storytelling centre is good value if you are into that sort ofthing. the musuem on chambers street is free as are the galleries.

Museum of childhood on Royal Mile is free but Ive not been, heard good things though.

Castle is madly expensive.

Depends what you think of as cheap really. Camera Obscura is really good.

Museum of Childhood and the People's Museum are both on The Royal Mile - they are fab. The Museum of Scotland is also free and very good. Don't part with any cash for the Nessie 'experience' - it's 10 minutes of a film about a beardy scientist talking about why he thinks Nessie is real. A waste of 20 quid.

A walk down the Royal Mile and into the little wynds is good

1/2 of the museum of Scotland is closed at the minute - Ive not been since then - has anyone?

Thank you. I think we'll be definitely going to the Museum of Childhood and probably one or two of the others too.