Edinburgh end of August.

[Bodgedboxdye]

Hey.

Does anyone know what Edinburgh will be like due to COVID at the end of august? Will places be open? (Castle, shops)

Thank you.

@Bodgedboxdye Yes. The actual camera obscura bit isn't open but the rest of the attraction is.

@Callisto1

There is usually loads to do in terms of activities in August, the Fringe has a lot of family friendly shows. There will be none of that this year, but there is the Zoo, botanic gardens, Castle, museums, Dynamic Earth etc to go to. And if the weather is good you can go to the beach or Dalkeith, Jupiter Artland. Plenty still to do just be organized and book!

Why on earth would you want to come to Dalkeith?! Honestly don't theres not much here. Dalkeith country park maybe or we also have a Peacocks and a Greggs.

I meant the country park in Dalkeith! I have no idea what the town has to offer
Just wanted to mention some outdoors stuff since most of that is open, though hard to access unless you have a car.

@Callisto1 yup. We have a car.

How far is the highlands from Edinburgh? Is it quite far?

The museum in Chambers Street should be open by mid August but again you will need to book in advance. Tickets are free though.

Climb Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill? Calton Hill has a cafe at the top, Arthur's Seat doesn't.

Go to the beach at Portobello? The ice cream shops and cafes are all open but the amusement arcade is still closed. Might be open by the end of August though. Book some paddleboard lessons?

Do you ski? The ski centre is open (book in advance).

It's a good few hours drive to the Highlands. People do go for the day, you can go on a bus tour (in normal times), but my 8 Yr old would be complaining about being in the car all that time.

I googled “Edinburgh to the highlands” and it said 3 hours, is that right?

I googled the website @skeemee suggested and it mentioned portobello beach, so might give that a look.

Edinburgh to Inverness would be 3-4 hour drive, although Inverness is just the gateway to the Highlands there's lots to explore beyond that.

If you don't want to go that far you could try rural Stirlingshire, a walk up Dumyat is worthwhile. Or the Pentland hills are just outside Edinburgh.

Edinburgh is very quiet at the moment, very few of the indoor attractions and leisure are open just yet. Although shop and restaurants etc, are all now open although you may need to book as they are reduced capacity. Masks are compulsory indoor public spaces like shops and transport.

Have a google and you might be able to find self-led tours for Harry Potter, history or ghosts. It would be a fab way to explore the old town.

For a day trip I’d choose St. Andrews rather than the highlands.

The Highlands is a huge area of Scotland, maybe try and narrow down where you want to go.

If you have accommodation in Edinburgh a day trip to the Highlands is quite a long drive (think 6 hr round trip or more). Are you looking for places with pretty hikes or mountain walking? A walk on the beach can be quite nice around Edinburgh. Or you could try some closer Lochs? For a day out I would probably go for Sterling castle (opens 1st Aug) and ok if it rains or maybe Kelpies (has a big playground and water fountains). My kids are much younger and fans of anything playground so maybe my suggestions are a bit off. Have a think what kind of activities you enjoy so we can recommend things that suit you?

For me it’s the castles, I love the history. Enjoy walking too. I also love the architecture and also partial to visiting a few museums.

My daughter (8) would love the seaside, parks and anywhere she can play and run around. She’s not overly into history, so the castle isn’t going to be her thing. (But she’s still coming) she would also enjoy museums.

Step daughter (13) goes with the flow. She would enjoy the beach, possibly enjoy walking. Would also go to museums, but will nit pick and doesn’t seem to appreciate them.

Partner (30) will again go with the flow. He’s open to ideas so I suggest and he’s ok with it.

It’s mainly the children we want to cater for. (:

If you have the car then a trip to Cramond might be good? If you time the tides right you can walk out to the island but allow enough time to get back.

Things are starting to open up. I noticed that our local (Stirling) old town jail tour is restarting so similar will be opening up in Edinburgh. Definitely get on line and plan and book, even get some restaurants sorted. Locally to me we still need a slot for the chippy takeaway on weekends.

Some nice drives and walks down by Peebles and delicious ice cream and local butchers pies.

Hi, just got back from Edinburgh. Most restaurants, bars and shops were open but the castle and galleries weren't. The restaurants we wanted to visit that weren't open all said they were planning to do so by mid-August, so I think you'll be fine.

When we went (summer weekend 2 years ago) Stirling castle was quite child friendly with crafting activities, archery, medieval dancing and they even had birds of prey. But maybe this year it won't be like that. I actually haven't been into Edinburgh Castle so can't tell you if it's got much in terms of child entertainment. If you want to excite (or bore to death) your children about Scottish castles there is a An Illustrated Treasury of Scottish Castle Legends, which features Stirling and Edinburgh Castles.

As others have said Calton Hill and Arthur's seat make for nice walks and you get a good view. You could also wander along the Water of Leith, some bits are very pretty. Holyrood Palace is open, but much like anything you have to book. I have no idea if stuff will be busy since school in Scotland starts on 12th August and I'm guessing most visitors will be UK only.

The beaches we like are at Gullane and Yellowcraig. But there are probably lots of others that we haven't explored yet and others might suggest. Though they can be quite windy and not something you'd want to do on a rainy day.

My experience of Edinburgh castle is quite old - 40 or so years out of date! As kids we used to climb up over walls somehow to get in for free but don't remember much going on. Stirling generally does have activities and things going on but obvs don't know what will be on this year.

@Callisto1 thank you, you’ve been a great help. Leith is somewhere I thought we could do a walk. And I’ve looked up Arthur’s seat, so may try include that.

I’ll have a look at Stirling castle. However, I can guarantee the response I’ll get will be “but we’ve just been to a castle”

Stirling castle has a great grave yard beside it and you can also do a walk round the walls which is nice, Brilliant park down below the castle (Kings park) if the weather is good. Old town jail tour is back open I understand (funny/mild peril if i remember correctly) , trip up the Wallace Monument, can go for a walk up the local hill (Dumyat is very accessible with parking up at Pendreich (busy at weekends)). Stirling is like a mini Edinburgh and would make a decent day out if you want out of the big city.

@WaxOnFeckOff I think we’ll try pop that in for Thursday (if we don’t go to the zoo)

We could also do a detour to Glasgow 🤙🏼

I'm from Edinburgh - don't go to Glasgow! :o

Glad you've posted this OP because I booked flights and accommodation in Edinburgh in anticipation of the festival back in January - and we are still planning on going

Allanwater cafe for Fish and chips and ice-cream if you are coming up - it's technically in Bridge of Allan but Stirling is very small so it's only about 5-10 mins drive from the city centre.

You will need to book the zoo now if you are going, it's booking. Up 2-3 weeks in advance at the moment.

The castle and most museums are not open yet.

[quote Bodgedboxdye]@Callisto1 thank you, you’ve been a great help. Leith is somewhere I thought we could do a walk. And I’ve looked up Arthur’s seat, so may try include that.

I’ll have a look at Stirling castle. However, I can guarantee the response I’ll get will be “but we’ve just been to a castle” [/quote]
Stirling castle and edinburgh castle are very different. Edinburgh still houses military offices and things - it’s not the best castle visit. Stirling has more exhibitions and bits to go inside.
Edinburgh you could just go up to the esplanade and look at the view and not have missed much.

Just make sure you are around for the 1 o'clock gun from edinburgh castle, back in the day you'd see all the local check their watch and all the tourist jump! :)

Sure folk wont check watches anymore though.