Edinburgh this Weekend with a toddler

[NeilsBoar]

I am being compelled to go to a place near Edinburgh for work this weekend (don't get me wrong I've spent lots of time in various parts of Scotland and have really enjoyed it, but 12-14 hours in an office in a place near Edinburgh is not my idea of fun...)

So, if I were to take my DW and DS (almost 3) - what could they do on Saturday and what could we all do on Sunday together.

Saturday I don't think will be too bad as everything should be open, but I don't think I've been to Edinburgh on a Sunday before - do lots of things shut?

Thanks for any suggestions...

Hi there, Edinburgh is a tourist town so pretty much everything is open on a Sunday.

If the weathers half way decent there is a great play area in Princes St Gardens, the Chambers street museum has a good section for young children and Dynamic Earth has a soft play. As the weather probably won't be brilliant I'd say maybe a morning at the museum and have lunch there - they do great childrens meals.

Another option is to do the tourist bus that way you can stop off at anything that takes your fancy. I'd say don't go to the castle - its very expensive to get in and lots of walking and as its at the top of the hill it gets very chilly.

Another option is the Botanics - get a taxi or bus there, glass houses to go round if its cold, great cafe.

I remember the pubs along the road to the castle being rather empty early in the day. Get some nice Scottish breakfast and let the kids run around the tables if the weather is crap.

That's what I would do for at least part of the time.

We've just been to Edinburgh for the weekend with DD 8 and DD 3. The 'Camera Obscura' exhibition is full of optical illusions and fascinated both of them (and us!). The Royal Yacht Brittannia is also well worth a visit, but not sure for an under 3. Our 3 year old just loved pressing all the buttons and pulling all the levers she could, she didn't really care who used to sail on the thing! I'd agree with avoiding the castle as both DDs were bored there. Tour buses are great though!

Camera Obscura (can use tesco vouchers)
The Museum in Chambers Street
Gorgie City Farm
The Museum of Childhood
My 2 children love the bus tours
If nice a walk along princes street gardens is fun

Hope you have a good weekend

We went last year with a four year old, and found the open top tourist bus ideal as Edinburgh is very hilly. We could hop on and off, and children love buses!!