Edinburgh - what can you do there for a 1 week holiday during COVID?

[SoTiredNeedHoliday]

Looking for local advice, we're thinking of going to Edinburgh for a week. Looking at what we could possibly do? We're happy to do day trips etc.
Any hints most welcome

Zoo, castle, Arthur’s Seat, the Real Mary King’s close, Holyroodhouse, camera obscura and world of illusions, the Dungeon, royal yacht, Scottish National Gallery...

Why would you want to travel to a different city/country during COVID? We're expecting an enhanced lockdown in the next week or so.

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/coronavirus/4043160-Circuit-breaker-Scotlandn?msgid=100611804

I do understand the feeling of needing a break, but I'm not sure Edinburgh is a good bet at the moment. (Once This Is All Over I'll be racing there myself.)

Any children? How old?

yes, 16 and 14-year-olds

Chocolatedeficitdisorder I know its a difficult choice but I have ties to Scotland and we have done absolutely nothing since Feb, a two week holiday again completely at home is pushing the limits of the kids..... Though that may well be what we end up doing. The government wants us to go to the cinema, but also might be increasing the lockdowns . Its all very confusing and difficult to manage with teens

PersephonePromotesEquanimity Yes I know what you mean, I've been watching this with interest. I wish they would just come out with it so we all knew what the plan is. If I go it will be a very 'last-minute' booking. I very much feel the need to 'get out of the house' it's sending us bonkers, like most of the country I guess.

National Museum of Scotland is fab.
Greyfriars Kirkland if you have Harry Potter fans with you.
We went in the summer. Just walking around the city looking at the buildings is amazing.

Loads of stuff open, but might need to book or plan a lot more. If you come equipped for all weathers there is plenty outdoors, some of which mentioned by @Fivemoreminutes1. Just mooching round the Old Town is an activity in itself, also the Botanics. We're in Edinburgh and booked to go down south week after next so also wondering what the next set of restrictions will be, and whether we'll still be able to go ahead.

We've given up all thoughts of a holiday in the UK this year and we're staying home. I find it disturbing that people still think it's OK to potentially carry the virus to other parts of the UK.

If restrictions permit, we'll be driving down to a rented cottage near my in-laws, who we haven't seen since Christmas, and meeting up with them outdoors.

The virus is definitely already here in Edinburgh. Hotels, restaurants and visitor attractions have measures in place. I haven't picked up on any resentment anywhere in Edinburgh towards tourists visiting the city at the moment. We are normally swamped by tourists almost year round.

Pretty much all tourist attractions are open, you just have to prebook in advance. However, additional restrictions have been announced today that seriously affect pubs and restaurants so your eating out would be somewhat limited. Advice is also to only use public transport unless absolutely essential and for locals the advice is to avoid travelling outside your health board area so that might change your view on day trips. If you go then I would be tempted to book self catering and travel by car.....but make sure your accommodation has parking as a lot of central Edinburgh is resident's permit parking or short stay pay & display street parking only.

Yes, anywhere licensed - including restaurants and cafes - will be shut. Could be quite limiting. However I think most attractions will be open. Advice not to use public transport is also an issue.

I was there last month. Attractions open now might have to close in future, but assuming they're open:

Edinburgh Castle: tickets only available in advance and limited numbers throughout the day. Most of the inside parts were open last month. Portaloos instead of inside toilets though.

National Museum of Scotland: free but have to book in advance. Again limited numbers. A few galleries are closed because they can't maintain social distancing inside them, but most are open and a one-way system is in operation, which actually makes for a better visit.

Calton Hill (end of Princes Street): good walk and great views. Also the burial ground on the opposite side of the road.

Walking in general: through Princes St Gardens, St Cuthbert's graveyard, along Kings Stables Road and around the base of the castle rock, up to Johnstone Terrace and then the castle esplanade. Down the Royal Mile and explore the closes and courts.

Dean Village isn't far to walk and is very picturesque. Unfortunately the river path along the Water of Leith is closed in a lot of places, otherwise that would be a good walk.

All the above can be done without using public transport (assuming you stay in central Edinburgh).

I didn't make it to Arthur's Seat/Salisbury Crags.

And shopping of course!

Where was the water of Leith path closed @Plumpciousness ? There's only one bit out of action round dean village and that's been closed for years due the embankment having collapsed but there's a diversion.

Arthur's Seat, Carlton Hill and Dean Village are good for something to do outside. A tour of the underground vaults is good. If you fancy coffee sometime, Deacons Cafe us very individual and my DD likes the atmosphere in Southern Cross cafe. The parliament building at Holyrood is good to see in real life, there's a cafe and some things for tourists to read. Might be worth looking at something by the coast and further afield St Andrews is ok for a potter around town and the ruins.

I think it would be really depressing. It is like a ghost town and it’s very cold for anything outdoors. Restaurants all closed, got to book for galleries, can’t have wine with dinner in a hotel.I’d go somewhere more civilised in England. I did that last week and it was so refreshing.