Unusual things to do in Edinburgh plus accommodation

[AzureBlue99]

I have been to Edinburgh many times, but not for the last 10 years or so. We are thinking of booking a few days end of November. Can anyone recommend some unusual things to do. We have done all the usual tourist haunts.

Also, we want a mid range hotel (4 star?) city centre, not minimalist. Any recommendations for that too?

Jupiter Artland is cool (not city centre).
Take a wander down to Stockbridge and to the Botanics.
Head out to Portobello?

We’ve enjoyed doing some of the bits out of the city centre over the years:

Craigmillar Castle
Cramond - Lauriston Castle, Kyoto gardens, Cramond Beach, walk across to the island over the causeway
Portobello Beach
Saughton Gardens - especially the rose gardens and the winter gardens

In the city centre, some less known attractions (maybe, it might be they are very well known!):

Magdalen Chapel
Mary King’s Close
Museum on the Mound
National Museum roof terrace
St Cecelia’s Hall
Gladstone’s Land
John Knox House
People’s Story Musuem
City Art Centre

Watching with interest. We would love a weekend or a mid week 2 night jolly end November early December.

It might not be your thing but there's a pathology museum near my work that I've never been to but quite interested in going.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

Camera Obscura World of Illusions was the best thing we did when we went in January (apart from finally walking up Arthur's Seat !)

I can really recommend a stay at 23 Mayfield. It calls itself a B&B but it's absolutely beautiful and the breakfast was fantastic.
Also - a walk around the Dean Cemetery is fascinating. Wonderful, peaceful place - and my ancestors are in there ☺️.

Walking the Water of leith path from Dean village was always a special pleasure; November is probably too late for the amazing autumn colours but still worth doing on a dry day. A tour of the inside bits of the Bridges is fascinating and gives you a completely different sense of the shape of the city.

Dovecot Studios.

Is Leigh a good place as a base? Rather than staying central Edinburgh?

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Do you mean Leith? If so then yes, especially now with the tram link to the city centre

Sorry, typo! Did mean Leith.

Leith is a great base now that the trams go down there, you might like the Malmaison hotel which is right on the shore near lots of great restaurants.

For things to do:

Scotsman Picturehouse cinema is lovely

If you like whisky go to the Bow Bar and make your way through the menu!

The rooftop bar at the Market Street Hotel (just behind the main train station) has great views and is nice for a drink and snacks

The Galleries of Modern Art which are a little bit out of the city centre but walkable/easy to get to and can be combined with a walk through Stockbridge and the Dean Village along the Water of Leith.

Walk up through Bruntsfield and Morningside (lots of nice bars, cafes and restaurants) and if you’re up for a longer walk keep going up to the Hermitage for a walk along the river and round the bottom of Blackford Hill to Blackford Pond or go up the hill for the best (imo) view of Edinburgh.

If you don’t have one where you live Dishoom on St Andrews Square for breakfast although booking recommended as it now seems to be a ‘must go’ for most Edinburgh visitors.

The Christmas markets and other attractions start on the 17th November so you will have plenty to do. The city is truly beautiful at that time of year.