Birthday morning in Edinburgh on my own

[GiraffesAtThePark]

Soon I’ll be in Edinburgh for my birthday. I’m having a birthday lunch with people but before that I’ll have the morning to myself. I don’t have much free time so looking forward to most of day childfree. Any suggestions?

Britannia would kill a morning. You have an audio guide so it's fine to be on your own.

Happy birthday 🎂 (for whenever it is)

for just a morning I would choose
Free - National Museum of Scotland or MOD1 or walk up Arthur's Seat (check if Historic Scotland have a guided walk in King's Park they're always fantastic)
£- https://dovecotstudios.com obviously only if you're into textiles!

National Gallery of Scotland, Christmas tree at Old College

Holyrood Palace

For me it would be a new book and breakfast in the window at Waterstones on Princes' Street, gazing out at the Castle; then probably a wander through the streets to a secondhand bookshop or yarn shop.

I love Edinburgh

Depends what you like op, there is sooo much to see in Edinburgh. Start at the top of the Royal Mile at the castle and wander down to Holyrood? Go into the castle if it’s your thing. Plenty to see on the way down the RM - the real Mary Kings close is good, or the Museum of Childhood, St Giles Cathedral, or have a coffee outside and people watch. Holyrood Palace defo worth a visit and beside it at the bottom of the RM is also Dynamic Earth and the Scottish Parliament building. Have a fab birthday.

Thanks for the recommendations. I might go to Holyrood Palace. I’ve never been there before. Anyone been to the cafe there? I’ll try go somewhere for a light breakfast so any recommendations for places appreciated.

Ooh what a treat OP. Personally I'd walk up Arthur's Seat if the weather allowed. But that might not be your cup of tea. Or a mooch an exhibition at the national gallery or the modern art museum.

I think coffee and a book on Britannia would be nice. We really enjoyed the guided tour of the tunnels under the Royal Mile.

You could do Arthur's seat and then Holyrood palace depending on how long you have. I'm always amazed how quick it is to get to the top and I live here and do it fairly regularly! The modern art gallery is great too as well as the more central museum and national gallery. You can go up on the roof of the museum and get some fantastic views. The water of Leith is a nice walk too and there's loads of places where you can join it. Happy birthday when it comes! Even just a walk up the Royal mile is nice and you also get good views even if you don't go inside the actual castle.

The cafe at HP is rather nice but not sure they open ear,y enough fir breakfast. The one at the Scottish Parliament opposite is pretty good value. We've had brunch at Scran on North Bridge.

Oooh a solo morning in Edinburgh on my birthday is my absolute dream, and I live very nearby.

I'd do some of these...
Toppings bookshop.
The Women in Revolt exhibition at the modern art gallery.
Mooch around Stockbridge and pop into Rare Birds bookshop.
The Portrait Gallery.
Posh coffee and a pastry somewhere with great views.

I've done a lot of the museums and galleries before which is why I haven't suggested them. I love the museum of Scotland and the Scottish Parliament. Holyrood House, Britannia and the castle don't appeal to me at all, but it depends what you like.