Must do things in Edinburgh?

[Sunnyside4]

We've visited Edinburgh a couple of times before, and I have the chance of going back again on my own - probably will be the last time I go. On my own which doesn't bother me at all, so I can do exactly what I want!

What would be your must do things/repeat?

Have visited National Galleries Museum, Holyrood House, Edinburgh Castle, Dungeons of Edinburgh, walks around Marchmont, Stockbridge before.

I'm considering the Royal Yacht or somewhere along the coast for one trip (any comments appreciated on this one), Carlton Hill, traditional Scottish pub (I like traditional pubs), other museums, some shopping. However, I don't want to miss out on something I really should be doing.

Arthur’s seat
Dynamic Earth
Camera obscura - including talk about the history of the Victorian camera

Royal Yacht is worth the trip. Botanic Gardens, Holyrood Palace and the Parliament building.

Mercat tour, it’s also Calton, not Carlton hill (common error), Saturday is the farmers market under the castle, climb Arthur’s seat go to the Sheeps Heid inn in Duddingston, Stockbridge, Deanston village, St Bernard’s well, Queensferry, go to Fife, Portobello , Musselburgh…,,

The Gallery of Moderrn Art is wonderful, including the grounds and it is a lovely walk to it through Dean Village and along the Water of Leith.

The Botanic Gardens are also worth a visit (if you enjoy reading, there is a lovely novel by Sarah Sheriden call The Fair Botonists about the Botanics Gardens being established).

The Real Mary King's Close

https://www.realmarykingsclose.com/

There is nothing else like it.

Agree about the Royal Yacht Britannia and the botanical gardens.

We took a hop on hop off bus tour first just to get an idea of where everywhere is. Of course there is the castle and Holyrood House as well.

Oh the underground tour is great too

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/scotsnet/5355916-edinburgh-this-weekend-suggestions

Afternoon tea at Harvey Nichols....

Botanic Gardens, South Queensferry, Dean Village, Newhaven

Eat at Lyla - 2* Michelin - and probably one of the best restaurants in the country.

If that isn’t your thing, Edinburgh still has a fantastic food scene at the moment. There are so many options…

Walking to Cramond Island, when the tide is low. And actually just walking on the sand when the tide is low is also a fun experience

You mean The Balmoral. Afternoon tea in a shop, the very idea!

The zoo while the pandas are still there.

They left a while ago 😂

Damn-did they? Sneaky buggers….

I suspect they had their visa cancelled for failure to reproduce #YouHadOneJob

Bizarre, isn’t it? If I wanted to make a case against evolution, I’d start with pandas.🤣

Papilio Italian restaurant at Bruntsfield - lovely little Italian restaurant

I really enjoyed Rosslyn Chapel and Roslin Glen. I've neither read the Da Vinci Code nor seen the film but it was interesting and enjoyable nevertheless. Easy to get to by bus from the city center. There's also a lovely little Portuguese shop right next to the bus stop in Rosslyn.

I go with DS a few times a year - he loves Camera Obscura. We've listened to the talk on the top floor a dozen times and always learn something new.

Apparently you can get married for free in one of the rooms of The castle if your name is Margaret!

I agree with the museum(s) of modern art - the face each other, and you can then walk to Stocksbridge for a daunder among the crowds and a coffee.

Hire a bike and cycle out to South Queensferry - it is all but flat, mainly on great segregated cycle lanes or really quiet residential streets, a couple of busier crossings with buttons. There are good coffee shops, a view of the bridges, and sea glass to go hunting down....

What about getting out of the city? A train to Perth or Dundee takes you across the famous bridge, and they have some interesting things to look at such as the V&A or a walk up Kinnoull hill.

The Dovecot Studio is nice if they have something on that will be of interest to you @Sunnyside4 . You can watch the goings on in the tapestry studio from the balcony.

The Writers Museum. It’s tiny and it’s free. You’ll find on Lady Stair’s Close at the top of The Royal Mile.

John Lewis cafe on top floor (in the St James centre) has a wonderful view over Edinburgh ( and you needn’t go through the whole faff of ‘joining’ to get into the W hotel bar which has a slightly inferior view). You can have a glass of rose and chocolate cake looking out at the city.

If you’re going before 28/06, the Dovecot Studios have a Scottish Colourists exhibition.
https://www.dovecotstudios.com/

Traditional pubs - Guildford Arms, Mather’s, Bennet’s