The 10 best things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland | TRAVEL GUIDE

When it comes to travel, one of my favourite things is familiarising myself with the trendiest spots, cultural musts and most exciting places to eat in whatever our next destination is. As someone who is constantly on the lookout for new places to add to my little travel book, I can’t bear lazying around. I absolutely have to visit as many different spots as humanly possible! A control freak, I know.

There aren’t many cities that I fall head over heels for at first sight. But I have to admit Edinburgh won me over from the very beginning. Having never been to Scotland before, I was really excited to see bagpipers in person – something that had been on my travel bucket list for quite a while! Thankfully, they were far better than Ross’ bagpipe performance in Friends! That being said, how could I possibly not include a bunch of recommendations to make your time in the Scottish capital far more enjoyable? Shall we go ahead with my best things to do in Edinburgh?

1. Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle sits imposingly on top of Castle Hill, in Edinburgh’s Old Town. You can see it from every point in the city. Likewise, its strategic location offers the most amazing views over the Scottish capital, green hills and blue sea. Sheer cliffs surround the castle, and it’s only accessible from a steep ascent at one end of the Royal Mile.

With human settlements on the hill dating back to the Iron Age, the castle was initially erected as a military fort to protect the Scottish territory from foreign invasions, as well as controlling new arrivals to the port. Back in the 12th century, King David I of Scotland converted the castle into the official royal residence of Scottish monarchs. Now, this magnificent building welcomes more than a million of visitors from all over the world. Edinburgh Castle and the grounds offer incredible points of interest to be visited. Here are just some of my favourites:

• St. Margaret’s Chapel

The oldest building in Edinburgh. It was built in memory of St. Margaret of Scotland, mother of King David I of Scotland. This romanesque architecture building from the 12th century, although quite small, holds a Grade A listed status.

• Mons Meg

This medieval bombard built in 1449 is the largest cannon in the world! With a barrel diameter of 20 inches (510mm), it’s 4,6m long and weights more than 6 tons – that’s enough for a child to crawl inside. Wow!

• Honours of Scotland (Scottish Crown Jewels)

Used during the coronation of the Scottish monarchs, they include the Crown, the Spectre and the Sword of State. They’re currently displayed in the Crown Room alongside an exhibition.

• The Stone of Destiny (Stone of Scone)

A sandstone where the Scottish monarchs were crowned. Stolen by King Edward I of England in 1296, it was returned to Scotland in 1996.

• National War Museum and Prisons of War

Housed in a former military hospital, the National War Museum contains more than 400 years of military history of Scotland that are shown through permanent and temporary exhibitions. The Prisons of War, on the other hand, are a recreation of the original cellars where inmates from Ireland, the Netherlands, France, Spain and even America were kept after being captured. A sad case involves a small 5-year-old drummer boy captured at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.

• One O’Clock Gun

A cannon fired daily except Sundays at…you guessed it, one o’clock! This tradition has been carried out since 1861 and, back in the day, would be used as a time signal. The idea was to let ships in the Firth of Forth and townspeople know the correct time so they could synchronise their clocks. Initially, this was done through a time ball installed on top of the Nelson Monument (on Calton Hill), but it wasn’t very effective during foggy days.

• Scottish National War Memorial

Built in 1927 in memory of the fallen in the two world wars and military conflicts since 1945.

Edinburgh Castle | Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG www.edinburghcastle.scot

2. The Royal Mile

Looking for THE busiest and most famous street in Edinburgh? Then the Royal Mile is your place. This medieval road is actually a succession of streets running through the heart of the capital’s historic centre. They connect the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot of Arthur’s Seat, with Castle Hill and Edinburgh Castle. A little nugget of information for you: the Royal Mile is approximately one Scots mile long (1.81km), a measure that was last used in the 18th century!

Naturally, being the most touristy area of Edinburgh means the Royal Mile is bustling with tourist attractions, cafés, museums, pubs and gift shops. These run from Castle Hill and the Esplanade to the Lawnmarket (the oldest part of the Old Town and once home to a linen market), High Street (and the imposing St Giles Cathedral), Canongate (once an semi-independent burgh within Edinburgh) and all the way to Abbey Strand (where the Scottish Parliament sits). Phew!

Although street performers and souvenir sellers try to steal your attention, the Old Town’s main street is actually much more than that. Narrow alleys extend from the Royal Mile, and you’ll soon find yourself exploring a labyrinth of adorable and old-fashioned closes. It quickly becomes a guessing game – will you end up in a cobbled alley, a garden, a courtyard, a staircase or a dead end? Exciting!

3. St Giles Cathedral and Heart of Midlothian

St Giles Cathedral or High Kirk of Edinburgh is perhaps one of the most important buildings on High Street. Founded by King David I in 1124, this is the Church of Scotland’s main place of worship according to the Presbyterian tradition! The crown-spired church has undergone numerous reconstructions, and various parts of its structure belong to different periods in time.

With an outstanding interior, it features long stained glass windows and a spectacular stone vaulted ceiling of the recently reopened Thistle Chapel. Considered one of Scotland’s most valuable architectural structures, the Thistle Chapel serves as the private chapel for the Order of the Thistle. This is the greatest and most ancient order of chivalry in Scotland, where each member is personally appointed by the British monarch.

Heart of Midlothian

Right by St Giles Cathedral, this heart-shaped mosaic often gets the attention of passersby who stop and spit on it, a habit that’s said to bring good luck. This “tradition” dates back to medieval times, when the Old Tolbooth prison sat opposite St Giles Cathedral. Apparently it was quite a scary building, where prisoners were hung in front of an audience (who would await anxiously and spit on the floor). Their heads were then later displayed on the prison’s façade.

St Giles’ Cathedral | High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE stgilescathedral.org.uk

4. Arthur’s Seat and St Anthony’s Chapel

If you’re looking for the best panoramic views of Edinburgh, then Arthur’s Seat should definitely be on your list. Rising like a giant to the east of Edinburgh’s city centre, Arthur’s Seat is the largest peak of the Arthur’s Seat Volcano site, which includes Calton Hill and the Castle Hill which Edinburgh Castle sits on.

Formed by a now extinct volcano which erupted 335-341 million years ago, Arthur’s Seat takes up most of Holyrood Park near the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Its peak reaches 251 metres (822 ft) and, although smaller than Ben Nevis’ 1,345m  (4,413 ft) in the Scottish Highlands, it can be seen from almost anywhere in Edinburgh. This, in return, rewards you with captivating views of the Scottish capital.

Walking Arthur’s Seat is about a 2 hour round hike. Getting there is quite easy. For a warm-up take a nice walk from Edinburgh Castle, down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Palace and across to the start of the Arthur’s Seat trail. There’s also some parking at the bottom of the hill if needed! The hike isn’t too strenuous and isn’t too difficult. However, remember to wear comfortable clothing and shoes. It can also get especially windy towards the peak (as we found out), so make sure you have enough strength by bringing water and something to eat along the way.

St Anthony’s Chapel

As you start ascending the green hill, you’ll walk past the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel. This 15th century chapel was originally rectangular with a tower but now only a corner remains. Despite its strategic location on Arthur’s Seat, very little is known about it, but it’s thought to be associated with Holyrood Abbey.

5. Scott Monument and Princes Street Gardens

The dark and pointy silhouette of the Scott Monument stands imposingly in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. The Victorian Gothic tower is dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, one of Scotland’s most famous novelists whose white marble statue rests at the feet of the monument’s arches.

Reaching the 61.11 metres (200 ft 6 in) high, the Scott Monument offers a unique snapshot of the Old Town’s roofs from a number of viewing platforms which you can access by a narrow spiral staircase with a total of 288 steps!

The blackened façade of the Scott Monument, much like a lot of buildings in Edinburgh, is a result of the pollution during Victorian times and creates a dramatic contrast with the greenery of the Princes Street Gardens that surround it. The two parks were created by draining Nor Loch, Edinburgh’s largest loch, and currently run along Princes Street. They’re divided by The Mound, an artificial hill that also acts as a border between the Old and the New Town.

6. Calton Hill

At the Eastern end of Princes Street and Old Town stands Calton Hill. Originated by the same volcanic eruption that created Arthur’s Seat and Castle Hill, Calton Hill is home to an endearing display of historic landmarks of the city of Edinburgh. These include:

• National Monument: an unfinished Greek-inspired acropolis, designed as a replica of the Athenian Pantheon and a memorial to the Scottish servicemen who died in Napoleonic Wars.
• Nelson’s Monument
• Robert Burns Monument
• Political Martys’ Monument
• The Old Royal High School
• The City Observatory
• Dugald Stewart Monument: built in 1831 in honour of the Scottish philosopher of the same name. The circular shaped temple, now a grade A listed building, has nine Corinthian columns and overlooks the centre of Edinburgh and Edinburgh Castle.

7. Dean Village

Dean Village is by far one of the most picturesque corners of the Scottish capital. It’s hard to imagine such a peaceful place would even exist in a dynamic city like Edinburgh. But truth is, going out of your way to explore this picturesque neighbourhood is absolutely worth it.

Sitting on the banks of the Water of Leith, on the west side of Edinburgh near Stockbridge, Dean Village is the polar opposite of the hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile. Here, the peaceful sound of the Water of Leith compliments the cobblestone alleys, meadows, old millstones and colourful old buildings of the area.

Once entirely separate from the city of Edinburgh, Dean Village was originally where the milling of water mills took place. Important landmarks in the area include:

• Scottish Gallery of National Art
• Well Court: a refurbished Victorian housing building commissioned in the late 19th century by the then owner of the Scotsman newspaper, Sir John Findlay.
• Dean Bridge: a four arched bridge.

8. Circus Lane

Just like Dean Village, Circus Lane is arguably one of the most gorgeous corners in Edinburgh. This residential cobbled alley sits in the Stockbridge neighbourhood, a stone’s throw from the Sunday Stockbridge Market (an absolute must if you are in the area!). Just like other back alleys built in the 17th and 18th centuries, its main purpose was to house the stables of wealthy families, thus keeping the smell and noise from the main residences. Now, beautiful flowers fill the alley. It’s the perfect Instagram spot even when the Scottish weather isn’t at its full potential!

9. Greyfriars Bobby

The story of Greyfriars Bobby is a sad but heartwarming one. Legend says a small Skye Terrier named Bobby remained vigilant for 14 years at the grave of his master, a local policeman. No matter the weather conditions, the little doggo wouldn’t leave John Gray’s grave (aka Auld Jock) in the old Greyfriars Kirkyard until his death in 1872. A statue of Bobby was placed at the entrance of the cemetery to commemorate his loyalty to his master. Legend says that rubbing its nose will bring you good luck!

10. Scottish National Gallery

Located on The Mound, the Scottish National Gallery hosts a collection of some of the world’s most magnificent pieces of international and Scottish fine art. These include works from different stages in the history of art, from renaissance to surrealism and contemporary art. You can see masterpieces by Van Gogh, Monet, Rembrandt and Gaugin, among others. Admission is free, although some temporary exhibitions may charge!

Scottish National Gallery | The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL www.nationalgalleries.org/scottish-national-gallery

Other things to do in Edinburgh

• Food and Drink: The Dogs (for exceptional fine dining and Scottish haggis!), The Pantry (for deliciously healthy brunch) and Southern Cross Café (for a warm cuppa and cake in High Street on the Royal Mile).
• Sunday Stockbridge Market: for amazing street food and local crafts.
• Scottish must-tries:Whisky, Gin, Irn Bru, Red Kola, fried Mars bar, haggis (for those with a strong stomach!).
• National Museum of Scotland: for cool permanent and temporary exhibits. It has everything from Egypt and bagpipes to fashion and even whales!
• Edinburgh Festival Fringe: the world’s largest arts festival taking place every August and featuring more than 50,000 performances. Get ready for theatre, circus, comedy, musicals, cabaret and tons of other shows!
• The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo: a series of military events, performed by the British Armed Forces, Commonwealth and international military bands as part of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The list of must-sees in Edinburgh is a long one and can go on and on for ages. This beautiful capital is a total treasure trove of gems and I already can’t wait to go back!

Have you been to Edinburgh before? If so, what’s your favourite part of the city? If you really loved our best things to do in Edinburgh Travel Guide, please leave us a comment, pin some photos and show us some love on social media using the buttons below

G. x

Do you like exploring the UK? Then check:

• Things to do on a weekend in Bath
• How to spend a weekend in Liverpool
• A Day Trip to Cambridge
• Things to do in Oxford in a Day
• A Weekend in Brighton
• Barbican Conservatory, a Tropical Jungle in Central London
• Sky Garden, The Best Free Views of London
• Meet the Penguins at ZSL London Zoo
• A Guide to Bath Christmas Market

Follow Blushrougette with Bloglovin