We had a rip-roaring time at the Whiski Bar on the Royal Mile. Fortunately, we were staying at the hostel just next door so it wasn't too hard to get home after. Heavenly food, drink, and music I thought. https://www.whiskibar.co.uk/
Mary Queen's close is a really cool time capsule from mediaeval Edinburgh buried under some grand buildings on the Royal Mile. The whole old town is lovely. Most of the rest of my knowledge of the place is ratty nightclubs...
Hang out in Princes St Gardens. Walk up Arthur's Seat. Take tram to the Shore & have a pint in Teuchters Landing. Cycle from Holyrood Park through Innocent Tunnel to Portobello Beach (Uses old train tracks turned into shared cycle paths -these paths are best way to get about Edinburgh on bike!)
Graveyards. Specifically the Old Calton Burial Ground for the full Gothic experience.
Then if it's good weather, up to the top of Calton Hill with some cans to watch the sun go down.
I spent the first two weeks in july every year of my childhood at Seton Sands, back when it was still largely huts We spent our days on the beach or at the lido (sadly gone), or sitting down by the harbour. We would take trips to North Berwick and Gullane, great area.
Agree on both points. The interior of the parliament is impressive. The Sheep Heid is on the opposite side of Holyrood Park. It's very popular at the weekend, so book ahead if lunching then.
Plenty of historical sites - the Castle, Holyrood, etc. Surgeons Halls Museum, the amazing (free) Botanic Gardens. Also, so many great foodie locations. 😊 I could never tire of visiting Edinburgh (or Scotland in general)!
One of my most favourite cities. Definitely walk up Arthur's Seat, do the tour of the parliament, wander Prince's Street and up (or down!) the Royal Mile. Lots of walking tours available (including free/pay/tip what you want).
Go for a ride on the Centre West to East Link (CCWEL). It has some weak points, but it is a pretty significant investment in starting a dedicated cycling network through the centre of the city.
If you got to Glasgow you have got to ride their cute little subway! I hear they recently got new trains, but Glaswegians are concerned they are too shoogly. You have to go there yourself to figure that out, because no one outside Scotland has any idea what they mean.
They have better damping now. Open ended cars so it looks more shoogly than actually is. Sharmanka Kinetic Kheatre for many bicycle parts turned into Art. Electric Tandem available from me! Ideal for getting around Edinburgh.
Sandy Bells is a fun pub where they do daily trad music.
In Leith:
The Roseleaf is a really good pub/restaurant. Try the Cullen Skink. Malts and Hops down the way from that is a cool pub with hops hanging from the ceiling.
If you're heading toward EK, then Glasgow is amazing if you've got the time. Super bikeable, tons of great food, and the paved trail along the Clyde is 😍
I lived in East Kilbride as a kid. We lived about a mile from what we thought was the fire station with its training tower. Turned out it was a recently built Catholic Church.
Free stuff: Indoors, National museum, national gallery, portrait gallery, Modern 1/2, St Marys cathedral, museums of Edinburgh / Childhood.
Free Outdoors, botanical gardens, Holyrood Park, Meadows, Portobello beach, walk around new/old town
By optional donation St Giles cathedral, Dr Neils garden 😊
We like to drop by The Royal Oak for music & a pint. And if there’s a show downstairs at The Wee Folk Club, all the better. http://www.royal-oak-folk.com
For various reasons, we visit E’burgh regularly. The year of The Icelandic Ash Cloud we got stranded there, but it meant we got to hear a family friend play The Wee Folk Club. I had my tiny travel harp w/me. Our friend invited me to play a little opening set for his show. A magical experience!
I live there. So much to see and do but make sure you walk the Old Town to see its cramped layout and then do the same in the "First" New Town (still a marvel of masterplanning after more than two centuries).
A wander through the old town taking in its wee nooks and crannies. Perhaps starting on the Royal Mile, castle end, and exploring the side streets with narrow stairs, hidden pubs and restaurants, and views over the city.
I was in the city a couple of years ago and a couple of American tourists were discussing heading down Cockburn Street. Local gent got vey upset, and tersely pointed out that the “ck” is silent. You could try that, maybe? Though TBH I’m not sure he’s available to correct all pronunciation problems.
Did a long weekend there about this time last year. I'd say the walk we did round Calton Hill was the one thing I'd definitely do again. Good views from there including Easter Road
Comments
LPs: Underground Solution, Cockburn st
Chill: Bruntsfield Links
Then if it's good weather, up to the top of Calton Hill with some cans to watch the sun go down.
Plus walk up Arthur’s Seat or Blackford Hill and get into neighbourhoods: Bruntsfield, Stockbridge and down at the shore.
https://www.nms.ac.uk/discover-catalogue/the-story-of-dolly-the-sheep
Because the tenement flats are built on a hillside, they are often 3 stories at the front and 8 stories at the rear. The original high rise buildings!
In Leith:
The Roseleaf is a really good pub/restaurant. Try the Cullen Skink. Malts and Hops down the way from that is a cool pub with hops hanging from the ceiling.
I think you’d also like the Diggers / Athletic Arms: https://maps.app.goo.gl/Efoyi2vD4cLShQaa7?g_st=com.google.maps.preview.copy
And you might enjoy a ride across to Portobello beach.
Hire our community eCargobike (see https://sw20.info) and ride it through the Colinton Tunnel.
Climb one or both Craiglockhart Hills.
Walk on the Water of Leith or get up into the Pentlands.
Free Outdoors, botanical gardens, Holyrood Park, Meadows, Portobello beach, walk around new/old town
By optional donation St Giles cathedral, Dr Neils garden 😊
http://www.royal-oak-folk.com
Beer: Blue Blazer or Bow Bar