Immediately Lucy shares an unimaginable Edinburgh information with 11 unmissable issues to do in Edinburgh throughout your first journey to Scotland’s capital!
Fascinating historical past, baggage of tradition, attractive views, scrumptious food and drinks – Edinburgh is a type of cities with a little bit of all the pieces and my first-timer’s information to Edinburgh has all the pieces you need to see and do throughout your first go to. The Scottish capital is simply bursting with allure and it’s manageable dimension makes it the right weekend metropolis break vacation spot. So right here’s our decide of 11 important experiences that each customer ought to attempt on their first journey to Edinburgh.
A newbie’s information to Edinburgh…
1. Go to the Fort
The very first thing on our information to Edinburgh must be a go to to Edinburgh Fort! The place else however Edinburgh are you able to go to a fort perched on prime of an extinct volcano?
Edinburgh Fort dates again to the 7th century and has been scaring off potential invaders ever since. Immediately’s invaders usually tend to be vacationers, following within the footsteps of historic Scottish icons like Robert the Bruce and Mary Queen of Scots.
Journey Hack Tip: Get to Edinburgh Fort early to beat the crowds and absorb the environment of its historical buildings and the views out over Edinburgh and past.
You’ll be able to e book a guided tour of Edinburgh Fort with skip-the-queue entry for £33.
2. Wander down the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is Edinburgh’s oldest and most well-known avenue, working from the fort at one finish to the Palace of Holyroodhouse on the different (although do you know it’s 5900 ft as an previous Scottish mile is longer than a contemporary one?)
The Mile is busy and bustling and there’s all the time one thing occurring – from avenue theatre to fire-throwing bagpipers. There are church buildings, historic buildings, cafés and bars to discover, in addition to all of the tartan and shortbread retailers you could possibly ever want!
Journey Hack Tip: Climb to the highest of St Giles Cathedral for a improbable view alongside the Royal Mile – guided rooftop excursions value £6 per particular person.
3. Attempt a wee dram
Even in the event you’re not usually a whisky drinker, you’ll be able to’t go to its residence nation with out making an attempt a drop from one of many Scotland’s 100 distilleries. Learn the way it’s made on the Scotch Whisky Expertise close to the fort (£21), the place a guided tour comes with a whisky taster (underneath 18s get Irn Bru as an alternative – Scotland’s different favorite drink). Or if you wish to get a bit extra critical, drop into the Whiski Rooms for one in every of their Introduction to Whisky tasting classes (£25 per particular person).
Journey Hack Tip: For those who’re not a whisky fan, Edinburgh has a few nice gin distilleries too – Pickerings and Edinburgh Gin each do excursions and tastings.
4. Tunnel underground at Mary King’s Shut
Edinburgh must be one of many solely locations on this planet with a avenue of homes buried underground!
Mary King’s Shut is without doubt one of the metropolis’s Seventeenth-century closes – tall, slim streets which crammed the previous city. Most had been knocked down however this one was preserved like a time capsule when the Royal Change was constructed excessive. So you’ll be able to head underground and again in time, the place a information will let you know the tales of the individuals who lived there, from plague victims to ghostly hauntings.
Ebook a Actual Mary King’s Shut Guided tour right here.
5. Carry Greyfriars Bobby a stick
One other spooky spot in Edinburgh! By day, Greyfriars Kirkyard is a peaceable oasis within the centre of Edinburgh full of fantastically carved tombs, however by night time it’s a favorite with ghost-hunters. It’s the place well-known grave-robbers Burke and Hare did their body-snatching. However its most well-known resident is a canine, Greyfriars Bobby. The canine was so dedicated to his grasp that when he died in 1858 the canine sat by his grave each day for 14 years. He was buried within the churchyard and other people carry him sticks to put on his grave.
Journey Hack Tip: If you wish to discover out extra about Burke and Hare (and aren’t too squeamish about physique components in jars), try the Surgeon’s Corridor Museum.
6. Have a Scottish afternoon tea on the Balmoral
Afternoon tea is a British establishment, and Edinburgh’s Balmoral Lodge put their very own Scottish spin on it. It’s served underneath the chandelier within the glam five-star environment of the Balmoral’s Palm Courtroom. You’ll be able to select from a spread of Scottish teas, together with their very own Balmoral mix, served with sandwiches, pastries and scones with jam and cream.
Afternoon tea prices £35 (and it’s further for Champagne), however you’re assured to come back away feeling 1,000,000 {dollars} (and really full).
7. Climb Arthur’s Seat
Edinburgh is surrounded by three volcanic hills, however the greatest is Arthur’s Seat. It’s a little bit of a climb to the highest, however you’ll be able to see for 60 miles on a transparent day (plus it’s a great way to burn off a few of Edinburgh’s improbable meals). There are a number of totally different paths leaving from Holyrood Park, relying on how a lot scrambling you wish to do. The stroll takes a few hours and alongside the best way you’ll get loads of panoramic views – although it’s a good suggestion to pack a water-proof.
Journey Hack Tip: For those who’re pressed for time or that sounds an excessive amount of like laborious work, you’ll be able to drive as much as Dunsapie Loch and stroll as much as the summit in about 10 minutes.
You can too take an Arthur’s Seat Guided Strolling Tour to study extra in regards to the landscapes and the park.
For Harry Potter followers, Edinburgh’s a little bit of a pilgrimage website – it’s the place writer JK Rowling lived and is filled with locations that impressed her. There’s Victoria Avenue which grew to become Diagon Alley and the Hogwarts-style George Heriot’s College. Among the names on the graves in Greyfriars Kirkyard may look acquainted too.
You can too cease off for a drink in The Elephant Home Café and Spoon Café the place she wrote components of the books (look out for the queues of Potter followers).
You’ll be able to take a Harry Potter Magical Guided Tour to be sure you don’t miss any of the Harry Potter spots in Edinburgh!
9. Stroll the Water of Leith
For those who’re searching for a peaceable escape from the town, you solely have to go a couple of mile from the Royal Mile to search out the Water of Leith Walkway. This 12-mile route runs alongside the waterside with statues, bridges and plenty of greenery alongside the best way. The total route covers 12 miles, from the Pentland Hills to Leith docks, however the stretch from the Gallery of Trendy Artwork to the Botanic Gardens is without doubt one of the prettiest, passing via Stockbridge and Dean Village.
Journey Hack Tip: Cease off in Stockbridge for a sizzling chocolate at Coco, a boutique chocolate store that makes a few of the greatest sizzling choc I’ve ever tasted.
For those who’d quite cycle, there’s a nice 20-mile biking tour that takes you on a circle round Edinburgh metropolis. You’ll go to Craigmillar Fort grounds, cycle on Union canal paths then cease at Dean Village, Leith, and Portobello.
10. Be part of within the social gathering
Edinburgh loves any excuse for a celebration, and you’ll normally discover some kind of particular occasion on everytime you go to. The massive month is August, when the town’s taken over by the Fringe Pageant in addition to the Navy Tattoo and the literature and humanities festivals. Then via the 12 months there’s Hogmanay, Burns Evening, the Beltane Fireplace Pageant, gentle exhibits, music, storytelling and meals festivals, Christmas markets and extra.
Journey Hack Tip: Take a look at the That is Edinburgh web site for particulars of all the most recent occasions.
11. Blow the cobwebs away on Portobello Seaside
It’s simple to overlook that Edinburgh isn’t removed from the ocean, however catch a bus from Princes Avenue and inside half an hour you may be on the seaside at Portobello.
This Victorian seaside resort has been a sunny-day escape for Edinburgh residents for over 100 years. Seize an ice cream and be part of them on the sand in summer season (and perhaps even threat a paddle in the event you’re feeling courageous), or watch the waves crashing and blow the cobwebs away on a blustery winter’s day.
There’s one other biking tour that takes you on a tour or Edinburgh’s coast, visiting Arthur’s Seat, Holyrood Park and Portobello Seaside
Lucy is a journey blogger On the Luce, exploring the UK, Europe and past from her residence base within the Cotswolds. Her weblog combines inspirational tales and delightful images with all of the helpful particulars it is advisable to make the journey a actuality – from weekend break concepts to rail adventures, evaluations of quirky lodging to uncommon angles in your favorite locations. Lucy’s by no means removed from her digital camera, loves glass of prosecco, devours a e book per week and is all the time on the hunt for luxurious on funds.
Do you could have something you’d like so as to add to the record for a first-timer’s information to Edinburgh?
Learn extra Edinburgh journey guides from The Journey Hack:
Edinburgh’s Underground Secrets and techniques
Itinerary for a weekend in Edinburgh