Edinburgh - What to See and Do?

The old town underground tours are worth a bash although the supernatural stuff is cringeworthy.

Camera Obscura at the top of the Royal Mile is definitely worth going to.

Dynamic Earth is utterly rubbish (except for the planetarium movie thing at the end).

The Shore at the bottom of Leith is a great place to go for dinner and/or drinks but you'll probably want to get a bus/taxi as it's a lengthy walk from the center of town. I think someone suggested the Roseleaf - good shout - especially if you like cocktails (but book in advance for a table).

Zoo is nothing special, although I've not seen the pandas.

Too many museums/galleries to mention!
 
[TW]Fox;22981692 said:
Edinburgh is a beautiful city and one of my favourite (Actually probably my favourite) in the UK
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Wow I have something in common with Fox, very much feel the same. Luckily I'm only 150 miles away. Going up for a long weekend just before Christmas. Pretty much everything has been covered, So just enjoy it :)
 
For tasty Pub-Chow be sure to check out the Holyrood 9A (at, 9A, Holyrood Road ;)). Best Burgers I've ever eaten (they do other food too...) and an outstanding Beer selection to boot.

Everyone that I've recommended it to has given it their fullest approval :D
 
[TW]Fox;22981991 said:
I've been twice now despite the fact the drive is an exactly 1000 mile round trip :D
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Hmm I thought it would've been more than 1000 miles for you. Roughly 800 mile round trip for me. I think I'd rather catch a flight there :D
 
Edinburgh is a lovely city! Nice people (except the bus drivers), good places to eat/drink and it just looks beautiful!

Been three times now for the festival and planning already for next year!
 
Eames said:
The whatever you call the military parade at the castle is excellent, I don't know if it will coincide with when you're going though.
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Tattoo, its over unfortunately. Very good show. My flatmate is a piper in it.


Pretty much all been said. Right now is a quiet period between the festival and christmas/new year.

If you wait till nearer christmas the gardens are all transformed with a german market thing. Ice rink. christmas stuff. Very pretty and a wonderful atmosphere. Makes the cold bearable and very festive.

My list would be:

Castle (no brainer really, soon as you see it you will want to go in it!)
the weird camera mirror place i forget the name of
Whiskey tour
Cathedral (if you like that kinda thing)
Arthurs seat. (Great place for catching haggis)
Dynamic Earth

Plenty of pubs around grassmarket and rose street and such. Good food almost everywhere around the centre.


As for 3+ male groups. Well its a pub in scotland. Usually only after 11-12 anyway. What do you expect? :P
 
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I was up there for a stag couple of months ago and at the time you had loads of stag and hen do's, our group was 15 strong so we just split and met at the same places. Wasn't too bad and didn't have a ounce of trouble which some were expecting (you always get a few idiots in your group). Great night out up there :)
 
As well as everything mentioned you should be sure to visit the crepe van after a few pints and also try the deli on Cockburn Street that sells Haggis samosas.
 
The National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street is good and free.
The National Museum on Chambers Street is brilliant, such a beautiful interior.
The National Gallery on the Mound is worth a visit since it's free.

The Ghost Walks by Mercat Tours are good fun. They don't ham it up and it's really interesting as a history tour.
 
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[TW]Fox;22981991 said:
I've been twice now despite the fact the drive is an exactly 1000 mile round trip :D
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Meh, I've done that to Wolverhampton easily 3 times this year. Doesn't mean Wolves is a nice place :p
 
jsmoke said:
There is the museum on the mound, right in the center(well up the top of the mound), small, but you get to see what one million pounds looks like and it's free. It's a monetary related museum.
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Biohazard said:
That's the Bank of Scotland head office. I've never actually been in their museum much to my eternal shame.

The National Museum of Scotland is excellent but you need at least half a day at the very minimum to make a worthwhile gander.
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I remeber that museum from a couple of years ago, up near the castle isn't it?

Well i went to Edinburgh last week and i was looking for it and it's not where i thought it was :confused:

I thought it was where that optical illusion museum is now.

Arthurs seat is great and the views from the top are amazing. The castle is good, the galleries are goods and just walking around Edinburgh taking in the amazing architecture passes lots of time. Make sure you go in the standing order (wetherspoons) even in there it's 'grand'. For a day trip, take a bus into St Andrews, another fantastically historical place with lots of ruins and stuff. We stayed in Coates right next to the college (another amazing building). it was cheap but clean and about 15/20 minute walk into the centre (Princes street)
 
Haggis, neaps and tatties. Full of win.

If you go to the Toy Museum - look out for these two dolls; one made from an old shoe and the other from an old bone... :eek:
 
you'll love it here :) as folk have said there is loads to do, but be prepared for it to be wet and cold.

July / August during the Festival is by far the most vibrant (if most expensive) time to visit I'd add. So for those thinking of coming that haven't been, that's when things like the tattoo at the castle etc are on.
 
I live here... it's awesome :). I cba reading through the thread to see what others have already suggested so some of this may be repeats:

- Go up arthurs seat and/or calton hill for a great view of the city
- National museum on chambers street is AWESOME. GO THERE.
- Dynamic earth is great too
- Go and have a laugh at how crap the parliament building is
- Go shopping in Jenners, and walk along princes street
- Edinburgh castle
- Go out to south queensferry (not far out of edinburgh) and look at the view, and also see deep sea world, on the other side of the forth below the bridge
- Maybe go see something at the playhouse, it's great if you like that kinda thing
- Go see the Britannia (queens yacht) down at ocean terminal. The tea place on board is by far the best i've ever been to.. it's worth going for that alone

Oh and +1 to what shaank said, Edinburgh's great at any time of year but august is best... the whole city is buzzing and there's so much to see and do (much of it free) every single night in the festival
 
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