A day in Edinburgh

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See & Do

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle. Photo: PA

A proud symbol of the Scottish nation

Noteworthy for: Being the birthplace of James VI of Scotland – AKA James I of England. You can even visit his Birth Chamber on your visit to the castle.

Word to the wise: Avoid the long queues at the gate by booking a tour in advance. You’ll find several companies selling tours throughout the city.

Forever watching over the capital like an overprotective father, Edinburgh Castle is one of the country’s most instantly-recognizable sights – as well as one of its most significant. Built right back in the 12th century, the beautiful and imposing castle has played host to kings, queens, politicians and revolutionaries, and is a powerful symbol of Scottish independence throughout the ages.

Today, despite being the most visited attraction in the country, its wide variety of fascinating features - from the dank prison and St Margaret's Chapel to the Stone of Scone, which was once used to crown centuries of Scottish kings - means that there's always something new to discover.

In particular, keep an eye out for the world-famous One O’Clock Gun, which has been successfully startling the uninitiated since 1861.

Fee: June-Sept, Adult: GBP 16
Oct-May, Adult: GBP 14.50
Open Hours: Apr-Sep, Daily: 9.30am – 6pm
Oct-Mar, Daily: 9.30am – 5pm

Address: Castlehill
Phone: +44 131 225 9846
Edinburgh Castle's webpage

See & Do

Water of Leith

Take a break from the city to get back to nature

Word to the wise: If you fancy a spot of lunch, you’ll find several excellent restaurants close to this trail. It’s always best to stop before you reach Dean Village.

If you need a break from the hustle and bustle of the city centre, take a leisurely stroll along the Water of Leith. Edinburgh’s main watercourse has a plethora of fascinating things to see from ancient watermills to spectacular bridges to rusting railway tracks, and they're all easily reached from the riverside path that runs from Balerno right to the coast.

But the Water of Leith isn't all about man-made attractions - it also boasts an abundance of natural highlights. From the stunning landscapes (green fields, wild woodland, rocky gorges) to the distinctive wildlife (including herons, otters and pike), this long walkway is the perfect place to get away from it all.

Water of Leith's webpage

See & Do

Dunbar's Close

A natural escape in the city centre

Word to the wise: This is one of the city's least known attractions - by tourists and locals alike - so make sure you make a note of the directions first.

A hidden oasis in the heart of the city, Dunbar’s Close is a beautiful natural garden offering a tranquil escape from the often-hectic Royal Mile. Originally created back in the 19th century by the landscape architect Sir Patrick Geddes, but heavily reconstructed by Seamus Filor in the 1970s, the garden boasts fragrant flowers, blooming bushes and sweet-smelling herbs - and all just a matter of metres from the capital’s busiest pedestrian street.

To get to the hidden garden, you should head down an alleyway on the left-hand side of Canongate (as you’re going down towards parliament), right beside Ye Olde Christmas Shop at number 145.

Address: 145 Canongate, Royal Mile

Shopping

Oddities Clothing

Unusual European fashions for trend-setters

Word to the wise: Although it can be hard to find from Princes Street, Oddities is one of the city’s worst-kept secrets, so ask directions from any well-dressed local.

As you may expect, Oddities Clothing is a boutique specializing in more unusual fashions for uncommon people. Although their speciality is printed t-shirts, they also sell everything from jeans and jumpers, to bags and accessories – for men, women and children alike. The avant-garde European styles for sale here usually won’t hit American stores for more than a year.

Address: 16 Victoria Street
Oddities' webpage

Restaurants

The Grain Store

Traditional Scottish cuisine for all budgets

Popular plate: If you’re after a true Scottish dessert it’s hard to beat cheese and crackers - and this restaurant’s Dunsyre Blue with homemade oatcakes is one of the city’s finest.

A cozy little restaurant located just off the Royal Mile, The Grain Store has been offering exceptional cuisine prepared with authentic local produce for over two decades.

From Scottish beef, lamb, venison, game and seafood to forest-picked wild mushrooms and seasonal fruits and vegetables, this popular place serves up an authentic taste of Scotland at affordable prices. Add to this its homemade desserts, its extensive wine list (from the reasonable to the decadent) and its intimate décor and it’s easy to see why The Grain Store is one of the city’s true gastronomic gems.

Price sample: Main course: GBP 15-28
Three course lunch: GBP 15

Open Hours: Mon-Thurs: 12noon - 2pm, 6pm - 10pm
Fri: 12noon - 2pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sat: 12noon - 3pm, 6pm - 11pm
Sun: 12noon - 3pm, 6pm - 10pm
Address: 30 Victoria St (1st Floor)
Phone: +44 131 225 7635
The Grain Store's webpage

Restaurants

Maison Bleue

An original fusion of Gallic and Gaelic cuisine

Popular plate: The bleue-abaisse soup - the restaurant’s own take on the traditional Marseilles fish soup, in a spicy rouille sauce - is a superb way to start your meal.

With its utterly unique blend of French, North African and Scottish cuisine, its superb location in the heart of the Old Town, its striking bright blue façade and its impressive interior design, Maison Bleue is certainly hard to ignore. But there’s also substance behind the style, as this exquisite eatery serves up one of the city’s finest dining experiences, with a range of meal deals to cater for those on a modest budget.

Price sample: Main course: GBP 5.50 – 7.90
Two course lunch/pre-theatre menu: GBP 9.90

Open Hours: Sun-Thurs: 12noon - 10pm
Fri-Sat: 12noon - 11pm
Address: 36-38 Victoria Street
Phone: +44 131 226 1900
Maison Bleue's webpage

Restaurants

Urban Angel

Delicious meals at low prices all day long

Popular plate: If you make it here for breakfast, try the eggs benedict with smoked salmon. In fact, it doesn’t even have to be breakfast - it’s available until 5pm.

Whether you’re looking for a spot of breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner - or just a snack inbetween - you‘ll find just what you’re after at Urban Angel. With two locations in the centre of Edinburgh, this popular café has an eclectic menu offering everything from oatmeal porridge to patatas bravas; beef carpaccio to vanilla cheesecake. It also offers an excellent selection of teas, coffees, smoothies and alcoholic beverages, and everything’s available to eat in or take away. No wonder it’s always so busy.

Price sample: Specials: GBP 7.50-16.50
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 9am - 6pm
Sun: 10am - 5pm
Address: 121 Hanover Street
Phone: +44 131 225 6215
Urban Angel's webpage

Bars & Nightlife

Brewdog

Homegrown craft beer with a punk edge

Tipple of choice: Brewdog bar stocks craft beers from all over the world but opt for something closer to home - the Trashy Blonde is a pale ale with moreish passion fruit notes.

Controversial independent brewery Brewdog made the headlines in 2010 with their infamous ‘The End of History’ beer, a 55% beer (the strongest in the world) presented in taxidermy roadkill. All 12 bottles of the USD 765 beer are now sold out but the Scottish craft beer makers have plenty of other choice tipples for you to sample in their Edinburgh outpost.

Set in the student-heavy Cowgate area of the city, their proclamation of ‘No Tennants. No Carling. No Smirnoff. No televisions’ should guarantee them an empty bar seven nights a week but this cheeky approach to beer-making is more than paying off and bringing in the crowds. Grab a pint before its popularity skyrockets.

Age: 18
Open Hours: Mon-Sat: 12noon - 1am
Sun: 12.30pm - 1am
Address: 143 Cowgate
Phone: +44 131 2206 517
Brewdog's webpage