Edinburgh Guide

Edinburgh Travel Guide

This stunning city has everything you could ever crave and then some. Perched on top of an old Volcano, Edinburgh Castle dominates this fiery city. The view from here show’s you everything you need to see, from the hustle of Princes Street to the breath taking scenery of the Lothians. This is one city you won’t get bored in. For top tips on what to see, when to see it and who to see it with, come visit our hostel.

When you take a trip to Dublin you visit the Guinness Factory. When you go to Edinburgh, you take a trip to the Scotch Whisky Heritage centre.  On the tour you’ll learn all about the production, the history and the best varieties of this winter warming drink. Another selling point of this tour is that you know exactly which bottle to stick in your backpack and take home to your dad. You can find the centre at 354 Castlehill on the Royal Mile. The centre is open from 10am until 6pm all week and concessions are available to students, senior citizens and families.

If you’re an art junkie make sure you pay a visit to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. Artists on display include Lucien Freud, Adrian Wiszniewski and Goya. Check out the sculptures in the garden by Henry Moore before heading over to the Dean Gallery. Here you’ll be wowed by Eduardo Paolozzi’s sculpture collection and surrealistic works by Dali, Magritte and Picasso. The National Gallery is open from 9am until 5pm, Monday through to Sunday and entrance is free.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is a major tourist attraction in Edinburgh and you get the chance to see into the Queen’s bedroom. The yacht was decommissioned on December 11, 1997 and is now permanently docked at the Ocean Terminal in Leith. It’s open from 10am until 3.30pm everyday and tickets can be booked in advance by calling +44 (0) 131 555 5566.

For something a little different check out Mary King’s Close. This network of streets is hidden away below road level and dates back to the sixteenth century. Tours of this unique location explore what life was like during the plague in the seventeenth century and you get a taste of what is reputed to be one of the most haunted places in Scotland. The Supernatural History Tours are well worth a look in and give you the chance to make up your own mind about what really goes bump in the night. Mary King’s Close is located beneath the Royal Mile and can be accessed from Warriston’s Close.

The major tourist trap in the Scottish capital has to be Edinburgh Castle. Built on an extinct volcano, this twelfth century fortress attracts a big crowd. Attractions inside the castle include the Stone of Destiny, the Scottish Crown Jewels and the army headquarters of the Scottish Division. The view is also a big hit and a great way to get your bearings in Edinburgh. Tours in the winter run all day from 9.30am until 5pm and reduced price tickets are available for children and senior citizens.

The castle is part of the famous Royal Mile which stretches to the Queen’s residence in Scotland, Holyroodhouse Palace. The Palace is a stunning example of Baroque architecture and also houses a large section of the Royal Collection, which you can see in the palace and in the nearby Queen’s Gallery. Unfortunately the gallery is closed until March but the Palace is open seven days a week from 9.30am until 4.30pm. Tickets are £9.50 for adults, £8.50 for senior citizens and £5.50 for children. For more information call +44 (0)131 556 5100.

For a taste of something a little more modern on the Royal Mile, pay a visit to the new Scottish Parliament building. The building was designed by competition winner Enric Miralles and the roof of the building is based on the image of upturned boats. You can watch the parliament in action on Wednesday afternoons, Thursday mornings and Thursday afternoons, but tickets are very popular so it’s a good idea to book a week in advance by calling 0131 348 5200 or e-mailing sp.bookings@scottish.parliament.uk. Guided tours are also available at £5 for adults and £3 for concessions, but these tend to book up months in advance. You can find Parliament at the bottom of Cannongate, opposite Holyroodhouse Palace.

Escape the bustle of the city with a trip to Queen’s Park, also known as Holyrood Park. The greenery can be found close to the city centre and covers an area five miles in diameter. Originally developed by James V, the park showcases every aspect of the Scottish countryside, including mountains, marshes and moorlands. Why not walk off the city stress on one of the three most popular walks? Check out the Radical Road, the Hunters Bog, the Long Row and on the way don’t miss the ruins of St. Anthony's Chapel.

Take a load off and take it down a few notches with a drink at the Starbank Inn on Laverockbank Road. This stone built pub overlooks the Firth of Forth and offers up a selection of real ales, standard lagers and stocky Scottish food. If you’re here in the winter this is the perfect place to warm your cockles with a pint of Kronenberg and some haggis.

If you’re a foodie then make sure you don’t miss a meal at the Urban Angel on Hanover Street. This restaurant is hidden away in a small basement but don’t let the look fool you. Inside you’ll find more than enough seats and a menu that’ll blow your socks off. On top of their Buccleuch beef and Tapas the restaurant does a good job with fair trade and organic food. Snack, stuff yourselves silly or just read the menu in the street, but whatever you do, don’t go to Edinburgh and miss out on this.