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Best Free Things to Do in Edinburgh: Save Money, Have Fun
"From Cubism and Expressionism to 20th-century Russian and French pieces, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is unmissable for art buffs. With two early-19th-century buildings to explore (Modern One and Modern Two) and sweeping green spaces dotted with sculptures (including monumental earthworks by Charles Jencks), it’s well worth leaving the city centre to explore the galleries. Modern Two contains the intact studio of erstwhile Edinburgh sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi."
"75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh EH4 3DR (website) Open daily 10am-6pmAdmission is free (charges may apply to special exhibitions). Discover a world-class collection and cutting edge art at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. The gallery is home to a range of contemporary Scottish arts collection, with more than 5,000 items of 20th-century art."
"Canongate, The Royal Mile, EH8 8DX (website) Open daily 9:30am-6pm (26 March to 31 October) and 9:30am-4.30pm (1 November to 25 March)Adult: £6.70, Over 60/Students £6.10, Under 17/Disabled: £3.40, unders 5's go free. If you like art but find conventional art galleries too big and daunting, then the Queen's Gallery is the answer, as it hosts small intimate exhibitions as part of the Royal Collection Trust. The building is a conversion of a former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School and features a beautiful teak and sycamore staircase."
"Situated at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, this gallery is one of 15 in the UK that houses the Royal Collection, the largest private art collection in the world. This is a fascinating record of the personal tastes of kings and queens over the past 500 years, comprising decorative arts, drawings, watercolours, paintings and photographs. Those that have made contributions to the collection over the years include Frederick Prince of Wales, George IV, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary."
"The Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Queens Gallery lie at the east end of The Royal Mile, opposite the Scottish Parliament. The visit is best achieved by taxi, local bus service from Waverley Bridge or tour bus. Walking takes around 15 minutes from Waverley Station."
"A visit to Perth Museum and Art Gallery is sure to spruce up your socials. The building itself is a grand sight to see and actually dates back to the 1800s making it one of the UK’s oldest museums. Step inside and you’ll find interactive exhibitions, ancient fossils and heaps of knowledge on Perth’s local history."
"Located right near the West Bridge, the Perth Museum and Art Gallery is filled with beautiful photographs and art displays. Learn local history at the Beginnings Gallery or partake in one of the in-gallery activities geared towards families."
"This elegant neoclassical building, based on the Pantheon in Rome, houses one of the oldest purpose-built museums in Britain. There's a varied range of exhibits covering the city's history and natural..."
"The grounds of 17th-century Bonnington House, 10 miles west of Edinburgh, have been lovingly converted by owners and art patrons Robert and Nicky Wilson into a gorgeous, landscaped sculpture park. Meadows and woodland showcase works – many of them specially commissioned – by a clutch of Britain's leading artists, including Antony Gormley, Anish Kapoor, Cornelia Parker and Nathan Coley, anchored by the the vast landscape sculpture Cells of Life by Charles Jencks. A varied events program includes tours every Wednesday at 10.30am."
"The beautiful grounds of a Jacobean manor house have been transformed by an art-loving couple, Robert and Nicky Wilson, into an impressive…"
"Royal College of Surgeons on Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK.|© Duncan Hale-Sutton / Alamy Stock Photo. One for visitors with strong stomachs, the collections of the Surgeons’ Hall were started way back in 1699 and include all sorts of tortuous looking surgical and dental implements – the most perused exhibits are those relating to infamous Edinburgh grave robbers Burke and Hare. But it’s not all sensationalism – the museum also explores the city’s crucial role in the evolution of surgery and medicine."
"The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was founded in 1505 and the city has been an important location for medical research ever since. The museum here was originally designed as a teaching museum for students, but it first opened to the public in 1832. There's a history of surgery, a dental collection, and a fascinating collection of pathological anatomy."
"Housed in a grand Ionic temple designed by William Playfair in 1832, these three fascinating museums were originally established as teaching collections. The History of Surgery Museum provides a look at surgery... Top ChoiceGardens in Stockbridge"
"You won’t have any trouble finding this wee gem of a museum, as the highly photo-worthy yellow façade is difficult to miss. The museum sits in the heart of the Old Town, in a 16th century building called Huntly House, complete with creaky floorboards and classic wooden roof beams. The array of exhibits brings together the many stories which shape and define Edinburgh’s unique history and character, with tales of Greyfriars Bobby, the Flodden Wall, “Gardy Loo”, and Sir Walter Scott."
"Source: Photo by user Stefan Schäfer, Lich used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Discover the history of Scotland’s capital with a trip to Museum of Edinburgh. Housed in a majestic 16th-century mansion called Huntly House, Museum of Edinburgh is a treasure trove of historic rooms filled with pieces of history unique to Edinburgh alone, such as a miniature of Old Town from the time of Mary, Queen of Scots."
"The Museum of Edinburgh is dedicated to displaying the local history of Edinburgh. You will see Greyfriars Bobby's collar and feeding bowl and the National Covenant, signed by leaders of the Presbyterian Church in Scotland in 1638. There are also displays of crafts that were important in the lives of past populations, including glassmaking, pottery, wool processing, and cabinetry."
"This Valentine’s Day enjoy the magic and mystery of The Cauldron, the wizard themed bar inspired by fantasy and science-fiction. To celebrate the recognised day of love and affection, the team at The Cauldron have created an extra special cocktail “Damiana’s charm” which is named after the drinks unusual key ingredient of ground Damiana leaf. The plant has been used throughout history as an aphrodisiac and according to the bars head potions master has had its magical properties exploited in teas and incense for hundreds of years – and so a pairing with Raspberry and vodka was always going to be the next inevitable step!"
"The Cauldron is a 1 hr 45 min immersive class where you wield a working magic wand and use molecular mixology to brew drinkable, fantastical elixirs. After donning a robe and receiving a magic wand, you are led to an interactive work station where you learn spellcasting 101 by pouring a welcome drink of either beer, cocktail, or mocktail. You then follow instructions to brew two of our molecular potions that change colour, bubble, and smoke."
"We're big fans of The Cauldron, the wizarding-themed bar which opened in the New Town this year. Harry Potter fans will feel as if they're at a boozy Hogwarts leaving do in their immersive cocktail experiences. Visitors to this unique bar don robes and wave wands as they create magical colour-changing drinks."
"With its minimalist design cabins, relaxed dining, and unique ambiance, the Yotel Edinburgh brings modern chic to Scotland’s capital. Situated on the famous Queen Street it sits at the heart of the city, it is the perfect base for exploring the very best of Edinburgh, while offering its own unique vibe, a minimalist haven within a historic city of grand architecture. Featuring meeting spaces perfect for your next event alongside Komyuniti, the restaurant, and bar that offers impressive dining and a laid-back bar area that take you away from the bustle of the city outside."
"The five-star Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh has announced that celebrated Edinburgh chef, Mark Greenaway, will open his new venture within the hotel in mid-April. ‘Grazing by Mark Greenaway’ will offer its clientele the opportunity to relax, unwind and of course, eat, at a leisurely pace within a space accessible to all. The menu, which reflects the laidback, ‘grazing’ concept, will showcase a mix of traditional, modern and sharing plates, incorporating locally sourced ingredients and unique concept dishes created by Mark."
"Chef Mark Greenaway has moved out of his eponymous restaurant – and into the Waldorf Astoria. Grazing by Mark Greenaway is a big, bustling bistro with turquoise banquettes. Start with treacle sourdough smeared with duck skin butter then choose from big and small plates and a smattering of concept dishes – order the ‘BBQ Shitake mushrooms, toast, truffle’ the mushrooms sprouting from a chunk of a trunk."
"Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian, Edinburgh, EH1 2AB. Chef Mark Greenaway has closed his eponymous restaurant in the New Town and re-located to the Waldorf Astoria Hotel. Despite the name, Grazing majors in hearty dishes of rich meats, while the casual surroundings encourage lingering."
"Cream wooden clad walls make The Little Chart Room feel almost nautical, and with little else to distract you the focus falls fully to the food. Expect cheffy creations like rainbow carrots, goat’s cheese, cumin, buckwheat, hazelnuts and alexanders, and lamb rump, sweetbreads, labneh, anchovies, sweetheart cabbage and pink fir apple potatoes. Maximum capacity: 14 Cuisine: European Cost indicator: Room charge of £200, mains from £20"
"The Little Chartroom is redefining fine dining|© The Little Chartroom. A firm favourite of restaurateur Jérôme Henry, chef-proprietor of Le Roi Fou, The Little Chartroom has been garnering rave reviews since opening in 2018. The navy-and-cream colour scheme creates a cool, calm ambience, with the maritime feel further enhanced by nautical maps hung on the walls."