Free Museums in Coaltown of Balgonie

"Situated slap-bang in the center of Edinburgh, the National Museum of Scotland is sprawling, highly informative, and very easy to access. It’s also a massively popular museum, thanks in part to the fact that it's free. Collections range from artifacts from ancient Egypt and local archaeological finds, to the remains of the first cloned mammal, Dolly the sheep."

"Renovated in 2011, this national beacon of culture has exhibitions on natural history, science and technology, Scottish history, art and design and world cultures in galleries surrounding a beautiful, naturally-lit atrium space.Chambers Street, 0300 123 6789, nms.ac.uk."

"Pro Travel Tip:The National Museum of Scotland and the Surgeons’ Hall Museum are located near each other. If you tend to move quickly through museums, you can visit both of these before lunch (this is what we did)."

"You don’t have to be a child to enjoy the Museum of Childhood, but it definitely is a place for the kids to go and see the toys of years past and get to try some of them out. This is the first museum of its kind that was dedicated to the culture of childhood and preserving toys and childhood culture, which also means adults will take great joy in seeing toys from their own childhoods. Of course, no one visiting would be old enough to remember playing with the Queen Anne Doll on display, as this dates back to 1740, but perhaps you remember the Peter Rabbit toy."

"42 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 1TGOpen 10am - 5pm Monday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, 12pm - 5pm Sunday. Explore the first museum in the world dedicated to thehistory of childhood. With five galleries to explore throughout which you will find fascinating and rare objects from childhoods past, including toys, games, clothes, books and dolls, dating from the 1800s to the present day, this is a treat for visitors both young and old, and a firm favourite with many Edinburgh residents."

"Skim through the visitors' book and you'll find tourists returning after 20 years, delighted to find that little has changed in this four-storey building. That is the charm of the place, opened in the 1950s to become the first museum devoted to a social history of childhood. Founder Joseph Patrick Murray built up an extensive collection of toys, games, clothes, teddy bears and dolls."

"Getting to Dynamic Earth : Located off Holyrood Road, the museum is a 17 minute walk from St Christopher’s Inns Edinburgh. Right on the edge of the Old Town behind the Scottish Parliament Building and next door to Holyrood Palace is Edinburgh’s most popular science museum, Dynamic Earth. This museum takes you on a journey from the Big Bang to modern day using 4D technology."

"You can discover how our planet evolved millions of years ago at the exciting Dynamic Earth. Let’s start with a bang as we journey through time and learn about our past, present and future with interactive exhibits and mind blowing technology. Another must for family days out."

"The People’s Story sits on the opposite side of the street from the Museum of Edinburgh, and is housed within the Canongate Tolbooth, which has stood on the Royal Mile since 1591. The tolbooth was a once a courtroom, a prison, and a place of gathering for the town council – if only walls could tell tales!. Nowadays, the iconic clock and pretty turrets epitomise Edinburgh’s Old Town charm, and are frequently photographed by passersby."

"Explore the history of Edinburgh’s everyday life from the 18th century through to modern day. Peruse real objects and visit the historic building, which used to be a tax office and a jail!. And when you are done, you can even test your knowledge taking one of the Museum’s quizzes and games online."

"The People’s Story offers a look at a different side of Edinburgh’s history, focussing on the lives of the everyday citizens."

"The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is actually two institutions—Modern One and Modern Two—situated within two grand Georgian mansions flanking a sculpture park. Modern One has British artists like Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Damien Hirst, and Tracey Emin; American artists like Andy Warhol; and legends like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Modern Two has a particularly impressive Dada and Surrealism collection; you can arrange a private viewing of the archives, a real treasure trove of those movements."

"The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art — also known as "Modern One" — is another must-visit for art enthusiasts. Here, you'll find displays of paintings by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso; surrealistic works by Rene Magritte, Joan Miró, and Max Ernst; and contemporary paintings by Bruce McLean, Callum Innes, and Gwen Hardie. The gallery is also well-known for its impressive collection of sculptures."

"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."

"The Queen's Gallery, located in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in November 2002 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Now, it hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. A worthwhile stop on a visit to the Royal Mile."

"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."

"Zest is one of the few specialty coffee shops in Fife, but that’s just part of this St. Andrews cafe’s story. In addition to serving cappuccinos and flat whites, the cafe also serves tea, soup, sandwiches, sandwiches and smoothies. Impressively, Zest employs people with challenges and gives them the opportunity to succeed."

"Amidst the Tony award-winning musicals, famous shows, high calibre ballets, and musical prodigies are some of the major comedy kingpins. The Edinburgh Playhouse has been host to the likes of Amy Schumer, Louis CK, Jack Whitehall, Jimmy Carr, and Catherine Tate, to name just a few. This former cinema, which was built in the style of The Roxy cinema in New York, has been around since 1929 and makes for the most brilliant of comedy venues due to its sheer size and acoustics."

"EdinburghThe Edinburgh Playhouse has some great shows throughout the year including a great Panto. There are also childrens events in the school holidays and youth drama activities"

"It seems that every new restaurant promises neighbourhood appeal, seasonal produce and locally sourced foods. Bia Bistrot is no different, except it really delivers. Husband-and-wife team Matthias and Roisin Llorente oversee a regularly changing menu, including venison carpaccio, glazed pork belly and a range of perfectly cooked fish."

"This couple run restaurant fuses French bistro food with an Irish influence to produce fresh, responsibly sourced, and seasonal dishes like hake with purple laver crust and samphire and homemade ice cream for dessert. Enjoy 2 courses from the daily changing set menu for £9.50 or 3 for £11."

"Bia Bistot is a couple-run neighbourhood restaurant focusing on fresh, seasonal, local and sustainable produce. Order a restaurant quality meal to be enjoyed at home from a weekly menu of dishes including slow braised pork cheeks, butternut squash risotto and ginger cake."

"Restaurant Martin Wishart can be found at The Shore serving up all sorts of delights. They do a £35 lunch menu along with six and eight-course taster menus which set you back a little more. Among the options on the lunch menu are braised pork cheek with cauliflower cream, brown shrimp, curry and sauternes sauce and roast fillet of gigha halibut with creamy endive, Fontina Arancini and truffle sauce."

"In 2001 this restaurant became the first in Edinburgh to win a Michelin star, and it's retained it ever since. The eponymous chef has worked with Albert Roux, Marco Pierre White and Nick Nairn, and brings a... Scottish in Old Town"