Free Museums in Polbeth

"This extremely rich museum has the advantage of being free, so there is no reason to deprive yourself of this interesting cultural break. Located in the Old Town (more precisely on Chambers Street) in a nice building, the National Museum of Scotland is very large (6 floors) and you can easily spend a few hours there to see everything. This modern, fun and interactive museum will appeal to adults and children alike!"

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nachosan used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Walk down memory lane in this recently renovated museum highlighting items from prehistoric Scotland, arranged in a magnificent seven-level structure. Glance through more than 20,000 objects, ranging from weapons, ornaments, and artwork, each arranged in historical stages."

"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."

"This attraction was the first museum in the world which focused on the history of childhood and it’s a wee gem. As soon as I stepped inside I was hit by a wee wave of nostalgia, certain that my last memories of doing so were as a child myself. While the ground floor has changed since my last visit, with new brightly-coloured and illuminated exhibits, the rest of the museum was just as I remembered."

"A short stroll from the foot of the Royal Mile, Our Dynamic Earth is a hugely popular attraction that tells the story of our planet’s past, present and future. Children and grownups alike will love exploring exhibits like the Time Machine and Future Dome."

"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."

"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."

"It comprises two galleries, one on either side of Belford Road, and a fantastic sculpture park. The lawn at the front of Modern One was landscaped to a design by Charles Jencks. Modern One is housed in a neoclassical building, which was designed by William Burn in 1825."

"The 15th century buildings are tucked away in the east corner of the city, on the edge of Auchinlea Park. A category A-listed building probably isn't what you'd expect from the neighbourhood, and it's a pleasant, and beautiful surprise."

"Once the location of an 800-year-old grain milling industry, Dean Village is now best known for its beautiful architecture which features in so many iconic photos of Edinburgh. Dean Village developed its numerous mills thanks to the Water of Leith which powered the milling stones that refined wheat crops brought in from around the Lothians. In its heyday, there were eleven working mills in this one small area of Edinburgh along with buildings to house the hundreds of mill workers."

"The Water of Leith is the main river which flows through Edinburgh and it passes through Dean Village. As a result the splendid architecture of Dean Village reflects perfectly in it. For this reason, this is a top Edinburgh Instagram spot."

"Take a break visiting the beautiful Dean Village, explore the Water of Leith walkway, take some pictures and enjoy realaxing at this peaceful location."

"Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, New Lanark was home to a social experiment at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Robert Owen…"

"Located on the Royal Mile a short distance from the castle, the John Knox House & Scottish Storytelling Centre attraction is a treat for anyone interested in Scotland's rich cultural heritage. It was built in 1470 and is said to be the one time home of the protestant reformer after which it's named. A highlight of a visit is exploring the exhibits and displays related to the Scottish Reformation, a pivotal moment in the country's history."

"Getting to John Knox House : Located on the Royal Mile, the museum is a 6 minute walk from St Christopher’s Inns Edinburgh. Photo credit: David Ross. John Knox (1514-1572) was a Scottish minister, founder of the Scottish Presbyterian Church and leader of the Scottish Reformation."

"Dating back to 1726—although arguably operating since 1505—Edinburgh University’s medical school is the oldest in Britain, and one of the oldest in the Western world. The Surgeons' Hall Museums offer a particularly fascinating, if macabre, slice of the city's history. Particular oddities include a pocketbook made from the skin of William Burke, one half of the infamous Burke and Hare duo who, in the early 19th century, murdered some 16 people in order to reap the monetary rewards of delivering a cadaver to Edinburgh University for dissection."

"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."

"Surgeon’s Hall Museum Geared towards adults, older kids, and anyone with an interest in the medical field, this is a fascinating look into what can go wrong inside of our bodies. The Wohl Pathology Museum is home to one of the largest collections of pathological specimens in the world. It’s a bit gruesome, but for some that may be the appeal."

"Well, if you’re in need of sustenance to quell your rumbling tummy, then check out Hotel du Vin and Bistro. They serve a fabulous Sunday Brunch between 12:30 pm – 4:00 pm, where you can partake in some amazing soup, as well as a saliva-inducing, fresh market table where you can help yourself to an assortment of delectable brunch items (if you’re not here on a Sunday, they serve lunch between 12:30 pm and 2:30 pm. I ordered the French style pizza with roasted Mediterranean vegetables. Yum)."