Mentioned by Fodor's Choice
Sights in Edinburgh and the Lothians
"This is by far one of the most fun things to in Edinburgh, especially if you are visiting with kids. This attraction is made up of 2 different areas. The first the World of Illusions, which is several floors of magic displays, optical illusions and other fun things that everyone will enjoy."
"Swap noses and heads, walk through a tunnel of never-ending stars and capture your own shadow on camera. Free rooftop telescopes. Enter a world of illusions where seeing is definitely not believing!"
"Address: City Observatory, 38 Calton Hill, Edinburgh, EH7 5AAWebsite:Collective. Calton Hill is a large hilltop located close to the hustle and bustle of Princes Street where a collection of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks are situated within a few hundred feet of each other. The hill is included in the UNESCO World Heritage status that’s been awarded to the city which is hardly surprising considering the amount of history you will find there."
"It’s location in the middle of Endinburgh makes it a very convenient destination. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hill offers fabulous views of Edinburgh, Arthur’s Seat and the sea reaching over to Fife."
"If you don’t want to venture too far out of the city, kids can also play in Prince’s Street Gardens in the shadow of the Scott monument – which you can climb, although at 287 often narrow and twisty steps, you might want to stick to the views from the Camera Obscura instead. At Christmas, the gardens turn into a Winter Wonderland including Christmas market, ice rink and ferris wheel, dubbed the Edinburgh Eye."
"Princes Street Gardens is located in the middle of Edinburgh, right beneath the castle. They used to be the site of the Nor Loch – the North Loch which was drained when the New Town was built in the 1760s. The gardens have a wonderful view of the castle, and it is a great place to stroll or stop for a picnic."
"Dean Cemetery was inaugurated in 1846 and belongs to a beautiful hamlet located very near the city centre called Dean Village. It is one of the most remarkable cemeteries in Edinburgh and if it weren’t for the gravestones it could pass as a tranquil park full of trees."
"This is perhaps one of the cutest stories of canine fidelity you will ever hear. Greyfriar’s Bobby is a fountain erected in honour of a Skye terrier dog whose master died and was buried in Greyfriar’s Kirkyard. Following his master’s burial, the little terrier guarded his grave until his own death."
"Greyfriar’s Bobby is the tale of a wee dog from the Greyfriar’s area of Edinburgh. His is a tale of friendship and devotion. A kind local policeman named Jock Grey adopted a little Skye terrier and named him Bobby when he was just a couple of weeks old."
"Many years may have passed since Dan Brown's novel The Da Vinci Code and the subsequent film came out, but floods of visitors still descend on Scotland's most beautiful and enigmatic church – Rosslyn Chapel. Built in the mid-15th century for Sir William St Clair, third prince of Orkney, its ornately carved interior – at odds with the architectural fashion of its time – is a monument to the mason's art, rich in symbolic imagery. Hourly talks by qualified guides are included with admission."
"On Day 2, venture outside of the capital to see some of Scotland’s other historic sites, such as Rosslyn Chapel (a fifteenth-century chapel that is also one of the settings in The Da Vinci Code). Overnight in Edinburgh."
"Established and run by Leith Community Croft, Market on the Croft is a new farmer's market on Leith Links. Selling a wide range of local produce including seasonal fruit and vegetables, this new market is well worth a visit."
"What: Roseleaf may be best known for its ‘pot-tails’ (cocktails served in teapots), but we’d also recommend stopping by here in the morning. To kick start your day, tuck into one of Roseleaf’s range of eggs Benedicts, which can be paired with everything from black pudding to spinach. Roseleaf is also good for anyone looking to enjoy breakfast in a venue with a difference, thanks to its Instagram-friendly interiors which include a collection of vintage furniture and lots of other random knick-knacks."
"We’re always on a mission to find Edinburgh’s best burgers and we’ve eaten far too many in the name of research. To be fair, I was eating a lot of burgers before we set up EdinBraw, I’m not sure I can keep using it as an excuse for my addiction. Whilst I couldn’t tell you how many burgers I’ve eaten in Edinburgh, I can tell you where I’ve eaten the most – The Roseleaf in Leith."
"The Roseleaf serves top-notch grub|Courtesy of Roseleaf / © AdamJBellPhotography. There’s a real buzz in Leith just now, with the diversity of its restaurants, from gastropub to Michelin-star restaurants, unrivalled elsewhere in Edinburgh. One of its most beloved pubs serving top-notch grub is the Roseleaf."
"Just off Jawbone Walk in the Meadows, Melville Drive, Edinburgh, EH9 1JU. The Pavilion Café is a completely vegetarian establishment on the edge of The Meadows, and is open during the spring and summer months. There’s nothing better than settling into one of their comfy chairs during a sunny day in Edinburgh (hey – they DO exist!) and enjoying a cuppa with a slice of vegan cake or a wrap for lunch."
"The Pavilion Cafe is a seasonal spot that’s closed in the winter|© Stuart Kenny. This pretty café sits in the heart of The Meadows, making it an ideal outdoor coffee stop on sunny days. The coffee comes from Artisan Roast, and the food is all veggie and vegan."
"Perhaps a controversial choice as an essential Edinburgh craft beer, given that Paolozzi, the Edinburgh Beer Factory's flagship brew, only launched on October 18 - but in that short time, the crisp, sparkling lager has gained enviable comparisons (in our local bottle shop, anyway) to Munich's much-revered Augustiner Hell. Perhaps such a success straight off the mark is due to the wealth of experience behind it - the EBF is headed up by John Dunsmore, former boss of both Tennent’s owner C&C Group and macro brewing plc Scottish & Newcastle. Of course, the beautifully-labelled bottle (sporting designs by Leith-born Pop Art figurehead Eduardo Paolozzi) makes it a lovely drink to be seen holding as well."
"If you’re planning a road trip of Scotland we suggest celebrating your arrival into Edinburgh Airport by immediately sipping suds at Edinburgh Beer Factory. The brewery is located a short 8 minute drive from Edinburgh Airport, making it the perfect first or last stop on a Scottish beer tour. Edinburgh Beer Factory first opened in November 2015."
"Bellfield Brewery is the UK’s first craft brewery dedicated to producing quality gluten-free beer. The gluten-free craft brewery in Edinburgh is located a short walk from Holyrood Palace with plans to fully launch its tap room in summer 2019. Located in the historic area of Edinburgh alongside the mainline train track, with a birds’ eye view of the London train, visitors to Bellfield Brewery are able to enjoy beer in the sunny yard or indoor taproom."
"One of the best breweries in the city also happens to house of the best beer gardens. Bellfield is sure to have you coming back for more, with its range of award-winning craft creations, alongside gins, whiskies and organic wines for those avoiding the hoppy stuff."