Mentioned by Fodor's Choice
Sights in Edinburgh and the Lothians
"A fascinating must-visit place for kids and elders which uses science optical principles into play is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Located on the Royal Mile next to the Edinburgh Castle, is a perfect stop for fun. Camera Obscura originates from a Latin word meaning ‘dark room’."
"Don’t miss the Camera Obscura show on the top floor. PRO TIP: The presentation also gives you a nice overview of Edinburgh and its history, which is great if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Plan to spend about an hour here (or more, depending on your interests)."
"One of the most iconic views from Edinburgh is from atop Calton Hill, looking across Princes Street towards the castle, and placing the Dugald Stewart Monument in the foreground of your frame. This is a really lovely composition, and this image is often used to represent Edinburgh in photos around the world. You can shoot this particular shot either with a wide angle, or you can back up a bit and use a longer lens to compress the different elements together."
"Climb Calton HIll Towards the end of the day, I’d suggest you head up Calton Hill. This is a wonderful spot for a view of the city and can be found at the east end of Princes Street. This hill is home to a series of monuments, including the National Monument of Scotland, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Parthenon in Greece."
"Calton Hill is an easy climb where you can see some of the best views of Edinburgh, discover the monuments built there, or just relax for a while."
"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."
"If weather is good you should take a moment to relax in the green corner of Princes Street Gardens. These beautiful gardens are perfect to take a pic nic or read a book. The people of Edinburgh often visit here to meet friends and take time out."
"Not only do the gardens offer excellent viewpoints of Edinburgh Castle but there are a few Edinburgh landmarks located within it. Other monuments in the park include both the Ross Fountain and Wojtek the Bear."
"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."
"Roslin: Best known for being the home of Rosslyn Chapel, the church featured in Dan Brown’s ‘The Da Vinci Code,’ Roslin is a pretty village with plenty to see. Of course, there’s the ancient and ornate Chapel to visit, but there’s also castle ruins and a delightful tea room to enjoy a hot brew in."
"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."
"The Royal Mile, so called because it covers roughly a mile between Edinburgh Castle and reaches down through the city centre towards Holyrood Palace (the Scottish Residence of Elizabeth II). A stroll down this main road, listening to the bagpipes and entering all the small shops which line its two sides is simply one of the best things to do in the Scottish capital."
"If you want to save money when visiting the city’s popular attractions, consider purchasing the Royal Edinburgh Ticket. This is a pre-paid attraction pass which includes FREE entry to royal sites including, Edinburgh Castle, Royal Yacht Britannia, and the Palace of Holyroodhouse."
"Dismal past aside, the Holyroodhouse is still a great place to walk around and learn about Scottish history and the royals who called this palace home over the centuries. An audioguide is included with the price of admission (£14) and offers a great overview of the history."
"Address: East London Street, Edinburgh, EH7 4BL, Scotland, UK Mansfield Place Church is to be found within the New Town area, standing close to the bus depot and the King George V Park. Built in 1872 by Robert Rowand Anderson, this old church has had many uses over the years and once even functioned as a nightclub. Today, it is owned by the Mansfield Traquair Trust, a conservation group who have actively restored the building over a number of years."
"Split between two buildings on either side of Belford Road, Modern One and Modern Two, the gallery houses the nation's collection of modern and contemporary art. Modern Two, previously the Dean Gallery, was built as an orphanage. An austere structure, it's home to a large collection of Dada and Surrealist art, and a collection of the works of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi."
"The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is housed in 2 historic buildings. Art lovers will be in their element viewing the over 6000 pieces on display. For the latest exhibitions visit the official Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art website."
"Edinburgh's gallery of modern art is split between two impressive neoclassical buildings surrounded by landscaped grounds some 500m west of Dean Village. As well as showcasing a stunning collection of paintings..."
"Average Rating - 4.68Total Number of Ratings - 3978Location - Edinburgh SouthAverage price - £££Review - Amazing portion size and so so so tasty ❤️❤️. View Maki & Ramen Omakase - Fountainbridge Menu"
"Whether you are looking for fine dining in Edinburgh or the latest pop-up restaurants and the coolest bars, you will find something to suit your style in our comprehensive directory of Edinburgh restaurants. Scotland's Capital and the country's second biggest city is home to some of the most fantastic restaurants - if you are looking for cheap eats and fantastic food on a budget then the Old Town's array on small independant eateries will suit you. Or for some style and sophistication, Leith offers gourmet dining at its best."
"Originally opened as a Fringe pop-up, Checkpoint is now a permanent and popular restaurant (Photo: Checkpoint). Checkpoint’s daytime menu offers a range of delicious dishes for less than a tenner, with options like the crispy halloumi burger, mac and three cheese toastie, and fish bouillabaisse stew on offer. The evening menu is slightly pricier (with most mains around £15), but the relaxed restaurant still offers affordable dining without compromising on taste or portion size."
"Checkpoint is a trendy restaurant around the corner from the National Museum of Scotland. It is close enough to the Old Town centre of Edinburgh, to be convenient for lunch or dinner on a city trip, but also far enough from the Royal Mile to have a more local feel to it. They offer a full vegan breakfast and several vegan options on their day time menu, but since I went there for dinner, I’ll tell you more about that."
"One of hipper options in town for that caffeine hit is Cairngorm Coffee, which has two locations in the city and has a welcoming bright and airy interior. The one we visited at Melville Place was buzzing mid-day with a line basically out the door and a lively group of customers eating and chatting away with friends. This local favorite prides themselves on brewing their own coffee in the Cairngorms and utilizing the first San Remo Opera machine in all of Scotland."
"A firm favourite of many Edinburgh locals and visitors alike. Two of my favourite things are on offer at Cairngorm Coffee; cheese and of course some of the best coffee you dan find in Edinburgh. Cairngorm have two coffee shops in Edinburgh, both offering a unique sit-in experience in central locations."
"This bright and beautiful coffee stop now has two locations in the city with a loyal contingent of coffee fans. Naturally, they brew up their own coffee in-store, which they roast in the Cairngorm Mountains every week. Be sure to take home a bag of their trademark yellow coffee beans to sip at home!"
"A total triple threat in the world of coffee, Machina Espresso offers it’s lucky consumers the whole shebang: Something to drink, beans to buy and a range of premium coffee equipment for wannabe baristas in training. Providing their own single-origin bean roast, you can choose from a variety of brewing methods with their baristas also offering great advice on how to get the best coffee for you. Undoubtedly one of the city’s superior coffee specialists, you’ll learn more here in a minute than you would in a year at Starbucks."