Historic Sites in Blairingone

"As you walk towards downtown, be sure to notice the ultra-modern Scottish Parliament Building, which has a mixed opinion amongst its residents. If you’re hungry, you could stop at Oink for a roast hog sandwich, Scotland’s version of pulled pork, served piled high on your choice of bread, lashed with condiments and a serving of crackling on top. It’s simply delicious and extremely friendly on the budget. If you’re looking for more suggestions on what to eat in Edinburgh, check out this blog post."

"The Scottish Parliament Building, on the site of a former brewery and designed by Catalan architect Enric Miralles (1955–2000), was opened by the Queen in October 2004. The ground plan of the complex is said to... Top ChoiceShip in Leith"

"Located in the city of Edinburgh, this is a fully accessible building. You can visit and enter the debating chamber, receive a free tour and check out the unique modern architecture. Scottish Parliament website"

"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."

"Beautiful Dean Village After lunch, spend the afternoon at Dean Village. Dean Village is a small, residential area in Edinburgh. It’s quiet, it’s beautiful, and it’s off the beaten path."

"Take a walk through Dean Village. This is a beautiful green oasis on the Water of Leith (just a 5-minute walk from Princes Street)."

"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."

"The John Knox House dates back to 1470 and it is associated with the Scottish Reformation. Even though the name-giver John Knox only lived in the house for a brief period in the 16th century, his association with the house stuck throughout the…"

"Grassmarket is snuggled in the center of Edinburgh’s Old Town and is bursting with local shops and so much good food. Mary’s Milk Bar is supposed to have incredible gelato (sadly never got to visit while I was in the city), and in the summer there are stalls set up selling even more food and locally made jewelry and art. Nearby is Victoria Street, which is a chocolate box-esque street that looks like stores were literally stacked on top of one another."

"Fun fact: Back in 1477, the Grassmarket was a huge market in Edinburgh with most of it trading cattle and horses. This is apparently where the name Grassmarket originated as the western end of it was where the animals’ grass was kept."

"The site of a cattle market from the 15th century until the start of the 20th century, the Grassmarket has always been a focal point of the Old Town. It was once the city's main place of execution, and over 100..."

"Edinburgh's 18th-century City Chambers were built over the sealed-off remains of Mary King's Close, and the lower levels of this medieval Old Town alley have survived almost unchanged amid the foundations for 250 years. Now open to the public, this spooky, subterranean labyrinth gives a fascinating insight into the everyday life of 17th-century Edinburgh. Costumed characters lead tours through a 16th-century town house and the plague-stricken home of a 17th-century gravedigger. Advance booking recommended."

"Real Mary King’s Close This is the perfect tour to learn about medieval life in Edinburgh. Journey back in time to 1645 Edinburgh, down Mary King’s Close, a real alleyway in the city. This was the year of the Black Death, when one-third of Edinburgh’s population succumbed to this terrible illness."

"Head to one of my favorite Edinburgh points of interest, the Real Mary King’s Close. Truly one of the most amazing and historically accurate tours I have ever been."

"Linlithgow Palace: Used as a royal residence throughout the ages, Linlithgow Palace is located in a town of the same name and was one of the most important seats of the monarchy during the 15th and 16th-centuries. In fact, it was even the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots!"

"The ancient King’s Park was, as its name suggests, founded as a royal pleasure ground in the 12thcentury, when it was used for aristocratic pursuits such as jousting and hunting. Today, everyone can enjoy the park, and it is one of Stirling’s best-used recreational areas. Many activities take place there, including swings, trampolines, a tennis court, a wheelie park for bikes and skateboarding, and outdoor gym equipment."

"Kings Park is a very popular walking spot, especially for those of us that own dogs (including a few of the SCHT Team). King’s Park is Scotland’s oldest Royal Park, and was owned by the Crown for at least 900 years. It was used by Scottish monarchs and nobility for jousting, hunting, and hawking, and is comparable in importance to Windsor Castle’s Great Park."

"Enjoy a day of outdoor leisure with the whole family at Kings Park in Stirling. A skate park and BMX bike path keep older kids entertained while various play areas are open for all ages. Sports facilities, tennis courts, picnic tables, walking trails, and greens are just a few of the amenities."

"I suggest a late lunch after you explore the charming, cobbled streets of this historic area and experience some street performers, Canongate Kirkyard (Adam Smith is buried here), Dunbar Close, St. Giles Cathedral, and eventually Edinburgh Castle itself, all the way at the top of the Royal Mile (Be sure to book your Edinburgh Castle skip the line tickets in advance). The charm and beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland never cease to amaze me."

"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."

"This phenomenal museum celebrates the beauty of the earth via innovative technology. It is situated at the opposite end of the Old Town from the castle, near Holyrood Palace in the shadow of the crags and Arthur's Seat. Interactive exhibits allow visitors to experience simulated earthquakes, tropical rainstorms, the ocean floor, ice ages, glaciers and mountains."

"Take an interactive journey through the history of the earth. Go to the tundra or the bottom of the ocean, never being more than a stone’s throw from the Scottish Parliament and Arthur’s Seat.Holyrood Road, 550 7800, dynamicearth.co.uk. Daily 10am–5.30pm (until 6pm in Jul & Aug; closed Mon & Tue Nov–Mar)."

"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."

"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 in Scotland from the 15th century to the present day. Highlights include the exhibit on murderers Burke and Hare, which includes Burke's death mask and a pocketbook made from his skin, and a display on Dr Joseph Bell, who was the inspiration for the character of Sherlock Holmes."

"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."

"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)."

"On Castle Hill, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions offers five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, tricks and fun things to do including vortex tunnel, mirror maze and shrinking room. Tickets are £12.15 for children and £15.75 for adults."

"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…"

"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 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."