Historic Sites in Damhead

"Even if you are not a fan of politics, The Scottish Parliament would be a good sightseeing spot. Not only is the building itself really interesting, you can watch a parliamentary session, it hosts art exhibitions and has a lovely modern garden that you can explore. If you want to know more, The Scottish Parliament also offers a selection of free guided tours focusing on the different aspects and functions of the building."

"The Scottish parliament is housed in a modern building of unique architecture at the east end of The Royal Mile. Taxi, public bus or tour bus is the easiest way to reach the venue which is a 15 minute walk from Waverley Station. There is some car parking nearby for the Holyrood area, including disabled blue badge parking but it is limited."

"Dean Village is one of Edinburgh’s hidden treasures, located just outside of the city and besides the picturesque Water of Leith. Historically, Dean Village was a key player in Edinburgh’s milling industry, and you can still see signs of this heritage today. Explore the village to find millstones and stone advertisements for bakeries."

"Picture perfect and pretty as a postcard, Dean Village first started out as a settlement on the fringes of the city where local millers would live. Once upon a time, eleven mills donned the river, driven by the water’s current. Now, the former mills and millers’ houses make up some of the most prime real estate in Edinburgh."

"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)."

"A stylish contemporary building appended to the 15th-century home of Protestant reformer John Knox, housing materials relating to Scotland’s rich oral culture.43–45 High Street, 556 9579, scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk. Mon–Sat 10am–6pm (also Sun noon–6pm during Aug only). Free entry to SSC; John Knox House £4.25 (£3.75; children £1; under 7s free)."

"The stripped-down, low-fi, traditional art of storytelling has had something of a resurgence in Britain over the last decade or so, and…"

"Located close to the castle and featuring a vast cobbled square surrounded by pubs, restaurants and shops, it’s the perfect place for dinner and/or to have a drink in a relaxed atmosphere. In the past, in addition to being a market place, Grassmarket square was also the place where public execution took place. Hopefully nowadays, the atmosphere is a lot more joyful!"

"This area of town is often bustling with people so there's always a buzz about this weekly market. It's widely regarded as a top place to be for those looking to get their hands on some stunning jewellery, crafts and artwork. Paella and hot Latin foods are regularly served up by the stall holders along with treats like cupcakes and macarons."

"A great place for unusual finds such as vintage clothes, contemporary jewellery and rare books. Distance from Hotel:500 m6 mins6 mins4 mins"

"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."

"Onetime haunt of Mary, Queen of Scots, with a long history of gruesome murder, destructive fire, and power-hungry personalities, the…"

"In the city centre, seek out the Heart of Midlothian for a uniquely Scottish piece of history. The Heart of Midlothian is set in the pavement on the Royal Mile, constructed from coloured granite blocks that form the shape of a heart and cross. This landmark records the position of the 15th century ‘heart’ of the town, the Old Tolbooth."

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

"The plans to construct an iconic city hall in Edinburgh were sparked in 1896 by Andrew Usher, renowned whisky distiller, who promised to fund the project. In 1914, Usher Hall was built by architects Stockdale Harrison and Howard H Thomson, a magnificent and classical beaux-arts-style concert hall which stood in defiance against the Victorian Gothic architecture so commonly found within the city of Edinburgh. Situated on Lothian Road in the west of the capital, Usher Hall is instantly recognizable with its curved walls, geometric precision and intriguing exterior design, featuring famous Scots such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns."

"Usher Hall is Edinburgh’s premier concert venue and a must-visit for fans of entertainment and culture. The hall was built in 1914 and features beautiful architecture, including a curved exterior decorated with panels of famous figures such as Sir Walter Scott and Mozart. The hall has historically been used for a variety of events, including concerts, political events, and sporting events."

"My absolute favourite pub in Edinburgh – perfect if you’re a rock fan, and definitely something unique and different if you’re not. When I first visited this place, I couldn’t tell if it was gimmicky or awesome, but I’ve very much come to terms with the fact it’s the latter!. It’s pretty much a spooky themed pub set deep in the vaults of Southbridge."

"If the supernatural sends shivers up your spine, steer clear from The Banshee Labyrinth — it is said that this bar is one of the most haunted spots in Edinburgh. Chills aside, this pub is a grand spot for live bands, film screenings, and comedy too. Another popular haunt during the Fringe, The Banshee is more than booze and boogie monsters."

"This classic, dark wood-lined pub has a laid-back appearance and a laid-back staff to match. It used to be a church, hence the name and the ecclesiastical tone of many of the fixtures and fittings. Now it is the backdrop to the worship of real ales, craft beers and whiskey."

" Housed in a former parsonage adjacent to St Michael’s and All Saints Church, Cloisters has been a magnet for students, tourists and discerning beer ..."

"Under the devoted stewardship of Peter and Susan Jukes, this converted cooperage and smokehouse became one of Scotland’s premier-league destinati ..." Read our full review"

"A short drive from Edinburgh’s city centre, youll find a light and airy restaurant within Dalkeith Country Park, where the highlight for the kids is sure to be the adventure playground. In fact it’s one of our top activities for children in Edinburgh. Not just a restaurant, The Restoration Yard also boasts a beautiful shop, deli, coffee bar and wellness space, so there’s something to please all ages."

"🥞 We're flippin' pancakes all day long for Pancake Day at The Kitchen - join us and choose from one... As one of the best places for your kids, this restaurant merges the old with the modern to create a superb restaurant serving a variety of dishes. It’s a magical place that merges amazing dishes with a quality staff."

"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."

"Located near The University of Edinburgh, Brew Lab is the brainchild of coffee aficionados Dave Law and Tom Hyde, who—as the shop's name suggests—take a scientific approach to brewing. A variety of pulled, brewed, and filtered phenomena prevail here, all highlighting methods and single-origin coffees from partner roaster Union-Hand Roasting. Each type of bean is selected to complement different milks or straight-up black espressos."

"A must-visit for every coffee connoisseur, Union Brew Lab is located in the heart of the city's Old Town. They take their brew very seriously here, with a range of coffees specially selected from producers in the UK and Europe which changes with seasonality. For the authentic Brew Lab experience, you should order one of their exceptional filtered pour-overs, however they do an amazing flat white here too."

"Two former Edinburgh University students got addicted to coffee while trying to get their essays in on time. Then, they created Brew Lab. They converted an old university office into one of the best coffee shops in the city."

"Edinburgh is a bit lacking when it comes to late-night food, with greasy takeaways usually the only option. The Pakora Bar aims to change all that, with an array of quality curries and spicy pakora available until 3am at the weekends. It’s much, much more than blotting paper for boozy revellers, though – there’s a busy lunch trade and the whole thing has a street food vibe that’s both fun and laid-back."

"Run by the Singh family, The Pakora Bar started out as a hobby at food festivals. Now they serve their mother's recipes for pakora and Punjabi street food at their restaurant in Hanover Street. They have earned an impressive 4.7 (out of 5) from 759 Google reviews, with one customer just saying: "WOW"."