Historic Sites in Seton Mains

"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."

"Edinburgh’s Old Town is home to Scotland’s thoroughly modern Parliament building. Open to visitors Monday-Saturday, why not take advantage of a free tour and learn about its history, work and contemporary architecture?. You can even visit a debating chamber and if Parliament is in session, view proceedings from the public gallery."

"From Monday to Saturday, you can visit and learn about Scottish Parliament from within its headquarters. Better yet, it’s free!. For opening times, tours and what you can do while visiting, check out the Scottish Parliament website."

"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."

"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)."

"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…"

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

"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."

"After all, the picturesque streets and quintessentially Scottish pubs located in the Grassmarket make it a must-see attraction on any Scottish adventure. There, you’ll find vibrant streets matched only by an ever-lively nightlife. This is where locals come to hang out, and where you’ll want to grab dinner, or simply head for some after exploring drinks. Nearby, you’ll also find plenty of historical buildings, including the once famous Magdalen Chapel."

"Address: Old Town, Edinburgh, EH1 2HSWebsite: The Grassmarket. The Grassmarket in Edinburgh is a bustling collection of pubs and restaurants which sit around a large open square at the southern edge of Edinburgh Castle. Because the district is so centrally located within the city you can easily find it by either walking west from the Cowgate or walking south from the Castle Esplanade."

"This palace is the royal family's official residence in Scotland but is more famous as the 16th-century home of the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots. The highlight of the tour is Mary's Bedchamber, home to the unfortunate queen from 1561 to 1567. It was here that her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, restrained the pregnant queen while his henchmen murdered her secretary – and favourite – David Rizzio. A plaque in the neighbouring room marks the spot where Rizzio bled to death."

"This ruined medieval castle was built in the 14th century and gradually added to over the centuries until it fell into disrepair in the 1700s. Mary, Queen of Scots recuperated here after an illness following the birth of her son, James VI, who would later become James I of Great Britain after the Union of the Crowns. The structure is a fascinating example of a medieval castle and much of it still stands, including the tower house and the defensive walls."

"Craigmillar Castle is one of Scotland’s most beautiful and well-preserved castles, and a must-visit. The castle has existed since the 15th century and was inhabited by royals including Mary Queen of Scots. At the entrance to the castle, a pair of yew trees stand in the same place they have been for centuries, having once supplied wood for weapons."

"Craigmillar Castle: Often referred to as ‘Edinburgh’s other castle,’ Craigmillar is one of the best castles the Scottish capital has to offer. The well preserved medieval ruins are situated just a half hour by bus from the city centre, and so the castle is incredibly easy to reach!"

"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."

"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."

"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."

"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."

"This cosy café in Edinburgh’s Southside boasts a wealth of vegan-friendly hot drinks and treats. In fact, most of the menu is vegan, apart from the odd bake here and there, and they do still offer cow’s milk as an option for your tea or coffee. Walk in the door and you will be greeted with a huge display of vegan cakes such as fudge cake, apple tarts, cinnamon rolls, bakewell bakes and much more."

"Erpingham House, is one of the restaurants in the new Bonnie & Wild Scottish food marketplace in St James Quarter. The plastic-free restaurant chain serves a 100% plant-based menu focusing on modern vegan cuisine that appeals to all diets and lifestyles. Examples of dishes include; Chimichurri Tacos (soft taco shells, chimichurri Jackfruit and black bean filling, charred corn salsa, pickled jalapenos, chipotle mayo and lime) and Superfood Buddah Bowl (herby quinoa, marinated tempeh, avocado slaw, caramelised onion hummus, roasted seasonal veg, kale, spiced cashew and tahini dressing)."

"At the heart of Edinburgh's flagship waterfront regeneration, Ocean Terminal is a state-of-the-art leisure and retail complex designed by Sir Terence Conran. It boasts 45,000 sq m of shopping and leisure accommodation on three floors and 1600 car parking spaces. The mix includes more than 50 stores, bars and restaurants, a gym and a 12-screen cinema, not to mention stunning views over the Firth of Forth."

"Ocean Terminal is designed by Sir Terence Conran in the heart of Edinburg occupying 45000 sqm space for shopping and recreation. What makes it one of the best shopping malls in Edinburgh is that not only does it have more than 75 shopping stores such as Debenhams and Charlie Miller, but it as well as has bars, restaurants, and even a gym!. There is also a cineplex inside the mall with 12 theatres!"

"We are going to explore Leith today, so we’ll hop on the bus towards Ocean Terminal and get off near Roseleaf Bar and Cafe. The dish to order here is the Yin or full Scottish breakfast with sausage, black pudding, bacon, and haggis."

"This century-old tapestry studio is set in the heart of Edinburgh and comes with a rich history. Today, it works with a range of contemporary tapestry artists, who create rugs and textiles for exhibitions and private collections. Visit the gallery’s website."

"Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden is the second-oldest institution of its kind in Britain (after Oxford), and one of the most respected in the world. Founded near Holyrood in 1670 and moved to its present location in 1823, its 70 beautifully landscaped acres include splendid Victorian glasshouses (admission £6.50), colourful swaths of rhododendrons and azaleas, and a world-famous rock garden. There's a second entrance to the gardens at 20a Inverleith Row."

"Explore Britain's largest rhododendron and azalea gardens at this beautiful 70-acre botanical garden. Founded in 1670 as a physic garden,…"