Mentioned by 10Best
10 Best Historic Sites in Edinburgh: Step Back in Time and Explore the Past
"Getting to Camera Obscura : Located on Castlehill, the museum is a 6 minute walk from St Christopher’s Inns Edinburgh. Photo credit: Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh. Right at the top of the Royal Mile, just a few seconds walk from Edinburgh Castle, is the most fun, interactive museum on this list."
"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."
"Step in a place of wonders, illusions, and puzzles to interact with. See, play and laugh while you find your way out of the mirror maze. Become tiny like Alice in Wonderland or walk through the Vortex Tunnel."
"Located on the end of Princes Street, Calton Hill offers one of the best panoramic views of Edinburgh. Best-seen at sunset or sunrise when candy colours dance across the sky, highlights of Calton Hill include plenty of monuments and follies which commemorate various achievements of former residents from over the years. On a warm summer’s day, this green space is the ideal place not only to snap photos, but to enjoy a picnic among friends!"
"If you are not ready for the summit of Arthur’seat you could see Calton hill. It’s a perfect place to take photos of Edinburgh. On top of the hill you can also visit Nelson's monument and the National monument."
"Calton Hill is one of the most recognisable hills in Edinburgh, located close to Princes Street, and offers one of the best views of the city."
"It offers an amazing view of Edinburgh Castle, plenty of space to sprawl and stroll and won’t cost you a £ to visit. Dream date idea: pack a picnic basket with your partner’s favourite meal and a bottle of bubbly and spend the day enjoying the great outdoors before you pop the question."
"Located between Princes Street and the Old Town, these gardens are a beautiful place to enjoy, and easily accessible from the city centre."
"Princes Street Gardens is the most important public park in the heart of Edinburgh. Created in the 1820s after draining the Nor Loch."
"his 4 Star Visit Scotland certify movement focus makes for the ideal outing in East Kilbride, an enormous town toward the south of Glasgow. The recreation centre’s 16 section of land loch plays host to various energizing water sports exercises, including windsurfing, power-drifting, kayaking and untamed water swimming. These exercises are given by outstanding associations, for example, the Royal Yachting Association and the Scottish Canoe Association, who try to guarantee that the recreation centre’s common offices are effectively utilized."
"This activity centre in East Kilbride, south of Glasgow, makes for the perfect day. It’s got the seal of approval from Visit Scotland with its 4 star accreditation so it is definitely up there as one of the best parks. It features a 16-acre loch, which provides beautiful and tranquil surroundings for an exciting range of water sports, including windsurfing, power-boating, kayaking and open water swimming."
"Frozen Loch at James Hamilton Heritage Park|© Patersor/Flickr. This 4 Star Visit Scotland accredited activity center makes for the perfect day out in East Kilbride, a large town to the south of Glasgow. The park’s 16 acre loch plays host to a number of exciting water sports activities, including windsurfing, power-boating, kayaking and open water swimming."
"Burials have been taking place here since the 16th century and there are a number of notable inhabitants including William McGonagall, James Craig and George Buchanan. The National Covenant which sparked the Covenanter's movement against King Charles II after the Reformation was signed here in 1638 and after their defeat, many of them were imprisoned nearby. It is most famous for Greyfriar's Bobby the loyal dog who guarded his master's grave for 13 years."
"Greyfriars Kirk is situated on the south side of the Grassmarket. Built between 1602 and 1620, it is one of the oldest buildings in the city. The church is surrounded by Greyfriars Kirkyard (cemetery) where following the defeat of the Covenanters in 1679, some 1200 men were imprisoned on the south side of the church."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"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."
"Built on Clydeside, the former Royal Yacht Britannia was the British Royal Family's floating holiday home during their foreign travels from the time of her launch in 1953 until her decommissioning in 1997, and is now permanently moored in front of Ocean Terminal. The tour, which you take at your own pace with an audio guide (available in 30 languages), lifts the curtain on the everyday lives of the royals, and gives an intriguing insight into the Queen's private tastes."
"Step aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh which was used by the Queen for over 40 years as her floating palace!. It’s currently docked in Edinburgh and invites visitors to come follow in the footsteps of royalty as you learn more about royal life on the ship. The ship was actually the first Royal Yacht built that could tame the open ocean and was used to entertain guests from around the world."
"If you’re heading towards Leith, you’ll end up at the Ocean Terminal – and you’ll set your eyes on the Royal Yacht Britannia!. Just take Buses No. 11, 22 or 35 from the city centre. We’ll let you check it out to learn all about the dates and the history – which is plentiful!"
"130 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS or Unit 3 Omni Centre, Edinburgh EH1 3AA (there are four more Frankie and Benny’s in Edinburgh). Frankie and Benny’s do a bottomless breakfast from Friday to Sunday. “Enjoy free refills on your favourite breakfast dish when you visit us before noon."
"While the Novotel Edinburgh Park in the west of the city offers budget prices, its sister hotel in Edinburgh Centre boasts a convenient location that’s difficult to beat. Just a few minutes’ walk from the historic Grassmarket, the Novotel Edinburgh Centre offers the weary traveller modern facilities after a busy day of sightseeing, including a hot tub, sauna, and swimming pool; each spacious room features an LCD television, free WiFi, and minibar. A variety of dining options can be savoured including American cuisine in The Tap Kitchen & Bar or authentic Scottish dishes from the ‘Wee Menu’, while a range of craft beers and cocktails are also available."
"The 4-star Novotel Edinburgh Centre hotel is located in central Edinburgh. The hotel's 180 modern guest rooms each have free Wi-Fi throughout and satellite TV. Wind down in the indoor heated pool or work out in the fitness room and after relax in Elements Restaurant and Bar with contemporary cuisine and a full range of drinks."
"It's by the sea – Newhaven Harbour is across the street – the interior looks like a well-appointed surf shack and it has ceviche, chowder, lobster, mussels and oysters on the menu. Meanwhile the specials board could bring scallops with black pudding, sea bream with potatoes, samphire and potted shrimp, and other simple, fresh dishes. Given the owners are Thai – and the premises used to house a Thai restaurant – there may be even be some Asian-inflected options at times."
"Teuchter's Landing is a great little pub close to the docks at Leith. The pub is housed in a quaint and attractive stone building that was once the ferry terminal for boats arriving from Aberdeen (Teuchter, pronounced choochter, is a lowland Scots name for a highlander) and it has retained much of the original stonework. The interior is clad in warm wood with a huge fire to warm patrons on winter nights and the extra seating outside includes a wonderful floating pontoon."
"Teuchter’s Landing has one of Edinburgh’s best beer gardens, a wide array of whiskies and some incredibly hearty meals served in mugs. Cup-a-Soup and Lemsip once fought over the right to use the slogan “hug in a mug” – if either party had visited Teuchtar’s Landing in Leith, they’d hand over the slogan after any one of their comforting mugs. Tuck into a mug of Cullen Skink, Haggis Stovies, Haggis Neeps and Tatties, Mac and Cheese or some chunky chips."
"If you can't agree on whether to go for a seafood meal or get a nice juicy steak then this is the perfect compromise. You'll find a tempting menu for lunch and dinner that includes all manner of seafood, including pots of irresistible mussels, and matured Scotch beef steaks. It's conveniently located in the popular Grassmarket area, which is always bustling and vibrant."
"If you needed a reminder that you’re not far from the sea in Edinburgh, The Mussel and Steak Bar will serve it to you. This feels like a seafront restaurant, and though it might appear to be no-frills, the food here is incredible. If you like seafood, a bowl of rope-grown Scottish mussels with a glass of crisp, cold white wine is just about perfection."
"Summer is great for outdoor ventures and the Mussel and Steak bar is great for that outdoor chill vibe with your BFF. The menu itself also has a wide selection of great steaks, and this family run establishment means there is a personal touch and great memories to be made here."