Mentioned by Culture Trip
Places To Go For Stunning Views Of Edinburgh
"The ‘camera’ is a giant periscope inside a Victorian rooftop tower on the Royal Mile, giving a spectacular 360° perspective on Edinburgh, plus there’s interactive optical fun galore. The building also contains three galleries and lights up at night.Castlehill, 226 3709, camera-obscura.co.uk. Opening hours vary seasonally; core hours of 10am–6pm apply daily throughout the year, with extensions during school holidays and summer."
"Opened in 1835, Camera Obscura is Edinburgh’s oldest tourist attraction. The gallery focusses on visual illusions, featuring a number of experiences and hands-on activities to explore and enjoy. On site, you will find a mirror maze, an Ames room which will appear to shrink around you, and a vortex tunnel which will provoke a sense of imbalance even though you are completely stable!"
"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."
"0 km from city center 2 out of 11 places to visit in Edinburgh. Situated on the east end of the Princes Street, the Calton Hill in Edinburgh is included in the city's UNESCO world heritage site. The National Monument of Scotland is situated on the Calton Hill."
"The hill overlooks the entire town, including Princess Street, which is the direction of the castle. Within that view is the Dugald Stewart monument, which makes for a wonderful shot. Calton Hill is particularly breathtaking at sunset."
"The dark and cold Edinburgh winter nights light up every year when the Christmas market comes to town. At the European Market below the Mound and in East Princes Street Garden you can sample bratwurst, waffles, crepes, sweets, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and more. The Scottish Market in St Andrew Square showcases some of the best craft, food and drink Scotland has to offer."
"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."
"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."
"Last but certainly not least we have Artisan Gelato Edinburgh in the Old Town, with their authentic Italian-looking store that is the perfect backdrop for a shot of your Instagrammable ice cream. Their hand crafted ice cream is to die for and some of their most popular flavours include pistachio bronte Sicily, chocolate orange and cheescake...we will take ten scoops please. One reviewer said it is the "best gelato outside of Italy" and, like their neighbours Over Langshaw Farm, they offer vegan, gluten free and dairy free options."
"Address: 61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 556 1798 This popular Roman Catholic church dates back to 1814, being designed by James Gillespie Graham. Each month on the third Tuesday, look out for the organ and choir recitals. The adjacent Cafe Camino provides a rather tempting menu, offering bacon sandwiches, freshly made soup, lunchboxes for children, a choice of beverages (including coffee, tea, wine, beer and cider) and tubs of locally produced ice cream."
"St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, originally called the Chapel of St Mary’s, held its first masses in August 1814. The Cathedral houses the National Shrine of St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint, and even has an underground passage leading to a priest’s house in York Place. It wasn’t until the 1970s that passers by could see the Cathedral in its full splendor when tenements in front of the building were demolished."
"If you love gardening, you will love the Archivists’ Garden located in between the General Register House and the New Register House. Home to 57 different plant species, the Garden is not only beautiful, but all the plants are connected to Scotland’s history, be it through folklore, heraldry or association with famous Scots. Child friendly: yes Address: HM Register House, 2 Princess Street, Edinburgh EH1 3YY Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm More information on this green space"
"St Cuthbert’s Parish Church, located at the west end of Princes Street, has several theories surrounding its origins. One is that St Cuthbert sheltered in a hollow below Castle Rock while journeying from Melrose. Whatever the true origin, this is the most ancient religious site in Edinburgh, although the present church building dates back to 1892-4."
"Since September 2004, the official home of the Scottish Parliament has been a new Scottish Parliament Building, in the Holyrood area of Edinburgh. Some of the principal features of the complex include leaf-shaped buildings, a grass-roofed branch merging into adjacent parkland and gabion walls formed from the stones of previous buildings. Throughout the building, there are many repeated motifs, such as shapes based on Raeburn’s Skating Minister."
"The Scottish Parliament Building may be a lot more modern than other entries on this list, but it’s all the more striking for it. Designed by Enric Miralles in a post-modern, metallic style, the building was officially opened just over a decade ago in 2004. Its design aims to mirrors the natural beauty of the landscape around it, and the building itself is comprised of an array of abstract shapes."
"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"
"Gorgie Farm is a great, free attraction situated in the heart of Edinburgh's East End. Set up with the laudable aim of educating inner-city children and adults about farming and animal husbandry, this little gem has nestled between a busy road and the railway line for over three decades. It operates as a working farm, but also offers courses in agriculture, gardening and handicrafts for both adults and children."
"Little ones will love this small, family run city farm where they can interact with goats, lambs, chickens and even a tortoise!. There’s also a small playground and some fruit and vegetable gardens – you can purchase the fresh, organic produce at the end of your trip. Address: 51 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh EH11 2LA"
"For the little ones who love animals, LOVE Gorgie Farm is the urban farm that welcomes families to come and meet the farm animals including chickens, ducks, cattle, pigs, sheep and goats. They can even learn about the hands-on farming. They also provide birthday events, school trips and farm tours."
"Right next to the Scottish Parliament building and underneath the stunning backdrop of the Crags and Arthur’s Seat, Dynamic Earth tells the story of the history of the Earth. This is a really fun museum, with an emphasis on interactive and entertaining rides – although the science is certainly not dumbed down. We really feel it has something for everyone. From a time machine ride into the past, to a spaceship simulation that takes you right to the Big Bang itself, this is an educational and fun experience that we think is fun for the whole family."
"With incredible views onto Edinburgh and beyond (as well as a great, yet fun, workout) I highly recommend a hike up Arthur’s Seat for any first time visitor to the city. Although legends of King Arthur are never far away when it comes to Gaelic and Celtic countries, in this case, the extinct volcano that is Arthur’s Seat won its name in a different way."
"One of Scotland's great country houses, Traquair House has a powerful, ethereal beauty, and exploring it is like time travel. Odd, sloping floors and a musty odour bestow a genuine feel, and parts of the building are believed to have been constructed long before the first official record of its existence in 1107. The massive tower house was gradually expanded but has remained virtually unchanged since the 17th century. Traquair is about 6 miles southeast of Peebles."