Best Museums in Union Canal

"With four levels of exhibits featuring everything from the natural world, world cultures, science & technology to art, design & fashion and Scottish history, a trip to The National Museum of Scotland offers a whole world of discovery for all the family. Start your visit in the beautiful Grand Gallery and marvel at the massive skull of Moby the whale; travel back in time as you explore the Scottish galleries; or why not explore centuries of creativity and innovation in the Fashion and Style gallery – whatever your interests, you’re bound to find something in this awe-inspiring museum to capture your imagination. Free entry, advance online booking required."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Nachosan used under CC BY-SA 3.0. Walk down memory lane in this recently renovated museum highlighting items from prehistoric Scotland, arranged in a magnificent seven-level structure. Glance through more than 20,000 objects, ranging from weapons, ornaments, and artwork, each arranged in historical stages."

"This attraction was the first museum in the world which focused on the history of childhood and it’s a wee gem. As soon as I stepped inside I was hit by a wee wave of nostalgia, certain that my last memories of doing so were as a child myself. While the ground floor has changed since my last visit, with new brightly-coloured and illuminated exhibits, the rest of the museum was just as I remembered."

"Despite there being millions of children in the world, there’s only one Museum of Childhood. This is one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh for families thanks to its fun and interactive exhibits. There are lots of games and toys including a few with emotional stories, for example a teddy bear that travelled on a Kindertransport train destined to rescue children from Nazi Germany."

"The Museum of Childhood is a collection of children’s toys and playthings, situated on the Royal Mile, in Edinburgh, Scotland. It was the first museum in the world to specialise in the history of childhood."

"Discover the story of Planet Earth, from the Big Bang through the chill of ice ages to the devastating power of volcanic eruptions, watch the Northern Lights dance and hear the sounds and sights of the rainforest at Dynamic Earth. Or plunge to the depths of the ocean to discover life beneath the waves (from the comfort of a yellow submarine), as well as searching for whales and watching a 30 foot wall of waves. If only geography had been quite as exciting when I was at school – the 360 degree ShowDome cinema brings the whole dramatic tale to life while you’ll also find Mission Earth augmented reality experience."

"Transport yourself to the Outlander set at Callendar Park & House. Callendar Park & House was used for one of the most well-known Outlander scenes as the Duke of Sandringham’s home."

"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."

"The Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Queens Gallery lie at the east end of The Royal Mile, opposite the Scottish Parliament. The visit is best achieved by taxi, local bus service from Waverley Bridge or tour bus. Walking takes around 15 minutes from Waverley Station."

"This museum is housed in the Canongate Tolbooth, an iconic building located on the Royal Mile. If you’d like to get a true insight into the lives of the working class of Edinburgh during the course of the last 3 centuries, then head to the People’s Story Museum. This museum is housed in an iconic building on the Royal Mile – the Canongate Tolbooth."

"Explore the history of Edinburgh’s everyday life from the 18th century through to modern day. Peruse real objects and visit the historic building, which used to be a tax office and a jail!. And when you are done, you can even test your knowledge taking one of the Museum’s quizzes and games online."

"The 15th century buildings are tucked away in the east corner of the city, on the edge of Auchinlea Park. A category A-listed building probably isn't what you'd expect from the neighbourhood, and it's a pleasant, and beautiful surprise."

"This Grassmarket stalwart seems to exert a gravitational pull on small to medium sized groups of both locals and tourists looking for an impromptu food stop. Starters like sweet potato fries and macho nachos are decent enough, but their function is to…"

"For brunch at any time of day, while you roam the many streets of the Old Town, head to The City Cafe. This fun, vibrant, American style diner will provide you with delicious food all day long, and you can head back again in the evenings if you feel like getting a few drinks. You can find all the classics on their brunch menu, whether you want sweet or savoury, and you’ll find Scottish ingredients, like haggis, alongside American classics, such as pancake stacks or poached eggs and hollandaise."

"The cool mix of coffee, breakfast foods and booze on their website are enough to make me want to visit here. The menu is heavy on burgers and serves all-day breakfast, which is two things I look for in a family-restaurant #sorrynotsorry I love that they specify that their pancakes are American style. I feel like there is a huge gap in knowledge between what Europeans call pancakes ( Canadian Crepes) and what we in North America call pancakes."