Romantic Restaurants, Getaway Places in Merchiston

"Be Mystified at Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura Almost opposite the Scotch Whisky experience is Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura, also home to the World of Illusions attraction. Being a photographer I was particularly interested in the Camera Obscura at the top of the building, but I have to admit to finding the World of Illusions a lot of fun."

"On Castle Hill, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions offers five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, tricks and fun things to do including vortex tunnel, mirror maze and shrinking room. Tickets are £12.15 for children and £15.75 for adults."

"Calton Hill is best known for its monuments and incredible vantage points, popular with locals for viewing the fireworks during the Hogamanay celebrations. It is also the site of many Edinburgh festivals, including the Beltane Fire Festival at the end of April, the Edinburgh Science Festival in June, the Edinburgh International Festival each August, and the Samhuinn Fire Festival each Halloween. The best place for visitors to enjoy views from is the Nelson Monument, which was built in 1816."

"Situated at the east end of Princes Street sits Calton Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For sweeping city views from practically any spot, this is your place. Consider this sanctuary the perfect Kodak moment location for stunning views — and free of charge."

"Ghosts, Gore and Grime brings tales of stinking streets, terrible tortures and ghostly goings-on. The perfect way to see the sights of Edinburgh’s Old Town while also learning a thing or two about our past. On this kids daytime tour you will visit some of the city’s most horrible haunts including Edinburgh's underground vaults."

"Travel underground and experience the dark underbelly of the city in the Edinburgh Vaults. The vaults are a number of chambers formed from the arches of the South Bridge, built in 1788. Originally, the vaults were used by tradesmen and illegitimate figures."

"Take your kids back in the Georgian era and learn about the architecture and fashion of the time. Learn what kind of life the servants lived, visit the kitchen and see what people used to cook and what ate. Take the special Living History Tours and go back to Hogmanay 1815, when King George III was still on the throne and Mr and Mrs Lamont were preparing to celebrate the New Year in the same Georgian House."

"The Georgian House is a museum in Charlotte Square, which showcases the lifestyle of the high Georgian society in Edinburgh’s New Town. Built in 1796, its first owner was John Lamont, who was the 18th clan chief of the clan Lamont. He moved to the city to find the best education for his sons and the best husbands for his daughters."

"A great example of the virtues of simplicity, this bright self-catering flat has plenty of original Georgian features decorated with skilled, stylish restraint. It’s in an elegant area close to the city centre, but with great neighbourhood amenities. All the comforts of home in a classy package."

"Housed in a grand Ionic temple designed by William Playfair in 1832, these three fascinating museums were originally established as teaching collections. The History of Surgery Museum provides a look at surgery in Scotland from the 15th century to the present day. Highlights include the exhibit on murderers Burke and Hare, which includes Burke's death mask and a pocketbook made from his skin, and a display on Dr Joseph Bell, who was the inspiration for the character of Sherlock Holmes."

"Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9DWOpen 10am to 5pm dailyAdult: £8, Students, NHS staff and children under 16: £4.50, unders 5's go free. If you are fascinated by the wonders of the human body, this museum is a must-visit. Owned by The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, Surgeons' Hall Museums consist of the Wohl Pathology Museum, the History of Surgery Museum and The Dental Collection."

"The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh was founded in 1505 and the city has been an important location for medical research ever since. The museum here was originally designed as a teaching museum for students, but it first opened to the public in 1832. There's a history of surgery, a dental collection, and a fascinating collection of pathological anatomy."

"The Bramble cocktail bar is somewhat difficult to locate, but that’s part of its charm on a stag do. If you spot the teeny plaque announcing its existence, then head down the stairs into this cellar bar and ask the bartender to mix you up a concoction of your choice. Although there’s an established menu, they’re generally happy to let you come up with your own."

"The first step to an evening at Bramble Bar is finding it: The bar, off posh Queen Street, is tucked down a set of stairs in a basement. Inside, expect relaxed music, low lights, comfortable chairs, and antique furniture. Groups of colleagues post-work, couples, and older New Town residents."

"Expect cocktails craftier than your latest outfit and an ambience to match. The subterranean setting and strategic dim lighting adds to the allure. Throw in the slew of irresistible tunes and the rest is history."

"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."

"Also dating back to the 1800s, Old St Paul’s has since been renovated multiple times – the nave extended and the chancel floor raised with marble. Nearly all of the many panes of stained glass, ornaments and vestments were made possible by fundraising or donations. Unusually, the gargoyles at Old St Paul’s are located inside, not on the exterior of the church as is common on buildings of this period."

"A few of my favourite dishes at Yes Sushi are the prawn dumplings, salmon skin roll, and their hot pot -which is reason enough to visit. Choose your broth, noodles, veggies, seafood, and meat (all of which are served uncooked), drop them into the boiling pot, and watch them cook in front of you. It’s £17.99 per person, and also includes all-you-can-eat sushi (from a limited menu), which is a bargain in Edinburgh."

"Notoriously expensive sushi is made more affordable at Hanover Street’s Yes Sushi, thanks to their bento box options. The perfect size for one, each box costs around £10 and contain enough delicious Japanese delights to fill you up. Each box is different, so diners can choose a few favourites from the likes of teriyaki tofu, tempura prawns, maki rolls, fresh sashimi and nigiri."

"A post shared by Martina (@maartinamar) on Jun 8, 2017 at 10:32am PDT. Always buzzing with happy customers, this lively joint in Edinburgh’s New Town is famous for its comforting hot pots and for its all you can eat sushi buffet. When enjoying the all you can eat buffet, you can choose either sushi by itself, or a sushi and hotpot combo for a little extra."

"The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is actually two institutions—Modern One and Modern Two—situated within two grand Georgian mansions flanking a sculpture park. Modern One has British artists like Francis Bacon, David Hockney, Damien Hirst, and Tracey Emin; American artists like Andy Warhol; and legends like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Modern Two has a particularly impressive Dada and Surrealism collection; you can arrange a private viewing of the archives, a real treasure trove of those movements."

"From Cubism and Expressionism to 20th-century Russian and French pieces, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is unmissable for art buffs. With two early-19th-century buildings to explore (Modern One and Modern Two) and sweeping green spaces dotted with sculptures (including monumental earthworks by Charles Jencks), it’s well worth leaving the city centre to explore the galleries. Modern Two contains the intact studio of erstwhile Edinburgh sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi."

"Split between two buildings on either side of Belford Road, Modern One and Modern Two, the gallery houses the nation's collection of modern and contemporary art. Modern Two, previously the Dean Gallery, was built as an orphanage. An austere structure, it's home to a large collection of Dada and Surrealist art, and a collection of the works of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi."

"Tucked away in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Urbane Art Gallery is one of the most cutting edge spaces in the city. It covers a range of artists and mediums, but the majority of work has a hint of urban delight about it. Visit the gallery’s website."