Mentioned by Voyage Tips
20 Best Things to Do in Edinburgh | Attractions + Tips | Visit Scotland 2021
"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!"
"Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is one of Edinburgh’s most popular and oldest tourist attractions. Located at the top of the Royal Mile, close to the castle, this museum of optical illusions is really fun and well done. It’s a great visit if you’re visiting Edinburgh with your family!"
"This hill at the east end of Princes Street provides the ideal perch for viewing Edinburgh's loveliest sights, including the Castle, New Town, Holyrood and Arthur's Seat. At 100 feet, you'll be surprised at how extensive the view is from the crest, and it's a great place for a picnic lunch. At the top of the hill, you'll find Nelson's monument, offering added lift for an increased perspective of the city."
"Climb Calton HIll Towards the end of the day, I’d suggest you head up Calton Hill. This is a wonderful spot for a view of the city and can be found at the east end of Princes Street. This hill is home to a series of monuments, including the National Monument of Scotland, which bears more than a passing resemblance to the Parthenon in Greece."
"If Arthur’s Seat wasn’t enough altitude and you fancy another panoramic view of the city, Calton Hill is a lovely walk with excellent views – and much easier on the legs and lungs. It’s located quite close to the downtown area and it’s home to some of the best sunsets in Edinburgh – if you can catch it on a clear enough night, granted."
"The Royal Yacht Britannia is one of Britain's most popular attractions associated with the monarchy. Over the years, the Queen has welcomed heads of state and famous people from around the world to this luxurious vessel. After more than 40 years serving the Royal Family, the 60-year-old yacht was sent to Leith, Edinburgh's port area, as the centerpiece of the Britannia Visitor Centre."
"It may not be sailing the seas anymore with the Royal Family in tow anymore, but the Royal Yacht Britannia is still working hard in her retirement as Scotland's Best Visitor Attraction. Nonetheless, many visitors were less than pleased with what they found when they climbed aboard the ship."
"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!"
"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."
"To the base of Edinburgh Castle, the flat historic market area and event space is known as Grassmarket and is actually located below the water table. Although in the past, this Edinburgh district was used for executions, today the Grassmarket is Filled with unique and quirky pubs. This spot of the city is perfect if you want to grab a bite to eat, catch up with friends, or simply want to snap some street shots."
"The site of a cattle market from the 15th century until the start of the 20th century, the Grassmarket has always been a focal point of the Old Town. It was once the city's main place of execution, and over 100..."
"The Kelpies, the stunning equine statues gracing the eastern entrance to the Forth & Clyde Canal, are named after mythical Scottish water-horses. The two 30m-tall horse's heads are fashioned out of stainless steel, and are a tribute to the working horses that once hauled barges along the canal. You can view them for free (indeed, they are clearly visible from the M9 motorway between Edinburgh and Stirling), but the 45-minute guided tour takes you inside the sculptures."
"A few recommendations (although there are many more), are Stirling, Doune Castle, and the Kelpies. The city of Stirling and nearby has a lot of great attractions, including Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument. Doune Castle is a medieval castle made famous as the primary filming location for the cult film Monty Python and the Holy Grail and most recently used in Season 1 of the TV series Outlander."
"A day tour of Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle, as well as other highlights including the Trossachs and the Kelpies A full day tour that includes Loch Ness, Glencoe and Whisky tasting. A long day, but a good way to see a lot."
"Just a hop, skip and a jump from Stirling Castle, the River House boasts a hugely atmospheric setting. Set on the edge of a small lake, with stunning floor-to-ceiling windows providing one of the best views in the city, the River House is the perfect choice for a special occasion. Sleek leather seats and bright blue walls help to create a contemporary feel and this quirky, elegant atmosphere is also reflected in the menu with a real mix of fine-dining and traditional British classics."
"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."
"The Cuningar Loop offers up the perfect natural landscape for kids to walk and play. Take the whole family on an over 3 miles of accessible paths (mixed surfaces) to enjoy some of the many play areas. The bouldering area offers up a chance to play on the rocks while the adventure play area has designed challenges for all abilities."
"This playpark is mostly made out of tree trunks and other bits of wood. It has swings, a slide and a few different bits for climbing. There’s a good sized sandy area around the swings and slide, and a den made out of climbing vines."
"A few recommendations (although there are many more), are Stirling, Doune Castle, and the Kelpies. The city of Stirling and nearby has a lot of great attractions, including Stirling Castle and the National Wallace Monument. Doune Castle is a medieval castle made famous as the primary filming location for the cult film Monty Python and the Holy Grail and most recently used in Season 1 of the TV series Outlander."
"Experience your favourite movies and TV series, including Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Game of Thrones and Outlander, at Doune Castle. This well-preserved castle, which sits overlooking the River Teith, was built in the fourteenth Century as a home for the Regent Albany."
"Enjoy visits to Doune Castle, Kilchurn Castle, Inveraray Castle, and stop for photos at Stirling Castle. You can click here to learn more."
"The grand seat of local government was built in the 1880s at the high point of Glasgow's wealth. The interior is even more extravagant than the exterior, and the chambers have sometimes been used as a movie location to represent the Kremlin or the Vatican. You can have a look at the opulent ground floor during opening hours. To see more, free guided tours are held at 10.30am and 2.30pm Monday to Friday; it's worth popping in earlier that day to prebook."
"Dominating the east side of George Square, this exuberant expression of Victorian confidence, built by William Young in Italian Renaissance…"
"There are three different private dining rooms at Otro, which can be hired separately or together to create plenty of space for family and friends. The team here have event managers too, which means there’s a handily helpful process in place already to see you through your planning. Dishes on the set menus can be tailored to your preference and/ or budget but as an idea of style dishes that are menu mainstays are chicken liver parfait with chutney and toasted sourdough, and roasted sea bass with chickpea and chorizo stew and salsa verde."