Must See Sights and Landmarks in Dalry Area

"There’s nowhere quite like the World of Illusions and the range of illusions you’ll find over the five floors here – not to mention the fantastic views of Edinburgh from the rooftop. The 166-year-old Camera Obscura is still the highlight – I remember being wowed when I visited. There’s a 15-minute show with a guide telling tales of Edinburgh history, while showing off the whole city from the rooftop tower using the Victorian contraption, where images of what’s outside are displayed in the room."

"A combination of Edinburgh history, city views from a new perspective, and experience with optical illusions, the Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is an attraction that certainly appeals to all ages. The centerpiece, set in a Victorian rooftop room, is a pinhole camera that projects live moving images of Edinburgh onto a viewing table. The panorama is created by a combination of mirror and lenses, and it has been entertaining people here since 1853."

"Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions Camera Obscura is located one block down the Royal Mile from the Edinburgh Castle. If you are visiting Edinburgh with kids, this is an awesome spot to visit. Six floors are filled with illusions, puzzles, and optical tricks."

"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."

"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!"

"Calton Hill is an easy climb where you can see some of the best views of Edinburgh, discover the monuments built there, or just relax for a while."

"Walk in the footsteps of royalty and climb aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, which once ferried the Queen from port to port. This royal vessel, in service from 1954 until 1997, is berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith and is well worth a visit. These audio tours tell of celebrity visitors (Liz Taylor and Frank Sinatra among them) and share delightful anecdotes such as the glowing Rolls-Royce Phantom V onboard, which was used when her majesty disembarked."

"Why not walk in the footsteps of royalty with a visit to Ocean Terminal in Leith for a tour around the Royal Yacht Britannia. This palace on the sea was a home away from home for the Royal family, touring the world for over 40 years. The Royal Apartments on board hosted world leaders such as Sir Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela and Rajiv Gandhi."

"Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ. Things to do at Royal Yacht Britannia review. The Royal Yacht Britannia is a 5-star visitor attraction located on the water close to the city of Edinburgh."

"The plans to construct an iconic city hall in Edinburgh were sparked in 1896 by Andrew Usher, renowned whisky distiller, who promised to fund the project. In 1914, Usher Hall was built by architects Stockdale Harrison and Howard H Thomson, a magnificent and classical beaux-arts-style concert hall which stood in defiance against the Victorian Gothic architecture so commonly found within the city of Edinburgh. Situated on Lothian Road in the west of the capital, Usher Hall is instantly recognizable with its curved walls, geometric precision and intriguing exterior design, featuring famous Scots such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns."

"Usher Hall is Edinburgh’s premier concert venue and a must-visit for fans of entertainment and culture. The hall was built in 1914 and features beautiful architecture, including a curved exterior decorated with panels of famous figures such as Sir Walter Scott and Mozart. The hall has historically been used for a variety of events, including concerts, political events, and sporting events."

"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."

"The Helix, a country park on the edges of Falkirk with cycle and walking paths, play areas, and a wetland, is home to sculptor Andy Scott's…"

"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…"

"Established and run by Leith Community Croft, Market on the Croft is a new farmer's market on Leith Links. Selling a wide range of local produce including seasonal fruit and vegetables, this new market is well worth a visit."

"The Nelson Monument is a commemorative tower in honor of Vice-Admiral Horatio Nelson, located in Edinburgh, Scotland. It is included in the list of 15 places in Edinburgh because it is situated on top of Calton Hill and provides a dramatic termination to the vista along Princes Street from the west. The Royal Navy’s White Ensign and signal flags spelling out Nelson’s famous message “England expects that every man will do his duty” are flown from the Monument on Trafalgar Day each year."

"Up on the hill you will also find Nelson’s Monument and the Royal Observatory, amongst other things, but the highlight for me, really, is the view up here at sunset. From here you can watch the sun set across the city, with the mountains in the background, which is ample reward for the effort required to climb up."

"Take note of the time ball on the monument which serves the same purpose as the Edinburgh Castle One O’Clock Gun."

"It may be right by the main University of Edinburgh campus, but 56 North pulls in all manner of clientele, from students to gin connoisseurs. This Southside bar specialises in gin, with three whole chapters dedicated to the spirit on the menu and over 400 on offer from around the world, with recommended mixers and garnishes attached to each. There's also an extensive cocktail, whisky and wine menu for anyone wanting something different and on a sunny day, you can head out to their front terrace or secret garden round the back to enjoy your drink of choice."

" Billed as a ‘destination bar with an amazing drinks collection’, 56 North has a big thing about gin – they hold regular (bookable) masterclasses and ..."

"In the middle of Cowgate, a street that cuts through the heart of Old Town, Three Sisters is a popular venue for students, sports fans, and travelers. A spacious Irish pub, Three Sisters is known for its cheap drinks and its large outdoor beer garden, which often hosts food festivals, comedy shows, or major sporting events on a large projector screen. The pub doubles as a hotel, and therefore is always bustling with a blend of tourists and locals."

"The Three Sisters is a must for summer cocktails in the sun. Whether you're sharing a martini tree, sipping spritzes craving a bite to eat or feel like delving into their selection of wood fired pizza, this bar has a charming garden for all of your alfresco needs."

"A lively central bar with a large outdoor courtyard with a 200" TV screen, perfect for watching your favourite sports. The venue also has 21 screens indoors and three separate Sky packages, so we can cater to your needs if you want to watch another game…"

"This couple run restaurant fuses French bistro food with an Irish influence to produce fresh, responsibly sourced, and seasonal dishes like hake with purple laver crust and samphire and homemade ice cream for dessert. Enjoy 2 courses from the daily changing set menu for £9.50 or 3 for £11."

"Bia Bistot is a couple-run neighbourhood restaurant focusing on fresh, seasonal, local and sustainable produce. Order a restaurant quality meal to be enjoyed at home from a weekly menu of dishes including slow braised pork cheeks, butternut squash risotto and ginger cake."