Must See Sights and Landmarks in Elphinstone Area

"Camera Obscura and World of Illusions - where seeing is not believing!. Welcome to the oldest visitor attraction in Edinburgh, delighting visitors since 1835. Don't miss this Aladdin's cave filled with illusions, tricks, puzzles, hands-on experiences and unbelievable effects to experience and interact with."

"Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is a quirky little museum just down the hill from the Castle. It’s one of the most popular Edinburgh attractions and great fun for the whole family. The museum is set over 5 floors and contains hundreds of illusions, many of which are interactive."

"Swap noses and heads, walk through a tunnel of never-ending stars and capture your own shadow on camera. Free rooftop telescopes. Enter a world of illusions where seeing is definitely not believing!"

"Located just behind the Scottish Parliament Building, Calton Hill is part of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site. The views from the top of this hill are usually the panoramic views you see of Edinburgh. Several of the monuments we have mentioned above will be found here including the National Monument (which resembles an Athenian acropolis), Nelson Monument, Dugald Stewart Monument, Robert Burns Monument and the Greek-inspired Old City Observatory, which also holds free exhibitions."

"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!"

"Boasting gorgeous views, Calton Hill’s central location makes it a popular spot for those wishing to take in the entire city in all its beauty. On top of the hill you’ll find the Nelson Monument and the National Monument, an unfinished acropolis that is better known under its local nickname ‘Edinburgh’s disgrace.’ It may be seen as a failure in architectural endeavours, but it is still a popular place to get some fantastic photos."

"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."

"Take your children to Her Majesty’s floating residence and take a trip to The Royal Yacht Britannia!. Before you step aboard, view the 11 foot LEGO replica model of Britannia and learn about the history of Royal Yachts. Your kids will love walking on this stunning ship, listening to their own personalised audio guide, while seeing all fantastic five decks, the State Apartments, Crew’s Quarters and The Engine Room!"

"The Royal Yacht Britannia is a great day out for all the family. Step aboard to discover all five decks, from the State Apartments to the Crew’s Quarters. Experience life aboard with a free Audio Guide for fascinating stories of life on board."

"For a small fee, you can go up the Scott Monument and get a gorgeous view of the Old Town from the other side. However, it was sadly closed for renovations when I was there, so I didn’t get a chance to go up."

"After your visit, consider a stroll through the Princes Street Gardens or climb the Scott Monument for another bird’s eye view of Edinburgh. Royal Yacht Britannia"

"Climb to the top of Scotts Monument. This is a monument to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott and is the largest monument to a writer in the world."

"Old Calton is situated at the foot of Calton Hill and is the resting place of numerous important people including the philosopher David Hume. Inaugurated in 1718, the cemetery had to be altered due to the construction of Waterloo Place in 1819 and was divided into two. As well as the neoclassical memorial of David Hume, it is also worth highlighting the tall black obelisk erected in the memory of a number of political reformers and an enormous statue of Abraham Lincoln which is Scotland’s American Civil War Memorial."

"Dean Cemetery was inaugurated in 1846 and belongs to a beautiful hamlet located very near the city centre called Dean Village. It is one of the most remarkable cemeteries in Edinburgh and if it weren’t for the gravestones it could pass as a tranquil park full of trees."

"Today we explore more of the Old Town of Edinburgh, tour some of Edinburgh’s best museums, and visit picturesque Dean Village. Tour One of Edinburgh’s Best Museums"

"The BT Murrayfield Stadium hosts not only rugby matches but also concerts and other events|© Almondvale Photography / Alamy Stock Photo. The home of Scottish rugby, BT Murrayfield is a great draw for local and international sports fans. The stadium opened in 1925 with a victory of the home rugby team over England, an intense rivalry that continues to this day."

"Murrayfield is the largest stadium is Scotland and home to Scottish Rugby. Sports and rugby fans in particular would enjoy a visit to this iconic stadium. Check the schedule to see if there’s a rugby match on when you’re in town or alternatively, take a Murrayfield Stadium tour."

"Murrayfield is recognised as one of the most prestigious stadium in Europe and is the home of Scottish Rugby as well as the Murrayfield Experience."

"The curry laksa soup here is filed under a menu section titled ‘Big Bowl’ – and they’re not messing around. For £6.30, steaming troughs of slippery noodles, prawns, chicken pieces, tofu, bean sprouts and crab sticks come in bottomless quantities. Not to be confused with its equally delightful sister restaurant Kampung Ah Lee on Clerk Street."

"For delicious Malaysian food, head to Kampung Ali, where the portions are ginormous, but the prices are anything but. Pretty much everything on the menu is under a tenner. We recommend their curry laksa (£7.80), and Rendang chicken (£8.00)."

"For a tasty ‘create your own’ lunch, try Red-Box Noodle Bar and have your pick of whichever meat, vegetables, noodles, sauce and garnishes you like. Regardless of what you go for, the price per noodle box is always £5.80, and it’s more than enough to fuel you up for the rest of the day. If you’re more peckish in the evening, you can order a meal deal for one, adding any starter and any soft drink to your customised noodle box for a total price of £8.80."

"This noodle bar invites you to tailor your order based on a selection of ho fun, ramen, udon, egg or rice noodles, then add duck, vegetables, tofu, pork, chicken or beef. Throw in three bits of colour and roughage, customise things with options of chilli, spring onion or coriander, and finally pick from one of ten sauces. One of these paper Chinese takeaway boxes filled to the brim will set you back an overdraft-friendly £5.60."

"Close to the University of Edinburgh is budget Chinese fast food restaurant Red Box. Here, you can grab a noodle or rice box with your choice of meat, 3 vegetables and sauce for just £6.90. For an extra 50p you can choose to have a mixed meat box if you just can't decide which to go for."

"This newcomer on the Edinburgh foodie scene is a collaboration with some of the Edinburgh restaurants: Cold Town House for pizza, Copper Blossom for cocktails and craft beer, Cold Town Beer, Kyloe for Sunday roasts and The Huxley (scran including burgers, loaded fries and dogs, served from a silver trailer). While they recommend you order online first, you can also show up at either collection point – one for drinks and the other for pizza – or the “Scranavan” for your choice of takeaways. Wooden benches are spaced out in the courtyard in anticipation of the beer gardens reopening and are ideal for a casual lunch one summer day."

"What: We’re a fan of any restaurant which thinks of an innovative way to make their outdoor area weather proof and that’s exactly what McLaren’s on the Corner has done. In 2020 McLaren’s installed a number of ski gondolas in the garden allowing you to sit inside them to enjoy the all-day food menu, while imagining you’re skiing in Courchevel.Where: 8 Morningside Road, EH10 4DD"