Must See Sights and Landmarks in Tollcross Area

"The ‘camera’ is a giant periscope inside a Victorian rooftop tower on the Royal Mile, giving a spectacular 360° perspective on Edinburgh, plus there’s interactive optical fun galore. The building also contains three galleries and lights up at night.Castlehill, 226 3709, camera-obscura.co.uk. Opening hours vary seasonally; core hours of 10am–6pm apply daily throughout the year, with extensions during school holidays and summer."

"Address: Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NDWebsite: Camera Obscura Edinburgh. The Camera Obscura is one of the oldest purpose-built attractions in the United Kingdom and tens of thousands of visitors pour through its doors each year. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is located in a prime location on The Royal Mile, not far from Edinburgh Castle and more-or-less opposite The Scotch Whisky Experience."

"First opening in 1835, this tourist attraction has been entertaining Edinburgh visitors for centuries. So it is certainly one of the best kids activities in Edinburgh. Today there are five floors of interactive optical illusions, where technology and magic meet."

"Originally known as Caltoun or Caldoun Hill, Calton Hill offers one of the best and most iconic views of the city of Edinburgh. Granted to the people of Edinburgh by James II in 1456, the hill is now home to a bewildering number of buildings and monuments including the National Monument (an unfinished folly resembling the front of the Parthenon which is dedicated to those who died in the Napoleonic wars), Nelson's Monument (housing a time-ball mechanism by which ships used to set their chronometers), the Dugald Stewart Monument (a beautiful circular temple of nine columns dedicated to the Scottish philosopher), the Political Martyrs Monument, and the City Observatory (to name only a few). Recommended for Parks because: Calton Hill is home to some of the most famous Edinburgh monuments and offers some of the best views of the city."

"If you’re in the market for a picture-perfect proposal spot, look no further than Calton Hill It boasts sights of the city and looks absolutely magical at dawn and dusk. As an added plus, it comes with built-in engagement photo backdrops - the Nelson Monument and National Monument."

"Did you know Edinburgh is often referred to as the Athens of the North?. The reason for this is Calton Hill and its monuments. In fact, Calton Hill is also known as Edinburgh Acropolis."

"Address: Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJWebsite: The Royal Yacht Britannia. The Royal Yacht Britannia is the former yacht of the British Royal Family which now takes pride of place at the Ocean Terminal shopping centre at Leith in Edinburgh. Over the course of her working life Britannia sailed over 1 million miles around the world and she’s now open year-round for visitors to follow in the footsteps of world leaders as they walk through her beautifully ornate rooms."

"One of the most popular things to do in Edinburgh is visiting The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith. This floating museum is Her Majesty the Queen’s ex-Royal Yacht. Built in 1953 it served as the Royal Yacht until it was decommissioned in 1957."

"Not sure what the Royal Yacht Britannia is?. You’re in good company because I’d never heard of it before planning my trip to Edinburgh, Scotland."

"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."

"I’d also suggest you make the time to head out to an icon of the Edinburgh surrounds – the Firth of Forth bridges, and in particular, the UNSECO World Heritage Listed Firth of Forth Rail Bridge. This is a mighty red cantilevered bridge construction spanning the Firth of Forth, opened in 1890, and still operational today. At it’s time of construction it was the longest single cantilever bridge in the world, and despite now being the second longest, is still might impressive."

"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."

"Taquito is dedicated to serving delicious, no frills, Mexican street food. What this means in practice is a short and to the point menu of tacos, quesadillas, burritos, fajitas or nachos with hearty cuts of beef steak, succulent chicken, rich barbecued pork, spicy pork or vegetable chili. They have a range of sauces to cool down or spice up your meal and serve pitchers of rather good cocktails."

"Famous for their large portions, Mexican street food takeaway, Taquito, is great value for money. A regular burrito costs £4.20 and comes packed with rice, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, vegetables and your choice of meaty filling, including smoky pork, chorizo or shredded beef. Visit: 32 Home Street, EH3 9LZ - taquito.co.uk"

"My favourite lunch spot in Edinburgh is Oink, I was in the city for a weekend last year and went there twice it was so delicious. They specialise in pulled pork sandwiches, and have managed to make the best damn pulled damn pulled pork sarmie that I’ve ever had. Their menu is simple: choose your size (Piglet, Oink or Grunter), choose your bread (white or brown), choose a stuffing (sage and onion or homemade haggis), and choose a sauce (mayo, BBQ, chilli cheese, or chilli jam)."

"With three restaurants in Edinburgh, Five Guys is well-known and loved for it's burgers and fries. Made with the toppings of your choice, the diner style eatery is has been racking in the orders from locals in recent weeks. According to Deliveroo, the 'Bacon Cheeseburger' is the most popular dish."

"This award-winning gourmet burger restaurant serve a range of mouthwatering burgers, crafted in-house daily. Situated on the bustling Royal Mile, their beer garden is a great place to enjoy beer & a burger as you people watch on this busy thoroughfare. Booking advised, but walk-ins also welcome."

"It’s often said that if you want to be a successful restaurateur, you need to specialize. At Burgers and Beers, they do exactly that. Burgers and Beers has the most extensive burger menu you’ll find in Edinburgh, and they proudly boast “Scotland’s Best Burger,” which I don’t doubt for a minute."

"This grill house reminds me of the restaurant we found in Nuremberg. The average menu item did not exceed 13£ and there is a dedicated children’s menu. The beer and drinks options are also fairly elaborate as well, suggesting there is a little something here for everyone."

"This craft beer haven has a great atmosphere, offering a wide selection of both their own famous BrewDog beers in addition to a few guest names. The stainless steel and exposed brickwork of their Cowgate location gives the bar a funky industrial feel, which offers a nice alternative in an otherwise heavily influenced rock bar area in the heart of the Old Town. BrewDog's Lothian Road bar sits in what used to be a Clydesdale Bank - it's now home to 20 taps of craft beer and a killer take-away selection kept in chilled fridges."

"Brewdog is a popular anti-mainstream Scottish brewery, established in 2007. Its Edinburgh HQ is a former karaoke bar, renovated with stainless steel fixtures, reclaimed furniture and lots of exposed brickwork. Basically, it’s one of the coolest stag party bars in the Old Town."