Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Firth of Forth

"Weave your way through a world of illusions, and remember, nothing is what it seems. Venture through five floors jam-packed with over 100 illusions. You’ll need at least two hours to discover them all."

"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!"

"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."

"***If you’re a morning person, grab a blanket, a thermos of hot chocolate, tea, or coffee, and enjoy the sunrise from Calton Hill. One of the most enchanting and TOTALLY free things to do in Edinburgh, Scotland. Obviously, if you hate mornings, you can watch the sunset instead, (just make sure you have clear skies, which are something of a rarity) but you’ll just have a bit more company."

"Calton Hill is one of Edinburgh's main hills, set right above the heart of the city. You can walk there easily from the city centre, and in return you’ll get an incredible panoramic view once you’re there. It’s part of the city’s UNESCO World Heritage sight, with an Athenian acropolis that  makes photos even more Insta-worthy."

"In the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, and at the very centre of Edinburgh’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, Princess Street Gardens is another of Edinburgh’s important parks. Here you will see the world-famous Floral Clock and an array of public monuments such as the David Livingstone Statue and the Scott Monument, to name a couple. Please note this is a gated park and the gates are opened and closed according to the opening times."

"The dark and cold Edinburgh winter nights light up every year when the Christmas market comes to town. At the European Market below the Mound and in East Princes Street Garden you can sample bratwurst, waffles, crepes, sweets, roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and more. The Scottish Market in St Andrew Square showcases some of the best craft, food and drink Scotland has to offer."

"Princes Street marks a clear division between Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns. On one side, you’ll find all the high street stores you’d expect in a big city, along with countless coffee bars and eateries. Whilst on the other side, you’ll find the steps that take you down to the Gardens and, further, to the Old Town."

"Calton Hill provides a panoramic view of the city, with Princes Street, the castle, and the Old Town silhouetted against Arthur's Seat. To the east and north you can see the Firth of Forth and the docks at Leith. At the foot of the hill stands the 13th-century Royal High School, where Sir Walter Scott was once a pupil."

"As early as 1816, the Highland Society of Scotland called for the construction of a national monument to commemorate the fallen in the Napoleonic wars. In January 1822, a proposal was put forward to ‘erect a facsimile of the Parthenon’."

"Located north-west of the city centre in the Crewe Toll district, the Village Edinburgh offers all the modern conveniences visitors could expect. With an indoor pool, spa, and wellness centre, guests can enjoy some me-time: a relaxing swim, invigorating workout, or calming treatment session. Each bedroom is stylishly decorated, with a modern bathroom, air conditioning, flat-screen television, and free WiFi."

"Picture perfect and pretty as a postcard, Dean Village first started out as a settlement on the fringes of the city where local millers would live. Once upon a time, eleven mills donned the river, driven by the water’s current. Now, the former mills and millers’ houses make up some of the most prime real estate in Edinburgh."

"The Water of Leith is the main river which flows through Edinburgh and it passes through Dean Village. As a result the splendid architecture of Dean Village reflects perfectly in it. For this reason, this is a top Edinburgh Instagram spot."

"Nestled on St Andrews' dramatic north facing cliffs, with stunning views of the famous west sands and St Andrews Bay, St Andrews Aquarium boasts one of the finest coastal locations in the historic town. Step through our doors and be transported into an underwater world of adventure and discovery. Come face to face with some of the most beautiful, fascinating and dangerous creatures of the watery worlds."

"Proudly independent and family-owned aquarium in St. Andrews. Set in the cliffs overlooking St Andrews bay, our aquarium is a magical underwater world with more than 120 species on show every day. The aquarium includes a coffee shop and gift shop."

"If you love sea creatures – and who doesn't – here you can find all your cuddly seals and penguins and not so cuddly sharks and eels under one roof, located on the cliffs of St Andrews Bay. The water dwellers are joined by reptiles, arachids and…"

"Built in 1158, the ruinous state of St Andrews Cathedral, the largest church ever to grace bonnie Scotland, is a wondrous snippet of what was once the HQ of the Scottish Medieval Catholic Church before its abandonment during the Scottish Reformation. Visit the St Andrews Cathedral Museum to delve deeper into the riveting history of this profound holy place and resting site for the bones of St Andrew himself. This wee museum also hosts an array of medieval sculptures worth scanning."

"These spectacular ruins of St Andrews Castle give you an idea of how impressive the once largest church of Scotland used to be. The site includes the Cathedral museum which is home to a collection of medieval sculptures as well as St Rules tower. Climb to the top of this impressive structure and enjoy the stunning views over St Andrews and the surrounding Fife Countryside."

"Söderberg Bakery Shop, Queensferry St|© stock.tookapic.com/Pexels. Brought to you by the same brainchildren behind the ever so popular Peter’s Yard, Söderberg is yet another Swedish bakery and hip stomping ground. Expect the usual suspects from fantastic crispbread variations and sourdough, but prepare for the odd surprise here and there."

"06/07/2021: Need to learn how to smile and the words please and thank you. Asked what a couple of their cakes were and they grunted the answers. Shame on them....at wad as if they were doing us a favour."

"The quintessential St Andrews sweets shop, Fisher & Donaldson is the spot to hit if your sweet tooth is aching."

"Café Portrait has quickly become one of Edinburgh’s best art venue cafés, and, with its striking gothic windows, consistently good food and creative buzz, it’s easy to see why. The menu is seasonal and changes daily, but the likes of Moroccan spiced salmon on a bed of chickpea and spinach, or goat’s cheese roulade won’t disappoint."

"Located inside the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, Cafe Portrait keeps culture vultures engaged with dramatic gothic windows and archways. Painted and photographed portraits adorn the walls, as if to suggest that you're sipping in good company. There's a standard mix of coffees, steeping teas, and hot chocolates."