EDINBURGH WHAT TO DO

Princes Street Gardens / Scott Monument
One of Edinburgh’s most famous landmarks in the heart of Princes Street, the Scott Monument was constructed in 1846 to commemorate Edinburgh born writer Sir Walter Scott, renowned for his historical novels. Rising sharply, the views from its summit overlooking the capital and surrounding countryside are tremendous and well worth the climb – albeit, not for the faint hearted. At 200ft, there are 287 steps to be climbed.
Princes Street is one of the major thoroughfares in central Edinburgh, and its main shopping street. 
Take a gentle stroll in Princes Street Gardens. Resting at the foot of Edinburgh Castle this splendid public park divides the Old and the New Town. Take your time and explore the gardens with their seasonal floral displays, monuments and statues. A welcome place to relax and play, it is a hive of activity in the warm Summer months where you can bring a picnic, lie in the sunshine with your favourite novel or enjoy a snack or refreshing drink from the outdoor café. 

The Royal Mile + Edinburgh Castle (16£, offen bis 6pm)

Edinburgh Castle is a world famous icon of Scotland and part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. It has a complex building history. The oldest part, St Margaret's Chapel, dates from the 12th century; the Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War.

A must for visitors are the Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny and an opportunity to explore the castle’s ancient dungeons. Crowds gather at 1pm as Mons Meg, one of the world’s most famous guns, booms across the city to mark the hour.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions (10.95-12.95£, offen bis 7pm)

St. Giles' Cathedral (Donation: 3£, offen bis 7pm)
this magnificent crown-spired cathedral on the High Street contains memorials to around 200 distinguished Scots, as well as some incredible stained glass windows. Parts of the structure date back to the 12thcentury and you’ll also find Scotland’s chivalric company of Knights, the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle, located here too.

The Real Mary King's Close (11.45-12.95£, 1-stündige Tour, offen bis 9pm)

Mary King's Close is an old Edinburgh close under buildings in the Old Town area of Edinburgh, Scotland. It took its name from one Mary King, daughter of advocate Alexander King, who in the 17th century had owned several properties within the close. The close was partially demolished and buried under the Royal Exchange, and later being closed to the public for many years, the complex became shrouded in myths and urban legends; tales of ghosts and murders, and myths of plague victims being walled up and left to die abounded.

National Museum of Scotland (10am-5pm)
The superb National Museum of Scotland houses collections celebrating the nation’s culture, history and people. It’s a great way to explore Scottish history, from the primeval age right up to the modern era, and the 360 degree views of Edinburgh from the roof garden are spectacular.

Directly across the road from the National Museum, you’ll find a small statue commemorating one of Edinburgh’s best loved residents – a little Skye terrier known as Greyfriars Bobby. Made famous by numerous books and a Disney film, Bobby faithfully guarded over his owners grave in the nearby Greyfriars Kirkyard for fourteen years. There’s just time for a quick photo with Bobby before the next stop on today’s scheduled.

The Scottish Parliament (9am-6.30pm)

Palace of Holyroodhouse (10-11£, 9.30am-5pm)
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Her Majesty The Queen's official residence in Scotland, stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat. At the Palace of Holyroodhouse visitors can explore the 14 historic and State Apartments and the ruins of Holyrood Abbey with a complimentary audio tour. Best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, today the State Apartments are used regularly by The Queen for State ceremonies and official entertaining.

Holyrood Park / Arthur's Seat
With amazing views to start your day set off early to enjoy the spectacular vistas from Arthur’s Seat. For walkers, this 251m high extinct volcanic summit is an easy 30 minute climb from Dunsapie Loch but can be accessed by bike or car for a quick circuit around the steep hillside. A superb location to watch the sun rise but be sure to wrap up warm to make the most of this experience.

Calton Hill is a hill in central Edinburgh, just to the east of Princes Street and is included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hill also includes several iconic monuments and buildings: the National Monument, the Nelson Monument, the Dugald Stewart Monument, the old Royal High School, the Robert Burns Monument, the Political Martyrs' Monument and the City Observatory.

Edinburgh Zoo (16.50£, 9am-6pm)

Royal Botanic Garden (10am-5pm)

Cramond Island
Cramond Island is a tidal island about one mile (1.6 km) out to sea, which is connected to the mainland at low tide. A paved path, exposed at low water, allows easy access. This causeway runs at the foot of a row of concrete pylons on one side of the causeway, which were constructed as a submarine defence boom during the Second World War and are one of the most striking sights in the area. At high tide the path is covered by several feet of seawater which cuts the island off from the mainland.

Shopping recommendations:

Jenners Founded in 1838 and situated across from the Scott Monument, it provides an upmarket shopping experience selling a wide variety of goods from fine fragrances to high fashion and even has an impressive food hall.

Multrees Walk Tucked to the side of St Andrew Square, Multrees Walk plays host to top labels, including Mulberry, Armani and Louis Vuitton. It’s also home to Scotland’s only Harvey Nichols store featuring five floors of luxury supporting the latest trends in clothing, accessories, beauty products, not to mention a food and wine store filled with decadent treats. Boasting a restaurant, brasserie, bar and roof terrace you can take a rest from shopping and relax with a glass of wine or light meal overlooking the square.

The Grassmarket

The Royal Mile

Princes Street

Livingston Shopping Outlet (auf dem Weg zurück nach Edinburgh)

Dinner/Lunch/Café recommendations:

Old Town

George Street: Home to some of Edinburgh’s trendiest, shops, bars and restaurants, George Street is the perfect spot to indulge in some retail therapy and catch up with friends for drinks, dinner or a light bite. Spoiled for choice, why not create your own cocktail in the stylish surroundings of Tempus Bar at the George Hotel, Tigerlily, Le Monde, The Dome or Harvey Nichols Fourth Floor Bar to name but a few.

The Elephant House Situated on the George VI Bridge, this is a firm favourite with Edinburgh residents and tourists alike thanks to its range of tasty snacks and hot drinks. There’s a strong literary connection too, with authors Ian Rankin and Alexander McCall Smith frequenting the cafe, and it’s also where JK Rowling would sit with a coffee and her laptop while writing the early Harry Potter books.

The Dome

Evening/Night activities: 

George Street

The Grassmarket

Bar Under the stairs

Bar Missoni

View from North Bridge From a vantage point on the North Bridge, with one of the city’s most impressive buildings on either side (the Scotsman and Balmoral hotels), you’ll be able to see both the Old and New Towns lit up at night.

The Stand - Comedy Club Try and get tickets for one of the country’s most iconic comedy clubs – The Stand. All the top jokers on the circuit have stood behind the microphone here, and with shows every night of the week, you could be chuckling away to comedy legends or catching the next big thing.

Edinburgh Playhouse: Let it Be Show (10-40£)

Cabaret Voltaire (Nightclub)

Last day, on the way back from Stirling to Edinburgh:

Hopetoun House, South Queensferry, Edinburgh, EH30 9SL
Linlithgow Palace Kirkgate, Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH49 7AL