Things to do in Edinburgh
I will be traveling with my 16 year old granddaughter on the June 23 trip. Any recommendations for things to do in Edinburgh for our free day ahead of the tour start
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I will be traveling with my 16 year old granddaughter on the June 23 trip. Any recommendations for things to do in Edinburgh for our free day ahead of the tour start
Comments
Climb Caxton Hill or Arthur's Seat, Tour the Real Mary King's Close, the Botanic Garden and Royal Yacht Britannia. Walking Princes Street gardens is relaxing.
It really depends on your interests. There are several good museums including the National museum of Scotland and art museums. You can stroll the Royal Mile for sights and shopping. There are Harry Potter sights if she likes that. There is the Royal Yacht Britannia a short tram ride away which also has a nice cafe. Loads to do.
Visit the HMY Britannia. See Craigmillar Castle (take the bus) then continue on the bus to Rosslyn Chapel. We did it easily and inexpensively by riding the excellent Lothian bus service. If your tour walks the Royal Mile after visiting Edinburgh Castle you can also easily visit the National Museum of Scotland afterwards. For our tour years ago it was on the way from the end of the Royal Mile to the Sheraton on Lothian Road across from Usher Hall, where our tour stayed and I believe yours does also. Tauck rooms didn't have a castle view at the time, so we arranged with the concierge to pay a little extra for the upgrade to get a view of the back side of Edinburgh Castle.
HMY Britannia
View from our room of the back side of Edinburgh Castle with Usher Hall in the foreground:
Craigmillar Castle (significant tie-ins with Mary Queen of Scots). We first learned about it from Amazing Race. It is located in a rustic park near the Royal Infirmary (hospital). We approached from the far side near the bus stop. Very interesting reveal!
Rosslyn Chapel- tie-in with Knights Templar and a story element and filming location for Dan Browns Davinci Code
We had a nice little lunch at the cafe there.
The National Museum is really eclectic and fun. If memory serves me, I believe it’s free. Hollyrood is also a great way to spend a few hours.
I'll be doing this tour in 2 weeks and on the day of my arrival will drop of my luggage in the hotel and then explore Edinburgh by HoHo bus in the afternoon, I think I'll be a bit tired upon arrival since I cannot sleep on a plane. Good way to get an overall idea of a city.
No need for a bus, you can walk the area
RGM2 - We sometimes do the same thing when arriving in a city we have never been to. We always select the longest loop and remain on the bus the entire time as we decide which areas to explore. We then take the bus again and/or public transport to the areas we wish to visit. As you say, the hop-on-hop-off buses are a great way to get an overview of the area.
Enjoy your tour and please consider posting a review afterwards.
British, as they say in England upon my arrival there “I’ll be knackered” so walking around is out.
Well being a HOHO bus you can always get off at a stop if it looks interesting enough or just to get out in the sunshine. I always adjust my sleep schedule faster in Europe if I get some afternoon sun the first day.
I agree that the Queen’s boat is a wothwhile tour. I liked it better than the castle. I know she was very upset when they took her boat away.
Beautiful Botanic Garden in Edinburgh. Nice Bar in the Balmoral.
Have a great time, RGM2! I've been going to Scotland since I was little and Edinburgh is my favorite city.
I'm not sure how much time you have in the city, but seconding the National Museum, Calton Hill, and the Britannia, alongside the castle and palace of course. If you do a bus tour, you'll get a great feel for the city center, which is very walkable once you have your bearings. If you can see the castle, you're never lost. The city tram is also extremely convenient (especially coming from the airport), along with the city buses.
Would also recommend (depending on your fancy) either high tea at the Balmoral Palm Court or a whisky tasting in the Balmoral whisky bar. My favorite cocktail spot is the Bon Vivant and if you're a gin lover, Heads & Tales is great. And the Grassmarket or Rose Street pubs definitely scratch the Scottish pub itch. The Spence restaurant in the Gleneagles Townhouse is also excellent. Don't let anyone scare you off Scottish food, it's wonderful.
If the Tattoo seating has been taken down off the castle esplanade, the Cannonball Restaurant (the one upstairs, not the lounge) has a great view of the castle at dinner time. Their haggis bon bons are also an easy way into trying haggis. But the best way to eat haggis is in the traditional full Scottish breakfast.
I know you'll be seeing the castle but make sure to give yourself ample time in the War Memorial, it's incredibly moving and emotional.
Thanks toriliz
I’ll skip High Tea, had it in Vancouver, BC and was not impressed with cucumber sandwiches, but the whiskey tasting sound like a winner. The ex Royal yacht sounds interesting. I have 1 1/2 days before the tour but meeting up with a lady friend from a Tauck tour 2 years past.
I’m afraid Haggis does not appeal to me after reading it includes lung! I have done a Yelp search for local restaurants but will keep your suggestions in mind.
Thanks toriliz
I’ll skip High Tea, had it in Vancouver, BC and was not impressed with cucumber sandwiches, but the whiskey tasting sound like a winner. The ex Royal yacht sounds interesting. I have 1 1/2 days before the tour but meeting up with a lady friend from a Tauck tour 2 years past.
I’m afraid Haggis does not appeal to me after reading it includes lung! I have done a Yelp search for local restaurants but will keep your suggestions in mind.