Things to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland

If you fly into Edinburgh, Scotland you can take the Airlink 100 service which goes to Waverly Bridge in the center of Edinburgh.�¯�¿�½ The entire journey�¯�¿�½takes about 25 minutes.�¯�¿�½ Buses leave for the center of town every 10 minutes between 4:40 am and midnight , and the fare is�¯�¿�½6-7 dollars one-way,�¯�¿�½10 dollars�¯�¿�½open return.�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½One thing to get used to right away is that everything will seem very expensive if you think of it in US dollars, thanks to the exchange ratio which is close to 2 dollars to the pound.�¯�¿�½ In fact, food and fun in Edinburgh will generally be considerably cheaper than the equivalent in London, where living and accomodation can be prohibitively expensive.

For travellers from London, the five-hour train ride up from London, though less convenient, is a scenic alternative to flying to Edinburgh.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ Old stone walls, fields full of crows and Scottish cows,Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½and bits of the coast are among the many idyllic views you’ll encounter on the way.

A taxi is probably the most convenient way to get into town from the airport, if the idea of catching a possibly crowded bus doesn’t appeal to you.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ It will be more expensive, however, so budget accordingly.

By road the airport is about 8 miles west of the city center on the A8 and just 25 minutes from the center by�¯�¿�½car.�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½There you can also take the M8 motorway which runs west to Glasgow, the M9 which goes northwest towards Stirling, and the Forth Road Bridge which follows the A90 north to Fife and on towards Aberdeen.�¯�¿�½ Rent a Eurocar at the Easyjet desk or one of the other rental agencies there at the airport.

If you can even think of eating while surrounded by such a wealth of ancient but well-preserved buildings – -the train station at Edinburgh looks like a mini-castle itself, with picturesque pigeons flying aboutÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½the rafters, and the wholeÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½downtown area is a cluster of medieval buildings, looking like one giantÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½fortress when you step out of the station – -and essentiallyÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Scottish shops, you won’t have to go far.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ If all you need is a pastry and coffee, numerous shops on the way up from the train station offer fresh breads and drinks.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

If, however, you are looking for affordable but substantial eating (20 euros or less), check out the Monster Mash, at 4a Forest Road, Old Town.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ ThisÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½conveniently centralÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½cafe offers a fun, retro vibe and authentic 1950’s style British menu.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ For cheap but hearty and filling food, this is the place.

For up to 35 euros,Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½the French Corner Bistro at 17 Queensferry Street, New Town mixes the traditional Scottish ingredients with French panache andÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½prices that won’t empty your wallet.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ With 3 beautiful Georgian rooms full of people and chatter, their delicious French bistro fare, served alongside heartier food like steaks and potatoes, offersÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½a meal for every palate

Higher prices atÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Jackson’s at 209 High Street, Old Town, may be worth it for the sake of convenience if this is the day you choose to do the Castle.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ It’s within walking distance of the Castle, and offers, like the Bistro, a range of dishes for every taste, from the Duck and Truffle Parfait with a Glazed Citrus DressingÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ to the Traditional Smoked Salmon on Toasted Wholegrain Bread and Mixed Leaves.

For theÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½finest dining inÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Edinburgh, however, try the Oloroso at 22 Castle Stree, New Town.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ Exclusive prices pay for roof terrace seating and aÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½champagne bar where you can order a little something to sip while admiring the splendid views of the castle.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ This is the ultimate culinary experience in Edinburgh, so don’t miss it if fine dining is your passion.

For�¯�¿�½a�¯�¿�½relaxing�¯�¿�½escape from the rush and bustle of High Street, check out the�¯�¿�½Pear Tree House at 38 West Nicolson St, Southside.�¯�¿�½ The bar is dark and oak-panelled, but it is the beer garden which most people are attracted to on sunny days.�¯�¿�½This is the perfect spot for a quiet, contemplative�¯�¿�½pint in the sun.

Live music can be found at�¯�¿�½the whimsical Whistle Binkies, a maze of cellars beneath the Old Town where local live bands play most nights and drinkers stay far too late every night.�¯�¿�½ If you want authentic local music, this is�¯�¿�½not to miss.�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½Here you can feel fully connected�¯�¿�½to�¯�¿�½any Scottish threads in �¯�¿�½your ancestral tapestry, or just�¯�¿�½live out�¯�¿�½the Scottish bent of personality that brought you to Edinburgh.

For those who shudder at old buildings and traditional ideas,�¯�¿�½Bongo Club, at Moray House, 37 Holyrood Road,�¯�¿�½offers daytime coffees, offbeat bands, and up-to-the-minute philosophy. Hedonistic, artsy, this is the place for everyone from social dissidents to mildly conservative granolas.

Later in the evening, visit the Po Na Na at 43A Frederick Street for dancing and late-night disco dollies.�¯�¿�½ This club is home to�¯�¿�½the eternally cool and trend-minded set, keeping a relaxed atmosphere that is at the same time welcoming to�¯�¿�½newcomers.

Architecturally speaking, the essential thing to see in Edinburgh is of course its awe-inspiring castle, perched on the edge of a cliff looking down on the town.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ It’s huge, in good repair, and almost entirely accessible, with aspects such as wax prisoners in the dungeons and voice recordings to enhance your trip to the past.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ A long set of detailed, life-size waxworks depict the history of Scotland’s monarchy, leading up to a dark room where you can view the Crown Jewels of Scotland: a crown, scepter, and the Sword of State.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ The Stone of Destiny, Scotland’s coronation stone, is the room’s other inhabitant.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ There is almost too much to see in a whole day, don’t under any circumstances allocate less time or you risk missing the full experience.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Coming down from the Castle, the Royal Mile, lined with shops and eateries, is an experience in and of itself.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ This history-rich walkway is named for the numerous monarchs of Scotland and England who have set their feet on it.

Another imposing structure is the 200-foot soot-blackened victorian gothic Scott Monument in Prince’s Street Gardens, a memorial to the world-famous Scottish historical novelist, Sir Walter Scott.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ If you are of average size or smaller and un-troubled by heights and steep angles, climb the narrow winding circular stair to the top and look out over the city.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ Take care going back down, though, as the steps are extremely steep and worn down to a dangerous slope in spots.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Anyone with doubts about safety might want to just view the monument from outside, or go in with friends or relatives before and behind.

While you’re in the area, go to the Greyfriars kirkyard, where a lively history of body-snatchers resulted in cagelike devices called “mort-safes”, which can still be seen today.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ Many famous characters are buried there, including Sir Walter Scott’s father, and Latin or Old English buffs can have a go at deciphering the aged inscriptions on the headstones.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ One of Edinburgh’s most beloved legends, Greyfriars Bobby, the little terrier famous for his lifelong devotion to the kirkyard grave of his master, a poor shepherd known only as “Auld Jock”, is also buried there, and a statue in his honor stands on Chambers Street, near the George IV Bridge.

Lesser known Edinburgh fun includesÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½spooky thrills inÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Mary King’s Close, the ancient streets entombed under the City Chambers, at 2 Warriston’s Close, High Street.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ It’s very atmospheric and a bit creepy.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Or, for a break from ancient architecture, see penguins, meerkats, and other fun creatures at the Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine Road, West Edinburgh.
When you’re ready for more history, visit the Sheep Heid Inn.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ After climbing Arthur’s seat for the view, descend on the far side to this ancient pub in the heart of Duddingston.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½

Landscaping enthusiasts should stop�¯�¿�½by the Jencks Landform, �¯�¿�½winner of the �¯�¿�½100,000 Gulbenkian Prize, which is a stepped mound with three crescent shaped pools covering three acres.�¯�¿�½ It was commissioned by the Gallery in 1999, when it decided to redevelop its front lawn into a work of art.�¯�¿�½�¯�¿�½This�¯�¿�½masterpiece can be found�¯�¿�½on�¯�¿�½ Belford Road in�¯�¿�½West Edinburgh.

For all your Scottish shopping needs and desires, after you’ve explored the little shops till you can’t take any more, Jenners offers a more familiar and modern look. ThisÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Edinburgh equivalent of Harrods is the world’s oldest independent department store, and although itÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½has modernised its look,Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½itÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½keeps an old-fashioned attitude to service.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ This is a great place to feel pampered and important at the end of the day.

A nice daytrip from Edinburgh mightÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½be a visit to Abbotsford near Melrose, an hour’s drive south of Edinburgh, to further explore the life ofÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Sir Walter Scott.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ There are lots of castles to explore and beautiful pastoral countryside all around, making this a peaceful, leisurely outing.

Lastly, don’t leave Edinburgh without visitingÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Victoria Street, the West Bow, Candlemaker Row, Grassmarket and the West Port . ThisÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½unexpectedly engagingÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½areaÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½often goes unnoticed by those who stick close to the Mile, but in it’s own way it is every bit as curious and delightful, you can buy novelties likeÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½carved spirtles and antique brushes.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Natty clothing, Celtic stones,Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½relics from all corners of the globe – you name it, someone sells it here.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½AÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½Byzantine styleÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½market fills theÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½gallery’s first floor, whereÃ?¯Ã?¿Ã?½everything from coffee to carpets smacks of the East.Ã?¯Ã?¿Ã?½ Eateries abound, but specifically Mamma’s American Pizza Co. offers a quick, accessible bite to eat for the jaded shopper in between purchases.