Edinburgh Travel Answers

It has been long time since I was there but anyhow, there is a lot of info here on VT, just visit the Edinburgh pages. http://www.virtualtourist.com/vt/4c8a4 Also here are additional few links that can help you: www.visitscotland.com www.edinburgh.gov.uk www.edinburghguide.com

what a cool, beautiful city it is..be prepared for showers, a little sun and temps in the 50s and 60s..a great escape from the heat.. the buildings are still covered in soot from the Industrial Revolution days giving it a really old, archaic character..theres tons of options for day tours from agencies along the Royal Mile..the lochs are really nice...

One of my favourite cities :-) You will find yourself on the Royal Mile and why not pop into a pub with Scottish music "sing-a-longs". The Ensign Ewart close to the castle used to have gigs. I like to walk along the waterfront in Leith too (although go there by bus as Leith walk is just long and not a place you want to walk along - alternatively, approach it from behind the botanical gardens) with its seafront pubs and fish restaurants. If you like walking, there is a nice walk if you take the bus to South Queensferry and follow the path that takes you under the impressive Forth Railway Bridge. Keep walking along the beach and forest to Dalmeny House. Cross their grounds and there is a bus stop at the gatekeepers' house.

If you get a nice sunny day, climb up the Scott Monument [in Princes Street gardens]. It costs about £2.50 but you get great photo opportunitys of the castle and all around. Another good viewpoint is Calton Hill If you like art there are quite a few museums. I like the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street which is free. Edinburgh has open top bus tours leaving from outside Waverly Station which might help with orientation and give you some ideas what you might like to see.

We have been there a year ago. One of the things we enjoyed most, was the walking tours, especialy in the evenings. They are posted all along the Royal Mile, so you can't miss them. We enjoyed especialy 2 of them. I don't remember there exact names but one was called something like literatury pub tour, it went through the pubs where famouse poets and writers used to go. The other took us to the underground of Edinbufgh, spooky but very interesting, very Edinburgh. From all the other attraction along the Royal Mile (except the castel of course, we loved the Camera Obscura. Have a great time

I would certainly recommend the open top bus tours which start from Waverley Bridge (opposite the railway station). You buy a day ticket for about £8 and it takes you round all the tourist sites with a commentary. You can get on and off the bus all day so you can visit the places that take your fancy. The castle and Holyrood House are a must. Also climb to the top of Arthurs Seat (extinct volcano in the heart of the city) for great views. The Botanic Gardens are also well worth a visit. The Scottish Museum in Chambers Street is excellent if the weather is wet. Avoid Lothian Road on Friday and Saturday nights. For accommodation try the small hotels and guest houses in Minto Street. If money isn't a problem then the Balmoral Hotel is right in the centre of the city on Princes Street. I live in Edinburgh so if you want any more information feel free to contact me direct by email . Brian

Ocean Terminnal : Take the 22 bus. Here you will find Britannia. Walk back to the Shore Leith to eat and drink. Catch the 22 back. Take the train to South Queens Ferry to see the Forth Bridges. Walk over the road bridge to North Queens Ferry and visit Deepsea World where sharks swim over your head. Walk the Royal Mile take in the Closes. Stand at the entrance to St Giles and turn to your right, you are looking at the High Court our old Parliment building. Go inside to see the Hammer Beam ceiling. Take in a Ghost tour or Pub Literary Tour. From Hannover Street catch the 23 or 27 bus north on Ferry Road {The 23 turns right get off. The 27 turns left go two or three stops get off} Enjoy the view of the City Sky-line. If you came off the 27 walk down Arboretum Road to the Botanic gardens. Walk through catch the bus back. If the 23 catch a bus or walk back the way you came (three stops) at the crossing on the right is the Royal Botanic Gardens. Walk through and leave at the other enterance turn left and walk home by the river to Stockbridge or till you see buses.

The botanic gardens are one of my favourite spots in Edinburgh, not too large, well laid out with lots of differently themed areas and beautiful greenhouses. Best of all it's free and has fantastic views of the Edinburgh skyline. If the weather is good a walk up Arthur's Seat provides great all round views of Edinburgh. Although I'm not a huge fan of the Royals I thoroughly enjoyed my trip round Britannia which is berthed down at Leith at Ocean Terminal. It's fairly easy to get a bus down there and as an up and coming area interesting to walk round. All the closes of the Royal Mile (small enclosed walkways) are interesting to explore and are very photogenic. Have a wonderful time Sue