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Jack Gillon | 96 pages | 15 Apr 2015 | Amberley Publishing | 9781445639697 | English | Chalford, Secret Edinburgh: An Unusual Guide by Elizabeth Hannah Robinson

If you look closely, you can also find McGonagall, and a few other notable names. On top of the nerd factor, you have the spook factor of the Mackenzie Ghost. I love to simply wander in the graveyard and get away from the throngs of tourists around Greyfriar's Bobby. These tours are a wee bit kitschy, and not for everybody's taste. But, after taking their graveyard tour twice, I can highly recommend it as good for both history buffs and thrill seekers. Sadly, nobody on my tours spotted the Mackenzie ghost, but I did see something very strange myself: a black shadow in the shape of a six foot tall man. It was watching me too Needless to say, the experience was thrilling for me! You will find great live music at the Royal Oak, but be aware - this bar is tiny! The bar is quite close to the , and is an old favourite of the locals. The park located next to the University is quite a pleasant one for walking. You may find small vans selling food, buskers singing songs, and dogs fetching sticks. Then make your way through the university for a glimpse of the architecture and student life. Skip to main content. Log in to get trip updates and message other travelers. All Edinburgh Guides. Good for. Dean Village Historic Sites. Village Historic Sites. Lovecrumbs Restaurants. Dr Neil's Garden Gardens. The Restaurants. Parks. Dunbars Close Garden Gardens. City of the Dead Tours City Tours. The Meadows Gardens. Five miles NW of city centre , Edinburgh, . Old Town , Edinburgh, Scotland. Dean Village. Cramond Village. Dr Neil's Garden. The Sheep Heid Inn. Holyrood Park. Dunbars Close Garden. Lady Stairs House. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Stockbridge Market. New Town. . . City of the Dead Tours. The Royal Oak. The Meadows. Edinburgh is an easy city to navigate, once you have a map. Walking distances are generally short, but buses are also a great alternative. The bus costs 1. If you have good legs and lungs, do try walking - you will see so much more this way! The village meets up with the water of Walkway, making for a lovely stroll. Ranked 34 of things to do in Edinburgh. Certificate of Excellence Ranked 48 of things to do in Edinburgh. The area is also a nice one to explore - near the arts school, it is filled with second hand bookshops and thrift stores. Ranked of 2, restaurants in Edinburgh. Once every year, they open the small round building to the public, and you can see a small exhibition inside. Ranked 35 of things to do in Edinburgh. The inn is about ten minutes walk from Holyrood Park, and two minutes walk from the hidden Dr. Neil's Garden. Make a day of it! If you are lucky enough to be in Edinburgh on a day with an inversion layer low lying clouds head up to Arthur's Seat to see a view of the castle in the clouds! Ranked 21 of things to do in Edinburgh. Superb views. Do have a look into the other closes and wynds - try the Lady Stairs Close too! Ranked 91 of things to do in Edinburgh. A lovely wee place. Ranked of things to do in Edinburgh. The Botanic Gardens are very close to the Piano Cafe, one of my favourite cafe's in the city. Inside you will find modern by Eduardo Paolozzi as well as a striking high altar, while the Song School has exquisite murals by . T he Royal Botanic Gardens may cover 70 acres but can still feel over-populated at busy times. Take a short bus right to this quietly appealing garden in the well-preserved 12th century village of . Check out the tiny Physic Garden, then consider self-medicating at the nearby Sheep Heid Inn — the oldest licensed premises in Scotland. Garden open daily. So give the plastic barrel ride at the Scotch Whisky Experience a miss and try a gin experience instead. Edinburgh Gin Distillery — handily out of the scrum at the west end of — offers three tours, including one that gives you the chance to create your own gin. Open daily, ampm. Castle, overlooking the , offers an unimpeded glimpse of life in Edwardian Edinburgh. Tours Mon-Thurs, Sat and Sun. Grounds open daily, free. No one is able to explain wby a labyrinth of passages and entire rooms were carved out, years ago, beneath what are now quiet suburban streets, but there are plenty of intriguing theories Open daily; booking essential. The wooded grounds are serenely beautiful, particularly in the autumn, making it one of the most soothing places in the city to take some time out. Open daily; 9am to dusk. Gruesome, gripping and more fun than you might think Open daily; 9am-5pm. Open May to October. Find New Takeaway Restaurants In Edinburgh | Occupyd Secret Takeaways

More Details Original Title. Unusual Guides. Edinburgh, Scotland. Friend Reviews. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Secret Edinburgh , please sign up. Lists with This Book. This book is not yet featured on Listopia. Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 3. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. Jul 09, Agustina rated it liked it Shelves: travel. Unlike Secret Dublin and Secret Lisbon, the author of this book seems to have written it exclusively for locals. I was expecting more secrets related to well-known historical figures, such as Mary Queen of Scots, but instead most pages referred to scientists whom I had never heard of and local political figures. If you live in Edinburgh, you will probably love this book. If you are a tourist, you may need to read some other guide as well to learn about some of the stories locals usually know Unlike Secret Dublin and Secret Lisbon, the author of this book seems to have written it exclusively for locals. If you are a tourist, you may need to read some other guide as well to learn about some of the stories locals usually know about. Jun 13, W. Saraband rated it really liked it. The book delivers on what it promises - to guide you through the secret places of Edinburgh. Since I moved to this beautiful city, I have walked around a lot, but I never would have known how much more stuff I could be seeing if it hadn't been for the help of this guide. Aug 17, Hettie rated it did not like it Shelves: non-fiction , travel , woman-writer , scottish-author , scottish-setting , 1-star , architecture. I should have known from the typo on the back cover and the use of the roof as the cover image for 'Secret Edinburgh', that this book would be shoddily thrown together. I had high hopes after reading the London version and was horribly disappointed. Marketed as a 'travel book for locals', I was expecting something new and exciting. Instead, I ended up with sights that most tourists would see and facts which are commonly known by any Edinburgh local. I wouldn't even recommend this I should have known from the typo on the back cover and the use of the Thistle Chapel roof as the cover image for 'Secret Edinburgh', that this book would be shoddily thrown together. I wouldn't even recommend this book to people visiting the city - there are far superior books for the price of this thing, which would give you a better view into 'Secret Edinburgh' than this ever did. So disappointed Jan 30, Janet rated it liked it Shelves: place , travel. Interesting--but meant for the person spending a wee bit more time in Edinburgh than I've got! Jun 13, Zoe Wyatt rated it liked it. Not as good as secrets of paris but interesting nevertheless! Jul 29, Gigi rated it really liked it Shelves: nonfiction , scotland. This had some wonderful hidden gems I hadn't read about anywhere else. Feb 07, Clare rated it it was amazing. Amazing book! I've just moved to Edinburgh so it was interesting to see the parts of the city that people including the locals don't always see. Nov 02, Celtic rated it it was amazing Shelves: own , signed. I would say I know Edinburgh fairly well but there's maybe only around half of the entries I knew of beforehand and even less that I knew very much about. And it's well written and Fascinating And it's well written and illustrated, often beautifully so. Pre-book your slot and enjoy a walk through the trees in this scenic spot and see the works of art that are installed throughout the gardens. Located on Rutland Place at the west end of Princes Street, the Edinburgh Gin Distillery produces a delectable range of gins and gin liqueurs. Book a tour of the distillery to learn all about the history of gin and how it's made. You'll see the two gleaming copper stills that make every drop of Edinburgh Gin before tasting a sample for yourself. Dean Village. Follow the peaceful path along the water's edge and towards the west of the city, admiring the distinctive sandstone mills and stylish Tudor revivals en route. The Shore, Leith. Stop along the way at The Pitt Street food market which takes place most Saturdays during the year, or reward yourself with a refreshing pint on the waterfront terrace at Teuchter's Landing - nothing beats this spot on a summer's evening! Or, try the legendary boozy ice cream, vending machine treats and slushies at Hoot the Redeemer on Hanover Street. Located beside on the lower slopes of Arthur's Seat, it's a fabulous place for a little escape from the real world, with brightly-coloured plants to admire everywhere you look. You may have visited the wonderful National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street before, but did you venture up to the rooftop viewing platform on the 7th floor, to see the incredible degree views of the city skyline? Don't worry beach bums, a city break in Edinburgh can quickly turn into a beach break holiday with several coastlines to choose from! At Cramond , walk out along the tidal causeway to Cramond Island be sure to check the tides and leave enough time to return to dry land! St Giles' Cathedral, Royal Mile. Also on the Royal Mile, why not pop into St Giles' Cathedral and marvel at some of Edinburgh's most impressive architecture? As well as Victorian stained glass windows and Gothic style stonework the stunning Thistle Chapel's magnificent ceiling is a sight to behold. Further down the Royal Mile, look out for Dunbar's Close Garden , which is laid out like a 17th century garden, tucked away down an alley just off the main street. Just a five minute walk from the Royal Mile, the Surgeons' Hall Museums are a treasure trove of surgical tools, fascinating paintings and - yes - more than a few body parts in jars. Learn about the evolution of surgery throughout the ages and find out how great Scottish minds brought us some of the medical breakthroughs we take for granted today. Portobello Beach. Just a few miles from the city centre, Portobello Beach oozes traditional seaside charm. 9 Lesser Known Hidden Gems in Edinburgh - Migrating Miss

The Lane Sale. Newhaven Harbour. Oxford Bar. Parliament Hall. Queen Street Gardens. Secret Society. Union of Genius. Victorian Baths. Walkway. X Files. Yellow Bench. Enter your postcode below with a space and click "Find" to search for your local stockist. Sign up to our Weekly newsletter. Live DJs fill the place with funky hip-hop and techno, and the ambiance is upbeat and unassuming, the crowd friendly and diverse. This detail however, is just one aspect of what makes The Voyage of Buck such an intriguing place. Tucked away on William Street in the West End, this art deco bar inspirited with a s vibe, is extremely stylish — get your sequins and best shoes out for this one. The cocktail menu is a huge 25 pages, meaning it will take you a good half hour to choose, but with award-winning bar tenders and a whole host of intventive ingredients, it will be worth the wait! You could easily pass this one by without a second glance, but this bar is definitely worth investigating! View this post on Instagram. Connect With Us. Looking For Something? Newsletter Signup Sign up to our email newsletter by filling in your email address below. Recent Posts. Meet The Local — Karol Rzepkowski.

Hidden Edinburgh Attractions: 28 Lesser Known Things to do in Edinburgh

Last Updated on 3rd July by Sophie Nadeau. In Morningside, a former advertising campaign set looks like an abandoned ghost town. In what is likely the most picturesque area of the city, Dean Village is a beautiful place to go if you love history, photography, or simply want to find a quiet space to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of busy city life. First constructed for mill workers, today the village is some of the most prime real estate to be found anywhere in Scotland. Nearby, Dean Gardens are a lovely oasis of calm where you could easily while away a few hours reading a book. Read more: Dean Village, Is this the most picturesque area of Edinburgh? Of course, everyone knows about the National Museum of Scotland, which is an absolute must-see on any trip to the Scottish Capital. But did you know that it has a hidden roof terrace, tucked away at the very top of the building? Read more: How to spend three days in Edinburgh. Open from Monday to Friday and dedicated to the study of financial history, the Library of Mistakes was set up to document all of the economic mistakes experts made in both , and then again in The collection comprises of some economic and financial literature and can be visited by appointment only. Discover more details about how to here. Just a little way along the street from , a small chapel is open during select days of the week. Free to enter, the pretty interior contains the only set of 16th-century stained to have survived the Reformation. The chapel itself was constructed in for a trade guild and was where several protestant martyrs were taken prior to their burial during the 16th-century. Read more: A visit to Magdalen Chapel. Book a guided tour here. Read more: Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh. At the time, the mausoleum was on its own in the middle of nowhere. A truly unique sight to see in the centre of the city! Dedicated to all things money, the Museum on the Mound is a museum which is often forgotten in favour of local favourites such as the Museum of Childhood, as well as the National Museum of Scotland home to Dolly the Sheep. However, if you want to see what a million fake pounds look like in real life, as well as explore the history of money in the Scottish capital, then you simply must head to this free museum! Running through Edinburgh, the Water of Leith is a beautiful slice of nature, cutting its way through the industrial buildings of the Scottish capital. The river walk is the perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of busy city life for families and couples alike. But did you know that there are the 14th-century ruins of a chapel dedicated to St Anthony around halfway up the steep slope? Read more: Hiking an Extinct Volcano in Edinburgh! This calm space remains a hidden gem of the city to this day. Located in green and leafy Cramond, the green space is one of the top three Japanese gardens in the UK and celebrates the twinning of Edinburgh and the prefecture of Kyoto in Japan. In the estuary nearby, the most important Roman find ever found in Britain was discovered in the form of the Cramond Lioness. The quaint village of Cramond itself is just metres from Cramond Beach, on the edge of the mainland. Read more: Day trip to Cramond Island. Open to the public every day of the week from 10 Am to 5 PM, you can see the collections for a small fee, though under 16s must be accompanied by an adult. The Royal College of Surgeons was first founded in the early s, while the museum itself has been open to the public since is the former mansion home of Mr and Mrs Reid and was first constructed in the 16th-century as a tower house. The rest of the museum includes loads of surgical and dental instruments, lots of jars of preserved human remains of all kinds, a skull from a victim of the Battle of Culloden, and interactive exhibits related to things like keyhole surgery. This museum may not be for everyone, but it a great museum for those interested in medical history and anyone who has a love for curiosities. The museum is only a 10 minute walk from the Royal Mile. Some of the most notable objects that were on display during our visit included the skeleton of the 19th century murderer William Burke , the skull of the tutor to King James VI , a large collection of phrenology objects, and a preserved dissected body that had been injected with mercury. The museum is free to visit although it is only open to the public on select days, typically about twice a month so check the website for opening dates and times. The Stand Comedy Club is the most popular comedy venue in Edinburgh, hosting stand-up, sketch, and improv comedy acts, ranging from beginners to well-known international comedians. The Stand also hosts a number of acts during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and many of the popular British acts from the Fringe perform here throughout the year. Red Raw features about ten beginner acts, and also usually has a veteran act or two testing out new material. We went to Red Raw one evening and it was definitely a mixed bag from the hilarious to the grimace-worthy horrible. There was also one very well-known comedian performing who was trying out new material for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. We were in the back row and lucky to get seats together! Several people were standing throughout the show. The venue has a bar which I think is open every night but food is only served on select evenings. If you are short on cash, consider the free Sunday lunchtime show or the inexpensive weekly Red Raw shows. The home at No. Today the house is furnished in the style of the late Georgian period to fit with how it would have looked when John Lamont and his family lived here from Each room contains a fine collection of period furniture and objects to show you how the wealthy and their servants would have lived during the period, and there is also plenty of information on the lives of the former occupants as well as Georgian clothing, social habits, and lifestyle. Guides were in most rooms and were very willing to provide information about the furnishings, and the 18th century bed and its bed coverings are definitely a highlight of the collection. There is also a small gift shop and a room where you can try on Georgian costume, handle period pieces from the era, and try you hand at writing with a quill and ink. We really enjoyed our visit here and highly recommend it to anyone wanting to learn more about the New Town and the Georgian period in Edinburgh. The New Town contains shopping areas including the busy Princes Street , bars, restaurants, museums, and residences. Park was established as a city park in and is a large area of maintained grass parkland and tree-lined paths. My favorite sections of the park are the large Inverleith Pond and wet garden area which are perfect places to head on a sunny day and the Sundial Garden. This is a great Edinburgh attraction for both locals and visitors. There are some great views of the city from around the pond and the park is a perfect place to get away from crowds or let children run around and burn off energy. Inverleith Park is free and open to the public, and located a short walk from the Royal Botanic Garden. Stockbridge is a suburb north of central Edinburgh and one of my favorite neighborhoods to explore. Some notable landmarks include St. There are a number of jewelers, vintage clothing stores, galleries, gourmet food shops, and cafes in this area. Raeburn Place and St. Each June hundreds of rubber ducks are released into the Water of Leith to race to a catchment area and the owner of the winning ducks win prizes. We attended this past one and it was a lot of fun and a great way to support the local community. If you are visiting and have good weather, there is also an excellent walk that takes you from Stockbridge to Dean Village along the river that we highly recommend discussed below. If you are looking for a pleasant walk in Edinburgh consider taking the path along the Water of Leith main river that flows through Edinburgh between Stockbridge and Dean Village. The path goes by a number of attractions throughout the city. A favorite section of this path is the charming section from Stockbridge to Dean Village, which are also two areas of Edinburgh very worth visiting. A favorite landmark along this section of the path is St. The water was believed to have medicinal qualities that could cure a number of ailments and diseases. The well is normally closed to the public, but is a popular sight along the path. We also saw the remains of former mills, small waterfalls created by dams, fishermen you need to pick up a free permit to fish here , birds, and the mighty Dean Bridge during our walk. Most of the path is also open to cyclists and sections of it are accessible by wheelchairs. Check out the Water of Leith website for maps, access information, and reports of closures. If you have done this one and are looking for another one, you might also want to try walking along the Union Canal between and Village, which is more industrial but still scenic. Dean Village was a grain milling hamlet for more than years, later the village became part of Edinburgh in the 19th century. Today it is a quiet historical residential area northwest of central Edinburgh. Although there is not that much do to here, it is a popular place for tourists as it is home to a number of photogenic historical buildings and can be a peaceful place to visit. The Water of Leith runs through it and a couple of popular landmarks are the four-arched Dean Bridge and Well Court, which is a historical apartment building built in the 19th century by Sir John Findlay who was the owner of The Scotsman newspaper. This is an easy part of the city to explore on your own, but some of the city walking tours and bus tours also stop here, and occasionally guided walks are given by members of the Dean Village Association. Dean Village definitely has a different feel than the rest of Edinburgh and I would highly recommend the Water of Leith walk in between Stockbridge and Dean Village on a sunny day as it is quite beautiful and tranquil. Not all the top attractions in Edinburgh can be found around the city center. All of the Edinbugh attractions listed below are a long walk from the city center and will require taking public transit, a taxi, a bike, or driving to reach for most visitors. These Edinburgh attractions and neighborhoods are great places to go to get away from the busy city center. Many visitors explore some of the covered streets or hidden underground passages while in Edinburgh. Cove opened to the public in and is a series of hand carved underground passageways and chambers. No one actually knows the origins of these underground passages or why exactly they were carved. Various theories have been posited, including that they were the work of a local blacksmith named George Paterson, used as a smugglers lair, a hideout for those who opposed the Divine Right of the Monarch in the 17th century, or a secret drinking den for the local gentry. There is even a theory that there could be a link between Gilmerton Cove and the Knight Templars. It is possible they served different purposes over time. Public visits are by guided minute tours where guests begin in a small mining cottage and then descend via a set of 16 steps into the chambers and passageways below. This is a very interesting and unusual tour and the underground passages were more extensive than we thought they would be. It is not surprising that Gilmerton Cove is now often ranked as a top 10 attraction in Edinburgh! Because tours are limited to a maximum of 12 persons per tour, visitors MUST book tickets fee in advance to do a tour here by either phone or email. The Britannia is one of the most popular and well-rated attractions in all of the UK actually! However, there is more to see in Leith beyond Britannia and the shopping mall, and a 15 minute walk brings you past the Leith docks and into the heart of Leith. If you enjoy the feel of Leith, you may also want to check out the even less visited Newhaven harbor area. It is a former fishing and shipbuilding village that is now a district of Edinburgh. Today the fish market building houses a fishmonger along with a couple of seafood restaurants. Commercial boat rides and charters are possible from Newhaven. Newhaven is a 20 minute walk from Leith, a 17 minute walk from Britannia, a few minute bus ride from Leith or Britannia , or a 30 minute bus ride from the Royal Mile. Did you know that Edinburgh has a beach? Most of the Victorian era attractions are long gone but the beach remains and is a popular spot for Edinburgh families to come for a bit of the seaside. In addition to walking on the beach or swimming in the summer months although a group called The Wild Ones takes the plunge each Sunday morning year-round! More comfortable if you bring a wetsuit or drysuit as the waters are never super warm. It may not be the French Riviera, but Portobello feels like it is a long way from central Edinburgh and is a fun mellow place to spend an afternoon! Castle was built in the 14th century by the Preston family local barons of Craigmillar as a stronghold. The tower house of dates to the late 14th century and the rest of the building dates from between the 14th and 17th centuries. Craigmillar Castle is best known for its connections to royal visits and intrigues, particularly that of Mary, Queen of Scots who is believed to have stayed at the castle twice. Mary would be married again likely under coercion a few months later to one of the men accused of murdering Lord Darnley. The castle was later sold to Sir John Gilmour in but was no longer lived in and in a ruinous state by the late 18th century. In the 20th century it was given to the state. The castle has long been a popular tourist stop. In recent years, it has become better known to visitors due to its appearances in a number of films and TV shows, including The Outlaw King and the TV show Outlander. The castle is in ruins today, but you can still get a very good idea of what it would have looked liked in medieval times during a visit. The castle is maintained by Historic Scotland and has a small visitor center and toilets. There is good signage and paths and you can explore the remains of 5 floors. On a clear day, there are also nice views of Edinburgh from the tower. There is a fee for entry. You can check the castle opening hours and fees here. Craigmillar Castle is about 3 miles southeast the city center and can be reached by public transit from central Edinburgh with a minute walk from the closest bus stops. It can also be reached by a 15 to 20 minute drive or taxi ride. It can also be reached by by taking this guided day tour from Edinburgh also includes visit to Rosslyn Chapel. We are still exploring our home in Scotland, and Lauriston Castle is one of our latest discoveries in Edinburgh. Most people who travel to Edinburgh will visit the much more famous and rightly so! The guided tours include a tour of the principal rooms which are fully decorated as the Reids left them in , giving visitors a glimpse into what Edwardian life was like in a country home in Scotland. One of the interesting decorations throughout the home is the very large collection of Blue John urns, a rare semi-precious stone from Derbyshire. Note that the tours are only given once a day on the weekends during the winter months, but more regularly during the rest of the year. The gardens and parkland which were laid out by William Henry Playfair are open each day for free, and include a Japanese Friendship garden and views over the Firth of Forth. Cramond is a suburb and village in northwest Edinburgh. If you are looking for a little village to visit near the water or are visiting nearby Lauriston Castle, this village is worth a stop. Although now a popular residential suburb, Cramond was once an industrial and fishing village. Located at the mouth of the River Almond, the area is archaeologically significant as there have been findings from Mesolithic, Bronze Age, and Roman settlements here. You can see Cramond Island from the shore which is a small uninhabited island that does have some old ruins and some WW2 era structures still standing. Before walking to Cramond Island, be sure to check the tides as the tides cover the causeway for 12 or more hours each day so only walk to the island if it is safe to do so as tourists have often been stranded. Jupiter Artland is a contemporary art and sculpture park and art gallery located on a large acre piece of land outside of Edinburgh. The current owners are avid art collectors and started the art park in Here you can buy your ticket and collect a map and enter the beginning of the path. The path leads you through the woods and along the way are a number of exhibits, garden areas, and land sculptures. The map gives you a description of each and the artist. Some are small and some are gigantic installations. They range from fun to interesting and thought-provoking to just plain strange! These huge dirt and turf mounds with little lakes are very impressive. The Weeping Girls by Laura Ford were also a favorite. Some of the features are designed to be permanent, others temporary. Best visited on a nice weather day. Only open seasonally generally May to end of September , so do check dates and hours before visiting. But it is worth the visit if you enjoy contemporary art and nature. It is situated about 12 miles from the centre of Edinburgh just off the A The best way to get here is by car, and the drive takes about 25 minutes. But sometimes in summer, during the Edinburgh Art Festival, a free shuttle bus is offered on certain days from Edinburgh. You can also easily get a taxi here. The following Edinburgh attractions and recommended places are spread out throughout the city so include both centrally located spots as well as more far flung sites within the city. Edinburgh is home to several major year-round weekly Edinburgh markets , taking place in central Edinburgh, Stockbridge, and Leith on the weekends. There is also the central Royal Mile Market which is a year-round daily Scottish market located in the that houses a number of stalls by local businesses and artists with a focus on crafts, art, jewelry, clothing, antiques, and souvenirs. There are also smaller markets and seasonal markets, including the Edinburgh Market. You can find out more about all the local markets here. There are a number of great shopping areas in Edinburgh, and you could easily spend your whole holiday shopping if you wanted! Most people see the shops along the Royal Mile which are good for souvenir shopping, but if you truly interested in shopping plan to venture elsewhere for more variety. Nearby Princes Street is home to some of the oldest flagship department stores like beautiful 19th century building! Stockbridge is great for vintage shops, independent clothing boutiques, and food products. One of the best known stores for high-quality vintage clothing is W. The West End is another area full of independent high-end retailers, boutiques, and home decor stores. The business at The Arches are housed within 19 stone arches built in and feature independent retailers selling artisan clothing, home decor products, food, drinks, and art. If you are looking for high-quality independent shops around a particular Scottish item, such as bagpipes, whisky, cashmere, tweed, or kilts, do a little research online beforehand to find the best stores. I talked about some of the traditional Scottish dishes you should consider trying when visiting Edinburgh in my prior post. However, if you have some time to spend in Edinburgh and Scotland in general I would recommend moving beyond just eating things like haggis, black pudding, Fried Mars Bars, and pub food. There are tons of great local restaurants in Edinburgh serving locally sourced, fresh food from Scotland as well as plenty of restaurants serving great international food from French to Indian food. We have been trying to find the best burgers spots in Edinburgh and so far our favorite has been at the British chain BYRON which has two locations in Edinburgh, but we are always searching for good hamburgers! Visitors may also want to book one of the local food tours available in Edinburgh for a sample of some of the best local restaurants. Scotland is all about whisky and if there is one thing you should try while in Edinburgh in terms of alcohol, I would recommend trying some Scottish whisky. We were really surprised by how much is quite literally done by hand there! The Royal Dick is a great place to try both of these products, as both the brewery and gin distillery are located in the same building, a former veterinary school! If you are looking for a place to enjoy cocktails with a great view, we can recommend the rooftop patio of The Tower Restaurant which has excellent views of the city, including Edinburgh Castle! Edinburgh is not equal to London in terms of nightlife options, but there is still plenty to do in Edinburgh at night. As noted The Stand is the best bet for comedy shows. Check out the Edinburgh Theatre Guide for what is playing during your visit and you can also check around once in town for lesser known performances. For those looking for something with traditional Scottish music and dancing, the Ghillie Dhu regularly has live traditional Scottish music and ceilidhs. These are a lot of fun and are popular with visitors and locals. For more regular performances, w e recommend checking out the Spirit of Scotland Show. Centrally located in the New Town, this is the only regular show in Edinburgh where you can eat haggis, hear poems by Robert Burns, listen to traditional Scottish music, and watch dancers perform traditional dances like the Highland Fling all in one evening. Designed for first time visitors to Scotland a lot of tour groups come here , the Spirit of Scotland evening show includes a 4-course meal with lots of traditional Scottish food options , dancing, storytelling, singing, and music. It may be a bit cheesy with the bagpipes and all the tartan, but Laurence and I had a lot of fun. The food was good, the performers were great, and the staff were friendly. The main show is currently seasonal running from about April to October, although smaller performances may be arranged outside of the season for large groups. Have you visited Edinburgh Scotland? Which of the above lesser known Edinburgh attractions are on your list of places to visit when you come to Edinburgh? For some attractions, we received complimentary entry through partnerships with Marketing Edinburgh or VisitScotland in order to review attractions and services as travel writers; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. We also received complimentary accommodation and meals during a recent 3-day visit in partnership with Marketing Edinburgh. Really informative and helpful page. Been to Edinburgh a lot but still look to find different things to see. Hi Tony, Yes, there are always new places and attractions to discover in Edinburgh. https://files8.webydo.com/9587620/UploadedFiles/DD809030-699C-E396-EDF3-A72D530CFED3.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9591024/UploadedFiles/36834426-D4C5-6E6B-AD02-23D9869A2654.pdf https://uploads.strikinglycdn.com/files/a81c864e-2d09-4957-95e1-43671184a703/vollst-ndiges-marburger-gesang-buch-zur-uebung-der- gottseligkeit-in-615-christlichen-und-trostrei-325.pdf https://uploads.strikinglycdn.com/files/033df51c-f496-4245-8348-3d662ee95360/die-kreuzigung-von-wettingen-ein-irrwitz-krimi-975.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9586331/UploadedFiles/CAB6CB0E-8AB1-A97D-F260-52E67C5FDDDF.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9589972/UploadedFiles/C2C2260C-431D-D278-50D3-12F919054419.pdf https://files8.webydo.com/9588649/UploadedFiles/9170AD76-3653-DD6D-07C1-F72FE1EBA1BD.pdf