What to See & Do 2013-14 Explore: Edinburgh & The Lothians Natural Playground Let Scotland’s capital entertain you with cultural delights Inspiring City Breaks Coastal treasures and charming countryside – explore beyond the city Festival Fun on a relaxing break www.edinburgh.org Welcome to... Edinburgh & The Lothians Memorable city breaks with active coast and countryside adventures 01 02 08 14 Disclaimer VisitScotland has published this guide in good faith to reflect information submitted to it by the proprietor/managers of the premises listed who have paid for their entries to be included. Although VisitScotland has taken reasonable steps to confirm the information contained in the guide at the time of going to press, it cannot guarantee that the information published is and remains accurate. Accordingly, VisitScotland recommends that all information is checked with the proprietor/manager of the business to ensure that the facilities, cost and all other aspects of the premises are satisfactory. VisitScotland accepts no responsibility for any error or misrepresentation contained in the guide and excludes all liability for loss or damage caused by any reliance placed on the information contained in the guide. VisitScotland also cannot accept any liability for loss caused by the bankruptcy, or liquidation, or insolvency, or cessation of trade of any company, firm or individual contained in this guide. Quality Assurance awards are correct as of December 2012. A herd of red deer at For further information on accommodation and exploring Scotland, go to www.visitscotland.com Beecraigs Country Park www.edinburgh.org Contents 02 Travel tips 04 Edinburgh & The Lothians at a glance 06 Inspiring Edinburgh 08 Explore the Lothians 10 Where legends come to life 12 More to explore 14 Edinburgh Pass 16 Quality Assurance 17 Practical information 18 How to read the listings 18 Great days out – Places to Visit 02 34 Year of Natural Scotland 36 Perfect for golf Welcome to Edinburgh, the inspiring capital of 38 Great days out – Leisure Activities 46 Shopping Scotland, where centuries of history meet a vibrant, 48 Great days out – Shopping cosmopolitan city in an unforgettable setting. 52 Food & drink Spend a day admiring stunning scenery, striking 54 Great days out – Food & Drink 61 What’s on architecture and fine food, and enjoy the beautiful 65 Great days out – Events & Festivals coastline and countryside in the nearby Lothians. 68 Tours 70 Great days out – Tours Head to a festival, soak up the incredible nightlife, 77 Great days out – Transport play a round of golf at one of the finest courses 78 Great days out – Local Services in Scotland or browse a truly fantastic selection 79 Great days out – Family Fun 81 VisitScotland Information Centres of high-end luxury and independent shops. 86 Edinburgh & The Lothians Discover why Edinburgh is the world’s festival capital area maps and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and enjoy Cover Tantallon Castle and Bass Rock, as many world-class visitor attractions and East Lothian. exhilarating outdoor pursuits in Edinburgh 01 Looking from Calton Hill towards Edinburgh Castle. & the Lothians as you can. 02 The Animal World Gallery in the National Museum of Scotland. Credits Photography: Paul Tomkins/VisitScotland/Scottish Viewpoint, Chris Robson, Richard Campbell, Brendan MacNeill, Adam Elder, Rob McDougall, Andy Bennet, Robert Pogson, Craig Brown, National Museum of Scotland, East Lothian Council, Midlothian Council, West Lothian Council, Chris Watt Photography, Edinburgh Marketing, The Scottish Seabird Centre, Our Dynamic Earth, The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, Royal Collection Trust © Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II 2012 Photographer: Ian Jones, Edinburgh Festivals, Disney•Pixar, Hamilton & Inches, Edinburgh Boat Charters, Rabbie’s Trail Burners Ltd, The Scotch Whisky Experience. Design: APS Group Scotland | www.theapsgroup.com, Shaw Marketing and Design | www.shaw-online.com, THK Design | www.thkdesign.com This brochure is printed on recycled content paper. VisitScotland is committed to ensuring that our environment, upon which our tourism is so dependent, is safeguarded for future generations to enjoy. 13EVG To find out more about Edinburgh & the Lothians go to www.edinburgh.org 01 Edinburgh & The Lothians Travel tips 01 Exploring the compact city of Edinburgh and the surrounding Lothians is easy. Footpaths, cycle routes, park & ride services, black cabs, private hire taxis, and a comprehensive bus and train network offer options for getting around the city and the wider region. By road • First Buses also operate extensive • Edinburgh city centre is readily services throughout the region. accessible by car but it can be easier For more information visit to use public transport or one of the www.firstgroup.com park & ride facilities. 02 By rail • Check online at www.edinburgh. • Waverley Station is located right gov.uk/edintravel before you arrive in the centre of Edinburgh, while for maps and information, or ask at Haymarket Station is just to the any VisitScotland Information Centre. west of the city centre. A regular service connects Edinburgh and By bus Glasgow, taking less than an hour. • For local bus travel within Edinburgh & the Lothians, Lothian Buses have • Pop into the VisitScotland a comprehensive network. Take Information Centre in Princes Mall, advantage of their DaySaver tickets just next to Waverley Station, or available from travel shops or for more information visit on-board. For more information visit www.nationalrail.co.uk www.lothianbuses.com 03 02 For further information on accommodation and exploring Scotland, go to www.visitscotland.com Travel tips Where to find out more quality gifts and souvenirs and our For inspiration and ideas on staff will be delighted to help you everything to see and do in find that special souvenir of Scotland. Highlights So, call in to see us – we’ll point you Edinburgh & the Lothians, call into a If you’re travelling from the in the right direction. VisitScotland Information Centre. Our north, take the Fife Coastal friendly experts can offer advice on all Route and enjoy the scenery and Please refer to the list of Information things local as well as sharing their charming towns as you travel to Centres in Edinburgh & the Lothians wider knowledge of Scotland. We can Edinburgh & the Lothians. also arrange your accommodation, on page 81. handle all your travel needs and If you are travelling from the book tickets for events, activities and south, take the Borders Historic attractions across Scotland. Most of Did you Route and admire the royal our centres stock a wide range of know? market towns and impressive countryside along the way. A tram network is currently being laid out in Edinburgh to connect the airport Take a rickshaw from one with the city centre. Edinburgh attraction to the next and relax in the back while your driver does all the hard work! Head to South Queensferry for a closer view of the Forth Rail Bridge or take a walk or cycle across the Forth Road Bridge for some truly unbeatable coastal views. Tips for getting around • Some buses don’t issue change and require the exact fare. • A shuttle bus runs from Edinburgh city centre to Edinburgh Airport day and night. • There are a network of cycle paths throughout the region. • For public transport information in Scotland visit www.travelinescotland.com 01 The iconic Forth rail and road bridges. 02 Waverley Station, Edinburgh. 03 Very accessible bus travel throughout Edinburgh & the Lothians. 04 04 The Royal Mile, Edinburgh. To find out more about Edinburgh & the Lothians go to www.edinburgh.org 03 Edinburgh & The Lothians Edinburgh & The Lothians at a glance Did you know? Edinburgh has more restaurants per head than any other city in Britain. 01 You’ll find the best of both worlds in Edinburgh & the Lothians. Discover the vibrant, cosmopolitan and stunningly beautiful capital city of Scotland and the scenic countryside and coastline of the Lothians. Whether you’re looking for enthralling history and heritage, dramatic cultural landmarks, fascinating museums, fine food and drink or outstanding natural beauty, you’ll find it all in Edinburgh & the Lothians. City of Edinburgh • Take in attractions such as the stately West Lothian • Edinburgh boasts world-class Lennoxlove House and the National • Get active in the unspoiled museums, galleries and visitor Museum of Flight. countryside of family-friendly country attractions, captivating history and parks like Beecraigs and Polkemmet. architecture, relaxing parks and • Spend a day at the races at gardens, a thriving dining scene Musselburgh Racecourse. • Visit historic attractions like the grand Hopetoun House and and buzzing nightlife. Midlothian Linlithgow Palace, birthplace of • Explore an area immersed in centuries • As the world’s festival capital, there’s Mary Queen of Scots. of history and legends. Visit Rosslyn always an event or festival to keep Chapel of The Da Vinci Code fame. you entertained. • Indulge in some retail therapy at the McArthurGlen Livingston Designer • Get some fresh air at Roslin Glen Outlet and The Centre. East Lothian Country Park and enjoy family fun • Test your golf skills at Muirfield, at Vogrie Country Park. venue for the 2013 Open For more information on Championship, or on one of the • Enjoy fishing, walking and horse Edinburgh Festivals go to many other beautiful links courses. riding at Pentland Hills Regional Park. www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk 04 For further information on accommodation and exploring Scotland, go to www.visitscotland.com Edinburgh & The Lothians at a glance 04 Highlights Musselburgh Golf Course in East Lothian is one of the oldest golf courses in the world. Edinburgh boasts five Michelin- star restaurants: Castle Terrace, 21212, Number One, The Kitchin and Restaurant Martin Wishart. Enjoy skiing and snowboarding all year round at Midlothian Snowsports Centre. The National Mining Museum in 02 Midlothian offers a perfect family day out as Scotland’s relationship with coal is brought to life.