Additional information and options for those going to the Edinburgh weekend If you’ve never visited Edinburgh before, you are in for a treat. The skyline of this compact city is dominated by the imposing Edinburgh Castle and the (extinct) volcano known as Arthur’s Seat. As Scotland’s capital city, it is a leading centre for financial services, education, government and increasingly tech start-ups (Skyscanner was born in Edinburgh). Every August, it hosts the world’s largest arts festival. Its architecture includes the cobbled charm of the mediaeval old town, and the gracious style of the New Town (nearly 250 years old), both part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Harry Potter fans can see where he was born, whilst there are many other literary, TV and cinematic references (Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Outlander, Trainspotting, Harry Potter….). If you are able to extend your stay, Edinburgh makes an excellent starting point to go to the Highlands, the Borders, central Scotland – or even its eternal rival, Glasgow. Tourist information: The main tourist information office is at 3 Princes Street, Waverley Mall, EH2 2QP just beside Waverley train station. It is open 09.00-17.00 daily (from 10.00 on Sunday). Tripadvisor lists many details of things to do. Accessibility guide: Edinburgh.org has a comprehensive guide to accessible accommodation, transport and attractions at: http://edinburgh.org/discover/edinburgh-city-guides/accessible/ Here are some suggestions for your free time in Edinburgh: Adults only 1. Scotch Whisky Experience. The Royal Mile, 354 Castlehill, EH1 2NE. Basic tour £13.50 – 1 hour. Open daily 10am-6pm 2. Edinburgh Gin Distillery. 1A Rutland Place, EH1 2AD. Small-batch and multi award- winning Scottish gin distillery. Tour £10. Pre-booking essential – get online now if you are interested. Open daily 9.45am-4.45pm Family-friendly/all age Old Town/Royal Mile 3. National Museum of Scotland. Chambers Street, EH1 1JF. This magnificent building hosts a vast array of natural, historic, cultural and scientific displays. You could easily spend a day there. Check out of 10 of the highlights, plus the roof terrace. Free. Open daily 10-5 4. Edinburgh Castle. Castlehill, EH1 2NG. At the top of the Royal Mile on Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle is the number one visitor attraction in Scotland. It has some of the oldest and most important buildings of the city, including St Margaret's Chapel and Scotland's Crown Jewels. Be prepared for crowds. Book online. Open daily 9.30-6. £17 adult. 5. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Castlehill, EH1 2ND The oldest visitor attraction in Edinburgh, since 1835, this Aladdin's cave filled with illusions, tricks, puzzles, hands-on experiences and unbelievable effects. Open 9.30-8. Adult £15.50 6. Real Mary King’s Close. 2 Warriston's Close, EH1 1PG. Just off the Royal Mile, deep underground lies a warren of hidden streets that has remained frozen in time since the 17th Century. Hear blood-curdling and fascinating stories of the people who lived there in a 1 hour guided tour. Open 10-9. £15.50 adult. Pre-booking online encouraged. 7. Edinburgh Dungeon. 31 Market St, EH1 1DF. Uncover Edinburgh's grisly history - if you dare! With immersive actor-led shows, state of the art special effects and two thrilling underground rides, this highlights the dark side of the city – cannibals, murderers and worse! Pre-booking online is cheaper. 80 minutes. Open 10-5 (6 on Sat). £14.25 adult online. 8. Museum of Childhood. 42 High Street, EH1 1TG. A trip down memory lane for older people, and hand-on exhibits for younger ones. Open daily 10-5 Free. 9. Dynamic Earth. Holyrood Road, EH8 8AS. Explore Earth's past, present and future. Starting by witnessing the big bang and the very first moments of our galaxy and solar system. Explore volcanic explosions, landscape-forming glaciers and the evolution of our life on Earth. 10-5.30 daily. Adult £14 (if bought online) 10. Palace of Holyroodhouse. Canongate, EH8 8DX. The Queen's official residence in Scotland, open to the public when she is not there, and full of royal history. £14 adult. Open 9.30-6 daily (last admission 4pm) New Town 11. National Gallery of Scotland. The Mound, EH2 2EL. In the heart of Edinburgh, the Scottish National Gallery boasts some of the world's finest art by the likes of Rembrandt, Monet and Raphael. Open daily 10-5. Free. 12. National Portrait Gallery. 1 Queen Street, EH2 1JD. This beautiful red sandstone building can be found in the New Town, and is home to over 3,000 portraits of men, women and children from Scotland and beyond. Open daily 10-5. Free. 13. Princes St Gardens: Take a break in these gardens and spot the statues and monuments. 14. Scott Monument. East Princes Street Gardens, EH2 2EJ. The largest monument to a writer in the world, this 19th century monument is one of the most striking landmarks in the Edinburgh skyline commemorating Sir Walter Scott. Climb the 287 steps to the top and enjoy breathtaking views of Edinburgh and around. Open 10-9. £5 adult. 15. Georgian House. 7 Charlotte Square, EH2 4DR. Designed by acclaimed architect Robert Adam, this New Town house has been magnificently restored to late 18th and early 19th century splendour with fine collections of period furniture, porcelain, silver and glass, plus works by important Scottish artists. Open daily 10-5pm. £8 adult. A bit further afield 16. Edinburgh Zoo. 134 Corstophine Road, EH12 6TS. A fantastic day out for all the family, the zoo is a short bus ride from the centre and home to over 1,000 fabulous animals, including the UK's only giant pandas. Open 10-6. £19.50 adult (cheaper in advance/online) 17. Botanic Gardens. Arboretum Place, EH3 5NZ. Enjoy a gentle stroll through Edinburgh’s stunning botanic gardens which date to 1670 and enjoy the sights, sounds and scents throughout the changing seasons. Have a stroll through the charming outdoor gardens, or discover exotic plants in the Glasshouse (£6.50 charge). Open 10-6. Free. 18. Royal Yacht Britannia. Ocean Terminal , Leith EH6 6JJ. Voted as the UK's number one attraction on TripAdvisor, the Royal Yacht Britannia was the seabound home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years. It is now moored permanently near Ocean Terminal in Leith. Open 9.30am; last admission 4.30pm. £16 adult. (https://maps.google.com/maps?ll=55.951346,-3.190366&z=15&t=m&hl=en-GB&gl=US&mapclient=apiv3) Map data ©2018 Google Scotch Whisky Experience The Royal Mile, 354 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NE, UK Edinburgh Gin Distillery 28/1 Rutland St, Edinburgh EH1 2AN, UK National Museum of Scotland Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF, UK Edinburgh Castle Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG, UK Camera Obscura Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2ND, UK Real Mary King's Close High Street, 2 Warriston's Close, Edinburgh EH1 1PG, United Kingdom Edinburgh Dungeon 31 Market St, Edinburgh EH1 1DF, UK Museum of Childhood 42 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1TG, UK Dynamic Earth Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh EH8 8AS, UK Holyroodhouse Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX, UK National Gallery The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, UK National Portrait Gallery 1 Queen St, Edinburgh EH2 1JD, UK Princes Street Gardens, Princes St, Edinburgh EH2 2HG, UK Scott Monument E. Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2EJ, UK Georgian House 7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh EH2 4DR, UK Clermiston Silverknowes Western Harbour Ocean Terminal Drumbrae Clerwood Pennywell Newhaven N11 N22 Corstorphine Drylaw N37 Shore Murrayfield N26 Crewe Toll Bonnington Leith Roseburn Edinburgh Omni Runs every morning WESTERN HARBOUR Royal Yacht Britannia Park Stenhouse Orchard Brae Leith Street Pilrig Route Map interchange Runs Saturday & Sealcar St OCEAN TERMINAL Edinburgh N22 Broomhouse Princes Street Sunday morning only 10 Ocean Airport N3 Includes East Lothian Buses service 113. Dr W Balgreen W Harbour Rd Haymarket GRANTON NEWHAVEN 34 36 Meadowbank 11 35 Westfield 47 38 N11 Piershill Rd 22 Commercial St ton n 16 Starbank Craighall Rd Riccarton ra Lindsay Rd Lothian Seton Sands Waterfront Av G Rd Heriot Watt N25 Sighthill Chesser Gorgie Portobello Granton North Junction St Road Newhaven Rd Princes WEST GRANTON W N31 Willowbrae Square Street N26 Long 32 Longstone Cramond TRINITY Hermiston interchange Joppa Port Seton Craigs N34 Park & Ride Bridges Rd N Boswall West Approach (at time Brunstane Cockenzie 16 of print) Eastfield 24 Stanley Shore Road 19 Granton Rd Pilton Prestonpans 32 Dr N Loan Rd 7 Shandon Commonwealth SILVERKNOWES St Tollcross Alder Clark Rd 36 35 Dumbryden Fountainpark Pool Stoneybank Musselburgh CRAMOND 16 Crewe Rd N 11 Road 27 8 23 22 21 Leith Links Westside Slateford Schaw 41 W Granton Rd 14 Leith journeys Plaza Bruntsfield Prestonfield QMU 37 Muirhouse P'kway Lady Road Lauriston Silverknowes Rd 14 Juniper Levenhall 19 Boswall Parkway Ferry Rd Links Road Pennywell Rd 21 LEITH LINKS Seafield Rd Clovenstone Redford Castle 14 MUIRHOUSE Green Morningside Niddrie Newcraighall N30 47 Newhaven Rd Constitution Road Oxgangs Gdns Currie d Johnsburn Inveresk Pinkie Pen 38 R 12 nywell Gdn n Baberton Road Gilmerton Road Tranent s Crewe to Greenbank Wallyford g Balerno Liberton High Ferry Rd in Duncan Pl DAVIDSON'S MAINS n Station 21 n N30 Eskbank Toll o Street 29 27 27 B Claremont Pk SEAFIELD Burdiehouse Main St Inverleith N44 Colinton Westgarth Dalkeith 42 29 Crewe Rd S 8 Bonn- Kirkbrae 21 37 Royal Lochend Rd 21 Avenue 23 Restalrig Rd Cockburn Loanhead Woodburn Whitehouse Rd Whitehouse St Quality 42 ington N44 Inverleith Row 36 EASTER ROAD 25 Crescent Torphin Corbiehill Ferry Rd Western Botanic N16 Easthouses