There's so much to do in Scotland - why not stay a few extra days? Here are some suggestions:
Things to do in Edinburgh
Touristing
- Stroll along the Royal Mile. Why not buy an overpriced kilt or Loch Ness Monster hat?
- Edinburgh zoo features the penguin parade
- Fulfil your princess fantasies at a castle or a palace
- The National Museum of Scotland even has a particle-physics section!
- Dynamic Earth is great for kids
- See how the other half live on the Royal Yacht Britannia
- Climb Arthur's Seat (if the weather's good, we might do that together)
- Enjoy the authentic British seaside at Portobello (raincoats optional)
- Visit one (or more) of Scotland's national art galleries
- Do a ghost tour or see the underground vaults! I haven't done this so I don't know which one's best - there are a lot.
- Picnic on The Meadows
- Smell the flowers at the Royal Botanic Gardens
Going out-out
- Go to the pub! Close to the venue, we like Summerhall. Small but very authentic - John Leslie's Bar or the Old Bell. Lots of outdoor space and sports on a big screen: Pear Tree. Cosy wine-bar vibe (and near the venue): Southpour. Once hosted Nirvana in the 90's: The Southern. Folk music: Sandy Bell's. Views, pizza and their own brewer: Cold Town House. There are also many more pubs.
- Go to a ceilidh! We can look around to see what's available, there are loads.
- Where in the city to go out - Takeaways: Newington; Chain restaurants and tourists: New Town; Fancy: Stockbridge or Morningside; Bars and lots of restaurants: Tollcross; Drunk Australians: Cowgate; Trendy/boat-themed: Leith; Scenic but overpriced: Grassmarket; Capitalist hellscape: St James Quarter; Cheryl's favourite: Bruntsfield.
- Clubbing: Cowgate
Further afield
- Glasgow is really different in character from Edinburgh and both are cool in their own ways. Glasgow is also better for shopping. I am not an expert, but I recommend: Kelvingrove museum, Sharmanka kinetic theatre, admiring the architecture and art of Charles Rennie Mackintosh.
- Scotland has two national parks and they are both really nice.
- Loch Lomond and the Trossachs is quite nearby but might be hard to access without a car. Callendar and Aberfoyle are good bases for exploring. Loch Lomond, Loch Tay and Loch Katrin are beautiful.
- The Cairngorms are quite different in character - more barren and wild. There are several train stations along the Spey valley that make it more easily accessible. Aviemore (accessible by train) is a good base for exploring. Activities nearby include visiting Scotland's only reindeer herd, riding the mountain railway up to Cairn Gorm ski resort, visiting the Highland Wildlife Park, or touring a distillery. (Plus hiking, water sports etc.)
- Pitlochry is accessible by train or bus and has a distillery and nice walks in the area. Also a fish ladder!
- St Andrews is a coastal town with a historic university, a famous golf course, and a beautiful beach. But not a train station, so you'll have to take the bus.
- The Scottish Borders are a hidden gem. We like Peebles, St Abbs, and Moffat (actually Moffat isn't in the borders).
- Fort William has Scotland's highest mountain, Ben Nevis. Also amazing for hiking: Glen Coe and Glen Etive. Or if you have lots of time to spare, walk the West Highland Way (takes about 9 days depending on how enthusiastic you are).
- I've not been to the islands, but I should. Skye, Arran, Islay, Bute all come recommended.
- Staying for the weekend before or after and want to try something really different? There's a Highland Games in Luss on the 1st and in Alva on the 8th.
