Edinburgh Scotland

Edinburgh
Capital of Scotland

Edinburgh is a council area and the capital city of Scotland. The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh, a World Heritage Site inscribed by UNESCO in 1995.

How to Reach Edinburgh

Edinburgh Airport (IATA Code- EDI) is an airport located in the Ingliston area of Edinburgh. It is located 9.3 km west of the city center.
Buy a cheapest air-ticket from below site. This is my favorite site because it shows the different airline ticket prices of the same flight. So it makes easy for me to buy the lowest price ticket. Select your depart and return date. If one-way then click cross on the return date.

From Airport, you can choose online transfer to reach Edinburgh from below-

* Shared Transfer by bus between Edinburgh and Edinburgh Airport for 1 person.
* Private Transfer between Edinburgh hotel and Edinburgh Airport for 1 person.
* Private Transfer To Or From Edinburgh Airport and Edinburgh up to 99 person.

Hotels in Edinburgh

You can book hotel from the below search engine, which compare Booking.com and other all hotel related website and show the different prices of the same room. So, you can book at the lowest price. Just select your check-in and check-out date and click on search.

Transportation in Edinburgh

There 3 different hop-on and hop-off bus routes in Edinburgh with 24 or 48 hours.

City Sightseeing:
1 Route from 9 AM to 4 PM with 12 stops.
24 Hours: 22.39 Dollar for adult age 16-59. 20.99 Dollar for senior age 60+. Free for child age 5-15.
Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for 24-Hour Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour.

Other hop-on hop-off are-
* 1-day or 2-day: 3 bus routes.
* 2-day: 3 bus routes and a boat cruise.

Tourist Places in Edinburgh

I have described 115 Best Places to Visit in Edinburgh. Those are Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Edinburgh. Among them some are Must-Visit Attractions in Edinburgh. Also described The Best Things to Do in Edinburgh, and Fun Things to Do in Edinburgh.
So that you can able to know the Famous Edinburgh Tourist sights and Attractions, and make your itinerary for Edinburgh Attractions & Sightseeing.
You need approximately US$ 416 to visit all the places listed below. With that amount of money, you have to add Food cost, Transport cost, Hotel rent and air fare to travel in Edinburgh.

Day-1:

Edinburgh Waverley

Train Station

It is the second busiest station in Scotland, after Glasgow Central.
First station was built and opened on 22 June 1846 as The North Bridge station. The station was unofficially called "Waverley" from 1854. The North British Railway acquired the stations, demolished the station in 1868 and the present Victorian station was built on the site.

Fruitmarket

Art Gallery

Visiting Time: 10 AM to 6 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located south side of Edinburgh Waverley station at 45 Market Street.

City Art Centre

Museum

Visiting Time: 10 AM to 5 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located south side of Fruitmarket at 2 Market Street.

The Edinburgh Dungeon

Ghost Walk

The Edinburgh Dungeon is a 70-minute, interactive walk-through experience using live actors, theatrical sets, spectacular special effects and thrilling rides to bring 1000 years of Edinburgh and Scottish history to life.
Visiting Time: 11 AM to 4 PM every day.
Entry Fee: 19.75 Pounds ($26.96). 25 Pounds ($34.13) for late night full-on adults-only Dungeon tour.
How to go: It is located about 80 meters from City Art Center towards west at 31 Market Street.

Cockburn Street

Street

About 250 meters street in Edinburgh's Old Town.
How to go: It is located from southwest corner of Edinburgh Waverley station and west side of The Edinburgh Dungeon and ends at main street.

Edinburgh City Chambers

Town Hall

Previously known as Royal Exchange is the meeting place of the City of Edinburgh Council.
The film Braveheart shoot at this place in 1995.
How to go: It is located about about 130 meters from the south end of Cockburn Street towards west at 245–329 High Street, 2 Warriston's Close and 14 Cockburn Street.

Mary King's Close

Haunted House

There were many narrow streets in Edinburgh. Many inhabitants lived in narrow winding streets during 17th-century. A merchant Burgess, Mary King, resided on a Close. In the absence of proper drainage system, the tenant simply dumped the waste on the street. Rats come on the street. As a result, in the summer of 1645, residents became infected with Plague. 2 types of plague hit Edinburgh, killing around half of those that contracted it. The "Pneumonic plague" attack the lungs and which turned the skin black. So its also called "The Black Death". Another was the bubonic plague, which poisoned the blood and often caused death. The city’s first Plague Doctor was dead and second Plague Doctor, George Rae was appointed on 13th June 1645. Plague victims were well cared for and the town council handled the outbreak efficiently and sympathetically.
After the plague ended, the tenants continued to live in Mary King's close-up until it was emptied and sealed. On top of this, The Royal Exchange, Edinburgh which later became the City Chambers, was built in 1753-1760. Closures were used as bomb shelters during World War II.
Since the early 1990s, Mary Kings Close has become a popular tourist site. To make this place attractive to tourists, the guide presents it to tourists as a haunted place. One of the most famous ghosts to live here is a 10-year-old girl named Annie, who died of the plague. Believers report a change in temperature and feel a strange presence in her room.
Visiting Time: Monday to Sunday - 9 AM to 9 PM.
Entry Fee: 1 hour guided tour - 18.95 Pounds ($25.87) for adult. 12.45 Pounds ($17) for child age 5-15. 54 Pound ($73.72) for family (2 adult + 2 children age 5-15).
How to go: It is located under the Edinburgh City Chambers.

Day-2:

St Giles' Cathedral

Church

The church was built in 1124 by Dauíd mac Maíl Choluim (King David I). The church was damaged by English army in 1322 and again in 1385. It was restored with help from Edinburgh merchants around 1390. St Giles’ to become a collegiate church in 1466.
Tower and crown steeple: The lower section of the tower had likely been completed by 1416. The upper stage work is uncertain, but assume between 1486 and 1491. The crown steeple has built between 1460 and 1467.
Exterior: The present exterior except tower was restored in 1829-33.
The Thistle Chapel: The Thistle Chapel was added to the south east corner of the building in 1911.
Visiting Time: May to September - Monday to Friday - 9 AM to 7 PM. Saturday - 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 1 PM to 5 PM. October to April - Monday to Saturday - 9 AM to 5 PM and Sunday 1 PM to 4:30 PM.
Entry Fee: Free.
Photography: 2 Pounds ($2.73) for permits for photography.
How to go: It is located south side of Edinburgh City Chambers at High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1RE.

Signet Library

Building

The Signet Library is a unique building in Edinburgh. The Signet Library is the foundation of the Society of Writers to Her Majesty Signet. Members of society are exclusively Scottish lawyers. Only members of society are allowed to use it.
It is best known for its restaurant Colonnades at the Signet on the ground floor serving lunch and afternoon tea. Upstairs room allows for weddings, private parties and other occasions. The building is also used for filming.
How to go: It is located at the southwest corner of St Giles' Cathedral.

The Colonnades at the Signet Library

Tea House

Visiting Time: Thursday to Sunday - 11 AM to 4:30 PM.
Cost: Afternoon tea prices start from 40 Pound ($54.61) per person.
How to go: It is located at Signet Library.

National Library of Scotland

Library

It was opened in 1689 and gained national library status in the 1710. The building was built in 1938-1956.
Visiting Time: Reading Room - Monday to Saturday - 10 AM to 4 PM. Maps Reading Room - Monday to Thursday - 10 AM to 1 PM and 2 PM to 4 PM. Exhibitions - Monday to Saturday - 10 AM to 4 PM. 25, 27, 28 December and 1,3,4 January remains closed.
How to go: It is located south side of Signet Library at George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW.

Victoria Street

Street

About 150 meters east-west street. Victoria Street was built between 1829-1834.
How to go: Starts from the opposite side of National Library of Scotland (east end).

Grassmarket

Market Place

It was used as a market place from unknown time, but recorded date is 1477, where people coming to sell their horses and cattle. The eastern part of the market was once the site of public executions. Around 1660 the Grassmarket became the location for hanging criminals in the city. It is said that Major Weir and his sister Jean, both arrested and sentenced to death for witchcraft in 1670. Weir was burned alive and his sister was hanged in the Grassmarket. Another execution of Maggie Dickson, who convicted for the murder of her new-born baby in 1724 had become big news in the city. The story said that Maggie hanged and she was confirmed dead by the attending doctor. Her coffin loaded onto a cart to be taken to the local graveyard. On the way, Suddenly a voice was heard from inside the coffin. They opened the coffin and saw Maggie screaming. The cause is still unknown, but she is said to have lived another 25 years after being "executed" on the gallows. So she also popular by name 'Half-Hangit Maggie'. She later became the owner of a house and died in 1753. The last hanging taking place at Grassmarket in 1784.
Today there are collection of pubs and restaurants situated around a large open square. There is a Candlemakers Hall which was built in 1722. The Maggie Dickinson Pub named after Maggie. The White Hart Inn is one of the oldest pubs in Edinburgh. Many notable person stayed there such as poet Robert Burns in 1791 and poet Dorothy Wordsworth in 1803.
Around 1880s, the Grassmarket was home to so many Italian immigrants it became known as ‘Little Italy’.
How to go: The Grassmarket is located behind Edinburgh Castle and 100 meters from the west end of Victoria Street towards west.

Day-3:

Vennel Steps

Historic Place

The word “Vennel” refers to an old French word that means “Alley” or "Lane". It is a stairway to reach the up to a place that is called Vennel.
On 9 September 1513, the Scots met the English at the Battle of Flodden, and were heavily defeated. Later Edinburgh decided to build a new town wall. Construction began in 1514 and completed in 1560. The Flodden Wall was generally around 3 feet 11 inch thick and up to 24 feet high. The Wall began at the south side of the castle, running south across the west end of the Grassmarket, where the West Port was located, and continued uphill along the Vennel. A watch-tower or bastion survives at this, the south-west extent of the wall. The Flodden Wall enclosed an area of just under 140 acres. There were six ports in the Flodden Wall.
In 1618 the town council bought 10 acres of land to the west of Greyfriars Kirk, which was enclosed between 1628 and 1636 by the Telfer Wall. The wall ran south from the Flodden Tower in the Vennel to Lauriston Place and so on.
Demolitions of the walls began in 1746. In the Vennel the last remaining bastion of the town walls survives. The Flodden Tower, as it is sometimes known, comprises two remaining walls with a total length of 56 feet. There are two remaining sections of the Telfer Wall. The first runs along Heriot Place from the Flodden Tower, and forms the west boundary of George Heriot's School.
In the 1820s, a businessman named James Brown decided to open up the area surrounding his adjacent stables, creating a residential square known as Brown’s Place. This place is accessible though Vennel Steps. Vennel is the best view point to watch Edinburgh Castle.
in 2018, the steps were renamed the ‘Miss Jean Brodie Steps’ to celebrate the author Muriel Spark on her 100th birthday.
How to go: The foot of the steps is located at the southwest corner of Grassmarket. Then go up through stairway towards south.

Greyfriars Kirk

Church

Construction was started in 1602 and completed in 1620. The Kirk was first used on 18 February 1619 for the funeral. Cromwell's troops occupied the church as a cavalry barracks and caused significant damage between 1650 and 1653. In 1656, the church was divided by a partition wall in the hope of creating two new parishes in Edinburgh; This never happened and the partition was removed in 1662.
Since 1706, the town council has used a tower at the west end of Greyfriars as a gunpowder store. It exploded on Sunday, May 7, 1718, destroying the tower and severely damaging the west end of the church. The restoration was completed by 31 December 1722. The town council ordered the formation of a new congregation to occupy the western half of the Kirk was known Wester Greyfriars which later known as New Greyfriars. The eastern half became known as Old Greyfriars.
On 19 January 1845, the Old Greyfriars was gutted by fire and the roof and furniture of the New Greyfriars were damaged. The congregation temporarily moved to the Tolbooth Kirk. The exterior of Greyfriars was restored in 1845. The restoration of Old Greyfriars took twelve years. During the restoration of Old Greyfriars, painted glass was installed. This was the first colored glass to be installed in a building of the Church of Scotland. Church was reopened in 1857. The first organ in Greyfriars was a harmonium installed against the west wall of Old Greyfriars in 1863. This was the first successful attempt to introduce an organ in a Church of Scotland building. The harmonium was replaced in 1865 with a two-manual pipe organ.
The current appearance of the church was restored from 1932 to 1938. The current three-manual organ stands at the west end of the church and was built in 1989.
How to go: It is located about south
Inside the premises:
Greyfriars Kirkyard: The graveyard was founded in August 1562 and later burial ground was not used after around 1600.

Greyfriars Bobby Statue

Dog Statue

Bobby was the name of a dog who lived in Greyfriars Kirkyard. So it became popular as Greyfriars Bobby.
The popular story is, Bobby belonged to John Gray, who worked for the Edinburgh City Police as a nightwatchman. When John Gray died he was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard. Bobby then spending the rest of his life sitting on his master's grave for 14 years. Bobby died in 1872 and buried inside the gate of Greyfriars Kirkyard near John Gray's grave. The story made Bobby "The Most Faithful Dog in the World".
In 1873, Angela Georgina Burdett (21 April 1814 – 30 December 1906), a British philanthropist and the daughter of Sir Francis Burdett, built a drinking fountain topped with Bobby's statue.
How to go: It is located at the east end of Greyfriars Kirk, opposite of National Museum of Scotland.

National Museum of Scotland

Museum

It exhibits Scottish antiquities, culture and history.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 5 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located east side of Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Talbot Rice Gallery

Art Gallery

The gallery was opened in 1975.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 5 PM.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 200 meters from National Museum of Scotland towards east at University of Edinburgh, South Bridge, Edinburgh EH8 9YL. About 2 minutes walk from South Bridge bus stop to the Gallery.

Surgeons' Hall Museums

Museum

It is the headquarters of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. It houses Museum, and the library and archive of the college. The building was built in 1832. The museum exhibits medical terms.
Visiitng Time: 10 AM to 5 PM every day.
Entry Fee: 8 Pounds ($10.92) for adult. 4.5 Pounds ($6.14) for child age below 0-15, student and senior age above 60. 20 Pounds ($27.30) for family (2 adults + 2 Children), 17 Pounds ($23.21) for family (2 adult + 1 child). 14 Pound ($19.11) for family (1 adult + 2 children).
How to go: It is located about 180 meters from Talbot Rice Gallery towards southeast at Nicolson Street.

Dovecot Studios Ltd

Art Gallery

Visiting Time: Monday to Friday - 12 PM to 3 PM. Saturday - 10 AM to 5 PM.
Entry Fee: Free. 8.50 Pounds ($11.60) for Archie Brennan exhibition.
How to go: It is located about 250 meters from Surgeons' Hall Museums towards north at 10 Infirmary Street.

Edinburgh Vaults

Underground Chambers

Also called South Bridge Vaults.
The city is spread over seven large hills. Only two of these high points are visible in the city center, Castle Hill and Calton Hill. The main hills of the city were connected by five bridges. South Bridge is the most popular bridge.
The south bridge was completed and opened on 1 March 1788. The bridge consisted of 19 stone arches between High Street and the growing University of Edinburgh on the south side.
Buildings have been built closely on both sides of the bridge to establish it as a shopping street. So that commercial shops are available on both sides of the bridge. Due to this 18 arches remain unseen for the buildings. Only its highest arch, which was 31 feet, the ‘Cougate Arch’, is visible only today. Three closes (Narrow street - Marlin’s Wynd, Peebles Wynd and Niddry’s Wynd) were demolished in the Cowgate area.

To further enhance the space, about 120 dark, airless chambers were built under 18 hidden arches. These vaulted chambers were originally used as storage and workshops for the above business.
The construction of the bridge was expedited and the surface was never sealed against the water. The vaults continue to flood. Merchants began to abandon the vault in early 1795. The slum dwellers occupied the vaults and began operating numerous brothels and pubs. As a result, the area became a famous red light district. Vaults also became places of crime, robbery and murder. Burke and Hare, the infamous serial killers who sold corpses at medical schools, are known to have done all this in the vault. The date is unknown, when the vaults were closed, some said in 1835 and some said in 1875. But It is known that, tons of rubble were dumped at all access points in the vault.
The vaults were rediscovered in the 1980s. The vaults were excavated in 1985. Hundreds of tonnes of rubble were removed.
Currently, the vaults on the north side of the Cowgate arch form a series of tunnels and vaults and are primarily used for ghost travel. The vaults on the south side of the Cowgate Arch form a venue called "The Caves and The Rowantree", which hosts private events, live music and occasional club nights.
Visiting Time: Open every day through the year, except Christmas. Only Mercat Tours has exclusive rights to allow visitors inside Edinburgh Vaults. Apply online or book from their office.
Cost: 75 minutes tour - 14 Pounds ($19.11) for adult age 16-59. 12 Pounds ($16.38) for senior age above 60 and student. 9 Pounds ($12.29) for child age 5-15.
Night Tour: 1 hour tour starts at 9:30 PM. 15 Pounds ($20.48) for adult age 16-59. 13 Pounds ($17.75) for senior age above 60 and student.
How to go: It is located about 200 meters from Dovecot Studios Ltd towards northwest.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for Underground Vaults Tour. Or Late Night Underground Vaults Terror Tour.

Day-4:

Royal Mile

Street

East-west about 1 mile (1.6 km) street between 2 Royal Palaces from Edinburgh Castle (west end) to Holyrood Palace (east end). That's why its name is Royal Mile.
How to go: From Edinburgh Castle (west end) to Holyrood Palace (east end).

Museum of Childhood

Museum

Visiting Time: Monday, Thursday to Saturday - 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday - 12 PM to 5 PM. Tuesday and Wednesday remains closed.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 270 meters from Cowgate towards northeast and about 250 meters from Edinburgh Waverley Station towards southeast at 42 High Street, Royal Mile.

John Knox House

Historic Landmark

The house was built from 1490. The owner of the house was Walter Reidpath. His grandson John Arres inherited it. Arees left it to his daughter Mariota Arres in 1556. She married a goldsmith, James Mosman. In August 1573, Mosman was charged with forgery, for which he was hanged. His property, including this house, was confiscated and given to James Carmichael.
John Knox (1514 – 24 November 1572) was a Scottish minister, theologian, and writer who was a leader of the country's Reformation. He was the founder of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. It is not proven but it is said that John Knox was in this house for a few months during the siege of Edinburgh Castle. Some believe he died here in 1572. He lived in this house, which saved the house from destruction in the 1840s.
Visiting Time: Monday to Saturday - 10 AM to 6 PM. July to August - Sunday - 10 AM to 6 PM.
Entry Fee: 6 Pounds ($8.19) for adult. 5 Pounds ($6.83) for senior. 1 Pound ($1.37) for child over 7 years.
How to go: It is located northeast side of Museum of Childhood at 43-45 High Street, The Royal Mile.

Scottish Storytelling Centre

Cultural Center

This is a Center where story of Scotland's are dedicated to preserving and recounting, so that future generations can enjoy these tales.
Visiting time: 10 AM to 6 PM every day.
How to go: It is located southeast side of John Knox House at 43-45 High Street, The Royal Mile.

Cannongate

Area

How to go: The junction from the High Street, Jeffrey Street, Mary's street and Canongate street towards east till Holyrood Palace. It is located about on the 650 meters of eastern Royal Mile.
Inside the Premises: Morocco Land, Bible Land, Gibbs Close, St John's Cross, Old Moray House, Canongate Tolbooth, The People's Story Museum,

Morocco Land

Building

There is a story about this building. Edinburgh resident Andrew Gray was sentenced to death for rioting. But was able to flee the country before his execution, being sold only as a slave in Morocco. He made his fortune there. He later returned to Scotland and married the Provost's daughter. They set up house where the small statue is located. Since then it has been known to locals as "Morocco Land".
Whatever the story, it is true that it is a building of the early eighteenth century. It was rebuilt in the 1950s.
How to go: It is located about 50 meters from the west end of Cannongate street towards east.

Bible Land

Building

It was built in 1677. Later it was rebuilt in 1956.
How to go: It is located on Canongate and from Morocco Land towards northeast through Canongate street.

Gibbs Close

Narrow street

The 4th Earl of Traquair erected a tall tenement on this site in 1700 and lived here with his twin daughters. Later this century, coach builder Robert Gibb made the close his residence and it still bears his name.
The close became more popular for the story of Berke and Hare, pair of serial killers. They murdered at least 16-30 people in just under a year before being caught. They delivered the dead bodies to Professor Robert Knox of Edinburgh University for dissection by anatomy students, and get money. Mary Paterson was a teenage prostitute who was lured to Burke's brother's house in Gibb's Close in the Canongate with her friend Janet Brown. Mary was killed by Berke and Hare. Burke, Hare and Helen were arrested. After a month of interrogation, the police had little evidence that was not enough to convict them. Finally the Lord's Advocate, Sir William Roy, offered Hare to testify against Burke and Helen in exchange for his freedom. Which Hare did very easily.
More than 25,000 people attended the Lawnmarket on 28th January 1829 and were delighted to see William Burke hanged. Burke's body was put on public display and thousands of people attended. His body was dismembered at the anatomy lecture. His skeleton can still be seen at the Anatomical Museum in Edinburgh.
Hare was released in February 1829 and fled to England. There his identity was discovered and the mob threw him into a limestone pit and he spent his last days in London as a blind beggar.

St John's Cross

Sign

It is written there "The cross on the roadway marks the site of the original standing cross of St. John, which was on the boundary between Edinburgh and the Burgh of Canongate. The Ancient order of the St. John is thought to have owned land and property next to the cross during middle ages. The cross was set in place during 1987 by the order of St. John of Jerusalem to mark the fortieth anniversary of the re-establishment of the order in Scotland."
How to go: The original cross can now be seen within the grounds of Canongate Kirk opposite.

Old Moray House

Building

It was built in 1625 by Mary. It is said that Oliver Cromwell stayed here on his visits to Edinburgh in 1648 and 1650.
How to go: It is located about 170 meters from Morocco Land towards east through Canongate street.

Canongate Tolbooth

Building

The Canongate Tolbooth was built in 1591. It was served as the municipal building, court and prison for the Burgh of Canongate. A clock was added in 1820. Now the building houses "The People's Story".
How to go: It is located about 60 meters from Old Moray House towards northeast through Canongate street.

The People's Story Museum

Museum

It tells the story of the ordinary people of Edinburgh from the late 1700s to the present
Visiting Time: Monday, Thursday to Saturday - 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday - 12 PM to 5 PM. Tuesday and Wednesday remains closed.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 60 meters from Old Moray House towards northeast through Canongate street at Canongate Tolbooth.

Museum of Edinburgh

Museum

Formerly known as Huntly House Museum.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 5 PM.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located east side of The People's Story Museum at 142-146 Canongate, Royal Mile.

Canongate Kirk

Church

The church was built in 1688–1691.
How to go: It is located besides Museum of Edinburgh.

Canongate Kirkyard

Cemetery

How to go: Behind the Canongate Tolbooth buidling.

Dunbars Close

Park

The Dunbar's Close is thought to have been named after the Edinburgh writer David Dunbar, who owned buildings on both sides of the close in 1773.
How to go: It is located east side of Canongate Kirk area.

Panmure Close

Narrow street

Once known as McCall's Close. After the construction of Panmur House in 1691, the road is known by its present name. Now, you can visit the house through Little Lochend Close.
How to go: It is located near Canongate Kirk area. Panmure house is located northeast side of Dunbars Close.

Queensberry House

Building

The mansion house was built in 1681 for Charles Maitland, Lord Hatton.
It was then bought by William Douglas, 1st Duke of Queensberry in 1686. He died in the house in 1695. The building inherited by his son James Douglas and then son of James Douglas, Charles Douglas had been born in the house in 1698.
The house was sold to William Aitchison in 1801. It was used as a hospital from 1803 to 1996 and was acquired by the Scottish Government in 1997.
The building is said to be haunted by the kitchen boy roasted in 1707 and eaten by James Douglas, 3rd Marquess of Queensberry, known until 1711 as James Douglas, Earl of Drumlanrig.
How to go: It is located about 210 meters from Canongate Kirk towards northeast thrgouth Canongate street, Royal Mile.

The Scottish Parliament

Parliament

Construction of the building began in June 1999. The building was complted and Inaugurated on 9 October 2004.
How to go: It is located east and south side of Queensberry House.

White Horse Close

Courtyard

Some said that, Queen Mary of Scot's favorite white horse, Palfrey, was stabled there. Or the name may come from "White Horse Inn" The building is located on the north end of the courtyard which was built in 1632.
How to go: It is located oppposite of the Scottish Parliament.

Holyrood Palace
Palace

James IV constructed a the palace adjacent to the abbey in 1501-1505. James V added many things to the palace between 1528 and 1536, especially the tower, which still survives today. The west front of the palace was rebuilt for additional reception rooms. The elegant design includes a double tower gateway, parapet and large windows. The south side was rebuilt and a new chapel was included. In 1544, during the War of the Rough Wooing, Holyrood was looted and burned. Mary of Guise (22 November 1515 – 11 June 1560), ruler of Scotland from 1554 to 1560, repaired the palace. The royal apartments in the north-west tower of the palace were occupied by Mary, Queen of Scots (8 December 1542 – 8 February 1587), from her return to Scotland in 1561 to 1567.
It is now the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. Queen Elizabeth II spends one week in residence at Holyroodhouse at the beginning of each summer.
Visiting Time: November to March - 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. and April to October - 9:30 AM to 6 PM. Palace remains closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Entry Fee: 16.50 Pounds ($22.53) for adult. 14.50 Pounds ($19.80) for senior age over 60 and student. 9.50 Pounds ($12.97) for child age 5-16. 42.50 Pounds ($58.02) for family Family (2 adults and 3 children). Combined Holyrood Palace and Queen's Gallery - 21.90 Pounds ($29.90) for adult. 19.70 Pounds ($26.70) for senior age over 60 and student. 12 Pounds ($16.38) for child age 5-16. 55.80 Pounds ($76.18) for family (2 adults and 3 children).
How to go: It is located east end of Royal Mile.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for Palace of Holyroodhouse Ticket.

Holyrood Abbey

Ruined Church

It is said that when King David I was hunting in the forest, he suddenly fell from his horse and an animal came to attack him. The king was saved by the miraculous appearance of a holy cross coming down from sky. Some said the sunlight was reflected from a cross that suddenly appeared in the beast when the king tried to catch them in self-defense. For his escape, David first founded the Holyrood Abbey on the site in 1128. It was reconstructed between 1195 and 1230.
the marriage of James IV to Margaret Tudor, which took place in the abbey in August 1503. The Scottish coronation of Charles I was held at this place in 1633 and was probably the last historical event here.
In 1768 the roof of the building collapsed and with it many structures collapsed.
How to go: The entrance to the abbey is through the entrance to the Hollywood palace.

The Queen's Gallery

Art Gallery

It was opened in 2002 to conicide with the Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubillee. It exhibits works of art from the Royal Collection.
Visiting Time: November to March - 9:30 AM to 4:30 PM. and April to October - 9:30 AM to 6 PM. Palace remains closed on Tuesday and Wednesday.
Entry Fee: 7.80 Pounds ($10.65) for adult. 7 Pounds ($9.56) for senior age over 60. 6.40 Pounds ($8.74) for student. 3.90 Pounds ($5.32) for child age 5-16. 19.50 Pounds ($26.62) for family Family (2 adults and 3 children). Combined Holyrood Palace and Queen's Gallery - 21.90 Pounds ($29.90) for adult. 19.70 Pounds ($26.90) for senior age over 60 and student. 12 Pounds ($16.78) for child age 5-16. 55.80 Pounds ($76.18) for Family (2 adults and 3 children).
How to go: It is located on Horse Wynd opposite the The Scottish Parliament building.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for Queen's Gallery Entrance Ticket.

Day-5:

Dynamic Earth

Science Center

Visiting Time: Thursday to Friday - 10 AM to 5 PM. Saturday and Sunday - 10 AM to 6 PM. Monday to Wednesday remains closed.
Entry Fee: Tour + Planetarium - 15.95 Pounds ($21.78) for adult. 13.95 Pounds ($19.05) for senior age above 60 and student. 9.95 Pounds ($13.58) for child age 4-15. Only Planetarium - 5.50 Pounds ($7.51) for any one.
How to go: It is located south end of Scottish Parliament Building at Holyrood Road.

Holyrood Park

Park

Also called Queen's Park or King's Park is a royal park. It is open to the public.
Inside the Premises:
Muschat's Cairn: Nichol Muschat, a surgeon, dragged his wife to a nearby spot and brutally murdered her on 17 October 1720. He was hanged for this crime. A cairn was formed over several years "in token of the people's abhorrence and reprobation of the deed". It had been removed around 1789. The present cairn consists of boulders cemented together and was erected in 1823. It is located on the northeast corner of the park.
St Margaret's Loch: A shallow man-made lake was formed in 1856. It has been used as a boating pond but is now home to ducks, geese, and swans. It is located about 100 meters from Muschat's Cairn towards southwest.
St Anthony's Chapel: The chapel was built and first recorded in 1426. The chapel is now a ruin: only the north wall and a fragment of west wall remain. It is located near the southwest corner of St Margaret's Loch.
St Margaret's Well: The natural spring which was originally located in Restalrig area of Edinburgh next to the present day East Coast Mainline. This historic spring well-head takes its name from St Margaret, Queen of Scotland in the eleventh century. It provided water to Edinburgh Castle area. Due to work on the St. Margaret Railway in 1859/60, it was demolished and moved stone by stone to its present location. It located now about 320 meters from the west end of St Margaret's Loch towards west.
Arthur's Seat: Group of hills.
Salisbury Crags: A series of 46-meter cliffs at the top of a subsidiary spur of Arthur's Seat.
Dunsapie Loch: Artificial lake is located southeast side of Arthur's Seat.

Duddingston Loch

Lake

Largest of the three lochs within Holyrood Park. It is said that, About three thousand years ago, in the Bronze Age, weapons that destroyed, such as swords, spears, and other artefacts, were thrown into the waters of Duddingston Loch. These destroyed weapons were pulled from the loch bed by a dredger in 1778. These are on display at the National Museum of Scotland.
How to go: It is located at the south of Holyrood Park.

Duddingston Kirk

Church

The church was built around 1124 by Dodin, a Norman knight. The Prestonfield Aisle was added in 1631.
Now there is a gallery at downstairs area and burial vaults were on the north side. The north triple window in the gallery is dedicated to Joan Carfrae, wife of the famous detective, Allan Pinkerton, who was born in Duddingston in 1822 and died in Chicago in 1887. The stained glass immediately east of the pulpit commemorates Dr Stevenson Macadam, an elder in the church.
How to go: It is located northeast side of Duddingston Loch.

Dr Neil's Garden

Botanical Garden

In 1963, Andrew and Nancy began create the garden which is Dr Neil’s Garden. Andrew and Nancy Neil both died in 2005.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 9 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located near Duddingston Kirk.

Day-6:

Gilmerton Cove

Underground Passageway

Seven different rooms with furniture tables and chairs. After archaeological research, investigators still do not know the exact origins of this site. The Cove features a well, a fireplace, a blacksmiths forge and two back-filled tunnels.
Visiitng Time: 1 hour tour October to March - Monday to Friday - 12 PM. Saturday and Sunday - 12 PM and 2 PM. April to September - Monday to Friday 11 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM. Saturday and Sunday - 12 PM, 2 PM, 3 PM.
Entry Fee: 7.50 Pounds ($10.24) for adult, 6.50 Pounds ($8.87) for student or Senior aged above 60. 4 Pounds ($5.46) for child age 5-16. 20 Pounds ($27.30) for family (2 adults and 2 children).
How to go: By bus 3 or 29 from Princes Street or North Bridge to Mayfield and Gilmerton respectively. Both take you to the LIDL supermarket, which is opposite the little white cottage that's connected to the Ladbrokes shop. The cottage is the entrance to the site. Buses takes about 30 minutes to reach.

Craigmillar Castle

Ruined Palace

The Preston family was given 2/3 of Craigmillar's land in 1342 by the King David II. King Robert II gave the remaining land of Craigmillar to Sir Simon de Preston in 1374. His grandson, Sir George Preston, began work on the Tower House in 1425. The courtyard wall was probably added in 1453 by Sir William Preston.
In September 1517, during the plague outbreak in Edinburgh, infant James V was transferred to Craigmillar Castle for safety. His French guardian De la Bastie built a new lock for his chamber, and two iron doors and a stable for the king's mule. The family chapel in the outer courtyard was first recorded in 1523. Craigmillar Castle was burned down on 8 May by English troops. Sir Simon Preston repaired the castle, the domestic ranges in the courtyard were rebuilt in 1569. Queen Mary was at Craigmillar twice from September 1563 and from November 20 to December 7, 1566. She is said to have slept in the small kitchen of Tower House.
On the death of Sir Robert Preston in 1639, Craigmillar passed away to David Preston of Whitehill, a distant cousin. His son sold the castle to Sir John Gilmore in 1660. He also purchased the neighboring estate of The Inch at the same time. He rebuilt the western frontier in the 1660s to provide more modern housing.
In 1796, the Gilmore family left the castle for the Inch House, just west of Craigmillar. Craigmillar Castle was ruined by 1775.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 4 PM every day.
Entry Fee: 6 Pounds ($8.19) for adult age 16-64. 4.80 Pounds ($6.55) for senior age above 65. 3.60 Pounds ($4.91) for child age 5-15. 12 Pounds ($16.36) for family (1 adult, 2 children). 17 Pounds ($23.21) for family (2 adults, 2 children). 20.50 Pounds ($27.99) for family (2 adults, 3 children).
How to go: By public transport to nearby Old Dalkeith Road (Edinburgh Royal Infirmary) or Peffermill Road. It is about 2.5 km from Gilmerton Cove toward north.

Inch House

Historical Architecture

In 1607 James Winram bought land that included the Inch Estate. He built the Inch House, which was originally an L-shaped tower, completed in 1617. In 1634 new features were added. Also in 1634 a two-story north-east branch was added to the tower.
Sir John Gilmore bought the Craigmillar Castle in 1660. He also purchased the neighboring estate of The Inch at the same time. A west wing was added late in the 18th century. In 1796, the Gilmore family left the castle for the Inch House, just west of Craigmillar.
Inch House was bought in 1946 by the then Edinburgh Corporation. It was used as a primary school. In 1968, the primary school was moved to a new building. Inch House then became a community center.
How to go: It is located west of Craigmillar Castle.
Inside the Premises:
Tower House: The original L-shaped tower dates from 1617.
The North-east Wing: It was added in 1634.
The West Wing: It was built in the 1790s.
The North Wing: Added in 1892.

Blackford Hill

Hill

164 meters high hill.
How to go: It is located about 1.2 km from Inch House towards west.
Inside the Premises:
Blackford Pond: It was created in the 19th century. It is located north side of Blackford Hill.

Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

Observatory

An observatory was built in 1834 on Calton Hill. It was moved and opened at the Blackford Hill in April 1896. It combines historic buildings and the collections of science and technology.
Visitng Time: 8 AM to 12 AM every day.
Entry Fee: 4 Pounds ($5.46) for adult. 3 Pounds ($4.10) for child.
How to go: It is located east side of Blackford Hill.

Hermitage of Braid

Area

It is a area between Braid Hills and Blackford Hill. The Braid estate was the property of Henri de Brad. The estate was purchased by the lawyer Charles Gordon of Cluny in the 18th century. He built the present house known as "Hermitage of Braid" or "Hermitage House" in 1785.
In 1937 the then owner of the estate, John McDougal, gifted the land to the city for use as a public park. A pillar in the grounds records the gift.
How to go: It is located southwest side of Blackford Hill.

Day-7:

Museum on the Mound

Museum

It exhibits money, coinage and economics. The building was first built in 1801–1806 as the Bank of Scotland Head Office building. Later the building was altered in 1863 and in 1878. This museum was originally opened in 1986. The Museum on the Mound opened in September 2006.
Visiting Time: Tuesday to Friday - 10 AM to 5 PM. Saturday and Monday Bank holiday- 1 PM to 5 PM.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located near southwest end of Edinburgh Waverley Station towards.

The Writers' Museum

Museum

The museum is housed in Lady Stair's House at Lady Stair's Close, near the Lawnmarket. The first building was built in 1622 by Sir William Gray of Pittendrum. The building was known as Lady Gray's House and the close known as Lady Gray's Close. His granddaughter, Elizabeth Dundas (1650 – 25 May 1731) was purchased the building in 1719.
The building was inherited by Archibald Primrose in the 1890s. He demoshed the building except basement and built a new house on this site in 1892. In 1907, the Earl gave the house to the royal burgh of Edinburgh, for use as a municipal museum.
How to go: It is located about 90 meters from Museum on the Mound towards southwest at 3 Lady Stair's Close, 477 Lawnmarket.

Gladstone's Land

Building

The building was originally built in 1550. It was purchased in 1617 by Thomas Gledstanes and his wife, Bessie Cunningham. They develop the house and completed in 1620. It was home to William Struthers, minister of St Giles High Church from 1626 to 1633. Thomas Gledstanes shared the ownership of this house with David Jonkin in 1636.
It is now has a museum on the 1st, 2nd and 3rd floors. It exhibits lives of merchants and tradespeople.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 3 PM every day. Ice cream parlour and coffee shop - 10 AM to 5 PM.
Entry Fee: 7.50 Pounds ($10.24) for adult. 5 Pounds ($6.83) for child. 21 Pounds ($28.67) for family.
How to go: It is located south side of the Writers' Museum at 477B Lawnmarket.

Lawnmarket

Street

510 feet east-west street that lies between the head of the old West Bow and St. Giles's Church. A charter of 1477 designated this part of the High Street as the market-place. There was a community called the Lawnmarket Club, which was famous then for the earliest possession of English and foreign intelligence.
More than 25,000 people attended the Lawnmarket on 28th January 1829 and were delighted to see William Burke, a serial killer hanged.
How to go: It is located south side of Gladstone's Land and west of St. Giles's Church.

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

Illusion Museum

Visiting Time: Monday to Thursday - 9:30 AM to 8 PM. Friday - 9:30 AM to 9 PM. Saturday - 9 AM to 10 PM. Sunday - 9 AM to 9 PM.
Entry Fee: 18 Pounds ($24.57) for adult. 16 Pounds ($21.84) for student, senior age above 65. 14 Pounds ($19.11) for child age 5-15.
How to go: It is located about 80 meters from Lawnmarket towards west at Castlehill, Royal Mile.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for Camera Obscura and World of Illusions Ticket.

The Scotch Whisky Experience

Bar

World’s largest and most beautiful Scotch whisky collection.
Price: Tasting products start from 37 Pounds ($50.51) to 70 Pounds ($95.57).
How to go: It is located about 60 meters from Camera Obscura & World of Illusions towards southwest at The Royal Mile, 354 Castlehill.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for The Scotch Whisky Experience Guided Tour and Whisky Tasting.

Day-8:

Edinburgh Castle

Castle

The fort was built on the plug of an extinct volcano, which is estimated to have risen about 350 million years ago. The summit of the Castle Rock is 130 metres above sea level. But the date of the castle construction is unknown.
But it is recorded that Queen Margaret was living in Edinburgh casle while her husband Malcolm III and their eldest son Edward, were killed in the Battle of Alnwick against the English on 13 November 1093. St. Margaret died on 16 November 1093 in this castle. Edgar (fourth son), Alexander (fifth son) and David (youngest son) were probably present when their mother died. King Edgar died in the castle on 8 January 1107. Alexander took the throne. King Alexander died on 23 April 1124. David took the throne. King David built St. Margaret's Chapel around 1130. He died on 24 May 1153.
During the Wars of Independence the castle changed hands many times. On the night of 14 March 1314, the castle was captured by Robert the Bruce from the English. He was King of Scots from 1306 to his death in 1329. He destroyed all the buildings in the castle, except for the little chapel.
Mons Meg, one of the greatest medieval cannons ever made, was constructed in 1449, and given as a gift to King James II (16 October 1430 – 3 August 1460) in 1457. Outer road was built by James III in 1464 for the transport of cannon, leads upward. He also built Crown Square, a Palace Yard, during his reign from 3 August 1460 to 11 June 1488. The Royal apartments were begun in the mid 15th century, during the reign of James IV from 11 June 1488 to 1513.
The Great Hall, completed in 1511 for King James IV (17 March 1473 – 9 September 1513), hosted grand banquets and state events. South of the palace is the Register House, built in the 1540s. On 3 July 1558, Mons Meg was fired in salute to celebrate the marriage of Mary, Queen of Scots to the French dauphin, François II. Mary gave birth to James VI in the Royal Palace in 1566. The Portcullis Gate was begun after 1573 to replace the round Constable's Tower. In 1584 the upper parts of the Gatehouse were completed by William Schaw and these were further modified in 1750. In 1886–1887 this plain building was replaced with a Scots Baronial tower, although the original Portcullis Gate remains below. The new structure was named the Argyle Tower.
James VI became king of Scotland at 13 months old and united the crowns of Scotland and England in 1603. Following the ‘Union of the Crowns’ of 1603, Edinburgh Castle was rarely visited by the reigning monarch. Royal apartments were remodelled in 1617. Painted ceiling and other decorations were added in 1617 in the Room, where James VI was born. From the 1650s it grew into a significant military base. Defences were rebuilt and enhanced in response to the Jacobite Risings of 1689–1746.
Queen Anne Building was built in 1708 on site of previous kitchen and later gunhouse. West of the Argyle Tower are military buildings ware built in the early 18th century. The Governor's House to the south was built in 1742. Between 1757 and 1814 the vaults became home to many hundreds of prisoners of war. South of the Governor's House are the Barracks were completed in 1799.
The military prison was built in 1842. The 'Time Gun' was established in 1861 as a time signal for ships in the harbour. Now it is known as the "One O'Clock Gun", fired every day at 1 PM, excepting Sunday, Good Friday and Christmas Day. The original gun, which needed four men to load, and was fired from the Half Moon Battery. It was replaced several times. The present One O'Clock Gun is an L118 Light Gun, which was replaced on 30th November 2001.
The former Royal Scots drill hall, constructed in 1900.
Visiting Time: 9:30 AM to 6 PM every day.
Entry Fee: 17.50 Pounds ($23.89) for adult. 14 Pounds ($19.11) for senior age above 65 and unemployed. 10.50 Pounds ($14.33) for child 5-15.
How to go: It is located west end of Royal Mile.
Inside the premises:
St Margaret's Chapel: It was built around 1130 by King David to comemmorate his mother St. Margaret. It was used as a gunpowder store from the 16th century. The chapel formed a store room in 1845. St Margaret's Chapel restored in 1851–1852 with the support of Queen Victoria. The stained glass was installed in 1922. It was restored again in 1929. The restored and refurnished chapel was dedicated on 16 March 1934.
National War Museum: Construction of the Scottish National War Memorial began in 1923 on the site of the Barrack Block on the north side of Crown Square. It was opened on 14 July 1927.

Princes Street Gardens

Parks

Two adjacent public parks both are located south side of Princes Street. 8.5 acres east Princes Street Gardens run from The Mound to Waverley Bridge. 29 acres West Princes Street Gardens extend to the adjacent churches of St. John's and St. Cuthbert's, near Lothian Road in the west.
How to go: North side of Edinburgh Castle.
Inside the Premises:
Ross Fountain: It is located in West Princes Street Gardens. It was installed in 1872 and restored in 2018.

The Mound

Slope

About 280 meters north-south artificial slope which connects New and Old Towns of Edinburgh.
How to go: It is located west side of Museum on the Mound.

Scottish National Gallery

Art Gallery

Visiting Time: 10 AM to 5 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located on the Mound.

The Royal Scottish Academy

National Academy

The building was built in 1822-1826.
Visiting Time: Monday to Saturday - 10 AM to 5 PM. Sunday - 12 PM to 5 PM.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located north side of Scottish National Gallery on the Mound.

Scott Monument

Monument

200 feet 6 inches high monument construction began in 1840 and inaugurated on 15 August 1846 to commemorate Scottish author Sir Walter Scott.
It has a series of spiral staircases and total of 287 steps.
Visiting Time: Wednesday to Sunday.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located at Princes Street Gardens, east side of The Royal Scottish Academy.

Day-9:

Princes Street

Street

1.2 km east-west shopping street.
How to go: From Leith Street in the east to Lothian Road in the west.

Edinburgh Gin Distillery

Distillery

Visiting Time: 10 AM to 4:45 PM every day. Last tour leaves at 3 PM.
Ticket Cost: Gin Discovery Tour - 10 Pounds ($13.65). Gin Connoisseur Tour - 25 Pounds ($34.13). Gin Making Experience - 100 Pounds ($136.52).
How to go: It is located about 100 meters from the west end of Princes Street towards southwest at 1A, Rutland Place.

St Mary's Cathedral

Church

The foundation stone was laid on 21 May 1874 and opened on 25 January 1879.
Visiiting Time: Monday to Friday - 8 AM to 4 PM. Saturday - 8 AM to 12:30 PM. Sunday - 8 AM to 5 PM.
How to go: It is located about 500 meters from Edinburgh Gin Distillery towards west at Palmerston Pl.

LOVE Gorgie Farm

Farm

Visiting Time: 9:30 AM to 4 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 1.4 km from St. Mary's Cathedral towards southwest at 51 Gorgie road.

Edinburgh Zoo

Zoo

Visiting Time: April to September - 10 AM to 6 PM. October to March - 10 AM to 5 PM. November to February - 10 AM to 4 PM.
Entry Fee: 19.95 Pounds ($27.24) for adult. 18.10 Pounds ($24.71) for full time student, senior aged over 65 and blue badge holder. 11.35 Pounds ($15.50) for child age 5-15.
How to go: It is located about 2.6 km from LOVE Gorgie Farm towards northwest at Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, 134 Corstorphine road, Corstorphine.

Day-10:

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Art Gallery

Modern One is housed in a neoclassical building, which was built in 1825. Modern Two was originally built in 1833. It was converted into a Gallery in 1999.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 5 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 700 metets from St Mary's Cathedral towards northwest at 75 Belford road.

St Andrews Church

Church

It was built in 1901.
Visiting Time: 10:30 AM to 5 PM.
How to go: It is located about 150 meters from Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art towards north at 77 Belford Road.

Dean Village

Village

It was known as the "Water of Leith Village". It was a grain milling area and remained a separate village until the 19th century which houses workers' cottages, warehouses and mill buildings. John Learmonth purchased the Dean Estate from the Nisbets of Dean in 1826.
A bridge was built in 1831-1832 and opened in 1833. Dean House was built in 1833. It was converted into a Gallery of modern art as Modern Two in 1999. Dean Cemetery was created in 1847.
How to go: It is located about 600 from Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art towards east after crossing a bridge over the river "Water of Leith". About 550 meters from St Mary's Cathedral towards north.

Day-11:

Charlotte Square

Square

Previously named St. George's Square. It was renamed in 1786 to avoid confusion with George Square of the Old Town.
How to go: It is located about 200 meters from west end of Princes Street towards north.

The Georgian House

Building

Georgian House was built in 1796 and was purchased by John Lamont. He sold the house in 1815 to Mrs. Catherine Farquharson. She sold the house in 1845 to Charles Neaves. In 1889, the new owner of the house, Alexander Whyte moved into this house with his wife. John Crichton-Stuart, 4th Marquess of Bute purchased the house in 1927. On his death in 1956 of the 5th marquess of Bute, The house passed through the Land Fund procedures to the National Trust for Scotland. The Georgian House is open to the public from March to November.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 4 PM.
Entry Fee: 10 Pounds ($13.65) for adult. 8 Pounds ($10.92) for concession. 13.50 Pounds ($18.43) for family (1 adult and children). 19.50 Pounds ($26.62) for famly (2 adults and children).
How to go: It is located north side for Charlotte Square at 7 Charlotte Square.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for Georgian House Entry Ticket.

George Street

Street

About 800 meters east-west street. The street takes its name from King George III.
How to go: It starts from Charlotte Square (west end) to St Andrew Square (east end).

Saint Andrew Square

Square

How to go: It is located east end of George Street.

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Art Museum

The present building was built in 1885-1890.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 5 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 70 meters from the northeast corner of Saint Andrew Square towards north at 1 Queen Street.

The Scottish Gallery

Art Gallery

Visiting Time: Tuesday to Saturday - 11 AM to 5 PM. Sunday and Monday remains closed.
Entry Fee: Free.
How to go: It is located about 430 meters from Scottish National Portrait Gallery towards northwest at 16 Dundas Street.

Circus Lane

Street

About 220 meters east-west picturesque lane.
How to go: It is located north side of Circus Place of new town. About 420 meters from The Scottish Gallery towards northwest to the east end of Circus Lane.

Stockbridge Market

Farmer's Market

Visiting Time: Sunday - 10 AM to 5 PM. It remains closed rest of the day.
How to go: It is located about 100 meters from the west end of Circus Lane towards northwest at Saunders Street.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Botanic Garden

The Edinburgh botanic garden was founded in 1670 at St. Anne's Yard, near Holyrood Palace. The garden's collections were moved to a 5 acres "Physick Garden" on the west side of Leith Walk in 1763. The garden was moved to current place in 1820.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 6 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free. Glasshouses entry fee - 7 Pounds ($9.56) for adult and 6 Pounds ($8.19) for concession.
How to go: It is located at It is located about 800 meters from the west end of Circus Lane towards north at Arboretum Pl.

Day-12:

St Mary's Catholic Cathedral

Church

It was opened in 1814.
Visiting Time: Monday to Friday - 9 AM to 3 PM. Saturday - 8:45 AM to 7 PM. Sunday 8:45 AM to 8:30 PM.
How to go: It is located about 320 meters from Saint Andrew Square towards east and 300 meters from Edinburgh Waverley Station towards north at 61 York Place.

Calton Hill

Hill

103 meters high hill is the headquarters of the Scottish Government.
Insdie the premises:
National Monument of Scotland: Construction started in 1826 and, due to the lack of funds, was left unfinished in 1829.
Nelson Monument: The monument was built in 1807-1816 to commemorate Vice Admiral Horatio Nelson's victory over the French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar in 1805.
Old Royal High School: It was built in 1826-1829. The school relocated to larger premises at Barnton in 1968.
Political Martyrs' Monument: 90 feet tall obelisk was built in 1844 to commemorate five political reformists (Thomas Muir, Thomas Fyshe Palmer, William Skirving, Maurice Margarot and Joseph Gerrald) from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
City Observatory: In 1776 Thomas Short returned to Edinburgh and intended to open a public observatory on Calton Hill. But after the construction of the first tower, the money ran out. Short moved into this as a residence and operated the observatory until his death in 1788. The place became unused. In 1812 the observatory was handed over to the Edinburgh Astronomical Institution, which opened the observatory in the Gothic Tower. It was moved and opened at the Blackford Hill in April 1896.

Portobello Beach

Beach

How to go: From Waverley Station, by train to Brunstane Station. Walk aboout 1 km towards northeast from the station to the beach.

Day-13:

Royal Yacht Britannia

Hotel

It was built and launched by Queen Elizabeth II on 16 April 1953, and commissioned on 11 January 1954. Britannia sailed from Portsmouth to Grand Harbor, Malta on April 14, 1954, carrying Princess Anne and Prince Charles, and arrived on 22 April 1954. Charles and Diana, the Prince and Princess of Wales, took their honeymoon cruise on Britannia in 1981. Britannia was decommissioned on 11 December 1997. It is now the luxury floating hotel.
Visiting Time: 10 AM to 3:30 PM.
Entry Fee: 17 Pounds ($23.21) for adult. 15 Pounds ($20.48) for senior age over 60 and student. 8.75 Pounds ($11.95) for child age 5-17. 47 Pounds ($64.17) for family (2 adults + 3 children).
Hotel Room Rent: Starts from 275 Pounds ($375.44) for 1 night including VAT.
How to go: The nearest stations is Ocean Terminal, North Leith is 304 meters away.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for Royal Yacht Britannia Ticket.

Lauriston Castle

Castle

At the site, there was a tower house, which was destroyed in 1544. A tower house was re-built around 1590 by Sir Archibald Napier for his son also named Archibald. He was murdered in 1600 returning to his home. The property was inherited by his brother Alexander Napier in 1622. He died in 1629 and the house continued to be occupied by his widow and three young children.
The estate was purchased by William Law in 1683. After his death, his son, John Law inherited the estate. The property was sold to Thomas Allan in 1823. He extended the house. The house has changed hands several times.
William Robert Reed acquired Loriston Castle in 1902, installed modern plumbing and electricity, and he and his wife Margaret filled the house with a collection of fine furniture and artworks. Reids, having no children, kept their home in Scotland on the condition that it should be kept unchanged. The town of Edinburgh has operated the house since Mrs. Reids death in 1926.
Now Lauriston Castle, like many other Scottish castles, is reputedly haunted.
Visiting Time: 8 AM to 5 PM every day.
Entry Fee: Free to the ground. Castle Entry - 8 Pounds ($10.92) for adult. 6 Pounds ($8.19) for concession.
How to go: By bus to Davidson’s Mains or Silverknowes Terminus. Both are 10 minutes walk from Lauriston Castle.

Firth of Forth

Estuary

The estuary (firth) of many rivers including the River Forth. It meets the North Sea.
Few islands are located at this place such as Cramond Island, Inchcolm.

Cramond Island

Island

Island in the Firth of Forth.
How to go: It is about 1.5 km from Lauriston Castle towards northwest to the causeway. By bus 41 from Princess street towards Cramond through the Almond river and walk to the waterside. There is a causeway, you can walk to the island during low tide.

Day-13:

Inchcolm

Island

Island in the Firth of Forth. Inchcolm Abbey was founded in 1124 by King David I.
How to go: By train from Edinburgh Waverley, or Edinburgh Haymarket train station Or by bus 43 to 'Dalmeny' train station. The journey takes 15 minutes. Walt to the ferry station. Regular ferry trips run from South Queensferry to Inchcolm Island, between Easter and mid October.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for 90-Minute Three Bridges Cruise with Inchcolm Island.

* 1 Hour 3 Bridges and 3 Islands Speedboat RIB Tour.

Forth Road Bridge

Bridge

2,512 meter suspension bridge was built in 1964.
How to go: It is located near Queensferry.

Forth Bridge

Rail Bridge

The Forth Bridge is 2,467 meters railway bridge was built in 1890. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How to go: It is located near Queensferry.

Online Ticket: Buy online and skip the line for 90-Minute Three Bridges Cruise with Inchcolm Island.

* 1 Hour 3 Bridges and 3 Islands Speedboat RIB Tour.

Deep Sea World

Aquarium

Visiting Time: 10 AM to 5 PM every day.
Entry Fee: 16.20 Pounds ($22.12) for adult age over 13. 14.25 Pounds ($19.45) for student and senor aged 65+. 11.50 Pounds ($15.70) for age 3-12. 53.40 Pounds ($72.90) for family (2 adults and 2 children).
How to go: It is located at the east side of north end of Forth Road Bridge.

Dundas Castle

Castle

In the eleventh century, King Malcolm Canmore granted Dander land to Gospatrick. The property passed to his great-grandson Waldeve, who gave it to his kinsman Helias aroun 1180. Helias took his surname from his lands, becoming the first of the Dundas family.
In 1416, James Dundas received a license from the Duke of Albany to build a keep (A keep is a type of fortified tower built in castles). In 1436 it was expanded. On August 13, 1953, at the Great Hall, James Dandas presented silver plate to his infant daughters, Elizabeth and Jane.
In 1818, part of the building was rebuilt. The castle and land were sold in 1875 to William Russell. He sold the property to Stewart Clark in 1899.
Since 1995, the castle's owner has been Sir Jack Stewart-Clark, the great-grandson of Stewart Clark. He inherited the property from his mother. It has been uninhabited for more than 300 years. Later it was restored.
The castle is now a 5 star exclusive place, often used for weddings.
How to go: It is located about 1.5 km from the south end of Forth Road Bridge towards south.