Welcome to the wonders of Edinburgh
Designer shopping, cutting-edge festivals and history – Edinburgh has it all. It also has some of the best cafes, gastropubs and gin joints in Great Britain.
Here’s how to navigate your way around this ancient city and discover its hidden treasures.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Most visitors come to Edinburgh between June and August when the weather is at its best. The days will be long and sunny with sunrise at 4.30am and sunset at 10pm giving you plenty of time to explore in temperatures in the early 20s. If you are on a budget, the cheapest time to visit (with the best accommodation and flight deals) is between November 1 and December 12, or December 26 until March 14.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT
If you arrive at Edinburgh Airport between 6am and 10.30pm, the best way to get to the city is by tram. The trip takes about 30 minutes (the same as the bus) and leaves the airport every seven minutes. Thankfully, it’s easy to get on and off with bags. Outside of these times catch a bus or taxi.
BEACHES
In summer the beaches of Edinburgh are amazing. Really. OK, to be fair, they don’t compare well with Bondi or the Gold Coast, but you can easily spend a day soaking up the Scottish sun at Portobello, Cramond, East Lothian or the delightful village of Aberlady Bay, which is also a hot spot for twitchers (bird watchers).
INDIAN RESTAURNTS
The locals crave a curry. It is the cuisine that has won the hearts, minds and stomachs of all Scots. Some now describe it as Scotland’s national dish (more popular than fish ’n’ chips). Edinburgh is the place to get your curry fix (probably after a few pints at a cosy pub). Here are some of the best places to eat curry – The Radhuni, Station India, The Khukuri, and Shezan Edinburgh.
GIN BARS AND DISTILLERIES
Edinburgh is one of the best cities in the world for gin bars. And Scotland is having a massive love affair with gin at the moment.
56 North claims to be “Scotland’s original gin bar” and they not only have a wide range of gins but offer some fun and informative masterclasses. Other bars worth a visit include Juniper, The Jolly Botanist, and Heads & Tales. The Royal Dick in Summerhall is for serious lovers of gin. It has a gin distillery, drinks school, bar and drinks lab.
GASTROPUBS
Scots love their pubs. And they love their food. The result is an explosion of gastropubs across the country. Two of the best are in Edinburgh. The Scran & Scallie (it means Food & Scallywag) is Michelin-starred chef Tom Kitchen’s place. On Comely Bank Rd in Stockbridge, it has been rightly awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand, which means it serves quality food at good prices. For lovers of comfort food, head to Brandon’s One Canonmills. It’s not for everyone, but you should try the black pudding scotch egg. It sums up Edinburgh in one mouthful.
EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
No place does festivals like Edinburgh. The famous Edinburgh Festival Fringe (August 7-31, 2020) will host more than 3000 shows in 300 venues across the city with tickets starting from $8. The Edinburgh International Book Festival runs from August 15-31 next year and it always attracts the best writers. If you are planning to come, book accommodation early.
FAMOUS FILM LOCATIONS
The city’s stunning architecture provides the perfect backdrop for filmmakers. Grab a walking map and take to the streets to visit some famous ‘real life’ film and television sets. Rebus fans will recognise Calton Hill; if Chariots of Fire was more your thing then head over to Broughton Place; Princes Street was the setting for the opening scene of the memorable 1996 film Trainspotting starring Ewan McGregor; there’s lots of Taggart memories at the Grassmarket; and Edinburgh Castle is synonymous with The Adventures of Greyfriars Bobby and Deacon Brodie.
GOLF COURSES
Scotland is the home of golf. It is where the modern game started and where the best courses can be found. Just 4.5km from the centre of Edinburgh is The Bruntsfield Links course, which was founded in 1761 – before James Cook came to Australia. A round of golf here will cost you about £90 (about $170). Just an hour from Edinburgh is St Andrews, more than 600 years old, and the ultimate bragging rights experience for golfers. It is easier to get on to this course than you might think. The club runs a ballot for golfers wanting to play. Very democratic.
HARRY POTTER TOURS
JK Rowling wrote the first Harry Potter book in Edinburgh. The Potter Trail is a free tour that takes you to the cafe where she wrote The Philosopher’s Stone plus some of the sites that inspired her. You will see where Lord Voldemort is buried, take a trip down Diagon Alley and visit the school that was the inspiration for Hogwarts. Even though the tour is free, you will feel the pressure to tip the tour guide.
HILLTOP LOOKOUT
A trip to the top of Calton Hill gives visitors the perfect place to take in Edinburgh’s past and present. You can see almost everything from here – the Royal Mile climbing up to the Castle; the Firth of Forth; Arthur’s Seat and the National Monument that was inspired by the Parthenon in Athens. It’s also the best vantage point to watch the stunning Hogmanay fireworks.
SHOPPING
Princes St is home to the big brands of shopping. But if you want to find something a little more personal then here are a few places worth a look. Paper Tiger has some uniquely Scottish things that make perfect holiday gifts. Armchair Books has some literary gems. Those Were The Days (love the name) is, as you would expect, a gold mine for connoisseurs of vintage.