UK Travel Planning

12 Things to See, Do and Experience in Edinburgh

• Tracy Collins • Episode 205

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Edinburgh looks compact until you start climbing its hills, chasing viewpoints and discovering how much the Old Town packs into its closes and lanes. Fresh from five days in the city, Tracy and Doug cut through the noise with a clear, listener-friendly menu of their 12 favourite things to do in Edinburgh, drawn from decades of visits between them. Pick what fits your time, your budget and your energy.

We start with the big hitters worth planning around first, then the practical bits that make or break a day: booking tickets early, timing your visits and wearing shoes that can handle steep streets. Here's what we cover:

  • Edinburgh Castle: Crown Jewels, St Margaret's Chapel and why you need to book ahead in summer
  • The Royal Mile: closes, courts, wynds and the hidden gardens most visitors walk straight past
  • The Real Mary King's Close: Edinburgh's buried 17th century street, and what to expect if you don't love enclosed spaces
  • Palace of Holyroodhouse: Mary Queen of Scots, Holyrood Abbey and why to check for last minute closures
  • Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill: which viewpoint suits you, depending on your fitness level
  • National Museum of Scotland: free entry, a brilliant rainy day option and a rooftop view most people miss
  • Greyfriars Kirkyard: Greyfriars Bobby, grave robbers and the city's spookier side
  • Camera Obscura: Victorian optical magic and five floors of illusions for families
  • Edinburgh food and drink: haggis at Makars Mash Bar, whisky tastings and our favourite afternoon tea in the whole of the UK at The Dome
  • Royal Yacht Britannia: take the tram to Leith
  • Day trips with Rabbie's: St Andrews, Fife, Alnwick and Bamburgh (use code UKTP10 for 10% off via our link)
  • Islander workshop: make your own Harris Tweed bag, and book ahead because it sells out

Planning your own trip to Edinburgh? Leave us a SpeakPipe message with your questions, share this episode with anyone heading to Scotland, and if you enjoy the podcast we'd love you to leave a review on your favourite app.

📝 Show Notes - Episode 205

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Edinburgh In One Dramatic Snapshot

SPEAKER_02

Edinburgh has it all a castle, a royal palace, underground streets, and one of the most dramatic skylines in Europe. Doug and I have been there enough times to know exactly what's worth your time, and today we're sharing our top 12.

SPEAKER_00

Welcome to the UK Travel Planning Podcast. Your host is the founder of the UK travel planning website, Tracy Collins. Each week, Tracy shares destination guides, travel tips and itinerary ideas, as well as interviews with a variety of guests who share their knowledge and experience of UK travel to help you plan your perfect UK vacation. Join us as we explore the UK from cosmopolitan cities to quaint villages, from historic castles to beautiful islands, and from the picturesque countryside to seaside towns.

Tours That Save Time In London

SPEAKER_02

Before we get started, we'd like to thank our sponsor, Walks and Devour Tours. If you're planning a trip to London, you'll already know the challenge. There's a lot you want to do and only a limited amount of time to fit it all in. That's where the right tour makes all the difference because you want experiences that are the best use of your time with more access, less waiting, and a deeper sense of the city. That's why we recommend Walks and Devour Tours. They offer walk-in tours and food tours designed to make your time count, often with early or after hours entry. You'll also be with exceptional local guides who add the stories and context so you leave with a richer understanding of what you're seeing and a trip that feels genuinely memorable. If you're visiting London as a couple with family or you simply prefer a more intimate experience, walks and devour tours also offer private tour options. To learn more, you'll find the link in the show notes. Now let's get into this week's episode.

Why Edinburgh Feels Overwhelming

SPEAKER_02

Hi everybody, and welcome to this week's edition of the UK Travel Planning Podcast. I'm Tracy Collins, the host of UK Travel Planning. I'm joined again this week by Doug, my husband, and UK train travel expert. So any question about trains, that's where Doug comes in.

SPEAKER_03

That's my thing.

SPEAKER_02

But Doug and I are traveling around the UK at the moment. In fact, we're actually in Inverness. We are uh we just arrived in Inverness today from Edinburgh.

SPEAKER_03

By train.

SPEAKER_02

By train, of course, from Edinburgh. So um it's a great topic that we're covering today, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03

Yes, that's actually right, yes.

SPEAKER_02

It is. Edinburgh is uh somewhere we get asked a lot about, and it's even more special because we've just been down there for five days.

SPEAKER_04

Yep.

SPEAKER_02

Um I mean that was actually my second visit in less than a month because I was I was there in May as well for four days. Um Edinburgh is somewhere that always ends up on our itinerary, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03

Always does. We've visited so many times between us.

SPEAKER_02

Absolutely, and at the moment you're busy recording videos um to show people about how to get around um Scotland by train.

SPEAKER_03

That's right. I've just we recorded a video uh today. We travelled up from Edinburgh to Inverness on the coastal route via uh Dundee and Aberdeen.

SPEAKER_02

Yep, so that'll all become to YouTube soon. It certainly will. Give us a follow on uh on UK travel pan on YouTube if you're interested in that. Now we're work our attention is gonna focus back to Edinburgh, which I already missed, even though I just left it this morning. That's very true. Yes, that's very true. I do love Edinburgh, I think it is probably uh my favourite British city. Yeah, um that might change in uh in a month's time. I don't know. It do change, but I do love Edinburgh, um, and it is a city that we get asked about all the time, and for good reason we know that you know it it's somewhere that you want to visit.

SPEAKER_03

It is, it has a real draw to it.

SPEAKER_02

It really does. I mean it's stunningly pretty, it's historic, it's dramatic, um, but it can be a little overwhelming, I think, for people when they come to planning to visit Edinburgh, um, because it's trying to choose what to see and what to do. That's very true, especially if you've got kind of a short uh period of time there. So uh so we're gonna cut through all of that, all of your concerns and thoughts and worries about visiting Edinburgh when it comes to what do I do because there's so much, um, and we're gonna pick our 12 things to see and do and experience.

SPEAKER_03

We have talked about this and we've come up with these 12, haven't we?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so I I was gonna do 10 and I couldn't we had to do 12 because there is there is a lot to do. Now I will say before we dive into this that if you're visiting during the Edinburgh Fringe, the Tattoo, or Hoganay, the city is gonna look and feel very different from what we described today because those are pretty incredible events, but then they come with crowds, a lot of crowds, like millions of people, higher prices, and a bit of a different vibe and energy in Edinburgh. Now, if you're planning to visit Edinburgh for a few days, um, maybe you're using it as a base to then go and travel through more of Scotland, maybe you're doing a kind of London, York, Edinburgh kind of itinerary. Um, we thought you know this this episode will give you some really good ideas about what to do or top things. Now, I will say as well that you're not going to fit all these 12 things into two days. Um so I would think of this episode and what we're talking about as a bit of a menu. So pick what suits your interests and your schedule. Um, if you do want help narrowing it down for your specific trip, we do offer itinerary consultations. That's right, yep. So we can offer it in two ways. We could you can book us and do a one-to-one consult with us, or if you put your itinerary together and you kind of want us to have uh put some eyes on it and give you some hints and tips and sort of answer some questions, things you're not sure about. We also offer um an itinerary review where you will get a video where we'll talk to you about it.

SPEAKER_03

And we also have the option for uh train consults. So if you're wondering how to get to Edinburgh, I can help you out with that as well.

SPEAKER_02

Absolutely. And we know a lot of you these days are kind of turning to AI to put your itinerar together, but actually, you know, there's nothing better than kind of human experience, and that's what we're sharing today. Um, I have been visiting Edinburgh since I was a child, so it says, and you've been gone for a long, long time as well. That's right. So this is based on um not just a few years of history, no making, but uh but a lot. Um okay, so let's start with number one. So

Castle Essentials And Ticket Strategy

SPEAKER_02

first choice is had to be Edinburgh Castle.

SPEAKER_03

I was gonna say it can't be anything else, can it, in Edinburgh, really?

SPEAKER_02

No, I mean you can't really miss it. It sits at the top of the Royal Mile on it, basically on an ancient volcanic rock, and it basically dominates the sky.

SPEAKER_03

It really does, doesn't it?

SPEAKER_02

Um yeah, you you can't really miss it, and it is actually the most visited paid attraction in Scotland.

SPEAKER_03

I can't believe that.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, um so what you'll find in there, you're gonna find uh Scottish Crown Jewels. Yep. Um they're probably the oldest crown jewels in the British Isles.

SPEAKER_03

So they say.

SPEAKER_02

You're gonna find the Great Hall, which is very, very nice to see. Which is impressive. Um, yeah, there's a uh Scottish National War Memorial as well, apparently. That's right, yes, yes.

unknown

Yes.

SPEAKER_02

Um and um there's lots of things to do and see up there. I would say a couple of hours to go and see.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, probably about two hours. Actually, a little bit more if you want to go in the most excellent little tea room they have there as well.

SPEAKER_02

They do, but they do a very nice afternoon tea.

SPEAKER_03

I have uh tried the cake, I have to confess. Yes.

SPEAKER_02

And you will actually also find Edinburgh Castle. Not only will you get a great view, because it's so it's worth going over there for the view, because you do get an excellent, uh, excellent sight over Edinburgh as well. But um, it is also the site of the oldest surviving structure in Edinburgh, um, which is St. Margaret's Chapel, which was built around 1130. Can you believe that? 1130 uh by King David I to honour his mother, Queen Margaret. Um now, so you can go and have a look in Queen Margaret's chapel if you want to.

SPEAKER_03

Yes, it's really impressive.

SPEAKER_02

Um, so I would absolutely recommend that you go and see Edinburgh Castle, uh, 100%. And now, a few practical things though, and we have heard this from people, you need to make sure you book your tickets in advance.

SPEAKER_01

You really do.

SPEAKER_02

You know, people go to Edinburgh and they want to go and see Edinburgh Castle. So if you leave it to the date, chances are you're not gonna get a ticket. Um, and it does get particularly busy in summer.

SPEAKER_03

That's right. I mean it's the most important thing you want to see in Edinburgh, book your visits around the most important thing. And if that's the castle, get that booked, get your ticket booked.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, absolutely. Um, wear comfortable shoes as well because there's gonna be some walking and some steep sections that you're gonna have to walk up.

SPEAKER_03

That's not just applied to the castle, that's you know, other parts of Edinburgh as well.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, well I'm just thinking, I mean, actually talking about the Royal Mile, which we're gonna talk about next is point two, is actually you're gonna walk up the Royal Mile to get up to Edinburgh Castle. It is at the top of that Royal Mile, and that's quite a kind of kind of quite a walk, steep walk up the up the hill. Um now, if mobility is is a concern for your consideration, you can get taxi and a bus that'll take you right up to the not right up to the top. I have to say not it'll get you close but not right up to the top, because that final approach you have to walk up.

SPEAKER_04

That's right.

SPEAKER_02

Um, but I know it's mentioned in the episode that we did with Laura and April about accessibility because she went to Edinburgh Castle. Yep. Um so if you're planning to visit that, you can take a listen to that episode with Laura who because she does a lot of she did a lot of research before her trip.

SPEAKER_03

She did.

SPEAKER_02

Uh number two, we can't we can't talk about Edinburgh without talking about the Royal Mile.

The Royal Mile And Hidden Closes

SPEAKER_03

That's very, very true.

SPEAKER_02

Um now that's a historic spine of Edinburgh's old town, which runs from the castle all the way down to Hollywood House, which we're gonna get to in a minute.

SPEAKER_03

It's a little bit more than a mile, isn't it?

SPEAKER_02

It is actually a little bit more than a mile. A mile and a quarter, something like that. Um so it is one long street, and there's I mean it's just packed with history. There's lots of shops, there's lots of cafes, there's lots of pubs. You're gonna find somebody playing bagpipes, guaranteed you're gonna find at least one person uh playing bagpipes on the royal mile. Um it's it's a wonderful, wonderful street to walk on.

SPEAKER_03

It's a good vibe, it's a good vibe.

SPEAKER_02

It really is. And off the Royal Mile, you'll find closes, courts, and you'll find wines, which are narrow lanes and alleys, which run off on either side. Yeah, and that's where you're gonna get the real character of the old town. Um, and some of the closes, like Flesh Market, great name, isn't it? Advocates, now where you'll get a great view of the Scots Monument, and of course, we're gonna talk about next actually is Mary King's Close, uh, which we'll talk about in point uh three. Um, so Jen, I I took a few years ago, I actually took a his historical tour of the Roll Mart. Oh my goodness, it was absolutely fantastic. Um, because there's so much history packed onto that Rollman. Now we we haven't in this episode we're not gonna talk about the old and the new city, and a little bit about that because we have got other podcasts where we kind of talk about how the the old city and then the new city developed. Um, one thing I do want to mention as well is that we do have an article on the website again, uktravelplanning uh.com. Please use our website. We're finding it's it's just not showing up on AI and Google these days, so we really would you know be very supportive if you'd go and look at our articles. So we have got an article all about the royal mile. Yeah um so we'll link to that. Also, I want to say as well, um, this is kind of harking back to an episode we did in in April where I chatted with Jack Wells, who writes mystery guides, and these are great, they're like out oh I absolutely love I absolutely love one, and of course, uh Jack has written one for Edinburgh. So if you want to do it's like an outside escape room kind of experience, it's a book, and you solve the clues and you will find out lots of stuff in Edinburgh that you would not have known about if you didn't do um one of Jack's books, and his one for Edinburgh is excellent, and uh yeah, so if you've done it or you're gonna do it, get let us know because um brother brilliant, and you can order them. We have got a discount, 50% discount code. I will link to that in the show notes as well. Order it and get it delivered to your hotel because that's what Deborah did last month. She had hers delivered to her hotel.

SPEAKER_03

You've done a few of his uh Oh, I love them. Yeah, a few around the country, haven't you?

SPEAKER_02

Oh, I absolutely I think it's about 44 now, Jack has, but they're just they're just brilliant. If you love kind of solving puzzles, if you want to discover a little bit more about the different places that you visit, then do a mystery guide. And they're great for families, they really are.

SPEAKER_03

I'll just hold back a bit about these narrow wines and courts and closes, yeah, is how time consuming they can be. Don't think it's just a a mile you're gonna walk straight up, you know, bob down some of these little wines and closes and have a look at the views and the buildings, and it's it is quite time consuming. With I think we spent best by a whole day once just doing the mile.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, easy. I mean, I don't know how many times I've written I've walked up and down that role mile, and I still will go and and have a look at the the different courts and closes and lights.

SPEAKER_03

You find different things. I found um some gardens uh last year. Yes. I mean, I haven't times I've been I found these little gardens tucked tucked away. You think I didn't know they were there.

SPEAKER_02

Exactly. So it's like there's so much to see and explore, and um you know, absolutely, you know, give yourself some time to do that. Don't just stick to the actual royal mile itself because you'll miss out a lot if you do you know, you there's so many different places to go to go down to the grass market. I could talk for hours about all the different places you could go, but absolutely the royal mile, definitely go. Um, there's lots of nice accommodations as well that you can stay or just off the royal mile. So, yeah, lovely part of of uh of the old city, it's it's the kind of essential spine of the

Mary King’s Close Underground Stories

SPEAKER_02

old city. Um, so number three, I have to talk about because I'm a bit passionate about visiting this place now.

SPEAKER_03

I find this really interesting because I did this what 12 months ago, yeah, and I told you all about it. You were a little bit fearful about doing it, weren't you?

SPEAKER_02

Well, I get a little bit claustrophobic, so I I do sometimes think I, you know, when it comes to doing something that I feel I may get a little bit panicky uh about, I don't tend to want to do. So I knew this was kind of gonna be a little bit more. So you sent me as a guinea pig, I did. I sent you as a guinea pig to do it because it's gonna be it was I knew it was gonna be underground, so I just felt it would be a little bit uh I might find it a little bit too much, but oh my goodness, I loved it.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it is made I love the whole experience.

SPEAKER_02

So basically, what it is is Mary King's Close was a close, like the other close is off the Royal Mile, and it was basically buried when the city built over them, so it kind of was cut, part of it was cut, was built upon, and actually now you go down some stairs and you can actually go into um Mary King's Close as it was, as it was when it was built on. So it's it's it's as it was in the 17th century, it's incredible. So live in museums, it's incredible, yeah. It it really is. Um, so the tour is like a bit history, bit storytelling. Um the guides are really are really good because they do bring the stories of the different people who lived there. You learn about Mary King, for example, but just about what it was like to live in Edinburgh in the kind of 1500s, 1600s, like just the plague or every day was life was like, and then of course there's the ghosts down there as well.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, there's also a ghost part to it. But the I I like the passion of the the guys doing that. That I think I came out and mentioned that to you. They were so enthusiastic about what they were doing.

SPEAKER_02

It's just an incredible place. I've never ever been anywhere like that. Yeah, and it you you just feel like what it was like in the medieval time, middle ages got up to say up to it was only in the 17th century that it was kind of built on, so it it it is just incredible. In fact, some people lived down there until I think it was 1900, I think that's right, which is just unbelievable. Now, if you're gonna go there, book in advance because it does sell out, it's very popular. It is suitable for most ages, but I would say that some of the passages are quite narrow and it is it is pretty atmospheric. Um, so if you're not it I didn't find the enclosed spaces to worry me too much, but um maybe if you've got younger children, they may find it a little bit overwhelming.

SPEAKER_03

They do give a good preparation before the tour begins as to um how to deal with it, and if you want to leave, if you want to get out, how to do this how to do that, yeah, because you've got to stay with them because you could easily get lost, absolutely easily.

SPEAKER_02

So that there are kind of rules you have to follow. You can't take photos and you can't video as well, which people tried to do when we're down there, which I found really disrespectful. In fact, the our guide just kept saying to this these two women, he said, I'm gonna keep mentioning it every time I see that you record it. Um, so which is just a really disrespectful thing to do. Um, but absolutely American's close. I I regret not having done that before. So it even shows that even I'm discovering things after nearly sixty years of visiting Edinburgh. True. Um, so number four, we'll talk about Holyrood House.

Holyroodhouse And Edinburgh’s Big Views

SPEAKER_02

Yep. Um, so that's official resident of the king when he's in Scotland, and it's at the bottom of the Royal Mile, and it's right at the foot of Arthur's seat, which we're going to mention in the next point. But um, but you can actually go inside Hollywood House. Um, the only thing I will say is that sometimes if the king's down there or other royal family is in residence, they will close it at the last minute. Um, or you know, something might happen then to close it. So that's what happened last month when actually I was there with Melissa, who was desperate to go and see Hollywood House, and she found out about the month before that it was shut because somebody important happened to need to go and stay there. Um, so but you what you will see there is uh historic apartments of Mary Camina Scott. So you'll see the Great Gallery, the ruins of Hollywood Abbey, and also I don't know if it's still there, but last time we were there, there was a dress that belonged to um Queen Victoria when she was about 18. And I know she was tiny, she was tiny height wise, but also she was tiny at that point because she did get rather large later in life, but um she was she was um tiny in ten little ways, too. It's really like doll size. Um, this dress as you go in, which was absolutely beautiful. Yeah, um so yeah, Collywood House is somewhere definitely worth going, but do check on the time of year that whether it is open, it's really important to do that because it is definitely worth going to. Um, and also I guess it would be good to combine with Arthur's seat because it's very near it. If you have plenty of energy, um, yeah, which brings us perfectly to number five, which is a choice between Arthur's seat or Calton Hill. Yeah, or both, or you could do both. Um now, is this gonna if you want to get outside and you want to go up high and get the views over Edinburgh. Um so you've got two options here. So Arthur's seat is the dramatic one, isn't it?

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it's incredible. You've got different ways up and down. Um but yeah, you need to be prepared and have a certain degree of uh fitness to do that. Um obviously you need thinking about your footwear and inclement weather. Yeah, check the weather, that would be very important. Take some drinks with you and snacks if need be. Um you get the serious walkers and then you got the strollers. I did it. Well, you strolling and I was puffing away by the time I got to the top, but it was definitely worth it. It really, really was. It's I've only done it the once, I have to confess I've only ever done it once in all the years I've been visiting Edinburgh, but I'm so glad I did actually get to do it.

SPEAKER_02

I will say I didn't do it.

SPEAKER_03

No, you didn't.

SPEAKER_02

I didn't do it. So I will actually just say if you're not sure what Arthur City is, it's basically an ancient volcanic volcano which is right over, looks over the city.

SPEAKER_03

Steeped in mythology.

SPEAKER_02

Yes, um, and it's very, very popular with people to walk.

SPEAKER_03

Well, when I walked it up it, there was it was like a League of Nations. There was people from every every place on earth. I'm exaggerating, but there was so many languages being spoken, there but it was so sociable, it was lovely. I really enjoyed it.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, you did enjoy it, and you actually met me at Makka's Mashboard afterwards, which we'll talk about at number when we get it.

SPEAKER_03

What could be better having a haggis nips and tatties waiting for me when I came down?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, absolutely. Well, there's another option because I haven't, as I say, I haven't done Arthur's seat. I'm not a big climber or walker or hiker, so um, but Calton Hill is an easier option.

SPEAKER_03

It's a bit more mellow, isn't it?

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, and you get great views, honestly, um, for a fraction of the effort climbing all the way up top. Oh, there's still there's still a few steps up there. It is true, um, but it's a short walk from Princess Street and from the top you get one of you get a great uh but really the iconic view of Edinburgh because you get the castle.

SPEAKER_03

That is very true.

SPEAKER_02

Because that's in the new town. So if you're if you're at Calton Hill, you're in the new town, you get the view of a castle, the old town, uh the further fourth, when you look one behind you. Um look it up towards the castle, look behind you, and you've got the further fourth. Um, you'll find the National Monument, which is a half-finished replica of the Parthenon. I won't go into the story around that, um, but it is quite interesting. Um, but you you could do both of those, or if you're not so keen on on kind of the bit but a bit more of a strenuous climb, then um look at Kelton Hill as a good option.

SPEAKER_03

You do need to allow quite a bit of time for authors to see, particularly to appreciate the views as well.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah,

Museums For Rainy Days And Rooftops

SPEAKER_02

absolutely. Now, number six is the National Museum of Scotland. Again, this is one that I have been wanting to do. I've been in before, but not to spend a long period of time in. So this was something we just did last weekend. I said, you know what, we're gonna go and have a good look inside the National Museum of Scotland, um, and that's what we did.

SPEAKER_03

But it's worth noting, we've been trying to do this for quite a few visits, but we actually managed to do it because the weather was not very good. So it's a really good place to go if you happen to find yourself there and the weather is not forecasted, it's not great.

SPEAKER_02

Exactly, exactly. So that that's it was it actually fitted in really well. It was on my list to do this time. I really wanted to get in there and have a good look around. Um, so we did. Um, there's a lot to see. Entry was free, entry is free, which is always a bonus. Yeah, um, and it's a really beautiful building inside. Yeah, we we actually had I think we had two lunches. Yeah, we had one break.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, we didn't get it.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, we didn't have two lunches in there. We walked around a bit, had lunch, walked around a bit more, had another lunch.

SPEAKER_03

I had some tea and cake, obviously.

SPEAKER_02

Of course, you did. Um, so yeah, I would definitely recommend it. It's very popular, and also we've just talked about views actually from Count and the Hill and from Arthur Seat, but you actually also get a really good view from the um deck on top of the uh National Museum, which in all honesty I did not know was there. Yeah, so that was really good as well. So we got some lovely photos. I'll put all these in the show notes. Yeah, um, there's lots of other museums in Edinburgh, the Scottish Scottish National Gallery, which I did drag you round.

SPEAKER_03

I did. I'm not I'm not yeah, it's not my thing to be truthful.

SPEAKER_02

No, you're not a big fan of art, but anyway, we went round and had a look around at that. There's the Museum of Childhood. There's one that you mentioned about Surgeons Museum as well. So, yeah, so there are there are quite a few different museums in um Edinburgh, but I think the National Museum of Scotland is probably the one that we hear about most that people are.

SPEAKER_03

Well, considering how many other people were there, I think uh popular. Yeah, yeah, very popular.

SPEAKER_02

Uh, number seven, Greyfriars Kirkyard.

Greyfriars Legends And Ghosty Edinburgh

SPEAKER_02

Now, this is one of Edinburgh's most atmospheric, shall I say, haunted spots, and um one that a lot of visitors cannot walk past, I think, without realising it's there.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it's significance as well.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, now it's a historic churchyard off just off the Raw Mile, and it's it's really beautiful and slightly eerie as well. Um, you will find the grave of Greyfriars Bobby, which was this he was the Sky Terrier, um, who supposedly, I don't know if you know the story, guarded his owner's grave for 14 years after his owner died, and he's actually buried in uh Greyfriars Kirkgart as well. Um, you've got to find graves dating back to the 1500s and and some really interesting architecture, and also it was spooky, you mean architecture? Yeah, it's yeah, it's it's a bit, yeah, it's a bit, it is like that, but it's it's I wouldn't want to wander at around there at night, I have to tell you.

SPEAKER_03

I don't want to wander around any graveyard at night too.

SPEAKER_02

But definitely not that one. Um I know um it's also the time of Birkin Hare when they were kind of digging up graves, so you'll see that a lot of the graves are kind of protected by cages or um, yeah, very elaborate ways to stop people grave robbing. As I say, it's not somewhere I want to visit at night. Um, we were actually talking to friends who lived just outside Edinburgh the other day, we were talking about ghost tours, saying that we should do a ghost tour and I'm too chicken. But there are some really good um ghost tours around that will take you around Greyfriars and that was.

SPEAKER_03

I did a Voltz tour as well a few years back, and uh that was very connected with sort of spookiness and yeah, I didn't do that one either.

SPEAKER_02

I was a bit scared.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, that might have been much for you because it was pitch black.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, no, I wouldn't fancy that. Um, but definitely Greyfriars is one to add into your list to go and check out.

Camera Obscura And Playful Perspective

SPEAKER_02

Um, right, we're going back to the role mall actually with something called Camera Obscura, which I really wanted to mention um because it's quite fun.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, we enjoyed that.

SPEAKER_02

Um and it's been there since it's not something that's just been there since like you know a couple of years ago, it's been there since 1850s.

SPEAKER_03

That's right. I I think you're right, it does get missed because it's so close to the castle.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, yeah. Um, so what you when you go in, there's lots of kind of optical illusions and lots of fun things to look at. Uh, and then you go up to the top and you get you get it when you tick it, you get a time to go and actually have a look through the camera obscura, which is basically a Victorian optical device that projects a live 360-degree image of the city onto a table.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it is far better than you might expect. Yes, from something so old.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, it's just incredible that the this sort of thing was built and it was so that everybody could see around.

SPEAKER_03

On a clear day, obviously, to pick up the conditions, but yeah, it is actually really, really good. And you'd be surprised, you'd be pleasantly surprised if you go and visit.

SPEAKER_02

I think it's fun. So you've got I mean, you've got that, and there's five floors of different optical illusions, interactive exhibit exhibitions, somebody at all ages. Exhibits and installations. I mean, it's great for families as well. I mean, we enjoyed it, we went, yeah, we had a really good time. Um, again, you got another view from the terrace of of over Edinburgh as well.

SPEAKER_03

And down the mile.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, absolutely yes. We did get great pictures down the raw mile there, so that was good.

Where To Eat Drink And Do Tea

SPEAKER_02

Um, number nine, we're gonna turn our attention to food, drink, whiskey, and afternoon tea.

SPEAKER_03

What a combination!

SPEAKER_02

Now, eating and drinking in Edinburgh. Um, there's a lot to say, really. Yeah, um, haggis. Let's talk about Haggis. Yes, you should try it.

SPEAKER_03

You should try it. We both love it.

SPEAKER_02

We both love Haggis, nips and tatties. I particularly like Haggis, nips and tatties from one particular place in Edinburgh. Interestingly, I did a Rabbi's tour yesterday, and our guide, as we were driving back, he was saying these are my favourite places to eat in Edinburgh. And the first place he mentioned was Maccus Mashball. I feel like we should have we should have shares in Maccus Mash Ball the matter.

SPEAKER_03

The matter of times we mentioned, yeah, we recommended that to so many people and so many people have been.

SPEAKER_02

And honestly, if you go, get the I like the small portion of Haggis Neeps and Tatties, and it's got a really nice kind of whiskey sauce, it's just delicious. Um, do book a table there. They've got two restaurants, I think. They've they've spread across now, so it's a bit bigger. Um, but definitely, definitely uh get make go to Maca's mash bar. Oh, yeah, absolutely. You will not regret it. And go and try haggis. Don't ask what's in it, just eat it.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, best not. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Um about whiskey.

SPEAKER_03

Now, I don't drink whiskey and you don't drink, so I used to drink whiskey, but I don't drink anymore at all.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, but if you are, and we know lots of you are fans of whiskey and are gonna try uh some of the whiskey when you're in in Scotland. Uh the Scotch whiskey experience is the one that we've been we uh we've had a look at and then we believe it's a good introduction.

SPEAKER_04

That's right.

SPEAKER_02

Um, and there's a and I particularly like in the shop, there's like a wheel thing that tells you all the different types of whiskey and where you can. There's so many. It's about finding one for your palate, and there's so many in there, there's so many different types to try. So that might be something worth looking at. Um, you can't go to Edinburgh without going to a pub.

SPEAKER_03

This is true.

SPEAKER_02

Um, and there's some really good ones to choose from.

SPEAKER_03

But also mentioned some live music there, but we're talking about uh yeah, just some of the pub.

SPEAKER_02

Obviously, I mean the one I really like the Toolbooth Taverns, yeah, um, which is on the roll map.

SPEAKER_03

We've been going there a few years as well.

SPEAKER_02

We have, and then in Newtown, I think Queen's Arms is the one that's gonna be.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, we enjoyed that if it's a good vibe in there.

SPEAKER_02

Now there are some other places that I want to try. I've heard about a kind of uh gin bar and other things, but I haven't had a chance. No, so I'll have to go back to Edinburgh very soon.

SPEAKER_03

There's nothing for it, we're gonna have to go back again to try them.

SPEAKER_02

Now, what about afternoon teas?

SPEAKER_03

Well, we are in agreement with this one. We are, which is our favourites, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Favourite afternoon tea in the whole of the UK is actually in Edinburgh, and it's at the Georgian tea rooms at the dome. The dome itself is amazing to go to and have a drink, so I should recommend going to the to the dome. But if you want a fantastic afternoon tea, I highly recommend. We both love this.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I'm gonna stress that point. We've tried you especially tried more than me, but we've tried them up and down the country, and we were in total agreement which was our favourite.

SPEAKER_02

Food, staff, environment, everything, everything just was absolutely fantastic. Now, this last trip, not with you, but when I was when I was there last month with Melissa, we decided I decided to try out because it'd been recommended the Queen Charlotte tea rooms, the Orient Express experience was really good. I did enjoy it. It was I did enjoy it as well. So I would not I would I would say I would recommend it, I wouldn't say not to go. It was really, really good. Um, so that's another one that I'd recommend. Um, also we've actually afternoon tea at Edinburgh Castle. I know they do that, which is also good.

SPEAKER_03

Is that the one where you tried some gins as well?

SPEAKER_02

I did try a flight of gins, I did, I did.

SPEAKER_03

Oh, you did.

SPEAKER_02

Um, and another one we haven't tried, which I've heard good things about, is at Palm Court at the Balmoral.

SPEAKER_03

Oh, yes, yes.

SPEAKER_02

Um, but honestly, do yourself a favour if you're gonna have afternoon tea in Edinburgh, Georgian tea rooms in the dome. Oh, yeah. You can't go wrong. Yeah, absolutely.

Royal Yacht Britannia And Leith

SPEAKER_02

Uh number 10 experience, roll yacht Britannia. Oh, I absolutely love this.

SPEAKER_03

We really enjoyed that. Yeah, we did. We waited until the tram line was completed before we took the tram down to uh Leith. And yeah, we did that. Was it last summer?

SPEAKER_02

Uh no, September 2024.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, it was a red hole.

SPEAKER_02

I think it was. Yeah, it was. It was actually end of September, and it was really warm. You got shorts on, I remember when you went. Yeah, now say it's just out of the town the city centre, so you take the tram down to the oceanal terminal in Leith, which is really easy to do. Doug has got a video about how to use a tram in Edinburgh. So if you're not sure, we'll link to the video in the show notes. Uh now the Britannia served the Royal family for for quite a number of years, I think about 44 years or so. Sailed over a million miles before it was decommissioned in 1997. Um, there's a really good audio tour, which we did. I thought it was really good. Um, and it was just I I think everybody there that were having a fantastic time. And again, we went and had some Victoria's Sponge Cake of Push did in the in the uh the sh in the cafe.

SPEAKER_04

Yep.

SPEAKER_02

Um we I it was very it was very interesting, I have to say. Uh it was one that I asked gonna think, um I better go and do it. Um, because that we get asked about it all the time, but it was one that we both thoroughly uh enjoyed. Um actually, if you're in if you're spending a few days in Edinburgh, Leith itself is actually worth exploring. That's right. Because lots of great restaurants down there, um, and it's a different feel.

SPEAKER_03

It's an expanding area, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Different different feel from being in the old time.

SPEAKER_03

Leith Walk is at the whole Leith Walk is dance.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, yeah. So um that might be worth considering, but definitely again, book tickets or roll it up, it does get very popular.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, yeah.

SPEAKER_02

Uh so definitely worth doing that.

SPEAKER_03

I will mention that, especially I like the uh the engine room there, which is really interesting.

SPEAKER_02

Me not so much, but anyway. But it was number 11 thing

Best Day Trips From Edinburgh

SPEAKER_02

to do. Now I know we're talking about things to do in Edinburgh, but one thing that you might want to consider, and especially if you're in Edinburgh for more than a couple of days, is to take a day trip out of Edinburgh. Now we have got a few podcasts and articles where we talk about different day trips you can take from Edinburgh by train, and I will link to that. But also, if you don't feel like um driving or taking a train out, or you actually want to take a guided trip, one thing I'd recommend is to take a day trip out with Rabbi's. Most definitely, yes. Now we um so let me just tell you who Rabbi's are, just in case you don't know. They are they run small group tours from Edinburgh um and all actually all over the all over the UK and um and Ireland and all over Europe as well. Um, and they but they go from Edinburgh, so if you're in Edinburgh, um you can go to all sorts of wonderful places like Lochnest, you can go to the Highlands, you've got Glencoe, St Andrews, Alaska, they've got um day trips and they've got multi-day tours as well. Um, guys are great that you're in a small bus, no more than about six, I think it's sixteen the maximum, their coaches can take. Um, so yesterday, because Doug and I like to go and have these experiences so we can share, uh, Doug and I took different tours. I decided to go to um the villages of Fife and St Andrews, yeah. Um, and you went down to Northumberlands.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, I went to the borders area between England and Scotland, and we also went to Annick Castle, including the Gardens, and the Poison Garden, and then we went to Bamborough and for the castle area, Castle Grounds, and walked across the sand dunes, and then uh oh, it was fantastic. Also, we went to Kelso as well, the border town, and walked across the bridge. Uh so we had photos taken on the Scotland side of the bridge and then the English side of the bridge, and obviously lots of cheering, and yeah, it was it was great for I have to say the the guy that we had yesterday was absolutely amazing, it was more like a family out in than it was for who was your guide? It was Gra Graham Graham Larrick, and it was absolutely a sound chap.

SPEAKER_02

Graham Graham was a big shout out to Graham. I had Alex B who took us out um to Fife. Um, so we went to um Anstruther or Anster, that's how it's pronounced by the locals, but it's spelt Anstruther. Then we went to St Andrews, everybody on the bus was so excited because I think we're on a bus full of golf fans.

SPEAKER_04

Of course.

SPEAKER_02

Um the weather was beautiful, so I spent a couple of hours in St. Andrews. I had a wander around, sat out in the um the ruins of the cathedral. Um and then I went we went to if you are a fan of um Outlander, we went to Falkland, which if you see the very first episode of Outlander, is where Jamie is standing by the fountain and uh Claire looks out of the bedroom window in the hotel and sees uh for the very first time because it's actually before she's gone back in time. Uh anyway, um so if you want to do that, you could you could um you could go and experience a bit of outlander. They do have outlander tours, which I'm gonna do next time for sure. Um but really good fun and a better way. I mean, uh you know, a small group tours, it's just so much more personal experience than doing on a big group.

SPEAKER_03

It was just so relaxed. I mean, we weren't we didn't have a a um a full coach uh bus load, but it was everybody got along and it was it was really, really pleasant. And Graham was just was just so enthusiastic, he was always smiling, always talking to people, and it was just lovely. Brilliant.

SPEAKER_02

So it's good. So there you go. Um, we've been on Rabbi's tours, we're gonna recommend Rabbi's tours out of Edinburgh. Um, they do also out of various other cities in uh in the UK and in Ireland as well, different tours out. So I will link to the two tours that Doug and I took. There's some photographs as well I'll put in there, but obviously, um they say there's an outlander tour they do as well, which I know is also very popular. Um, we also have a promo code for um Rabbi's as well, which is uh 10% discount for our audience. So that's UKTP10. Uh, you'll have to use our link, um, which I will put in the show notes to be able to use that code to the 10% off. Um, so I will put that in the show notes. So do check that out if you're gonna do Rabbi's to try to get 10% off. Um, but highly recommended.

SPEAKER_03

Most definitely, yes.

Make Your Own Harris Tweed Bag

SPEAKER_02

Uh now the last thing I'm gonna talk about, the 12th thing you haven't done.

SPEAKER_03

Uh no, I haven't.

SPEAKER_02

And that is an Islander workshop experience. So that is basically where you go and make a bag. Um, and that's something I did when we were in Edinburgh last year. So we we did a house sit in Edinburgh last year and spent six weeks actually in Edinburgh. So I want to say we spent a lot of time in Edinburgh. And I really wanted to do it. So I'm basically make like a Harris Tweed bag. You can make a backpack, which is on my list to make next time. Um, but I've only just made the bag, uh the kind of small, kind of bigger than a clutch bag, sort of little day bag, I would call it, little handbag, purse, if you're American. Um, yeah, so I made that. You get to choose the different the different Harris Tweed um uh patterns that you can choose from the different colours that are there. Um, and so I I think I chose I think mine's kind of blues or greens, they have pink. So different when you go on the day, you get to choose from the colours. How long does it take you to make one? Uh it was about an hour and a half, I think.

SPEAKER_04

Okay.

SPEAKER_02

Um and you can choose different colour straps, you can use a different handle, and they they teach you, they show you it bit by bit how to put it all your bag all together. Um, and I know I've heard people say, or um, I've heard that they you know they come apart. They don't you've got uh they actually give you the tools to keep everything tightened up because obviously you've got to kind of fit fit it all together and you make it. Um so they give you the tools in a little bag to take away. So I just keep them in my bag, and my bag's fine, absolutely fine. I know I made it well a year and a half ago and it's absolutely fine. Um I really like it. It's a really, really popular thing to do. Again, this sells out. I have got if you're gonna book this, I have gotten it a link. Please book through our affiliate link, it just supports our business and supports the podcast. Um, so if you're gonna do this, you want to do it, please use the link which I'll put in the show notes for the Islander workshop experience. Um, but do book it ahead of time because they do sell out. I really want to do the backpack next time. Yeah, something more expensive. Yeah, and a really great present to do. Like if you're going with somebody and you're like, you can buy it for them as a present and go and both of you could go and do it, or you can go make one for a friend, or you could make two and you take one back for your friend. Um, you can buy lots of these bags all over Edinburgh, but you get to make the one this one yourself.

SPEAKER_03

I think I think I went eating cake that day.

SPEAKER_02

I think you probably did. Um, it's it's something different, it's just something different to do, and I just know how many. Whenever I share this in the Facebook group, everybody goes crazy. Yeah, that's true. They absolutely love it. They're just like, oh, I'm gonna do that, can't wait to do that. I'm gonna book it, I'm gonna book it. I will put pictures of my bag in the show notes as well.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, your bag looked very good.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, it was. I really enjoyed it. It was actually a really, really fun experience to do. So that's kind of the 12 12 things to do and experience in

Useful Links Consults And Farewell

SPEAKER_02

Edinburgh. Those are kind of our favourite ones we've talked about. I think we've covered we've covered a lot.

SPEAKER_03

There is there's more things to do than 12.

SPEAKER_02

Well, there are, but I think those are kind of the 12 favourite things that we've done or things that have really stood out. I was I say, I mean, we I've just I've personally just done the Murray Kings close and went, wow, yeah, wish I'd done it before. So I didn't kind of want to miss out some of the things that I think we may have just come across or just kind of experienced and went, Oh, why have we never done that before? Um, so yeah, that I thought hopefully that will help all all of you guys listening out there.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, give me some ideas and some inspiration.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, so as I say, I will link to all the different things we've mentioned. I will link, use our put our affiliate links, or there'll be our link for Rabbi's, there'll be our links to the Islander um workshop experience and any other links that we've talked about. Yeah, as I said, if you want help putting together your Edinburgh itinerary or you want us to review it, or you want help with a wider Scotland or UK itinerary, remember we we uh know all of the UK, so from not only London, not only Scotland, but all of England, we know Wales, we know Northern Ireland, we could we you know we've travelled the entire left.

SPEAKER_03

I have literally done all the airways.

SPEAKER_02

Um if you know if Scotland's a small part of your trip, we can help you with the England part of your trip or the London part of your trip or the Wales part of your trip or the Northern Ireland part of the trip, we can put the whole lot together, we really can. Um, and we have you know we've got partners throughout the UK as well that can recommend as well if you want to do private tours or want to do small group tours. Um now um we will link to all of that so you can book. Um if we do not have a slot, because especially for our um one-to-ones, uh sometimes we have very limited slots available for those. Um so if you look on the calendar, there's nothing that works, just get in touch with us by email as well, and uh and we can we can sort something out. Um now I will also quickly mention that we have other episodes of the podcast which are focused about Edinburgh. So episode 201 is 12 things to know before your first trip to Edinburgh. Episode 58 is essential tips for first time visitors, and we've got a general one for Scotland, Scotland travel tips, 15 common mistakes and how to avoid them. So that's episode 169. Again, I'll link to those in the show notes. Um so anything else to say about show about Edinburgh, Doug?

SPEAKER_03

Um no, I'll just point out that is you you probably do more walking than you realise.

SPEAKER_02

Yeah, up more hills and more steps.

SPEAKER_03

There's more steps than you actually realise in Edinburgh.

SPEAKER_02

There are more steps and more hills. It is it is you know, you yes, it can be quite tiring. Yeah, uh, but it is still one of the best cities in the world to visit.

SPEAKER_03

Yeah, most most definitely.

SPEAKER_02

So I think I would say just go, just include it in your itinerary. And if you need some help with that, we'll reach out and we can help you out. We'll help you with that. Anyway, oh I think that's it for this week.

SPEAKER_03

I think so.

SPEAKER_02

Um, and we'll be back next week with some more UK travel planning help, tips, resources, inspiration, and more chat from myself and Doug.

SPEAKER_01

Most definitely.

SPEAKER_03

But until then, let's just say Happy UK travel planning.

SPEAKER_02

Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of the UK Travel Planning Podcast. As always, show notes can be found at uktravelplanning.com. If you've enjoyed the show, why not leave us feedback via text or a review on your favourite podcast app? We love to hear from you, and you never know, you may receive a shout out in a future episode. But as always, that just leaves me to say until next week, happy UK travel planning.