Scotland Vacations – What to see in Edinburgh

There are so many things to do and see in Edinburgh on your Scotland Vacations you could easily spend a week and not see it all. So what do you fit into your itinerary? That is a question that only you can answer, but here is a list of sights to get you started. You might just want to see it all, so start planning now for future Scotland vacations. Check back for detailed pages describing each sight.

Arthur’s Seat

The remains of an ancient volcano, Arthur’s Seat is a green hill with several smaller hills and locks around it. Part of it is the ridge of OldTown and leads up to The Castle mound of EdinburghCastle.

Calton Hill

You can get a wonderful view on this hill to the east of Princess Street. Calton Hill is the home to the Old Observatory, new Observatory, Dugald Stewert Memorial, the unfinished National Monument, and the NelsonMonument.

Camera Obscura and World Illusions

Both exhibits about Edinburgh and Panoramic Projections of Edinburgh can be seen at Camera Obscura. You can find it at the top of the royal mile in the OutlookTower.

Canongate Kirk

Canongate Kirk is a church that has a graveyard where a few famous people were put to rest, such as Robert Burns and David Rizzio.

Canongate Tolbooth/ The People’s Story Museum

Located up the hill from Conongate Kirk is the home of the PeoplesMuseum. This is a museum of the life and times of the people of Edinburgh from the 18^th century forward.

City Art Centre

Edinburgh’s own art Gallery displays changing exhibits and a wonderful collection of Scottish paintings.

Craigmiller Castle

Found southeast of the city centre CraigmillerCastle is full of history. You can visit the site that both Mary Queen of Scott’s husband’s murder was planed and the place that she escaped to on a few occasions.

Cramond

Near Queensferry Lies a village called Cramond which was one had a strong water-powered industry. This is a perfect place for an evening stroll or you can catch a ferry to Dalmeny.

Dynamic Earth

Conveniently located near the new Scottish Parliament building is a High-Tec imagery trip back through time to the creation of the earth.

Edinburgh Castle

You can easily find this land mark on Castle Mound as it is very large. You can take tours of many of the castles buildings and if you time it right enjoy the festival.

Edinburgh Zoo

The Edinburgh Zoo is located at corstorphine on the side of a steep hill. You can enjoy seeing the animals with EdinburghCastle in the background.

Fruitmarket Gallery

This is a Gallery of high-profile arts venues of contemporary art and design. You can find it behind Waverly Station across from the City Art Centre.

Georgiam House

At No.7 Charlotte Square in New Town you will find a recreated 1796 home to show how the better half lived.

Gladstone’s Land

This is an example of a tenement-house in OldTown dating back to the 17^th century. Again this is an example of how the eras well to do lived.

Grassmarket

Located below the Castle Rock Grassmarket has served quit a few purposes over its history including the location of executions until the late 1700s. Now it is full of nice shops, restaurants, and pubs to visit.

Grayfriers Kirkyard

Grayfriers Kirkyard has a long important history to Scotland. Now you can see several memorials and the grave of William Adam.

John Knox House

John Knox was the founder of the Church of Scotland. The John Knox House is where he preached out a window in his early years. There is an exhibit about him in the house to see.

Lauriston Castle

An avid collector of fine furniture owned and then donated this castle along with his collection to Edinburgh for all to see.

Leith

This is a town with many fashionable restaurants. The EdinburghRiver runs though the center of town and it has a nice walk.

Museum of Childhood

The Museum of Childhood is a collection of exhibits about childhood not and exhibits for children. Although this would be a fascinating place to children it is full of things children experienced and played with in the past.

Museum of Edinburgh

The Museum of Edinburgh houses a historical collection that will take you though the centuries. You can easily find it across the road from the Canongate Tolbooth.

Museum of Scotland

This is not a museum that you can see all at once, the Museum of Scotland is spread out on several levels that start on the first floor with the earliest beginnings and work up though time. This is a modern interpretation of an ancient fortification and is easily found on the western end of Chambers Street.

National Gallery of Scotland

You can find works of some of the best old masters in the UK along with distinctly Scottish artwork. The National Gallery of Scotland can be found on the mound

New Town

To the North of Princess Street sits the so-called New Town. This New Town actually dates back to the late 1700s this is mostly Victorian architecture.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Still officially the home of Scotland’s royalty. It has a long history that is worth exploring. This is a tourist attraction only when a Royal isn’t visiting.

Princes Street Gardens

Between Castle Rock and Princess Street lies a strip of park called PrincessStreetGardens. Look for the clock made of flowers with moving hands.

The Real Mary King’s Close

Every 20 minutes a tour can take you though this now underground close where you can see what it was like to be one of Edinburgh poor. Find it in old town under ground.

Royal Botanic Garden

To find the RoyalBotanic Garden by crossing the Stockbridge on Princess Street. You will see several rock gardens, lots of Rhododendrons, squirrels, and tons more.

Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is the almost straight road that links the EdinburghCastle with Holyroodhouse through the OldTown.

Royal Yacht Britannia

This Royal Yacht served the Royal family for over 40 years. You can see its story in the visitors center a tour the Yacht for yourself. You will find it at Edinburgh’s port of Leith.

Scotch whisky Heritage Centre

This Heritage center can be found at the top of the Royal Mile. Ride in a hollowed out beret through the center and learning about the Scotch whisky making process.

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is a collection of portraits of famous and not so famous people that shaped Scotland. You will also find the national photo collection too.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

Located on the grounds of an old school this gallery displays works by famous artist such as Picasso, Hirst, Fergusson, Giacometti, and so much more.

Scottish Parliament Visitor Centre

You can find out everything about the Scottish Parliament from its history to its importance here. Get a tour of parts of the new parliament, but make reservations first.

St. Giles Cathedral: The High Kirk of Edinburgh

Found near the top of the Royal Mile, you can’t miss this imposing structure. Parts of this church dates back to the 15^th century.

Writers’ Museum

The Writers’ Museum is dedicated to Scotland’s own famous writers. You can learn more about Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Above photo of Calton Hill, Edinburgh Photo by WordRidden

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