Edinburgh attractions and things to do (merged)

Angua2

izzy339 wrote: »

Hi all you money savers

I'm hoping to glean some good info from you, my b/f is coming over from the US in Nov and we plan to spend a couple of days in Auld Reekie, we have two nights at the Apex in Grassmarket area, the Castle is a must as we're both ex-service, I love the museum of childhood so I'll go by there also (nothing to do with the fact that the fudge shop is next door
I would like to take him to see the Royal Yaught Britannia (he was a sailor;) ) but I'm not sure of how to get there from Princes St as we're not driving, any info most welcome.
all this one a budget as most of our cash has gone on the flight ticket across here.................we both LOVE freebies! so free entrance to anywhere is worth considering.................any ideas? oh and we have to eat too lol.

You people on here seem to have a wealth of knowledge so I'm appealling to you all.
In anticipation

Izzy

Hiya.

Freebies: walking tour! Climb Arthur's Seat &/ Calton Hill
I think Greyfriar's Churchyard (Greyfriar's Bobby) is free. Also, St. Giles' Cathedral....


National Museum

This is a fantastic free attraction in Edinburgh. The National Museum is a delightful blend of old and new buildings with a huge collection of articles of National and International significance. Excellent cafe and restaurant. Admission Free!
Website

Gallery of Modern Art

Superb Modern Art Gallery just on the edge of the Dean Village in Edinburgh's west end. From the manicured, scuplted grounds to the regularly changing exhibits, the whole gallery is well worth visiting. Admission Free!
Website
Scottish Parliament

Visit the seat of government in Scotland. You have to pay if you want the guided tour, but you can visit and have a look around for nothing. You can even sit in the public gallery and watch the debates going on. Admission Free!
Website
National Gallery

Right in the middle of Edinburgh you'll find the superb National Gallery. They have some very important works in there and though it's not the largest gallery in the world, some of the paintings in there will stick in your mind for a long long time. Admission Free!
Website
Writers Museum

Hidden in a Close between the Royal Mile and The Mound you'll find Edinburgh's Writers Museum. Telling the story of RL Stevenson, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and others, it is a fascinating way to while away an afternoon. Admission Free!
Website
Museum of Childhood

Another museum off the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood will take everyone back to their younger years. Loved by adults and children alike. Admission Free!
Website



What to do:

http://guide.visitscotland.com/vs/guide/5,en,SCH1/objectId,RGN573vs,curr,GBP,folder,ATTRACTION,season,at1,selectedEntry,sights/sights.html


Getting around:
http://citybreaks.visitscotland.com/city/edinburgh/map.aspx

To get from Princes St to Britannia - take a bus from St Andrew's Square - not sure which one, tho.

Found this online:
Royal Yacht Britannia

15 % off admission


You’ll receive a truly warm welcome at Britannia’s Visitor Centre in Ocean Terminal before you step on board – here you can view displays and historic photographs that detail Britannia’s fascinating past. The personal self-led audio tour will enable you to enjoy the Yacht’s five decks and provides a rare glimpse into the life of the British Royal Family.
Not valid in conjunction with any other offer. Please present this voucher at the ticket desk. Maximum 5 per voucher, additional tickets will be charged at the standard price. Valid from 17th September 2007 - 29th February 2008. Ref # 5023 (VisitScotland citybreaks website)

Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean Terminal
Leith
Edinburgh
EH6 6JJ T: 0131 555 5566
F: 0131 555 8835
W: website



http://www.visitscotland.com/aboutscotland/cities/edinburgh

http://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/Attractions-g186525-Activities-Edinburgh_Scotland.html


Hope this helps!

izzy339_2

many, many thanks Angua2, this will prove very helpful!!

Izzy

Angua2

Found this online today:

http://www.discount-edinburgh.com/attractions.asp

Anyone know it / use it / feedback?

the_mackem

hi all up for a short break in december cant wait oh asking what department stores is there,im asking wanna good italian good boozers in and around.or nearly forgot we like to visit holyrood house is it worth the visit and how far away is it, we are stopping in the channings hotel and no car hic.

Angua2

the_mackem wrote: »

hi all up for a short break in december cant wait oh asking what department stores is there,im asking wanna good italian good boozers in and around.or nearly forgot we like to visit holyrood house is it worth the visit and how far away is it, we are stopping in the channings hotel and no car hic.

Hiya.

Staying at Channings, you'll be only a shortish walk to the West End. On Princes St. you'll find lots of shops, etc., including Jenners. If you make your way to the east end of Princes St., and turn left after the Wellington statue (old guy on horse), you'll find the St James' Centre (shopping mall) with lots of high street shops & department stores, incl. John Lewis.

There's discussion on good eating in Edinburgh on this thread:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=30915

You might consider looking into Hi-Life or 5pm for discounts and promotions.
Links:

http://eatscotland.visitscotland.com/offers/?index=0

http://www.sugarvine.com/Scotland/index.asp

http://www.5pm.co.uk/Search/Restaura...uisineTypeID=0

http://www.toptable.co.uk/search_res...tGoButton.y=11


For doing the tourist thing, you might want to look at
http://www.edinburgh.org/pass/offers/


I've never been to Holyrood Palace....! Once you're at Jenner's (48 Princes St), you'll be 1/2 way there.


There's also an annual Christmas market / fair which is fun! I love the carousel!!

Edinburgh's Christmas 22 Nov - 24 Dec 2007 throughout the city

Isn't it time you experienced Edinburgh this Christmas? In the winter, Edinburgh sparkles! Pull on your winter woollies and see the city come alive with festive spirit, dazzling lights and something for everyone to take part in.

Light Night on 22 November kicks off the festivities, opening all of the Edinburgh's Christmas attractions. Don't miss the famous Edinburgh Wheel and Winter Wonderland ice rink. Why not stop by the Traditional German Market for some Gluhwein, while the Scottish Fresh Food Market, French Market and Christmas Market offer fantastic gift ideas. While the Kids' Fun Fair will keep the children entertained, the Christmas Carousel provides fun for all ages!


Also, don't forget some of Edinburgh's free attractions (see last fews posts above yours)

As for good boozers: try The Edinburgh Pub Guide or if you're a real ale fan, have a look at CAMRA


Hope you have a fab time.

sleepless_saver

A free bus service runs daily every 45 minutes till 5pm between the Dean Gallery on Belford Road, the Scottish National Portrait gallery on Queen Street and the National Galleries complex on the Mound. There are always things to see for free at these galleries, plus the Dean Gallery is handy for a walk along the Water of Leith.

competitionscafe

There is a 'free' guided walking tour of Edinburgh which leaves everyday at 11am from in front of the Starbucks by the Tron Kirk on the High Street (they ask for tips at the end, around £2 or £3 seems the average although you can give more or less) - more info at: www.newedinburghtours.com

Good restaurants in Edinburgh:
Great vegetarian restaurant in Edinburgh: David Banns, St Marys Street, Old Town: www.davidbann.co.uk/images/food.pdf ; good seafood restaurant in Edinburgh: Fishers in the City, Thistle Street, New Town; Other good restaurants: Barioja Tapas bar on Jeffrey Street (next to Iggs): www.restaurant-guide.com/barioja-tapas-bar.htm ; Urban Angel on Hanover Street (organic, local, fairtrade); Martin Wishart, Leith (2 Michelin star so £££££££ but lunch is good value): www.martin-wishart.co.uk/main.html ; 'Chop Chop' excellent Chinese restaurant on Morrison Street; La Garrigue, (French) 31 Jeffrey Street: www.lagarrigue.co.uk/ ; Bella Mbriana (my local Italian and one of the best in Edinburgh). More good Edinburgh restaurant, cafe, food shop and coffee bar recommendations here: www.finewinediary.com/restaurants/edguide.shtml

Some good cafes in Edinburgh:
Elephant House; Herbies on Circus Place Stockbridge; Starbucks on Princes Street has average coffee but great views of the Castle (it's up the stairs next to the herbal remedies place!); Urban Angel (great place for breakfast/brunch or just a coffee): www.urban-angel.co.uk/www/menus/ ; Sprio, St Stephens Street, Stockbridge - new place run by people from Milan so you know you will get a decent cup of coffee (which is not easy to do in Edinburgh!); Spoon (Blackfriars Street off the Royal Mile) and the nearby Scottish Storytelling Centre Cafe which is run by the same people as Spoon (both only open during the day), Fruitmarket Gallery Cafe (Market Street, next to Waverley Station) also has a decent cafe with great coffee (Green Mountain) and good cakes as does the cafe in the National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street - interesting building and good for afternoon tea and scones.

Cheap and cheerful: Monster Mash on Forrest road (opposite Sandy Bells the folk pub) does bangers (sausages) and mash, steak pie, fish and chips and McSweens Haggis - not much for vegetarians though unless you go for the vegetarian haggis! Not tried Monster Mash myself but have heard that their sausages (from Crombies) and mash are the thing to go for and avoid the puddings (mostly stuff from tins, apparently!) and it's one of the cheaper evening opening restuarants/cafes in the city centre. For a budget eat-in meal during the day though I would go for Spoon, or Kalpna (indian vegetarian restaurant) or the wonderful Sadivino on West Richmond Street (Italian).

Some good night time places (pubs with live music):
Jazz Bar on Chambers Street (live music every night): www.thejazzbar.co.uk/Gallery.php ; Hendersons Wine Bar on Hanover Street (free live music every night): www.hendersonsofedinburgh.co.uk/winelist.html ; Antiquary Pub on St Stephen Street, Stockbridge (informal folk music session every Thursday night 9pm until late): www.bestpubs.co.uk/layout0.asp?pub=105763 .

Other good pubs and bars: 99 Hanover Street (opposite Hendersons Wine bar); Bramble (Queen Street); Blue Blazer (Tollcross); Cloisters (Tollcross); Guildford Arms and Cafe Royal (next to each other on West Register Street, which is behind Burger King at the Waverley Station end of Princes Street); Cozi on St Stephen Street (Stockbridge).

Some good Edinburgh shops and delis (I like to support small local shops rather than the supermarkets where possible):
Herbies Deli, Raeburn Place, Stockbridge: www.herbieofedinburgh.co.uk/ (best brie in Edinburgh, plus fab pesto, roast beef, bread etc); 'One World' Fairtrade shop St Johns Church, West End of Princes Street: www.oneworldshop.co.uk/ ; Mad Jacks [handmade crafts and gifts] on Elm Row (top of Leith Walk); Valvonna & Crolla Deli also on Elm Row: www.valvonacrolla.co.uk/ ; Edinburgh Farmers Market (every Saturday morning; Castle Terrace): www.edinburghcc.com/farm_market.htm ; Real Food on Broughton Street: www.nurseryandschoolguide.co.uk/id77.html ; Ian Mellis cheese shops (Stockbridge and Victoria Street, Old Town); Demijohn (olive oils and much more) Victoria Street; Stoats porridge vans (Meadows; St James, Farmers Market, or @ Juice Almighty on Castle Street): www.stoatsporridgebars.co.uk/ [try the Belgian white chocolate and roasted hazelnut porridge - yum!] Falko Konditormeister baker - 7 Bruntsfield Place, Marchmont (amazing cakes!): www.foodwithlust.com/ ; Eddies Seafood Market in Marchmont/Bruntsfield (Edinburghs best fishmonger); The Manna House, on Easter Road (excellent local baker, great bread): www.manna-house-edinburgh.co.uk/ .

Favourite places in Edinburgh:
Arthurs Seat (watch the sunset/sunrise or just go for the view on a clear day);
Water of Leith walk: www.waterofleith.org.uk/river/river.shtm (5 minutes from me is one of the best bits: Stockbridge to Dean Village and gallery of modern art); Royal Botanical Gardens: www.rbge.org.uk/rbge/web/visiting/ebg.jsp (10 minutes walk from me, why not buy some food and wine in Herbies or Peckhams and go for a picnic in the gardens); Stockbridge (lots of good small, independent shops, Oxfam (2nd hand) book and music shops, cafes and delis plus the little river, a village in the city, good place just to wander around: some great photos (not mine!) of Stockbridge here: flickr.com/photos/curlsdiva/sets/72057594102647576/ River Almond and Cramond; Spiegel Garden (Bristo Square, from 27 July) and Spiegeltent (at the Book Festival; Charlotte Square, bar and free live music every night) during the August festivals.

Some ideas for things to do in and around Edinburgh:

> Spend a sunny afternoon walking around the Botanic Gardens, take a picnic lunch - and some peanuts to feed the friendly squirrels.
> Walk up Arthurs Seat, Salisbury Crags, Calton Hill or Blackford Hill to watch the sunset or sunrise.
> Spend a rainy afternoon exploring the Museum of Scotland (it's free)
> Go for a few beers and see some live jazz at the Jazz Bar (Chambers Street).
> Go for afternoon tea and cakes (yum!) at the National Portrait Gallery.
> Go for lunch at Sadivino or Spoon. (yum! yum!)
> Walk the water of Leith footpath from Stockbridge to the Gallery of Modern Art.
> Take a 25 minute bus ride out to the Pentland Hills on Mcewans bus 100/101/102 (from St Andrew Square bus station, £1.45 return), walk the hills and valleys and then enjoy a pint of local beer and some chips in the Flotterstone Inn.
> Take the train out to North Berwick (30 minutes) for walks along the coast to Tantallon Castle and Seacliff Beach.

Some ideas if you want to do something different:
Discover the secret underground badger vaults of Edinburgh:
< www.mercattours.com/the-vaults-tour.asp >
or take a trip down into the spooky South Bridge vaults:
< www.mercattours.com/scheduled-tours.asp >

Favourite outdoors places near Edinburgh:
Pentlands (20 mins bus ride); East Neuk fishing villages, Fife; Sea Cliff beach and Tantallon castle near North Berwick (which is a 30 minute train ride from Edinburgh); Roslin Glen (40 mins by bus or 20 minute drive, woodlands, river gorge, ruined castle and some kind of a chapel or something). Speaking of which, Rosslyn Chapel is a 40 minute bus ride from Edinburgh on the number 15 bus from St Andrews Square - there is one every half hour during the day. More info here:
http://www.midlothian.gov.uk/images/cms/PDFs/walks/Roslin_glen_lft_web.pdf

Lothian buses to Roslin Glen or Pentlands are only £1 each way and Mcewans bus to Flotterstone (Pentlands) is only £1.45 return.

FredSloan

I live in Leith myself and it is a nightmare at the moment - roadworks everywhere due to the Trams going in. However if you are willing to risk the madness and are are looking for a decent and reasonable place to eat down this way then you could try Vittorias (Brunswick Street) or La Favorita (Leith Walk). Both are very good Italians run by the Crolla family....talking £7-14 a main course. Try the primavera and the apple sorbet!

As for places to visit - I use to work at the Botanics so I'm a bit biased there but it is a bit of a Sunday tradition to walk round...tallest palm house in Britain don't you know, 6% of the world plants, second old botanic garden in the UK after Oxford etc etc etc.

I would reccommend doing the bus tour so your family can see the city. If you buy a bus ticket you often get money of entry to the attractions on the route. National Museum is cool, Britannia is a bit tattie, Scott Monument on Princes Street is worth a go for the view and otherwise high tea at the Balmoral is a nice treat if you have a few space pounds. If not then lunch at John Lewis gets you a good view and you can always work if off with a jaunt up Calton Hill which I think is better than Arthur's Seat...Enjoy our lovely city...wouldn't live anywhere else!

deecee1

i also live in Leith and the tram work is awful! However i suggest looking at edinburgh.gov.uk which is the council web site for the city, lots of info on that.

frugal_rock

Looks like a great weekend of music at the NMS:

http://www.nms.ac.uk/celebration_weekend.aspx

Celebration Weekend

Join us on Sat 26 and Sun 27 April 2008
Come along to a spectacular weekend of music, dancing, art and history to mark the start of the Royal Museum Project.


With something for everyone, this two-day event celebrates key stories in the history of the museum and the exciting developments to come. Cultural performances from Scotland and the world highlight the best of our annual programme.
Take part in treasure trails and last chance tours.

Experience a fusion of international and Scottish music and dance. Get hands on in our object sessions, games and art workshops. Encounter historical characters and exciting entertainers. Two Edinburgh-based authors will be holding 'in conversation' events - Kate Atkinson (Behind the Scenes at the Museum) and Maggie O'Farrell (After You'd Gone). The event comes to an end with host Grant Stott, the Celebration Ceilidh and a rousing performance by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers as we close the doors on this part of the museum and let building work commence!

Date: Sat 26 and Sun 27 April
Times: 10:00-17:00 (drop-in)
Cost: Free!
Suitable for: Everybody
Venue: National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh