Edinburgh attractions and things to do (merged)

typeractive

Thank you so much Edinburghlass - especially this late in the day (night). Could you please state what you mean about the second rate attractions? Do you mean that these attractions aren't the best? We had planned (in no order yet):

1. 3d lochness
2. auld reekie tour (though think I'll fight for the witchery tour
3. camera obscura
4. vaults tour (mercat)
5. then 3 galleries:
   • National Portrait (Vanity Fair)
   • National Gallery Complex (Impressionism)
   • Modern Art (Tracy Emin)

Our accommodation is in "the Groves" so about a mile and a half from the station.

That's a heck of a lot for 2 days (well 2 half days), we haven't fully decided on the main ones we want to see. We'll narrow it down to art and the scary tour I imagine if we can fit in the camera that would be a bonus.

I only want to pay for the one day pass really. look forward to reading about these vouchers - if you can offer any other advice / assistance at this hour I'd be more than grateful!

Thankies!

Edit:

The Edinburgh Pass becomes active when it is first used and is valid for the calendar day or number of calendar days indicated on the card.

Edinburghlass_2

typeractive wrote: »

Thank you so much Edinburghlass - especially this late in the day (night). Could you please state what you mean about the second rate attractions? Do you mean that these attractions aren't the best? We had planned (in no order yet):

1. 3d lochness (haven't been to can't help)
2. auld reekie tour (though think I'll fight for the witchery tour (fight!)
3. camera obscura (good)
4. vaults tour (mercat) (Mary Kings Close is much better)
5. then 3 galleries:
   • National Portrait (Vanity Fair)
   • National Gallery Complex (Impressionism)
   • Modern Art (Tracy Emin) (total £20 there so I guess £24 is not bad)

Our accommodation is in "the Groves" so about a mile and a half from the station.

That's a heck of a lot for 2 days (well 2 half days), we haven't fully decided on the main ones we want to see. We'll narrow it down to art and the scary tour I imagine if we can fit in the camera that would be a bonus.

I only want to pay for the one day pass really. look forward to reading about these vouchers - if you can offer any other advice / assistance at this hour I'd be more than grateful!

Thankies!

Edit:

So yes if there are what you want to do then use the pass carefully for Friday and on the first day perhaps when you arrive do Mary Kings Close and pay for it and miss out The Vaults? Then, provided this blinking rain stops I'd wander up the High Street towards the Castle and soak up the atmosphere and perhaps visit the museums which I think are free. But I'm not entirely sure what is included in the Edinburgh Pass from what you want to do? What I really mean is don't buy it if you are only going to see the things included if perhaps you could spend the time doing others?

Edinburghlass_2

fluffynit wrote: »

Midlothian Discounts

No card sent out now, instead you download this brochure

http://www.edinburgh-midlothian.co.uk/DISCOUNTS.pdf

fluffynit

Have a look at this one too although this covers all of Midlothian and probably not many actually in Edinburgh. Really need to go to bed as I have to be up very early but I'll check in the morning and see if I can help further. Oops, you are now offline, hope you can see this before you leave and if you do, enjoy Edinburgh its buzzing just now with a great atmosphere.

typeractive

Don't worry Edindurghlass - you've helped HEAPS! Whatever we end up doing we'll have a good time I'm sure.

Many thanks again!

Edinburghlass_2

The rain is off but its a dreich day and forecast isn't good, enjoy your stay!

sunflowermum1

Does anyone know how to get cheaper/ discounted entry into the Castle.
We are staying in the area next week, thanks to everyone for the discounts already mentioned

sunflowermum1

:j Just found Sainsbury's Great day out voucher gives you 1 free child with paying adult. Saves £6
Downside only allowed 1 voucher per household per visit.

Edinburghlass_2

typeractive wrote: »

Don't worry Edindurghlass - you've helped HEAPS! Whatever we end up doing we'll have a good time I'm sure.

Many thanks again!

I was mistaken when I said the rain was off, hope you got here as I remember you said you were coming from Newcastle and having spent hours today at Waverley having been taken by bus there from Haymarket to get my daughter on a train south I found they had to put on a bus to get people to Newcastle :eek:

At least it would have dry in the art galleries.

typeractive

Quick account of our mini visit. We had a fab time!!! First day was a bit 'difficult' on arrival, it was so busy and had that 'fine rain that soaks ya through'. We were prepared for that though. I think it was just the volume of travellers on Princes street outside the train station that made it a wee bit difficult to get our bearings. Anyway we got a 2 day Edinburgh pass which proved to be the best thing on our trip as everything we wanted to do was covered by it.

in our two days we visited:

• National Galleries - excellent!
• 3D Loch Ness Experience - would have been good in 1982, but disapointing in today's technology - some interesting points to consider though.
• Witchery Tour (Murder Mystery) - quite good
• Camera Obscura - great fun!
• Mercat Vaults Tour - very interesting
• National Gallery of Modern Art - first building (Dean Gallery), the staff were quite rude (maybe they get bored?) Good 'Foto' exhibit on there - a lot of influences from the Bauhaus era. Second building was a very interesting experience - opened a good discussion about Tracy Emin with my friend, staff were much nicer here (though one guy kept following us around, to the point it was worse than being in a shop!!!) Good visit though.
• National Portrait Gallery - worthwhile with the advantage of the pass, otherwise I'd have probably skipped this one.
• The Edinburgh Dungeon - we had to finish early to get the train home...not that this bothered me as the tour group with us were a complete bunch of w*****s - really difficult/rude to the staff - wouldn't do as they were told, acted very disrespectfully. When we left this one member of staff said: I don't blame you for leaving!...though I felt more sorry for him, and the old couple on the tour who carried on To be honest I'm pleased the card covered the tour as it wasn't brilliant anyway - more fun for kids really, so would recommend it to young families etc
• We ate at Jimmy Chungs - that was FAB! (obviously not covered in the pass)

Our accommodation was really nice. Proved to be a struggle to get to on the bus system as although the buses are very frequent, the timetable is very difficult to understand. We asked staff in various tourist places/attractions, and even they managed to get us on the wrong buses - D'oh! We pretty much ended up walking, but then figured that was the best way anyway, as we could take in the craft stalls, architecture, street performers with the festival being on. We also watched the fireworks testing from the Tattoo rehearsals from Princes street on the way home. Most places are in a nice wlaking distance and once I had my bearings I was scooting around with our little map.

Overall a great couple of days - fully occupied at all times. The weather picked up on the Friday too which was nice, but the weather didn't dampen our spirits anyway

Another thing I was happy about was our Subway sandwhich on Hanover (I think) Street. The service was quick, friendly and puts the Durham store to absolute shame!!!

Would definitely recommend Edinburgh to anyone wanting to visit - the locals are really nice! (though I did get a bit bored of the earbashing that the English get from tour guides - heh)

Great thanks to everyone on here!

stormbreaker

sunflowermum1 wrote: »

:j Just found Sainsbury's Great day out voucher gives you 1 free child with paying adult. Saves £6
Downside only allowed 1 voucher per household per visit.

If you are a family of four just split into two and pretend you are not together:D Or pay separatly. I dont expect the ticket person will mind.