Edinburgh, as capital of Scotland has a lot going on, for instance they host one of the biggest New Years celebrations, Hogmanay. Not to mention the many festivals that take place in the Summer, but even without all the events Edinburgh has a lot to offer.
Camera Obscura
This was probably the most fun visit I had during my discovery of Edinburgh. It`s a very interactive place, perfect for families. Trust me the kids won`t be bored, neither will the adults as this is a place for all ages. You`ll see optical illusions, puzzles and special effects. Don`t miss the Camera Obscura Show with its live moving panorama of the city.
Price: £11.95/adult and £8.75/children between 5-15 years, under 5 year are free. For more information on the opening hours: www.camera-obscura.co.uk The duration of your visit depends on how interactive you are, but your ticket is valid all day.
Scotch Whisky Experience
You don`t have to be a connaisseur of whiskies to enjoy this experience. Even as a newbie (that would be me), it`s a great way to learn more about the differences between single malt and blended malt or the process of how whisky gets made. You`ll be taught about different aroma`s, enjoy a tasting and can admire the World`s Largest Collection of Scotch Wisky. I took a Silver Tour which is ideal for families and first timers. These you can do all day, every day and takes about 50 minutes.
Price of a Silver Tour is £12.75/adult, £6.50/child between 6-17 years and for a family (2 adults and 2 children) is £31. There are different tours: Gold – Platinum – Morning Masterclass and Taste of Scotland Tour, for more info on these, check www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk. Opening Hours: Open 7 days a week (364 days a year) with standard hours (September to May) from 10 am to 6 pm (last tour at 5 pm)
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle, a must visit when in the city. There`s so much to be seen within the walls and if not for that, you should go for the views you have on top of those walls. What you can expect? A beautiful chapel, the Honours of Scotland being the crown jewels, the Royal Scots Regimental Museum, the Great Hall and much more. Not to forget the firepower of the cannons.
Price: from £14.50/adult and £8.60/child between 5-15 years (depending on when you visit), kids under 5 years are free. Opening Hours: Summer (1 April – 30 Sep): 9.30 am till 6 pm and Winter (1 Oct – 31 Mar): 9.30 am till 5 pm. Last entry is 1 hour before closing time. More info.
The Real Mary King`s Close
A costumed tour guide will take you to explore underground streets and spaces, while telling you stories from the past and how things used to be. I have to admit when first hearing the stories about this place, which is haunted and has ghosts visiting, I wasn`t so keen on the idea. But I did enjoy the visit, learning about the “closes” and how it must have been back then. Unfortunately I don`t have a photo as photography was not allowed inside, but I suggest you have a look yourself next time you visit Edinburgh.
Opening Hours: November 1st – March 29th: Sunday – Thursday: 10 am till 5 pm and Friday & Saturday: 10 am till 9 pm / March 30th – October 31st: Monday – Sunday: 10 am till 9 pm. Pre-booking is highly recommended. Price is £12.75/adult and £7.25*/child between 5-15 years (*not suitable for children under 5) For more info, you can check their website.
Wander the Streets
Just look around and take in all the beautiful buildings. Wander on the Royal Mile or walk Princess Street for some shopping and a nice view of the castle. You can also take a stroll to the Grassmarket and visit one of the many restaurants or pubs.
*All prices and opening hours were accurate at time of publishing.
This campaign is brought to you by Edinburgh’s Hogmanay and is supported by VisitScotland, ETAG, Edinburgh Festivals, Haggis Adventures and Skyscanner. The campaign bloggers were sourced and managed by iambassador. As always, opinions are my own.
Gayla~ says
I fell in love with Edinburgh. I don’t know if it was a result of the research I did before hand, but I felt like I’d been there before. It’s just an amazing city! Sadly, we missed the Real Mary King`s Close tour. Must return for that, most definitely. We popped into the Banshee Labyrinth (a series of bars) which was quite atmospheric. Like much of Edinburgh, it’s said to be haunted 🙂
The castle and chapel were highlights of our visit…as was the great food. Next time, we hope to try the whisky tasting, too. Thanks for the info!