Bill

I went to Edinburgh without really knowing what to expect. Several things surprised me: - The topography: built on old volcanoes, there are several hills and it is sometimes steep, but above all spectacular I think - The dark colors of the buildings: I think the stone used for construction is porous. So they quickly pick up grime and mold, and a lot of buildings and monuments look dark... I guess that adds to the haunted city, dark city vibe, but it is not great for colors - The central station, an urban eyesore: imagine, between the palace and the royal castle of your capital, you build a railway station, with its sheet metal roof, its many railway tracks... That would look out of place, ri…

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In groups of about ten people, a guide takes you to different parts of Real Mary King's Close, sharing stories about these places where the city's poor lived in unsanitary conditions. A few videos share the personal stories of former residents or a doctor who worked there. One of the main themes is the plague that hit the area, which wiped out a good part of the population crammed into small enclosed spaces, along with the story of a doctor who was promised a fortune to come treat and stop the disease. The place has a whole dark reputation, haunted spots, and morbid stories surrounding it... a bit overhyped, there was honestly nothing scary about it. On the flip side, it was very education…

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I was just walking by and since it was in my guidebook, I stopped by for a quick look. Right in the middle of a flower bed, there really is a statue of Bobby, the dog who spent years coming back there after his master died. Some famous personalities are also supposed to have their graves here. Maybe with a guide telling you stories from the past or ghost stories, the experience is different. But by myself, the place didn't leave much of an impression on me. I walked around in 15-20 minutes and then left.

An old village attached to the city of Edinburgh, which is about fifteen minutes from the center.You stumble upon picturesque old cobblestone alleys, old worker's houses, old bridges, and above all, a small river, Water of Leith, whose banks have remained more than less natural in certain portions. There is even a walking path set up along the river. I really loved following this walk. I was able to see ducks, a heron, a few fish, a mini waterfall, a few old monuments.

Pretty physical climb, takes a good hour, with a few pretty steep sections. There is even a stretch where I was a bit dizzy, the narrow trail runs alongside a pretty steep slope. This is not a climb I would do with young kids or people with limited mobility. The effort is rewarded by an impressive panorama of Edinburgh, the sea, the region. Minor disappointment: I was expecting to see a bit more wildlife (birds, animals, flowers, flora...). That said, a fire (it happens even in Scotland now!) had burned part of the mountain a few weeks before my visit.

What makes this cathedral stand out and instantly recognizable is its main spire, which is topped by a crown-shaped roof. To go inside, someone at the entrance suggests making a donation (recommended amount is 10 pounds, but it is totally up to you). You can walk through the interior pretty quickly. Inside you will find Gothic architecture that is elegant without being spectacular. The stained glass windows are worth the trip.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse (the holy cross), right next to the former abbey of the same name, sits at the opposite end of Edinburgh Castle from the Royal Mile, and at the foot of Arthur's Seat. Unlike the Castle, the area around the Palace is much less lively. The Palace itself: you follow a self-guided route with audio guide commentary that leads you to the royal bedrooms and Mary Stuart's reception room, where her private secretary was murdered right in front of her by her husband. The tour lets you learn a lot about the Crown of Scotland, the Stuart dynasty, and how it joined with the British crown. The rooms still have their period furniture and decor (the royal family still visits…

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Great free museum in the Old Town that I found really interesting to visit.The central gallery under its glass roof is impressive.The dinosaur and extinct animal skeletons, stuffed animals, and fossils are well worth a look.What I really thought was awesome is the science wing, where you can see planes, Formula 1 cars, steam engines, but above all, numerous interactive workshops let you experiment in a fun way to understand a few scientific principles. Example: how the shape of airplane wings makes things fly, how pulleys make heavy weights easier to lift, how heated air makes hot air balloons rise... Kids and adults alike have a blast testing all of it!

Pretty large and varied free botanical garden with different recreated regions, from China to American giant sequoias, passing through the Alps. I would have loved to see the palm greenhouses, but they are under construction until October 2026 I believe.

Built on an ancient volcano, the castle houses several buildings from different eras. According to the guide, the site has been continuously inhabited for over 3,000 years, which apparently is a European record (though I have my doubts about that). I recommend taking the guided tour to get lots of info and fun facts about the castle and Scotland, from antiquity, the Middle Ages, and all the way up to the recent world wars. Try to be there in person if you want to catch the cannon firing, the one o'clock gun. From the ramparts, you get a lovely view of the surrounding area.