Tourist attractions, "Edinburgh"

Sitting atop the volcanic Castle Rock, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city skyline and is the most popular paid visitor attraction in Scotland. Events at the castle include regular re-enactments of events from its history, occasional concerts by…

Tucked away behind Waverley Station, the Edinburgh Dungeon is a gruesome entertainment venue that allows visitors to experience the murkier side of Edinburgh’s history. Among the attractions are 11 actor-led shows and two rides: one simulating a…

Situated three miles west of the city centre, Edinburgh Zoo offers much more than the world-famous Penguin Parade and those headline-grabbing pandas. It is home to over 1000 rare and endangered animals, and also contains three eateries and a soft-play…

Restored in 2009, the Nelson Monument stands on the highest point of Calton Hill, originally intended to double as a signal mast for ships at Leith. At the top of the tower, a time ball was installed, which was raised and lowered to mark the time, in…

The uppermost viewing platform of the Walter Scott Monument on Princes Street can be reached only by a 287-step series of narrow spiral staircases, but the view from the top is worth it. Completed in 1844, the black soot-stained tower serves as a…

In the western area of Edinburgh stands a large, circular ‘beehive’ dovecot, complete with nesting boxes, in a good state of preservation. The building is likely to have stood alongside a now long-gone castle built in the 14th century, and nested…

Located in Edinburgh’s New Town, this elegant late-18th century Georgian town house is typical of the area’s architectural style, and contains a fine collection of furniture, porcelain, silver and pictures from the period. Features include a 'below…

One of the best-preserved medieval castles in Scotland, Craigmillar Castle was begun in the late 14th century but not completed until the 16th. The central tower is the oldest section, dating from 1425; the rest of the grounds include a doocot, two…

The 16th century tower house of Lauriston Castle looks over the Firth of Forth from its beautiful manicured gardens, which include the Japanese garden and several croquet courts. A number of events are held at the castle throughout the year, including…

This museum on the Royal Mile, containing many decorations and paintings from the 500 years since it was first built, is reputed to be the home of 16th-century Protestant reformer John Knox. The building is occasionally used by the adjacent Scottish…

With bases in the Borders at Jedburgh and at Dalhousie on the southern outskirts of Edinburgh, Falconry Scotland provides opportunities to handle falcons, hawks, owls and eagles for people at all levels of experience. It holds regular hunting events…

This paint-your-own-pottery studio has branches in Leith and Marchmont in Edinburgh, as well as locations around Scotland. It also has jewellery and glass-making facilities and a soft play area for children. Each studio offers specially catered group…

The official Scottish residence of the Queen, this baroque palace was once home to Mary Queen of Scots and now houses the great artworks and tapestries of its regal residents.

Once you have staggered down from the windswept Castle, the warm interior of the Whisky Centre could not seem more attractive. The tour of the centre is, mercifully, mostly seated, and involves a series of films, demonstrations and a 'Barrel Ride' to…

This superb example of domestic Palladian architecture is located just outside Edinburgh and demonstrates the amazing survival of early 18th century decorative rococo interiors and collections, as well as an 18th-century designed landscape, woodland…