What to do and where to go in Edinburgh?

Question

My parents have their 21st wedding anniversary coming up in September...and my dad happened to be invited to Edinburgh for business near their anniversary, so that is going to be their little trip together. Well, my dad asked me to go and find some places to stay and things for them to do while they are there.

Soooo...they are going to be there for 5 days and 2 or 3 of those days they are going to be staying at Gleneagles and the rest is to do whatever. They prefer more cultural experiences like vineyards and castles, but nothing really touristy. My dad has a short attention span so he likes to do things and my mom is very artsy. Also, if you know of a decently priced hotel or a quaint bed and breakfast that you know is reliable...i would really appreciate it.

Thanks so much for your help...hopefully my parents will have an awesome time there!!!

Answer 1

If they are going to be there before the 21st of September then they can go to a Vanity Fair Exhibition at the National Portrait Gallery. I went a couple of weeks ago and there you can see lots of selected photos from 1913 - 2008. The Edinburgh Playhouse is good too and during September there is Seven Brides For Seven Brothers and Flashdance. I would not recommend the Museum of Childhood. The Edinburgh Zoo is good though. I liked the Edinburgh Dungeons too, I'm not sure if this would be their cup of tea but I'd give it a shot and its two minutes walk from Jimmy Chung's. The Scotsman Hotel is good as it is, I think, in the centre of Edinburgh and at a good distance from most things. Holiday Inn Edinburgh is, I think, is good.

Answer 2

Hi Jenna! Your parents should definitely check out the Edinburgh Castle while they are there (they wont be able to miss the view, but the tour is great too!). I was there about five years ago, and I can tell you that one of the best nights we had was when we ran into a bachelor party (they were all dressed in drag and very friendly). We danced with them on the cobblestone streets until the wee hours of the morning. Unfortunately, unless your parents are invited to a Scottish wedding or run into a bachelor party, most cultural events happen spontaneously. They can visit the Elephant Cafe, which is where JK Rowling penned most of the Harry Potter books. Also, there is a midnight graveyard tour, which was really fascinating (and spooky). I hope this information helps, and Im sorry if it is inaccurate or irrelevant, because it has been five years since I visited.

Tell your parents congratulations on their wedding anniversary!  

Answer 3

• In no particular order

Edinburgh Castle

A must see. Queues get very busy in summer so you'll save a lot of time by booking tickets in advance through the official Edinburgh Castle website http://www.edinbu...

Royal Botanic Garden

70 acres of beautifully manicured lawns and flowers: a perfect outing for a sunny afternoon.

Guildford Arms Good Pub

Museum of Scotland

Museum delineating the history and culture of Scotland from the Stone Age to the present.

Camera Obscura and World of Illusions A unique image of Edinburgh is displayed on the fascinating Camera Obscura. On the way to the main attraction you will experience a number of visual treats, including stunning views of the

Royal Yacht Britannia

One of the world's most famous ships in British maritime history can now be boarded for tours.

Scott Monument

A 200-foot spire dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, the famous Scottish poet.

Royal Mile

Stretch of road connecting Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace, the Queen's residence in Scotland.

Edinburgh Playhouse A traditionally styled 3 tier theatre with over 3000 seats, offering a broad range of shows ranging from visiting West End performances, dance, musicals, comedians to events staged by local theatre groups..

New Town Bar g*y bar

The Cabaret Voltaire Good Club

Pear Tree House Good Student Pub

Cafe Royal Circle Bar Tourist bar

Greyfriars Church

Historical church famous for its cemetery where Bobby, a loyal terrier, kept watch over his master's grave for 14 years.

Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park, also known as the Queen's Park since it is still owned by the monarchy, contains some interesting attractions such as the remains of an ancient volcano, a bird sanctuary, the dramatic Salisbury Crags and three lochs or lakes.

Arthur's Seat

Located within the center of Edinburgh at Holyrood Park, the remains of this extinct volcano rise 823 feet making it a notable landmark of the city.

St. Giles Cathedral

This is the main church of The Church of Scotland.

Dean Gallery

Art gallery with an impressive collection of Dada and Surrealist art.

Castle Rock This massive rock towering over Edinburgh is the setting for Edinburgh Castle and serves as one of the most defining symbols of Scottish history.

Portobello Beach My local beach

Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre

Learn about the history of Scotland's national drink on a tour of this museum.

Edinburgh Hop on Hop Off Bus tour

Real Mary King's Close

A guided tour through a warren of hidden streets beneath the Royal Mile dating back to the 16th century: dramatic episodes from the past are recreated, including life in plague-ridden Edinburgh during the 17th century.

Our Dynamic Earth

Scotland's millennium dome and science museum, featuring several interactive exhibits for the whole family.

Leith My home area

Bow Bar

Small quiet bar with a large selection of whisky.

Museum of Childhood

The Filmhouse

A small, three-screened theater playing Scotland's most innovative independent films.

Butterfly and Insect World

Maggie Dickson's

This pub is named after a woman who survived the gallows, a punishment she received for allegedly murdering her newborn baby.

Old Town

Edinburgh's oldest neighborhood, dating back to medieval times: these small streets are lined with wool shops, pubs and historical monuments.

Craigmillar Castle Another castle in Edinburgh

Princes Street Gardens

Impeccably landscaped park and woodland surrounding Edinburgh Castle.

Jekyll & Hyde Pub

Fun, friendly pub named after Robert Louis Stevenson's famous story.

Princes Street

A busy street lined with shops, historic monuments and restaurants.

St. Margaret's Chapel

This stately chapel is the only original building left in the Edinburgh Castle complex.

Murrayfield Ice Rink

Want family-friendly entertainment that won't break your budget? Try ice skating at this rink.

Holyroodhouse Palace

This is an official residence of the Queen and the Royal Family.

Greyfriars Bobby Memorial

This memorial commemorates the loyal pooch who spent 14 years by his master's grave.

New Town

The modern face of Edinburgh, with lots of restaurants, pubs, museums and galleries.

Calton Hill

Historic neighborhood lined with monuments dating back to the Enlightenment.

Three Sisters

Large pub located in the Cowgate with an outdoor courtyard and a number of themed bar areas inside.

Hopetoun House

This historic building is known as "Scotland's finest stately home."

Jenner's

Ritzy department store selling everything from bedding to Edinburgh Crystal.

Charlotte Square

Considered to be one of the finest Georgian squares in Britain, this plaza has maintained many of its elegant, old buildings on all four sides.

George IV Bridge

Built between 1829 and 1832, this bridge or elevated street spans more than 1,000 feet in length, linking Chambers Street and the Royal Mile.

C. C. Bloom's g*y bar

Deacon Brodie's Tavern

Traditional bar in a prime location, on the historic Royal Mile, at the corner of the Lawnmarket and The Mound. Food is served throughout the day.

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Answer 4

The Whisky Experience sounds like something your dad might like.  Edinburgh also has some nice art galleries, and of course there's the castle and the palace.  If they like golf, it might be worth taking a daytrip to St Andrews, and they'd probably enjoy a trip to Stirling (about an hour away), which IMO has a better castle, and lots of history.  Edinburgh's very touristy, so it's difficult to avoid.