Colourful Grand Georgian Buildings

What to do in Edinburgh

Last month, my husband and I visited Edinburgh in Scotland. We travelled by Ryanair from London Stansted. It is quite cheap, only £65 return for the flight. We stayed there for four days and three nights. Here are some tips which come from our experience:

Find a hotel that is closed to the Old Town

We are so lucky that we chose the right hotel in the right location; so that we are not running up and down the hill. I would recommend to choose a hotel near Royal Mile or near the high street. We stayed at Hilton Carlton Edinburgh in North Bridge. Its location is fantastic!

Hilton Carlton Edinburgh
Hilton Carlton Edinburgh in the North Bridge
Hilton Edinburgh Lobby
The lobby

We like the hotel because our room is fantastically big! It has those grand Georgian windows!

Hilton Carlton Edinburgh Kings Room
Very grand bedroom with equally grand windows!
Hilton Carlton Edinburgh Loo
Fantastic shower
Toilet of Hilton Carlton Edinburgh
Fabulous Loo

The breakfast is ok though, the cold food selection is not that excellent..

Carlton hilton breakfast
Carlton Hilton breakfast
Hilton Carlton Edinburgh breakfast room
Breakfast area
Hilton Carlton Breakfast
Cold and hot food selection

My husband loves the bar! I also think the hotel bar or the executive lounge is excellent! My husband loves the selection of Scotch whiskies.

Executive Lounge Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
Executive Lounge Hilton Edinburgh Carlton
Hilton Edinburgh Carlton Lounge
Drinksss…

Visit the Royal Mile or High Street

This is I assume one of the longest and oldest road in Edinburgh. It is a must to see as the road stretches from the Edinburgh Castle at the left-end, and right into the Holyrood Palace at the right-end.

Edinburgh Royal Mile High Street
Royal Mile/High Street Edinburgh
Colourful Grand Georgian Buildings
Colourful Grand Georgian Buildings along the way
Royal Mile Exchange Market
Royal Mile Exchange Market
Stairs down into the market street
Stairs down into the market street
Edinburgh Castle at the left-end of the Royal Mile
Edinburgh Castle at the left-end of the Royal Mile
Pretty Royal Mile/Edinburgh at dusk
Pretty Royal Mile/Edinburgh at dusk
Typical Scottish weather: wet wet wet
Typical Scottish weather: wet wet wet
Is that also a castle on the hill
Is that also a castle on the hill?

Visit the National Museum of Scotland

Here is to appreciate the treasures found in Scotland….

National Museum of Scotland
National Museum of Scotland
Traprain Law Treasure: Delicious Roman Silver
Traprain Law Treasure: Delicious Roman Silver
Roman Silver Coins found in Scotland
Roman silver coins found in Scotland
Museum unusual architecture
Museum unusual architecture
National Museum of Scotland Edinburgh
A kind of working clock?

Visit the Holyrood Palace

This is the residence of Mary, Queen of Scots. It is also a working palace as it serves as official residence of Her Majesty the Queen. You can see the inside decoration of the Palace, starting from the bedroom, ballroom, dining room, and so on. There are some sad stories told in particular during the life of Queen Mary in this Palace. In one of the room, we can see where the Italian friend of the Queen was being dragged and stabbed to death by the jealous Queen husband. Queen Mary had quite a terrible life from being forced to abdicate, being separated from her son, being imprison, and eventually executed to death.

I did not take any picture in the Palace as my phone was off-battery. So the ticket is the only picture remains from the Palace.

Holyrood Palace
Holyrood Palace ticket

Visit Antique Shops in Edinburgh

It is a little bit disappointing of the availability of antique shops in Edinburgh. As it is the capital of such historic Scotland, we expect to see more of Scottish antiques.

This antiques and jewellery shop in Royal Mile shows the best collection of Scottish silver, however the price are too high for my budget. The shop has a good range selection of antique silver from Edinburgh and Glasgow. There are plates, bowl, jug, teapot, cup, and cutlery.

Antiques Shop in Royal Mile
Antiques Shop in Royal Mile

This Bacchus Antiques in Victoria Street is never open during days we were there. We are so much disappointed as it is always closed.

Bacchus Antiques Edinburgh
Bacchus Antiques Edinburgh
Victoria Street Edinburgh
Victoria Street in Edinburgh

There is also an antique maps and prints shop.

Maps, Prints & Antiquarian Books Edinburgh
Maps, Prints & Antiquarian Books Edinburgh

I have found an old Georgian silver – dated 1808 from Edinburgh, a nice piece to be added to my collection. Please see here for more.

Visit Restaurants and Pubs in the Old Town

My husband really loves Scottish real ales. So we tried about three pubs in Edinburgh: No 1 High Street, The Doric, and one other pub I can’t remember the name near Victoria street.

No 1 High Street Edinburgh
No 1 High Street – pub
No 1 High Street Roast Beef
My roast Scottish beef

We also try Chinese food in Edinburgh.

Chinese food in Edinburgh
Chinese food in Edinburgh

There is also a nice Mexican restaurant in Victoria Street.

Mariachi Mexican in Edinburgh
Mariachi Mexican in Edinburgh

Don’t forget to visit some of the Whisky shops in Edinburgh and please take home a (small) bottle or two!

Whisky shop
Whisky shop

Visit Cathedral and Churches in Edinburgh

Well, I myself does not really get inside the St Giles’ Cathedral. I just admired this 12th-Century Cathedral from the outside. We did go to a Catholic church in Edinburgh to attend a mass.

Adam Smith and St Gile's Cathedral
Adam Smith and St Giles’ Cathedral

Now I know that Adam Smith is a Scottish economist.

St Giles Cathedral
St Giles’ Cathedral
Edinburgh High Street
St Giles’ from the high street.
St Patrick RC Edinburgh
St Patrick RC in Edinburgh
St Patrick's RC Edinburgh
Interior of St Patrick’s

Well, I hope the tips help. I hope you enjoy Edinburgh as it is truly a beautiful historic city.

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