Making the Most of Your Visit to Scotland
Make the most of your visit to the enchanting landscapes of Scotland! While you're in town to celebrate with us, here's a curated list of some of our favorite restaurants, bars, and activities that capture the essence of this beautiful destination.
Whether you're a food enthusiast, a cocktail connoisseur, or an adventure seeker, we hope you'll find something special to make your time in Scotland unforgettable. Dive into the local culture, savor exquisite flavors, and create your own memorable moments in this picturesque setting. We can't wait to share our love for this place with you, and we hope you enjoy every moment of your Scottish adventure!
Attractions & Activities
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This group tour is ideal for travelers wanting to experience the best of the Scottish Highlands in one easy day from Edinburgh. Save hours of research and transport planning; and discover the region’s highlights and heritage by comfortable midi-coach, with a guide for background. See Stirling Castle, Glencoe, and Ben Nevis; and a short visit to the town of Callander and cruise on Loch Ness in search of its fabled monster.
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Trade the city’s bustle for a magical day in nature on this Harry Potter-themed excursion into the Scottish Highlands. In the morning, set off from Edinburgh and enjoy sightseeing stops en route, including the fishing village of Mallaig. Then, board the Jacobite Steam Train (a double for the Hogwarts Express) and travel along the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous in the films. Finally, see Glencoe’s dramatic scenery before your return trip.
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The Edinburgh Vaults, one of the city’s most fascinating sights, can only be accessed on a tour. This one focuses exclusively on the vaults, an underground warren below South Bridge in Edinburgh’s Old Town. Step inside with a local guide who’ll reveal tales of hardship and struggle in 18th-century Edinburgh, grisly stories from the city’s dark past, and lead you to a hidden witchcraft temple.
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A royal residence, vital stronghold and iconic structure, Edinburgh Castle is one of the most famous castles in the world. Known by its English name since the invasion of the Angles in 638AD, the first mentions of Edinburgh Castle occurred in 600 when it was called “Din Eidyn” or “the fortress of Eidyn”. However, even before the Angles Edinburgh Castle’s location had served as a vital stronghold for centuries. Archaeologists have found evidence of human settlement on the rock on which the castle sits as early as 900 BC, during the late Bronze Age. Over the following centuries, Edinburgh Castle continued to play a role as a crucial defensive structure as well as becoming an integral part of Scotland’s history.
Today, visitors to Edinburgh Castle can explore the castle’s history through a series of guided tours and exhibitions. Amongst its many attractions are the Scottish National War Memorial and National War Museum, that give an insight into Scotland’s fascinating military history.
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Greyfriars Kirk traces its history to the south-west parish of Edinburgh, which was founded in 1598. In the wake of the Scottish Reformation, the grounds of the abandoned friary were repurposed as a cemetery, upon which the current church was built between 1602 and 1620. Greyfriars Kirk is equally, if not more famous for its Kirkyard, which has been dubbed ‘the most haunted cemetery in the world’.
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Golf has been played at St Andrews Links for 600 years. In 1552 Archbishop Hamilton’s Charter recognised the right of the people of St Andrews to play golf at the Links. It has the oldest course in the world, the Old Course.
For Food Enthusiasts
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Step inside Lannan and immerse yourself in a flood of natural light cascading through wrap-around windows. The weekly changing menu unveils Maher's signature pastries, encompassing classic viennoiserie, custard slices, and iced buns. If your taste leans savory, prepare to relish hand pies and pala romana sandwiches spotlighting the finest from I J Mellis. Anchoring the heart of the bakery is an expansive counter, granting an up-close view of the creative process and the chance to witness Maher and her team in their element.n text goes here
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Baba is one of Edinburgh’s true culinary treasures, seamlessly blending the exquisite tastes of the Levantine region with a contemporary Scottish flair. Housed on George Street, the restaurant fuses modern design motifs with timeless Middle Eastern inspirations. Irresistible mezze platters and indulgent main courses like the meticulously prepared slow-cooked lamb shoulder are on the menu here—the culinary artisans in the kitchen even manage to make broccoli truly mouthwatering. Complemented by a curated array of cocktails and an artful wine selection, a dining experience at Baba is an absolute must.
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Chez Jules effortlessly captures the essence of traditional French cuisine and transports diners straight to the busy streets of Paris. Rustic decor and dim lighting create an intimate setting, where the sound of laughter and glasses clinking creates a symphony with the staff theatrics. Whether indulging in classics such as coq au vin or savoring the city's favorite steak frites, Chez Jules holds a special place in the hearts of locals, all the more exceptional due to its remarkably reasonable price point.
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In a beautifully converted, Scandi-inspired, and candlelit brick warehouse just a few minutes from the Grassmarket, you’ll find some of the most exciting food being cooked in Edinburgh. With a focus on ingredients from small, local growers and suppliers and Nordic flavors, Timberyard’s menu is fresh, seasonal, simple, and utterly delicious. A meaty bass is served with mussels, sea beet, and a hum of vermouth; caramelized pork belly sits alongside buttery cabbage, kimchi, and salted apple; and the roasted pink fir potatoes in a rich shallot herby glaze are some of the best spuds you'll ever try.
They also do their own pickling, curing, and foraging, and you’ll find plenty of homemade surprises—such as dark red berry kombucha—on offer. Whether you opt for one of the tasting menus or just make your own way, you’ll have a memorable visit. Timberyard was given one Michelin star in the 2023 award ceremony. —Sonya Barber
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In the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, Kanpai is a lesser-known spot with pale wooden benches, private cushioned booths, hanging lanterns, and hand-painted cherry-blossom trees on the walls. The menu is split into five sections: sushi, tempura, teppan, classics, and specials—and, naturally, one should order something from each. The hand rolls are delicious little pockets of rice overflowing with toppings; try the asparagus and prawn or the snow crab for something more left-field, or opt for spicy tuna for that classic, tingly wasabi hit. The tempura here is some of the best in the UK—skip the decision-making and order the assorted selection of meat and vegetables fried in a light batter, perfectly crisp but not too crumbly.
Everything on the specials menu is worth trying, but particularly the ikura shirataki: translucent, hand-cut noodles topped with salmon roe and tempura dashi. Above all else, the teppanyaki is the restaurant’s crowning glory. The grilled aubergine drizzled with a sweet miso sauce is the stuff of legends, while the wagyu steak takes on entirely new flavors when cooked on a teppan grill.
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On Edinburgh’s Thistle Street, in the center of the New Town, The Bon Vivant is the city’s ultimate evening hangout. Book a table if you can, otherwise sit at the wooden-clad bar and linger over an expertly blended cocktail before you eat—the citrus-infused Gin Fizz is always a treat.
For supper, the restaurant serves Scottish food with a modern spin. There are small plates of haggis bon bons, polenta and parmesan doughnuts with whipped feta dip, and tempura broccoli with harissa yogurt, followed by mains (such as slow-roasted pork belly and Bavette steak with wild garlic and pumpkin seed dressing). The cheese and charcuterie board is also one of the best in town.
For an Unforgettable Pub Crawl
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Despite its ostentatious façade, which is that of the former All Saints Parsonage, Cloisters Bar is mightily low profile. Just along the road are several painfully on-trend craft-beer bars, where ordering a flight almost requires a degree in brewing. At Cloisters, however, an inquisitive approach from guests is met with humble expertise on the star-studded house line-up of casks and kegs from Scottish brewers like Alchemy, Black Isle and Pilot. It’s a lovely spot to stop off at following a saunter around The Meadows
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If you’re looking for a quality pint in a more traditional yet friendly boozer, it’s impossible to go wrong with Dagda. This Southside pub has been a firm favourite amongst students, visitors and local regulars for decades, and for good reason too. It may be small, with its large rectangular counter and wooden barrels taking up a significant portion of the room but what it lacks in space, it makes up for in atmosphere. You’ll find the bar bustling on most evenings but especially on a Tuesday, where Dagda host their famous (and competitive) pub quiz. On tap, there’s weekly rotating guest ales and behind the bar, they have a large selection of whiskies, all of which are very reasonably priced.
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Often overshadowed by neighbouring hipster hotspots, the no-frills Sandy Bell’s is an Edinburgh institution. At home on Forrest Road, where student and tourist life collide, the cobalt blue façade once belonged to a grocery shop. Now, it prides itself on being central to the folk-music revival in Auld Reekie – you might even have the opportunity to hear Edinburgh’s unique style of trad music.
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In the basement of a Georgian townhouse, in true New Town style, St Vincent’s wood-panelled bar sits understated yet classically beautiful. Affectionately known as 'The Vinnie’ it’s set at the mouth of the famous Circus Lane and perpetually lined with locals from the neighbouring flats, often nursing cask ale while discussing neighbourhood goings-on. The bar staff and locals welcome visitors to this homely spot with warm smiles, making it easy to mingle should you wish to drop in for a solo pint.
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From one historic free house to another: Bennet's Bar resides on what was once a major industrial corner of the city, opening its doors in 1839 to a male clientele only. While the area of Tollcross has since become a diverse and vibrant hub, Bennet's has maintained much of its old-world charm, including the stained-glass windows which were installed to conceal the debauchery that occurred inside during the 1800s, when alcohol was considered a devil’s drink. The 1900s snug, once used to separate female patrons from their male peers, is now one of the most prized seats in the house.
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Often referred to as the perfect date spot, The Last Word Cocktail Saloon, lit by an open fire and lined with sheepskin rugs, has a chilled-out atmosphere, ideal for long evenings of cosy chat. Here, you can order from the exceptionally inventive menu of libations in a far more relaxed dwelling than the glam of central Edinburgh’s cocktail bars. Bites and cheese boards from neighbouring I.J. Mellis are available for pairing with your artfully presented cocktails. If the latter aren’t your thing, there are plenty of wines and rotating craft beers available to try.
For Our Late-Night Partiers
(you know who you are)
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A 100-capacity sweatbox on Edinburgh’s main clubbing thoroughfare, Sneaky Pete’s has punched well above its weight to become the finest gig and club venue in the city with an electric atmosphere. The resident club nights bring in some of the finest DJ talent in the country, including Leon Vynehall, Sherelle, Logic1000, Midland and Jacques Greene.
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One of Edinburgh’s most atmospheric venues enjoys a location like no other, hewn out of a series of brick arches underneath the city’s famous Old Town. Across two dancefloors, state-of-the-art sound systems play a forward-thinking blend of house, techno and bass seven nights a week. The repertoire of weekly and monthly residencies is switched up every few months to keep things fresh, but it generally follows a format of cheaper or free entry residents’ nights earlier in the week, with larger fees at the weekend.
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The Bongo Club occupies a distinctly bohemian library-basement location with a character all of its own, offering occasional gigs, workshops and other events. The clubbing programme is the highlight, however, and a selection of weekly and monthly residencies cover a range of genres Edinburgh rarely hosts elsewhere. Throughout most of the week (Sundays and Mondays tend to go dark) expect to hear hip hop, reggae, drum and bass, soul and much more.
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A much-loved Edinburgh clubs and gigs institution, resurrected 12 years after it was destroyed by fire on its original site in the Cowgate. Today, you can catch some of the best emerging bands around at the 600 capacity venue, as well as internationally renowned DJs and fun, themed club nights. Expect everything from 90s parties to reggaeton specials.
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Housing just a few hundred across the main dancefloor and the balcony above, the Liquid Room is a dark box in the basement of a 19th-century church on Victoria Street. Its diverse clubbing menu incorporates indie and retro nights at one end of the spectrum and high-profile house and techno parties at the other.
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This three-roomed Cowgate club may seem a little rough around the edges, but it’s where some of the city’s most exciting electronic music promoters flock to throw no-frill raves with an electric industrial vibe. Think: thundering techno, strobes, smoke and a super loud soundsystem.