Edinburgh

[JulesP]

We are on holiday in the Yorkshire Dales in a weeks time and decided to book a train to Edinburgh for a day as neither of us have been there before. We will have about 6 hours there before our return train.
As it's somewhere we have not been, does anyone have any ideas of places to visit (photographically and general interest too). We will have the 2 kids with us too (10 & 13) so will need to keep them entertained.
Locations not too far from the train station in the centre would be good as we don't fancy getting too lost (or the walk back to the Dales).

Thanks

Julian

 

[crazy badger]

Assuming you're arriving at Waverley, I'd head up to the castle and have a look from the outside (probably not worth the cost unless you just want to spend the day there) and then walk down the Royal Mile to Holyrood. Camera Obscure is a great museum nr. the castle, although probably needs a couple of hours. For a walk and some great views, you could head up Arthurs Seat, or for the children some time at Dynamic Earth (again, could easily spend half a day in here) Then back up to the station and over to the New Town for some food and then possibly up Carlton Hill or maybe down to Leith? Just trying to make suggestions, has made me realise you just can't do Edinburgh in a day! And you might even be arriving for the start of the festival which opens up a whole new set of opportunities. The centre of Edinburgh is pretty compact, and relatively easy to walk around. The New side (Princess Street, George Street, etc.) is pretty flat and the Old side (Royal Mile, Grassmarket, etc.) is up and down, but I'm sure you'd be fine just wandering around. There are bus tours running from right outside Waverley, which offer hop-on-off from the main stops so maybe this would be your best option.

You'll have a great time whatever you decide to do. Edinburgh is a great city, that comes alive during August.

 

[JulesP]

Thanks CB
That's the sort of info I was looking for - gives me plenty to research before we go. I'm not too worried about photo opportunities but will have camera and lenses with me (just in case)
I'm trying not to let photography take over this holiday and just have a good time with my family

Julian

 

[Jim_Tod]

The Edinburgh Fringe kicks off on Friday this week so should be plenty to do next week. I would suggest a walk up the high street and then down to the national gallery on princes street and there's so much street entertainment that 6 hours will skip by. There's a lot of shows on, something for everyone and a lot of them are in makeshift venues in and around this area lasting maybe 30-45 minutes so you could grab a couple of shows- have a look at the fringe website for the day/ times you're there and you can advance book but don't try to fill every minuite, soak up the fringe atmosphere.

 

[Nod]

If the weather's decent, the open top bus trip is quite good value and you can hop on/off at will at assorted spots on the route. 1/2 a day really isn't enough to do Edinburgh - even a weekend doesn't do it justice IMO.

Have a great trip.

 

[JulesP]

Thanks all
We are thinking that once our holiday is over, we still have a week spare so may come back up Edinburgh way for a few more days - maybe go see the Kelpies and Falkirk Wheel too