Best of Edinburgh

Over the past three months, we have sampled may foods, visited many attractions, and climbed numerous hills, mountains and monuments.  As a result, we have compiled a list of our favourites; the categories are a bit fluid, but nevertheless if you visit Edinburgh and have just a handful of days this list should help you find your way.

Best Sites & Historical Attractions (with a fee):

Castle through the Olympic Rings

1) Edinburgh Castle
2) HMS Britannia
3) City of the Dead Tour
4) Gladstone's Land
5) Holyrood Palace
6) Georgian House

Best Sites and Attractions
(without a fee):
1) St Giles Cathedral, including
the Thistle Chapel (photography fees apply)

St Giles in the morning

2) Greyfriars Kirk
3) National Museum
4) Scottish Parliament
5) Writer's Museum

At this juncture I should say that there are many, many museums in Scotland including wonderful art galleries.  The National Gallery, Royal Scottish Academy, and Portrait Gallery are just three of the numerous museums available: take advantage of these.

Best Walks, Hikes & Climbs (fees may apply for monuments):

1) Calton Hill

2) Nelson Monument

3) Walter Scott Monument

4) Arthur's Seat

5) Royal Mile
6) Rose Street

Scottish Parliament...it's 'organic'

Best Restaurants:

1) Mother India (Indian)

2) Sweet Melinda's (Scottish/Seafood)

3) Dusit (Thai)

4) Passorn (Thai)

5) Angels With Bagpipes (Scottish)

6) Indaba (Spanish/South American

7) Cafe Royal (Scottish/Seafood)
8)Henderson's (Vegetarian)

Best Soups, Sandwiches & Pies:

1) Union of Genius (Soups)

2) Mum's Great Comfort Food

3) Bobby's Sandwich Bar

4) The Piemaker

5) Oink
6) Valvona & Crolla

Best Sweets & Treats (Local and recommended food):

1) Ottavio (Ice Cream)

2) The Dome (Sticky Toffee Pudding)

3) Elephant House (Tiffin & Millionaire Shortbread!)

4) Whiski Bar (Cranachan)

5) La Petit Paris (Chocolate Mousse/Crepes)

6) Bibi's (Cupcakes...yum)

7) Mr. Whippy (Ice Cream, and he is normally near Rose Street)

8) Cafe Truva (Turkish Coffee and Turkish Delight)

9) Lickety Splits (Candy Shoppe)

10) Dirty Dick's (Banoffee Pie)

Pubs with Atmosphere:

1) Bow Bar (Medicinal Selection, or so I'm told)

2) Jolly Judge (Very conspiratorial)

3) Doctors Pub

4) Deacon Broadie's

5) Frankenstein's

6) Brew Dog

7) Cafe Royal

8) Dirty Dick's

9) Conan Doyle

The majority of my time was spent working away, researching, writing, and reading.  However, we did engage with some non-historical sites and events, and here are our best picks.

Guilty Pleasures:

1) The Edinburgh Dungeon (Haunted Tour)

2) The Stand Comedy Club

And in case you need some tips on how to clean those pesky fourth floor windows, why not try the Edinburgh Extension Pole?