TRAVEL

EDINBURGH

I’ve wanted to visit Edinburgh for as long as I can remember and we were so excited to finally get the opportunity this past October. We made the most of our few days in the beautiful and historic city and here’s some of what did and loved:

WHERE WE STAYED

THE SCOTSMAN HOTEL

We stayed at the Scotsman hotel in Edinburgh. It was a great central location located just off the royal mile and Cockburn street in Old Town. We were able to walk everywhere we wanted to go from this spot and were even able to train right in from the airport. It’s also located right across from the train station if you’re arriving by train or leaving by train.

WHERE WE ATE for breakfast/BRUNCH/COFFEE

The Pantry

for brunch (our favourite brunch we had if not our favourite meal)

The Milkman

For coffee and pastries (such a cool spot right off the royal mile.

Greenwoods

for breakfast

The Edinburgh Larder

For breakfast (we went after hiking up Arthur’s Seat and the scones and clotted cream were fantastic!) It was the perfect cozy spot to find refuge after a rainy hike.

Cairngorm Coffee

for coffee and an afternoon snack (a great spot to stop for a coffee and a treat).

Where we ate for lunch/snack

Wings

For an afternoon snack (if you’re looking for a casual afternoon snack this is the place). It’s located just off the royal mile.

Makars Mash

We ate here and shared a meal for lunch. It was super popular and a really cozy spot. I had a thistly cross cider and fell in love with them at this restaurant.

WHERE WE ATE for dinner

Baba

For dinner, we absolutely loved this meal, I would go back in a heartbeat. I don’t have any pictures because we were so hungry and dove in before I could get any pictures. I feel like that says it all lol.

The Bon Vivant

For dinner, the atmosphere at this spot was fantastic and the meal was delicious.

The Queen’s Arms

For dinner and drinks. We had fish and chips and took in a rugby match.

WHERE WE WENT FOR DRINKS

Panda and Sons

For cocktails. I recommend the espresso martini. It’s really close to the Bon Vivant, Baba and the Queen’s Arms if you wanted to stop by before or after dinner.

this secret bar poses as a barbershop on the outside. I believe reservations are needed. someone will come greet you and bring you through the secret door to the bar downstairs.

we had espresso martini’s here with a slice of a tunnocks caramel wafer. Now when we make them at home we always add a slice of tunnocks.

The Devil’s Advocate

For whiskey and cocktails.

image source; devil’s advocate instagram

image source; devil’s advocate instagram (I had the fettercairn whiskey and it was fantastic! Once we finish our current bottle of whiskey this is what I’ll be replacing it with.

WHAT WE DID

Hiked Arthur’s Seat

It was raining the day we did this and we had to turn around because my shoes were too slippery, make sure you bring shoes with good grip, even the sidewalks are slippery in the rain.

Edinburgh Castle

We really debated if we wanted to spend the money touring the Edinburgh Castle but my brother had been and really encouraged us to go. I am so glad he did because we absolutely loved the museum. There were so many mini museums to see within the castle and the view of the city is spectacular.

Walked the Royal Mile

The royal mile was right around the corner from our hotel so we walked along the royal mile quite often and it was so neat to wander down the different closes that branched off the royal mile.

Walked through Dean’s Village and Circus Lane

Walking around Dean’s Village was one of the highlights of our time in Edinburgh. It feels like a little taste of nature in the middle of the city. You can access it really close to Circus Lane (a very pretty, famous street) which is also right around the corner from one of our favourite restaurants 'The Pantry’.

VISITED BOOKSHOPS

We visited a handful of the cities famous bookstores. Our favourites were Topping and Company, the Golden Hare and Ginger and Pickles Children’s bookshop.

There was so much more we would have liked to have done in the city that we didn’t have time for but we loved everything we did get to do and see. We would’ve loved to have gone to St. Andrews for the day but just ran out of time. We’re already planning to go back with Hudson and explore more of the highlands.