Edinburgh Castle

Standing proudly above the Old Town, Edinburgh Castle is chock-full of exciting history and artefacts that will keep the family entertained for hours. Discover the oldest building in Edinburgh, St Margaret’s Chapel, which survived demolition under the rule of King Robert the Bruce. Visit the cavernous stone vaults that held prisoners of war, including a five year-old boy captured in the Battle of Trafalgar. Or stare down the barrel of Mons Meg, a medieval supergun capable of firing 150kg cannonballs at enemies more than three miles away! With a legacy spanning hundreds of years, this is one castle you definitely haven’t experienced before now and it’s well worth a visit no matter what time of year it is. Even if you don’t venture inside, take the opportunity to observe the stunning views of Edinburgh down below the crag.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, UK by Kevin Gibbons

Camera Obscura & the World of Illusions

Have your mind boggled by five floors of optical illusions, from amazing scientific marvels to the just-plain-weird-and-wonderful! Swap heads or facial features with your family, or make like Peter Pan and play games with your shadow. Stare into the magical eye pictures and see if you can find hidden images in seemingly random patterns, or make sparks fly and shock your friends in the Electric Room. There are even some sweets lying around if you’re peckish, but you may be a little surprised when you try to pick them up! Before you leave, make sure you head up to the Camera Obscura gallery where you can spy on life in the city down below, learn about the fascinating history of Edinburgh, and pick people up in your hands!

Ah Ha Ha Ha

Wandering down the Grassmarket, you may be surprised to notice a bright orange building complete with oversized Groucho nose, moustache and glasses. But it’s no joke…well, actually it is! Step inside the Ah Ha Ha Ha joke shop and feast your eyes upon its even more colourful and crazy interior. With a hilarious range of classic practical jokes, amateur and professional magic tricks, stage make-up, zany disguises and ready-made costumes, there’s guaranteed to be something that will make you laugh.

Grassmarket, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK by Lukas Koster

Gorgie City Farm

Find all your farmyard favourites at Gorgie City Farm, located near Haymarket railway station. This real working farm is open seven days a week and is great for children of all ages. Meet Fudge the Jersey Cow, and Red the pony (who’s just short of being a horse!) There are also plenty of sheep, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys and ducks; and, in the Pet Lodge, you’ll find guinea pigs, rabbits, fish, tortoises and even a snake! If you want to learn about the animals, the farmyard staff can tell you all about their feathered, four-legged or scaly friends, including how to care for and feed them. If you’re lucky, you may get to stroke the animals or hold some of the smaller creatures.

Our Dynamic Earth

Ever wondered what dinosaurs would look like today if they hadn’t been wiped out by the meteorite? Or perhaps you’ve wanted to view the galaxy from on board a spaceship? Whatever questions you have about the incredible planet we inhabit, Our Dynamic Earth is the place to find the answers! Experience the sounds, smells and vibrations of an active volcano, brave an icy Polar expedition, step into a sticky tropical rainforest or opt for 4dventure with the 3D & 4D experience that brings you face to face with some of the planet’s most impressive animals. With so many interactive exhibits bringing nature to life around you, this museum is one of the most exhilarating places to learn about the world and is sure to be a hit with all the family!

Edinburgh Zoo

Located only three miles from the city centre, Edinburgh Zoo is bursting with wildlife that will keep the kids fascinated for hours! Meet the UK’s only giant pandas, Tian Tian and Yang Guang; get up close and personal with a mischievous capuchin monkey; admire the patterned fur and majestic manner of a beautiful Amur Leopard; or spy on the tiny but powerful leaf cutter ants as they carry slices of foliage back to their nest. There are plenty of daily talks and opportunities to feed certain animals if you’re looking for an interactive and educational experience. And if you’ve never met a penguin with a knighthood – now you can! Sir Nils Olav, the famous King Penguin, is a highly regarded member of the Norwegian Royal Guard and was gifted to the Zoo in 1913! This year Edinburgh Zoo celebrates its 100th birthday, so it’s the perfect time to pay a visit and get involved with all the fun.

Edinburgh Zoo, Scotland, UK by Nigel Swales

Museum of Childhood

Just because museums are educational it doesn’t mean they can’t be fun, and how can anyone resist the Museum of Childhood which is dedicated to the toys and games of our past? Relive those much-loved memories from days gone by as you explore the objects that once kept you entertained and observe the evolution of toys, from spinning tops to computer games – you’ll be surprised by how many are still in popular use today. And the enjoyment doesn’t stop there; there are over 10,000 children’s books, magazines and comics in the collection, including Treasure Island, the Beano, Bunty, and firm favourites from Enid Blyton; over 2,500 items in the clothing displays, from party wear to school uniform, hats and coats to jewellery and parasols; and a ‘home life’ collection containing all manner of objects geared at family life within the household, like rattles, sweets, medicines and photographs.

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But a Royal Mile is not just a set of streets, rather a multitude of tourist attractions, many of which are true treasures of Scottish history. And, a must see places for any visitor.

Museums, historic buildings, statues and more make the Royal Mile such a desired place for any tourist to go to.

Edinburgh Castle, Scotland, UK by Boon Low

Below I list 6 of the must see museums of the Royal Mile.

The Peoples Story Museum

The Peoples Story Museum is a celebration of the lives of the people of Edinburgh in the 18th century. Located beside the historic Cannongate the museum, through various expositions showcases the everyday lives of the citizens of Edinburgh. You can visit a recreated bookbinders workshop, kitchen, see a classroom and a creche from those times, a traditional living room and more.

What’s really fascinating about the museum is the detail in which everything has been recreated. Sometimes when wandering between various exhibitions you can really feel as if you were there, in those times.

Location: 163 Canongate, Royal Mile

Writers’ Museum

A museum dedicated to the work of Scotland’s great literature figures. The museum features an exciting collection of manuscripts, publications, first editions and even portraits of famous Scottish writers.

Location: Lady Stair’s House, Lawnmarket

Mary King’s Close

A museum not for the faint of heart. This 1600s built network of underground streets and passages is one of the darkest secrets of the city. Various tales surround the close, some saying that this has been the place where the sick where brought in to die during the great plaque of 1600s. Others claim that the place is haunted. All in all, it is not a place for the faint of heart.

Location: 2 Warriston’s Close, Edinburgh

Museum of Childhood

This is a place where you can feel a child again. Located MK of the Royal Mile, the Museum of Childhood is filled with toys from the past. Discover what children used to play with MK years ago, and perhaps even find the kind of toys that you used to play with as a child (I did!).

Location: 42 High Street

Museum of Edinburgh

If you want to discover the history of the city and find out how it develop over the years, then you must head down to the Museum of Edinburgh.

As the name suggests, this museum is all about the city. View old plans, artifacts, glassware and more.

Location: 142 Canongate

Our Dynamic Earth

Probably the most exciting of all museums on the Royal Mile, Our Dynamic Earth is a fully interactive museum presenting the history of our planet, from it’s formation to today and beyond.

Go back in time to witness the beginning of the universe and slowly move through times with this set of interactive displays and presentations. The museum also features two cinema shows, one in total 3D (and it’s great!).

Location: Very end of the Royal Mile, right at the Palace of the Holyrood.

About the Author: Thomas is a travel writer and accommodation specialist working for Staycity Edinburgh, the leading serviced apartments provider in the city.

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