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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Old Town

Many of the buildings of the Old Town date back to the 1500s and surround some of Edinburgh’s most important landmarks. As with most cities it grew around the castle which sits on the rocky crag of an extinct volcano at the top of the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh Old Town, Scotland, UK by Ian Cooper

If you look at the layout of the streets, you will see similarities to the old quarters of other European cities, with claustrophobic alleyways (known as a close) and streets weaving between the buildings. Because of the space restrictions caused by the lay of the land, Edinburgh’s Old Town has some of the earliest examples of high rises, some of which reaching 15 storeys.

As you wander this part of the city, because it’s built on such a steep hill, streets that run parallel, and only yards apart will be at different levels and connected by steep narrow stair cases and closes.

When you look at the old town and wander the narrow streets you can see where JK Rowling drew much of her inspiration.

New Town

By the 18th century overcrowding in the Old town became more of a problem so in 1766 a competition was run to find a winning design. Local architect James Craig won with a logical grid design which was more common in Glasgow over on the west coast.

The New Town was a huge success and was quickly expanded, but the grid design was abandoned for one that was more picturesque like the Old Town.

It’s an interesting point of curiosity among residents that the area called New Town was planned only 102 after the official seal naming New York city.

Edinburgh Castle

There is archaeological evidence that suggests there were human settlements here around 900BC and as a fortified position there are historical references to Din Eidyn – fortress on the rock – dating back to 600AD. It has been the site of some of the most important conflicts in British history.

Edinburgh fontain and castle, Scotland, UK by Paul Boxley

It was captured in 1296 by Edward I of England, then retaken by one of Robert the Bruce’s generals in 1314, the year of the Scottish victory over the English at Bannockburn near Stirling. After the overthrow and execution of Charles I in 1650, Oliver Cromwell invaded and once again Edinburgh Castle was captured and the Crown, Sword, and Sceptre of Scottish royalty were quickly taken away an buried to protect them from Cromwell.

At the foot of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the official residence of the monarchy.

It’s a city that’s full of mystery and creepy alleys, and there’s even a haunted hotel in Edinburgh, as well as the eerie Mary King’s Close beneath the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh is a wonderful city full of amazing history, architecture and one or two ghosts of revolution.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to https://www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-edinburgh

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The Royal Mile during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival by Raymond McCrae

Edinburgh Fringe

The most well-known of Edinburgh’s festivals is the Edinburgh Fringe, which is the world’s largest arts festival. The city becomes a stage as street performers entertain the passing crowds and more than 2,500 comedy, cabaret, dance, music and theatre shows get underway.

There are venues spread across the Scottish capital, including the Institut Français d’Ecosse, St Stephen’s Church and the Underbelly. If you can, it is worth taking in a show at the New Town Theatre, just to catch a glimpse of the beautiful interior of this Freemason’s Hall. The Fringe is such a huge event, you won’t know where to start with your planning, but the website www.edfringe.com is filled with daily guides and even a handy app that you can download to get started.

The Art Festival

In stark contrast to its deep historic roots, Edinburgh becomes a modern cultural hub every August with the opening of The Edinburgh Art Festival. Galleries and museums are transformed into spaces from which to ponder exciting modern and contemporary visual art exhibitions from some of the world’s leading artists.

Turf Wars, Edinburgh, Scotland by Prank Sky Media

One of the highlights for 2012 is set to be a sound installation by Turner Prize winner Susan Philipsz, which is based on the traditional firing of the Edinburgh one o’clock gun. There are also a series of public exhibitions set up around the city that are free to attend, as well as special events for children.

The International Festival

Edinburgh’s theatres swing their doors open wide and enjoy several weeks filled to capacity as they host the International Festival, a celebration of the theatre, opera, dance and classical music. Tying in somewhat with the summer Olympics in the south of England, a key event this year is the Speed of Light performance, which will involve a choreographed performance by athletes wearing light-emitting suits to create a spectacle on the slopes of the famous Arthur’s Seat.

Other events will include re-workings of Shakespeare and Alice in Wonderland and a dance extravaganza from the wonderful Mariinsky Ballet. Download the full festival brochure at www.eif.co.uk.

Best of the Rest

August in Edinburgh sees the arrival of the Book Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, in which tribute will be paid this year to the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee against the spectacular backdrop of the castle. The Mela Festival begins on August 31^st and celebrates cultural diversity through the arts.

Edinburgh Miltary Tattoo, Scotland, UK by Martin Luechinger

Tickets

If you want to book tickets, a visit to the collective festival site will lead you in the right direction. You can buy tickets for most events online, and it’s worth checking in with the websites regularly as they run offers, 2-for-1 deals and more so you get the best value for money.

There are free events for travellers on a tight budget and websites such as www.freefringe.org.uk highlight the best of this program. Bear in mind, though, the huge amount of people who attend the festival for free events and make sure you get in early to avoid disappointment.

Eat

Edinburgh is crammed full of inviting eateries where you can grab a quick bite in between festival performances. The best pizza in town is delivered at La Favorita, which has long been a local favourite.

Brunch at the Roseleaf always goes down a treat, as does the fry up at the Kiliminjaro Coffee Café on Nicolson Street, great for easing a hangover if you’ve partied too hard the night before.

You can never go far wrong with fish and chips, either on the go or as a sit down meal, and when in Edinburgh it has to be from L’alba D’Oro. For the genuine haggis experience, head to Macsween, where there is even a vegetarian option of the classic Scottish dish.

Stay

My Edinburgh Life is a centrally located B&B offering a taste of luxury in the heart of the city. The guest house is stylishly decorated, with kitchenettes in the larger rooms, ideal for those who perhaps want to save a bit on food costs during the festival weekend. A standard double starts at £54 per night, while the deluxe studios with kitchenette start from £76.

If you’re seeking cheap and cheerful accommodation that will allow you to spend all your pennies on performances and dining out, you can’t go wrong with Panda Villa, where a double room starts at just £22 per night. Each room has been individually decorated, and this house will have you charmed from the moment you set your eyes on the cheery red front door.

Find out more at https://www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk/

Originally from Ireland but now living and working in London, Anita Doherty loves to travel. She indulges her passion for travelling and writing as frequently as she can and is part of the team at Enjoybedandbreakfast.com, a travel website for accommodation with personality in the UK. The website offers a growing selection of quaint B&Bs, charming inns, small boutique hotels and guest houses. 

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Coastal Edinburgh, Scotland, UK / Stuart Caie

Edinburgh offers great opportunities for romance. Great restaurants, beautiful scenery, rickshaw rides, oodles of fabulous hotels… Here are some ideas to help you plan for your weekend away:

Lodgings

There are some great websites that will help you learn a lot about the available hotels. You’ll find travellers’ sites and review websites where people share their experience at hotels they’ve stayed at. You’ll also find deals online where you can book hotels for significant discounts. This could mean staying at a 4 or 5 star hotel for the price of a 3 star hotel.

Many Edinburgh hotels offer very romantic packages including meals and often including extra sightseeing activities as part of the fee. A bit of shopping around could help you save a lot of money.

Restaurants

Check out some restaurant reviews, too, to see what’s near your hotel and what’s on offer during the time you’re expecting to visit.  Your hotel may offer free meals as part of the package or vouchers for local restaurants, too. You can also find out on online review sites a bit about the average price of a meal for restaurants within walking distance of your hotel. If you want a special treat and are willing to splurge on a romantic meal, there are a few restaurants with Michelin stars, too.

Edinburgh Castle / Saffron Blaze

Finding Things to Do

Beyond spending plenty of alone time together in your cosy love nest, here are some of the common things lovers love to do in Edinburgh. (Many of them are low cost or even free):

• Dean Village – is a pretty and picturesque village. Perfect for a romantic stroll.
• Royal Mile – This road leads toward Edinburgh Castle and is great for shopping, sightseeing, eating, and soaking in the history of this city.
• Royal Botanical Gardens – The gardens offer a lush and aromatic place to stroll and this is a very popular place to visit for tourists.
• Museums and art galleries – The Museum of Scotland is great if you’re interested in finding out more about Scotland’s history. There are probably at least several museums and art galleries within reasonable walking distance of your hotel, too.
• There are often organised walking tours at night, too, that share some of the darker secrets of the city. Those tours will probably make the hairs on the back of your head stand up and make you want to get closer to your significant other!

The above list doesn’t even begin to scratch the surface. There are family activities, couples’ activities, and plenty of sights to see. You’ll find many top fifty and even top one hundred lists online with things to see and do in Edinburgh. If it’s romance and privacy you’re after, you won’t be disappointed, either! Again, a bit of shopping around will help you save money and you’ll also find plenty of info to help you make the most of your weekend getaway.

Mohammed Haroon writes for Today’s Great Deals. He invites you to check out Edinburgh’s Great Deal for a great deal on your next trip to Edinburgh.

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Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Colin Smith

Scottish International Storytelling Festival
One of the largest gatherings of its kind, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival takes place in Edinburgh. For 10 days in late October, the Royal Mile in Edinburgh opens its Scottish Storytelling Centre to visitors and storytellers from throughout the world. This festival not only allows you to listen to some of the best stories about local Scottish history, but will let you experience the character of artful storytellers from around the world as they expound on nearly anything you can think of. Scotland has a long history of oral narrative as a form of communication, and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival embodies that historic process.

Loch Shiel Spring Festival
The first weekend in May of each year offers you the opportunity to experience some of the best classical music in the world at the Loch Shiel Spring Festival. Dedicated to sharing classical music on a local level and beyond, the spring festival attracts leading classical artists from all over Britain to the West Highlands for this festival. The area surrounding Loch Shiel offers spectacularly beautiful settings for listening to music, and the variety of concerts will astound you.

Dundee Flower and Food Festival
If you’re looking for something a little different while you’re in Scotland, you may want to reserve some time for the Dundee Flower and Food Festival. This delightful festival takes place in early September. It is a weekend packed with free cooking and gardening demonstrations as well as a craft fair. You also have the opportunity to experience food before you buy it at the festival. You will see stunning floral displays and learn gardening techniques that are sure to inspire you to try and duplicate them when you get back home.

Arran Folk Festival
The Arran Folk Festival takes place in mid-June on the Isle of Arran, off the coast of Scotland. This festival will allow you to listen to some of the best folk music in Scotland. There are free concerts throughout the event, which let you to experience the traditional music of the area. The festival was begun in 1990 and has grown to become one of the most anticipated events in the area.

Aberdeen International Youth Festival
This festival of music and performing arts attracts some of the finest artists and musicians from throughout the world. You can see blossoming newcomers perform with established professional musicians and actors in this extravagant showcase of talent. More than 70 countries have been involved in bringing the very best in live performances to the stage. With numerous events taking place each year, the Aberdeen International Youth Festival attracts more than 30,000 visitors.

Tarbert Seafood Festival
Early in July, the Tarbert Seafood Festival opens to throngs of visitors. There are arts and crafts, food stalls, and gardening exhibitions. You can take in a cooking demonstration from renowned seafood chefs, or watch the Seafood Queen crowned on the Tarbert Hotel Balcony. You can watch the Children’s Parade, or marvel at highland dancers of all ages. There is also a cook-off and a sheep-shearing demonstration. Of course, there will be live music throughout the event.

The Hebridean Celtic Festival
This festival takes place in mid-July in Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides. You can listen to a variety of musical performers from all over the world as you experience the Gaelic culture and Hebridean heritage. You can attend a workshop given by some of the performers or simply enjoy the typical festival attractions, such as trying local dishes while you listen to music at a pub or watching children’s events.
Guest post from Bailey Harris. Bailey writes about insurance quotes for InsuranceQuotes.org.

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What to Visit

Edinburgh is a history lover’s dream. It’s best to start at the famous 12th century castle, where you can enjoy great views over the city spread before you. Next, take a stroll down the Royal Mile and admire the period buildings until you reach the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Once the home of Mary Queen of Scots – the country’s most iconic monarch – you can visit her chambers today as part of the museum.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by SteveR-

Near the palace lies St Arthur’s Seat, the impressive mountain that hovers over the city. The original abbey connected to the palace sits at the top and energetic visitors can enjoy a hike to explore the ruins and more excellent panoramas over Edinburgh.

The Old Town – home to the Scottish Parliament building – is also well worth a visit, whilst the Royal Botanic Gardens make a charming setting for sunny strolls.

If shopping is more your thing, a walk along the shopping Mecca of Princes Street should be top of your itinerary. This is the place to visit the big name stores, but you can find more independent and craft shops in quirky Grassmarket – just the place for Scottish souvenirs and unique gifts.

Where to Eat

Like all good capital cities, Edinburgh has an excellent range of restaurants, from the Michelin starred gourmet establishments to budget student haunts. To treat yourself to a taste of Scotland, head to Kyloe Restaurant & Grill, where all the steaks come from local Aberdeen Angus beef. For fish fans, Ondine is the best place to indulge a love of seafood in the heart of Edinburgh. Take a seat at the amazing Crustacean Bar and fill up on clams and local oysters washed down with champagne.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by dozydotes

Where to Drink

There are a great number of old fashioned pubs in Edinburgh around the Grassmarket and Cowgate areas, and you won’t be disappointed if you head here on a night out. Great music is on the menu at Jazz Bar on Chambers Street, where live bands and a laid back atmosphere make for a fun evening.

A weekend in Scotland wouldn’t be complete without a visit to the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile. Although the last tour is at 5pm so it’s more an afternoon than evening treat, the fun of sampling different malts and trundling through the factory in a carriage that looks like a barrel can’t be overstated!

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by ayustety

Where to Sleep

On a weekend getaway, a central bed and breakfast in Edinburgh is just what you need. Tania Guest House in Edinburgh is a short stroll from the Royal Mile, so you won’t have to worry about catching the last bus or shelling out for a taxi. The modern rooms start at £30 a night, making this B&B in Edinburgh a bargain so close to the city centre. For a special or romantic city break, try boutique Ritz Hotel, which boasts four poster beds and a cocktail bar.

Alice Woolliams is the Editor for Enjoybedandbreakfast.com, a travel website for accommodation with personality in the UK. The website offers a growing selection of quaint B&Bs, charming inns, small boutique hotels and guest houses. You can find her on twitter @enjoybnb when she’s not travelling the world!

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