Edinburgh, beyond the Castle and Crown Jewels
May 15th, 2015, 07:22 AM
#1
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Edinburgh, beyond the Castle and Crown Jewels
We have visited Edinburgh in recent years. We will have two days there in early June, as part of a tour group. However, we would like to use those days to go off on our own and see more of what makes Edinburgh a special city. We would appreciate suggestions from fellow travelers on interesting neighborhoods or locations, or even on small nearby towns of interest that might be accessible by public transportation.
May 15th, 2015, 08:22 AM
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We were in Edinburgh a few years ago and wanted to do something different since we have been there many times. On this trip we visited the Royal Yacht Britannia, the ship that was home to the Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years. It is the vessel where Charles and Diana spent their honeymoon.
It is located at the Ocean Terminal in the suburb of Leith. It was easily accessible by public bus. Busses depart from Waverly Station. We stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott and discovered a bus stop very near our hotel that went directly to the Ocean Terminal.
The Royal Yacht Britannia has a tea room. The Ocean Terminal area has a large mall with lots of shops and places to eat. We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon.
It is located at the Ocean Terminal in the suburb of Leith. It was easily accessible by public bus. Busses depart from Waverly Station. We stayed at the Residence Inn by Marriott and discovered a bus stop very near our hotel that went directly to the Ocean Terminal.
The Royal Yacht Britannia has a tea room. The Ocean Terminal area has a large mall with lots of shops and places to eat. We thoroughly enjoyed our afternoon.
May 15th, 2015, 09:54 AM
#3
Edinburgh has several "villages within the city" that are worth exploring on foot; all are easily reached using public transportation, or in one case just by a short walk from most of the New Town.
The Dean Village is the first of these - http://www.ewht.org.uk/visit/highlig...e/dean-village - easily reached from most parts of central Edinburgh. From the Dean Village, the walk along the Water of Leith down to the quirky Stockbridge area is a joy; you can continue farther to the Royal Botanic Gardens, maybe passing the Stockbridge Colonies (an interesting housing scheme for 19th Century artisans) en route. This is nothing short of a delightful stroll.
Second is the little village of Cramond, located west of central Edinburgh along the Firth of Forth. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...burgh/cramond/ Cramond has it all - beautiful old buildings, historic kirk, Roman ruins, a cozy pub (beer good, food meh) walks along the water... Very picturesque and relaxing on a warm summer afternoon.
Third is less well known but to me all the more interesting for it. Swanston - http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...urgh/swanston/ - is a tiny settlement of thatched buildings (very unusual in Scotland) located on the south edge of Edinburgh at the base of the lovely Pentland Hills. Swanston's most famous resident was Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived in the village for over a decade during his writing years. A short walk up into the hills behind Swanston affords wonderful views of the city and the Firth; it feels like you're a million miles from anywhere.
Fourth is the village of Duddingston, set next to Duddingston Loch, on the opposite side of Holyrood Park from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Duddingston is <i>full</i> of history - base for Bonnie Prince Charlie during his occupation of the city, home of authors, an ancient church, and the oldest pub in town, the wonderful Sheep's Heid, scene of many misspent hours on the part of yours truly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duddingston Walk through or around the edge of Holyrood Park, obtain refreshment or temporary paralysis at the Sheep's Heid, and totter to the bus stop to return to your point of departure. A fine outing, as are they all.
The Dean Village is the first of these - http://www.ewht.org.uk/visit/highlig...e/dean-village - easily reached from most parts of central Edinburgh. From the Dean Village, the walk along the Water of Leith down to the quirky Stockbridge area is a joy; you can continue farther to the Royal Botanic Gardens, maybe passing the Stockbridge Colonies (an interesting housing scheme for 19th Century artisans) en route. This is nothing short of a delightful stroll.
Second is the little village of Cramond, located west of central Edinburgh along the Firth of Forth. http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...burgh/cramond/ Cramond has it all - beautiful old buildings, historic kirk, Roman ruins, a cozy pub (beer good, food meh) walks along the water... Very picturesque and relaxing on a warm summer afternoon.
Third is less well known but to me all the more interesting for it. Swanston - http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.u...urgh/swanston/ - is a tiny settlement of thatched buildings (very unusual in Scotland) located on the south edge of Edinburgh at the base of the lovely Pentland Hills. Swanston's most famous resident was Robert Louis Stevenson, who lived in the village for over a decade during his writing years. A short walk up into the hills behind Swanston affords wonderful views of the city and the Firth; it feels like you're a million miles from anywhere.
Fourth is the village of Duddingston, set next to Duddingston Loch, on the opposite side of Holyrood Park from the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Duddingston is <i>full</i> of history - base for Bonnie Prince Charlie during his occupation of the city, home of authors, an ancient church, and the oldest pub in town, the wonderful Sheep's Heid, scene of many misspent hours on the part of yours truly. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Duddingston Walk through or around the edge of Holyrood Park, obtain refreshment or temporary paralysis at the Sheep's Heid, and totter to the bus stop to return to your point of departure. A fine outing, as are they all.
May 15th, 2015, 09:57 AM
#4
I love the Botanic Gardens.
If you are fit -- walking up Arthur's Seat.
Walk through Dean Village.
https://www.google.com/search?q=dean...2&ved=0CB0QsAQ
For something different you could take the train to North Berwick and walk or take a bus to Tantallon Castle (about 2.5 miles from the station)
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/...?PropID=PL_284
https://www.google.com/search?q=tant...2&ved=0CEYQsAQ
Or train to Linlithgow.
https://www.google.com/search?q=linl...g&ved=0CEcQsAQ
If you are fit -- walking up Arthur's Seat.
Walk through Dean Village.
https://www.google.com/search?q=dean...2&ved=0CB0QsAQ
For something different you could take the train to North Berwick and walk or take a bus to Tantallon Castle (about 2.5 miles from the station)
http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/...?PropID=PL_284
https://www.google.com/search?q=tant...2&ved=0CEYQsAQ
Or train to Linlithgow.
https://www.google.com/search?q=linl...g&ved=0CEcQsAQ
