Fun things to do in Edinburgh by yourself?
 

I'll be in the Edinburgh area from October 18-28 to visit a friend. He wasn't able to schedule off all of the days I'll be there, so I was thinking about venturing into Edinburgh at least a couple days, by myself while he's at work. I've read all about Edinburgh Castle and Mary King's Close and all the other tourist-y things, and I plan to do those with him when he's free, but what can I do during the day by myself? I'm hoping maybe some of you are from Edinburgh or have been there many times and could suggest some lesser known places or things. I'm open to pretty much anything, as long as it's within walking distance or the bus goes there.

Thanks!

I would recommend to ask your friend (if he has a car) to take you out of town for daytrips. There are many interesting places which can be reached best by car:

- Roslyn Chapel
- Culross (and other fishers villages)
- Lake of Menteith/Inchmahome
- The Trossachs
- One or two whisky distilleries
etc.

The inner city of Edinburgh is walkable and easy to explore on your own. He should leave this for you.

Basically, you walk up and down Royal Mile and find the attractions along the way: the Castle, the churches, the Museum of Edinburgh, the Museum of Scotland, National Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse. There are also some commercial attractions which might be visited on your own, e.g. the Scotch Whisky Experience or the weaving mill/tartan shop opposite the Castle.

Another thing is: Write a pub guide. Since you have the time, try to visit as many pubs as possible in Old Town AND New Town, take pictures, make notes and post your report here on this forum! (It is not mandatory to have a beer in each pub but it may be part of the fun.)

Personally, I could spend hours (and often have!) wandering around the Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. I love the ageing stuffed animal collection as much as the modern Scottish wing. :-) It's free so there's no reason why you couldn't visit with your friend and again on your own, if you wanted to.

If it's not raining, a bracing walk up Arthur's Seat and/or Salisbury Crags is always enjoyable, IMO.

Sorry neither of these suggestions is particularly "lesser known" but both are things I like to do when I'm back in Edinburgh.

I agree w/ traveller1959. Having a local friend is great. I'd hope to take advantage of that by visiting places other than Edinburgh w/ him. Assuming he has a car, you can easily get to areas that are more complicated or impossible by public transport. Depending on where he lives - besides the places traveller mentioned - there are the Borders, the Fife fishing villages, Ayrshire, Loch Lomond, and many other areas.

Edinburgh is very easy to visit/navigate on your own. getting to other places sometimes isn't.

If you can manage it - get your friend to take you out and about, and mostly do Edinburgh on your own. Of course, he might want to show you around Edinburgh - but it would be a better use of the "local connection" if he'll take you other places.

Thank you so much guys! Those are great ideas! My friend does have a car, so I will try to get out of town, especially on the weekend.

I like that most museum's are free in the UK (is it in Europe too?), so I think I will definately visit the Museum of Scotland Thanks hanl!

And traveller...wow...great idea about making my own pub guide! I do wish to visit a few pubs, so that would be really fun! Let's just hope I can still walk a straight line afterwards! lol

And janisj, thanks for ideas about places to go outside of Edinburgh! My friend's family has a vacation home somewhere around the borders, so maybe I should suggest a trip down there!

I had a lot of fun visiting the Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh.

My other half decided to to some shopping and I spotted the museum as I strolled alone down High Street. If you have the chance pay it a visit - it is a wonderful and fascinating way to learn about childhood toys and games from years gone by:-

http://www.hotels-edinburgh-scotland...-of-childhood/

er77,

There is a new tour on offer which very few people seem to be aware.It can be interesting combining Royal Mile history with the secret gardens hidden behind the old tenement buildings. Have a look at a recent article in the Scotsman newspaper. www.greenyondertours.com/scotsmanjuly08.html
It also shows that there are other tours of Gardens available but the secret Gardens of the Royal Mile are interesting.
There are many good pubs scattered throughout the city so you will have a wide choice depending on your own preferences.

Another vote for the Museum of Scotland.

If you have the time, do a trip to Leith and see the Yacht Britannia. You can buy tea towels and other items that have the name of the Royal Yacht (retired Royal Yacht) on it. Impress your friends!

My husband and I enjoyed The Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh very much. We stayed near the Royal Mile and we walked to the Gardens. I don't remember how far it was, but quite a ways. We like to walk. We stopped in some shops on the way there and back. It took most of the day. http://www.rbge.org.uk/the-gardens/edinburgh

I like TRB Gardens as well.
Recommend Dean Village highly

Edinburgh is a wonderful city. I always like to set aside a day just for walking around - a "photo hunt" if you will. Some suggestions:

1. Taking a walk/hike through wonderful Hollyrood Park
2. Walking around Princes St. Gardens
3. Walks around Carlton Hill offer up spectacular views.
4. Walk, Walk,....more walking. Wonderful place for walking
5. There a are a gazillion little nooks and crannies in Edinburgh - full of interesting graveyards, tiny "closes"/alley - wonderful photo opts abound if you into that kind of thing.

Have Fun,

Naxos

The Museum of Scotland is indeed well worth a couple of hours. Make sure you give my regards to the Lewis Chessmen! They're my favorite things in all of Edinburgh.

The Royal Museum is attached to the Museum of Scotland, and on the other side of the Royal Mile is the National Gallery of Scotland. If you're not tired of museums, you can check out the Queen's Gallery, down by Holyrood Palace. I've never made it inside, but I think they feature changing exhibits from the Royal art collection.

Where are you staying and what are your interests ? There are lots of historic sights, museums, galleries (national, private, artist-run), gardens, etc etc - but what sort of thing will you enjoy ? If you are into visual art I can make more specific recommendations.

Depending on where you are staying, you may also be able to do daytrips by train to other places like Glasgow & St Andrew's. You can get a bus from Edinburgh to Rosslyn Chapel.

Of the main museums on Chambers Street, the Royal Museum (the old part) is closed for major renovations & will remain so for several years, but the National Museum of Scotland (the new part) is open.

Get 'The List' - the fortnightly listings magazine covering Edinburgh & Glasgow - when you arrive. As well as list all the galleries etc it includes talks etc & any special events happening.

Wow...I haven't heard a bad idea yet! You guys are coming up with some great suggestions! Thanks!

Caroline, I will be staying in Livingston, about 10 miles(?) from Edinburgh, but they do have a bus that goes in and out of Edinburgh from Livingston. As far as what I like to do, well, I like just about anything. I do like historical places, art, museums and pubs. I'm pretty much up for anything. About the only thing I don't enjoy a whole lot is walking, but for Edinburgh, I'm making an exception. lol

I've learned much and taken notes. I'll be there mid-October for 4 days and will use these ideas. Thanks

er77 - sorry for nosiness but why Livingston?

stevelyon...because that's where my friend lives :-)

Right, shame it's not somewhere with a railway station. Where does your friend work & does he go by car ? Thinking he could maybe drop you off somewhere. As you say there are buses, though.

If you want to cut down on walking and get a good overview of the Edinburgh Old & New Towns, start by getting a ticket for one of the open top bus tours (weather permitting). Guide Friday is the best as they have live guides. Do a complete circuit to get the lie of the land, then go round again getting off & back on where you fancy. You could get off at the stop nearest to the Castle, walk up to that & tour it, then walk downhil the length of the Royal Mile to the Palace & new Parliament building at the bottom (tours of each are available). The Queen's Gallery by the Palace gates has an exhibition of Italian Renaissance art on until October 26.

The National Galleries website is www.nationalgalleries.org. The galleries in Edinburgh re the National Gallery/Royal Scottish Academy complex (where they have lots of free lunchtime lectures) and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery, all of which are in the city centre. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery are a little outside the centre on Belford Road. There used to be a free bus which ran between the galleries but sadly that is no more; however for now the normal Lothian number 13 bus goes to Belford Road (they are threatening to axe it, but not until March I think).

The City Art Centre and the Fruitmarket Gallery are also very central. The current exhibitions will have finished when you are here and I'm not sure what's on next; but the Fruitmarket usually has very good (contemporary art) shows on. The university's Talbot Rice Gallery is quite central and only a few minutes' walk from the National Museum.

Dundas Street is the main area for private galleries like Open Eye and the Scottish Gallery. Edinburgh Printmakers is usually worth a look and very close to it, just on the edge of the New Town, is doggerfisher for the most cutting edge contemporary art.

Anyway, you'll be able to check what' on in the List, when you get here.

What about theatre ? It sounds like you'll be back in Livingstone at night but in case you are interested in attending a matinee, check the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, the Lyceum, the King's and the Playhouse. For my tastes the Traverse is the best but they don't do daytime shows outwith the festivals.

If you want to explore outside the city centre, like the Rosslyn Chapel (number 15 bus), Belford Road galleries, the Botanic Gardens, Lauriston Castle, Leith & the Royal Yacht, don't use the tourist buses, just get a Lothian buses daysaver ticket at £2.50 for unlimited travel (excluding the airport & night buses). If it's not too muc for you, you could plan visits to 2 further-out destinations on the days when you buy a bus ticket.

Wow thanks Caroline! I will definately print up all of your suggestions (as well as everyone else's) to have with me on the trip. Also, thanks for telling me which buses to take. That'll be a big help!

I do like theatre, but how expensive is it in Edinburgh for a matinee? I'm going to have to be a little frugal on this trip. I will have some spending money, but not a lot.

I will definately get day saver tickets for the bus. Where would I purchase them? Can you by the day saver tickets on the bus or do you have to purchase them at the station. Because here in Asheville, NC you can only pay fare on the bus, but for tickets or passes, you have to purchase them at the station.

Also, Caroline, maybe you can help me...I was wondering about the weather in mid to late October. Will there still be leaves on the trees? If so, will they have changed color by then? Will it be really cold, like cold enough to wear a winter coat, or will just a warm jacket do? Is it an excessively rainy month? I've looked online at weather sites and they show average temperatures for each month, but I just wanted to get a local's perspective.

Hi Er...

You can buy day passes on the bus - £2.50 (no change given). You can also buy them on their website (www.lothianbuses.com) if there was a reason to do that. Otherwise the buses are £1.10 each ride (again, no change given).

I'll let Caroline answer the weather question - I've only lived here for two years and the weather has been completely changeable! A good rule of thumb is to have layers - my typical exploration outfit is a t-shirt, fleece, waterproof jacket, waterproof shoes and possibly a scarf. If you don't have a waterproof jacket an umbrella is an absolute necessity at all times year round.

Have a great trip!

Pittpurple...thanks! I will definately purchase the day pass..it's a really great deal.

Do you enjoy living in Edinburgh?

pittpurple: &quot;<i>I'll let Caroline answer the weather question - I've only lived here for two years and the weather has been completely changeable!</i>&quot;

Heck - if you'd lived there 15 years, your answer would be the same -- &quot;Changeable&quot; :)

As pittpurple says you can buy daysavers (and single tickets at &pound;1.10) on the bus, and you need the right change. Just thinking, though - since you'll be around for 10 days (although I suppose you won't come into Edinburgh every day ?), whether it might be worth your while buying a weekly pass for &pound;13. You'd need to go to one of their Travelshops for that (most central ones are on Hanover Street &amp; Shandwick Place). Probably not, though. Avoid getting on a non-Lothian bus - there aren't many but there are a few, and you can't use a Lothian ticket/pass on them.

I checked some random show/date/area of theatre combos at the website for the Festival &amp; King's Theatres (www.fctt.co.uk) &amp; got matinee prices ranging from &pound;7.50 for the back of the upper circle on a weekday to &pound;21 for best dress circle seats on a Saturday. The Festival Theatre is the nicest of the big ones.

The Playhouse has 'Mary Poppins' on during your visit - www.edinburghplayhouse.org.uk. It's not a very nice theatre (slightly rundown old cinema) but that's where the big touring musicals go, and it will probably be very good if you like that sort of thing ! There's a matinee on 22nd with tickets from &pound;14.50 to &pound;35.

The Lyceum doesn't have any matinees during your visit, unfortunately.

As for the weather - the leaves are already changing colour :-) But as pittpurple says it the weather could be doing almost anything while you're here ! Allow for 5-15 degrees C in the daytime : that should cover it. It may or may not rain and may or may not be windy.

Bring different options &amp; layering possibilities, and a small folding umbrella. You may be OK in a t shirt &amp; medium weight jacket one day but want a winter coat the next day. If I were going to be out &amp; about sightseeing all day at that time I'd probably a long sleeved t shirt &amp; a medium weight jacket &amp; carry an extra cardigan or fleece, plus hat &amp; gloves, to put on if necessary. Unless the day started unusually warm or cold :-) It's worth checking the Scottish weather forecasts (although no further than 1 day ahead) - not 100% but gives you a clue.

P.S. On the theatre - I've just realised, I think the middle (full) week of your stay coincides with the schools' October holiday, so the likes of 'Mary Poppins' may be full of screaming kids...

Again - you have helped me a lot. We'll arrive on Oct. 11 for 5 days.

Hey Judy...we might run into each other! lol

Judy...sorry, you'll already be gone when I get there, huh? lol I hope you post to let us know how your trip went!

Thanks once again! I might go watch Mary Poppins...even with the possiblity of loud kids in the audience! lol

Wow...this is kind of eerie. Could have been me posting this! I'll be visiting a friend who lives in Livingston from October 19-27. Hopefully it's not the same guy! Haha.

He took the week off and I will have already visited Edinburgh earlier in October, but this thread has been great for ideas about little day trips.

Thanks for posting your question, and have a great trip! :)

ooh - that IS weird!! Just think of the possibilities :D

Sweetbippity, Wow that is weird! I would think if he had another friend coming to visit, he would've mentioned it to me. lol

I'm just hoping I can get the plane tickets to go the days I'm supposed to. I'll be ordering the tickets in about a week, but looking at bmi's website is confusing and I'll look at the dates I'm leaving and it'll show no flights, then I'll look again later and it shows a bunch. Oh boy. I've already gotten approved for my vacation at work for those dates, so I hope I can get a flight.

See you in Livingston, Sweetbippity....if we end up staying with the same friend, that is! lol

er, you haven't booked your flights yet ??? :-O Won't they be very expensive now ? Where are you coming from ?

your ok &quot;sweetbippity&quot; your not visiting me..lol and she is using mainly airmailes i have, which covers most of the flights &quot;caroline_edinburgh&quot; and Roslyn Chapel is a good idea, my aunt stays at the end of that private road so i can get a cuppa and a bite to eat..lol..anyway must dash, time for work....

Hi James - I wondered if it was maybe that. Although I've had difficulty getting bmi miles flights months ahead...

That's what I'm worried about Caroline. Using the airmiles, I don't have to pay much, but the little I do have to pay is what I've been saving up. Had some money left over from this last paycheck, and the next paycheck I'll have more, enough to book my flight. I really hope a miracle happens and I can get a flight since I've already got those days scheduled off.

Wishing you the best of luck, er. If nothing is showing on the website when you come to book, get James to try phoning.

Yeah, I think I will. Maybe if he's super sweet (which he is) to the representative, they will squeeze something in. lol

Oh my goodness - good luck! I've never been able to get ff flights w/o booking months out.

One normally has to nail down tickets before setting the travel dates.

Yes, how far does one book with air miles? I've never done it before and I want to use mine for our trip to Scotland in August.

Depends whose, I think. er77 is hoping to book with bmi miles. I've got quite a lot of theirs in hand myself but whenever I've looked at availability on their website, up to a year ahead, there's never been any availability for where I've been thinking to go. (But I think that maybe if I'd phoned up, there would have been more - I've just never taken it any further.) So I think that with airlines' ff schemes like that, it's best to book as soon as flights become available - get checking now !!

With the UK's Air Miles scheme (not linked to a particular airline) I always seem to find that not much shows up online but that doesn't seem to be very accurate, &amp; I can usually get what I want by phoning, certainly up to about 2 months before travelling.