Edinburgh

Sounds like a good trip Lucca

Maw She was very shocked on the return journey to see a slightly drunk man getting on the train with a huge bottle of beer and a smaller one of whisky which he opened and drank. The conductor came round, checked his ticket and said nothing. He'd have been arrested in the States but as I pointed out at least he didn't have a gun.

Alegrias1

Let's not derail this lovely thread .

The view from the Castle Esplanade on a clear day is fab, hope you get to see that Lucca

Yes we did that this morning. Lovely views and my bloke found lots of interesting history stuff to read about! Walked down the royal mile, checking out a few of the scenic “closes’ en route. Somebody suggested the café in holyrood house courtyard …..this was our plan as a reward for all that walking but it was closed randomly! So we hopped back on the tourist bus as we had a few hours left on yesterday’s ticket. Walked along George Street heroically avoiding any clothes shopping.
Lunch on rose street and the afternoon in the national portrait gallery which was fantastic. Loved the portrait of Muriel Gray and Doddie Weir , and oddly, Alec Douglas Home.
Italian meal near the Usher Hall ..(we had gone to see what might be on but the evenings entertainment was a Fleetwood Mac tribute band….no thanks !)
Tomorrow we shall do the museum of Scotland although I wish I had read about the three bridges boat trip before . Train home in the afternoon.

Many thanks for all the recommendations!

Sent a few days there for our ruby wedding. Never been before but loved it. Wanted to go round the castle but the queue was a mile long so gave it a miss. Mary King Close is interesting and the Royal Yacht is definitely worth a visit. There is a cafe on board which is very nice. We spent a lot of time just wandering round and going in any art gallery or museum that we came across. There is loads to see. I want to go again now!

Maw

I used to visit Edinburgh for work three or four times a year pre pandemic. I’ve really missed it. Agree with Mary King Close, Royal Yacht Britannia and the National Portrait Gallery. Also a great National Trust property called The Georgian House on Charlotte Square and a brilliant speakeasy bar on Queen Street, disguised as a barber shop, pandaandsons.com/.

camera obscura next to the castle is great, St.Giles cathedral is fab especially if you get in to the bit the queen uses, 1000's of small angels carved in it. And if you like medical things surgeons hall museum has the skeleton of Burke or Hare the body snatchers. So many great things to do so wear comfortable shoes.

The National Museum of Scotland has a fabulous collection of agates, well worth a look.

Recently I took my American cousin to Galashiels on the train to see the Great Tapestry of Scotland in the new museum there. She said it was the highlight of her visit.
As a Souter I never thought I would see the words Galashiels and highlight of her visit in the same paragraph!

Bobby's nose has been licked kissed clean!

I think the OP has been and gone but for those still to come:

The trip to Inchcolm Island is great Tillymint but you will have to book.

Lucy I often go by myself and there are lots of places where you can eat on your own.
Try the wonderful David Bann (vegetarian) in St Mary St,
davidbann.co.uk/
or Dishoom if you like authentic Indian.
The waiting staff will entertain you.
www.dishoom.com/edinburgh/
Look on trip advisor for other suggestions.

Recently I took my American cousin to Galashiels on the train to see the Great Tapestry of Scotland in the new museum there. She said it was the highlight of her visit.
www.greattapestryofscotland.com/

I think the Dungeons are very overrated as it's primarily a tourist grab. There are lots of genuine folk offering walks etc. Arthur's Seat is good if you feel fit. It's a shame the Elephant Café is damaged as it was worth a visit. I used to take school trips to the Dungeons and Princes Street gardens. I would do a ghost walk and make up the most gruesome tales at the Scotsman stairs, then the Royal Mile. One time I was completely engrossed in my tale when I realised I had collected a group of Japanese tourists who were listening agog at my (made up) ghost tale in the Canongate. Oops.

The Whisky Tour
Edinburgh Dungeon
Edinburgh museum - this is free entry
The castle
The Royal Yaght Brittania

Please, do not stroke Bobby ? It's not good for him!

Royal Yacht Britannia is well worth a visit

Another vote here for Royal Yacht Britannia. Very well done and enjoyed by al three generations of our family when we visited this summer.

Wonderful city, I would book a walking tour, visit Holyrood, stroke Greyfriars Bobby's statue, visit a pub with live music in the evening.Maybe the castle, go to the coast. Listen to the pipers, people watch but most of all have a great time and no peeping under any kilts !

LucyW

I am planning a couple of days in Edinburgh shortly, first solo holiday since being widowed. Used to have a flat there and can highly recommend Mary King's Close. The museum of childhood also worth a visit to view all the toys and games. I am hoping to visit the Surgeons' Halls when I go up next month - rather gory but I hear it is fascinating. I am a bit apprehensive about eating out alone so if anyone can suggest somewhere nice (near the old town, if possible) I would really appreciate it.

I wish I was around at that time as I would have loved to visit the Surgeons Hall with you! Sounds like my sort of thing!

I can’t wait to pluck up the courage to travel up to Edinburgh again. Perhaps when I’ve had my booster in November. So many places I’ve yet to visit.

I forgot to mention in my previous post that, especially if it’s mild and sunny, the Three Bridges boat trip from South Queensferry is lovely. It’s 90 minutes long and you go along the Firth of Forth and under the Forth Road bridge, the Forth rail bridge and newQueensferry Crossing , all of which are stunning. You can get off at Inchcolm Island if you want to (or not) and the number 43 bus takes about half an hour to get down there from princes street. Eat fish and chips on the shore afterwards.

The camera obscura is fun

www.camera-obscura.co.uk/

I am planning a couple of days in Edinburgh shortly, first solo holiday since being widowed. Used to have a flat there and can highly recommend Mary King's Close. The museum of childhood also worth a visit to view all the toys and games. I am hoping to visit the Surgeons' Halls when I go up next month - rather gory but I hear it is fascinating. I am a bit apprehensive about eating out alone so if anyone can suggest somewhere nice (near the old town, if possible) I would really appreciate it.

Mary King's Close is a must ! First time we visited it was included in a History walk. Then Billy Connolly did a programme about it and , hey presto , it was an attraction all on its own . Still good, though , but you need to book.

Mary King's Close is definitely worth a visit. On/off bus tour gives a general view of the city. Royal Observatory on Calton Hill is good as is the National and Scottish museum. If you can manage the climb a trip to the Castle is worthwhile, 1 pm firing of the cannon is quite ceremonial. Hope weather favours you and you enjoy.

Let's not derail this lovely thread .

The view from the Castle Esplanade on a clear day is fab, hope you get to see that Lucca

usuallyright - but on this occasion, dead wrong. I smell troll...