Edinburgh

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.

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/

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!

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

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.

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/.

Maw

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!

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!

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.

Sounds like a good trip Lucca

Highly recommend the Gallery of Modern Art 1 - haven't yet been to 2, so can't recommend it. It's a fair walk but you can get a bus -Agree about the National Portrait Gallery, superb!!

Couldn't agree more with Museum of Childhood. We visit every time we are in Edinburgh.

For Inspector Rebus fans - when I was last in Edinburgh 7 years ago I went on an organised tour of all the places mentioned in the books. Found the tour on Google.

Afternoon tea at The Dome…yum.

Oh yes, Omasweetie , the Dome's a great place if you like a bit of sparkle - especially at Christmas when the exterior is covered in fairy lights. The last time we had afternoon tea there I succumbed to a gigantic meringue which probably took years off my life. My only complaint was the handle of the heavy silver teapot was extremely hot. Safest to ask the waiter to pour.

I am also planning a couple of days in Edinburgh, Lucca, I’ve found all these comments really useful. We’re going up by train just for fun, but don’t know the best central area to stay. We want to be able to walk to areas with restaurants, bars etc, any ideas please?

Take the train to Galashields to see the Great Tapestry of Scotland. It's spectacular.

Madmother21

I am also planning a couple of days in Edinburgh, Lucca, I’ve found all these comments really useful. We’re going up by train just for fun, but don’t know the best central area to stay. We want to be able to walk to areas with restaurants, bars etc, any ideas please?

You might be better asking Tillymint who lives here !
We stayed in a lovely but quirky B and B just beside the Usher Hall
I’ll put a link up in a minute

www.sawdays.co.uk/britain/scotland/edinburgh/2-cambridge-street-the-dynamite-club/

Went a week or so ago by train with my sister to see my niece at uni there . Loved the tourist buses you can hop on and off . Really enjoyed the Botanic Gardens and the castle gardens . We stayed in a premier inn near the station - think it was Rose Street, which was fine .
Must go back again …!

hilz

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 !

Please don’t stroke Greyfriars Bobby. It is ruining the wee statue. Nobody seems to know what idiot started the trend but it really doesn’t bring luck!

My daughter and I went on the Royal yacht Britannia which of course is in dey dock now. We really enjoyed seeing the Queens rooms, and also the crews quarters. We had a nice lunch onboard too. You will have to pre book.

Princes Street for shopping. Walk up to Arthur’s Seat, lovely views of Edinburgh. Edinburgh castle and the cobbled streets leading up to it with curio shops.

Forget Princes street for shopping! All the old shops have closed. Phone shops and tourist tat!