- Edinburgh
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United Kingdom
This building is the latest addition to Edinburgh. It also wins prizes, including the RIAS Andrew Doolan Prize for best building in Scotland (2008), but unlike the parliament it was built within budget.
This building houses the research of Edinburgh University's world-leading School of Informatics. Look for it on Doors Open Day!
10 Crichton Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9AB
www.inf.ed.ac.uk/
Not everyone wants to be in the city centre and this hotel is only about a 15 min bus ride to Princes St. Its main advantage is that it is right by the Braid Hills Golf course (and the hotel has special green fees), is very near the main bus routes, is not far from one of Europe's largest artificial ski slopes and it is also one of the hotels nearest to Rosslyn Chapel. They have plenty of free parking and its bistro has great views across the city.
Probably the best cocktails in town, and it's a great, ornate classy bar tucked away just behind Princes Street.
They serve food too and its generally pretty good. If you're looking for something a little different then I'd recommend a visit.
It's very near Waverley Train Station on West Register Street, telephone 0131 556 7060. Website:www.thevoodoorooms.com
A weekend trip to Edinburgh is a must by anyone's standard.
Unless you have to, ignore the modern day Prince's Street which is home to pubs and shops that you can find on any high street in any city in the country.
Instead head to the old part of town with the hidden alleyways and courtyards of The Royal Mile. At the top end, once the burning place for all the local witches, lies Edinburgh Castle perched atop a volcanic crag, while at the bottom lies Holyrood House - the Queen Mother’s imposing former residence.
At the entrance to the Castle is The Witchery Restaurant and rooms - voted in the top 3 most romantic destinations in the UK. Eight incredible rooms ranging from the library to the armoury are Gothic in style and extremely luxurious. I would defy anyone to stay here and not feel like a Lord.
Make sure you have a table booked at the Witchery Restaurant for the evening. My recommendation would be the Secret Garden, very romantic with a totally decadent ambience.
If you feel like working up an appetite before dinner then why not join Adam Lyal on a tour around "Auld Reekies" streets. This long dead Highwayman leads you through the haunted alleys with tales of wrong doings of ne'er do wells from Scottish history. A word of caution, you never know who you might bump into on this tour. ‘Jumper Ooters’ lurk on every corner- not for the faint hearted!
When you make it back to the land of the living make sure you pop into the wonderfully traditional Ensign Ewart for a pre dinner drink. The eponymous hero won a VC for charging the French lines and capturing one of Napoleons Eagles and his story is displayed on the walls of the pub.
There are so many other tours available in Edinburgh. From the Ghostly to the factual they all represent its long (and often bloody) history. The Restaurant scene is fast springing up in Leith, the dockside area of Edinburgh. Leith is currently under regeneration and transforming into a very modern and lively location.
Edinburgh is a very cosmopolitan city and there are some 13 million visitors every year to the Tattoo, Festival and historic buildings. It is also a UNESCO world heritage site, testament to its architecture and history. Superb bars and restaurants blend with the older buildings bringing old and new together on these cobbled streets.
Pay them a visit - just be sure to take a peep round every corner. You never know who or what you might bump into!
Superb four star hotel just opened last month. It's located at the end of Princes Street which is a great city centre spot. Facilities include pool, gym, bar and restaurant, rooms are brand new with all modern gadgets, wi-fi throughout. The bar is a trendy hangout to see and be seen in. For some of the best shopping in Scotland turn right onto Princes Street when you exit.
Tel: 0871 288 1208
www.apexhotels.co.uk/hotels/edinburgh-waterloo-place/
It's a hotel and spa, the accommodation is excellent, pool fabulous as is the spa itself and the staff are friendly and helpful.
Its a emporium of everything ladies love. From unusual lingerie and nick nacks, to the most divine home made cup cakes ever. We had a decadent afternoon tea served in the cafe which was absolutely five-star.
15 William Street, at the West End. Lots of lovely speciality shop in the street too
Edinburgh can be an expensive place to stay, but there are some budget options available. Rooms-in-Edinburgh have over a dozen hostels that have beds from £12 a night. There are also several budget hotels which have great city centre locations and are only £50 a room.
Edinburgh isn't exactly a city that hides its charms: a castle bang in the centre of town atop dramatic cliffs, a gothic skyline, a cobbled old town crammed full of tourist shops, a Georgian 'New Town' of refined restaurants and leafy squares, and several celebrated museums and galleries.
However, if you tire of tourists and want to seek real, everyday Edinburgh, consider a trip to the district just south-west of the city centre. Tollcross isn't what you would call beautiful, but is home to some of the city's finest ethnic restaurants (such as Number 1 Sushi and Lai Thai), as well as the King's Theatre and the Cameo Cinema. One of the finest arthouse cinemas in the country, the Cameo is both atmospheric and cheap, and with several screens offers something for every discerning cinema goer, as well as a much loved bar seeping with old-world atmosphere. The Beckett Pub nearby is similarly atmospheric, and neighbourhood newcomer, Cuckoo's Nest offers some of the cities best value for money drinks (particularly the cocktails).
Heading up the hill, you reach the Bruntsfield Links on your left, and beyond spectacular views across the Meadows to the Castle, Old Town and Arthur's Seat. Bruntsfield itself is one of the city's loveliest districts, a pleasing mixture of vibrant student district and upscale residential neighbourhood. Its main drag is home to several quality restaurants and bars, as well as a handful of intriguing shops, especially for foodies.
Coco's is arguably Edinburgh's best chocolatier, and sits near to a branch of Peckham's delicatessen and an extravagant cake shop. For those who wish to continue, the main road heads down into extremely well-heeled Morningside (though the shopping strip is perhaps a little underwhelming), and neighbouring the Grange and Merchiston, all of which are home to some beautiful Victorian villas on their leafy streets, and are a pleasure to stroll around.
Tollcross is at the southern end of Lothian Road, a ten-fifteen minute walk from all parts of central Edinburgh. The main road, Gilmore Place-Bruntsfield Place leads up the hill to Bruntsfield and then round towards Morningside. Multiple buses to all of these neighbourhoods, see Lothian Buses website.
It's a gorgeous Georgian house converted into a B&B or you can hire the whole place privately. We found it a delightfully posh alternative to what you would usually expect from a B&B - creatively decorated and quietly glamorous.
Not cheap but worth it to treat yourself. And there's a pool table ...
This beautiful Georgian house is a B&B, and then some. Owners, Mike and Susan Gordon (delightful hosts) restored the house from scratch (they also own a modern property available for hire nearby) have had a few celebrity guests stay. The place is going to be featured in the next Mr and Mrs Smith guidebook, say no more.
www.oneroyalcircus.com
Tel: 0131 625 6669
I recently used Dickins as I needed to rent an apartment for a few weeks in Edinburgh.
They are a friendly company letting self-catering holiday apartments in Edinburgh from three nights up to six months. They offered me a range of apartments to choose from. I rented an apartment in a great location on St Mary's Street. It was very well presented and had wifi broadband. Dickins are flexible so if you need to extend your stay you can usually do that. They specialise in lets over the Edinburgh festival.
www.dickins.co.uk
17 Dundas Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6QG
0131 558 1108
Nearest station: Edinburgh Waverley
Because it is the best Mexican in town.
Thistle Street Edinburgh
Just fallen out of bed after a great weekend in Edinburgh. It has it all for a fab short break without the hassle of a flight. Try the Cafe Royal just off Princes Street - best oysters ever. We stayed at the Holyrood hotel which had a low weekend rate on Edinburgh hotels website.
A relative newcomer to the Edinburgh bar and bistro scene, 99 is a great place to chill and party. The relaxed and comfortable decor is comfy-living-room-bohemian chic which makes the food and the cocktails even more enjoyable.
99 Hanover Street, just off George Street which runs parallel to Princes Street.
This public house just two minutes from the castle is a great place to unwind after the day or build up to a night out. It's a sociable place to talk and drink with no piped (excuse the pun) music played. The furnishings are basic but comfortable enough and its location on the endlessly fascinating Victoria Street cannot be bettered. Real drinkers need only apply for a round.
80 West Bow
Edinburgh
EH1 2HH
I'm old enough to remember going to seven Edinburgh Fringe shows in one day at 50p per show. Some were rubbish but who cared at 50p a ticket. Nowadays, choosing a show is a more serious activity with tickets costing an average of £7.
Never fear, checkout www.festivalpreviews.com. This website hosts video preview clips of the shows so that you can see for yourself whether you might like it. The site also has festival clips from Brighton, Adelaide, Avignon, Tokyo, etc etc.
Simply the quickest way to book a central hotel with pretty nifty map availability, I have not seen it on any other site.
Three courses and unlimited second helpings for 15 pounds. Good food, nice place and great price for hungry travellers!
North Bridge, Edinburgh
Hidden under the Royal Mile is a series of narrow streets that used to be part of the city above in the 16th century or so and are now part of the foundations of the Royal Mile. These are real preserved buildings, not just a tourist show, and a fascinating look at Edinburgh in a past time.
A word of warning – the smells are pretty real too!
2 Warriston’s Court, Writers Close, EH1 1PG. 08702 430160
www.realmarykingsclose.com
A visit to Edinburgh wouldn’t be the same without a pint in a traditional British pub. With a handful of universities and a horde of students in the city, finding cheap beer is relatively easy. Three Sisters was the best of the lot with three bars inside and a spacious courtyard.
139 Cowgate, Edinburgh
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