
There are plenty of different museums in Edinburgh, but by far the biggest and best is the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street. The old part of the building has recently completed a huge refurbishment so is looking all shiny and lovely, with lots of different galleries and displays about natural history, science, world cultures, inventions, art and design and lots more, and the best part is it's all completely free. There are interactive exhibits and even a Museum Explorer App if you fancy getting a bit hands on. My favourite part of the museum (perhaps I'm a little biased as a Scottish History graduate) is the more modern part which houses the Scottish collections, taking you all the way from "Early People" on the bottom floor to Scotland in the 20th century right at the very top. The section about Victorian mourning and death customs is my favourite, with a huge horse-drawn hearse and the teeny tiny Arthur's Seat coffins, but there are plenty of other less morbid things to look at too! Make sure to go out onto the roof terrace too for great views of the city. Sticking with the slightly gory theme, the Surgeon's Hall Museum is just round the corner and definitely worth a visit if you're interested in surgery, anatomy and medicine, of which Edinburgh's historical reputation is second to none. There are lots of skulls and bones and things floating in jars; very gruesome but also very interesting!

For something a bit more fun and child-friendly (who am I kidding, SO adult-friendly too), try the Camera Obscura up near the Castle. The Camera Obscura contains several floors of optical illusions - not tricks, obvs - and interactive exhibits to keep you entertained, think magic mirrors, plasma globes, giant holograms and the like. My favourite bit is the Vortex Tunnel; the floor stays still but the walls of the tunnel spin round, tricking your brain into thinking you're moving and it's pretty much impossible to stand up. You'll have to cling to the hand rails for what feels like dear life, even though you're actually standing perfectly still! The main attraction of the Camera Obscura is, obviously, the camera obscura itself, and your entry ticket also gets you in to a show with a brief history of Edinburgh explained using the magical wonders of the original camera obscura equipment, plus you get some great views of the city. Another one for big kids is Our Dynamic Earth down beside Holyrood, which uses lots of interactive exhibits and fancy technology to take you through the past, present and future of the planet's natural history. It's been quite a few years since I was last here, but I remember being very enamoured with the rainforest section.

One of the things Edinburgh is most famous for is its beautiful views, and the best part is you can enjoy these for free. If you're feeling adventurous you could try climbing Arthur's Seat or the Crags (they're part of an extinct volcano but not too high and easily manageable without walking boots and such), but I'd suggest going to Calton Hill instead. It's just a little bit along from the end of Princes Street, and is much less of a climb but you still end up nice and high and with great views. After all, as Robert Louis Stevenson once said, "you can't see the Castle or Arthur's Seat from the Castle or Arthur's Seat". Not only do you get a great view of the iconic landmarks, but there are several monuments to explore on Calton Hill itself. Here you'll find the "Athens of the North"'s unfinished version of the Parthenon, the National Monument of Scotland, plus the likes of the Nelson Monument and the old observatory. After all that touristing, get yourself along to the Cameo Cinema in Tollcross for a big bucket of popcorn and a good film in a gorgeous old fashioned cinema. They show a carefully curated selection of new releases, as well as some foreign and independent films, and on Sunday afternoons there are often double bills of classic favourties.
What are your favourite attractions in Edinburgh?
Gillian x
I've wanted to come to Edinburgh for such a long time! Love these photographs, they're lush.
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I've been to Edinburgh a few times to see my friend (and also going in August) and we did the Mary Kings close tour, and while a bit pricey, I thought it was really interesting. I love all of the museums as well, and am still waiting to go on a trip to the zoo!
ReplyDeleteDannielle | Chic-a-Dee
Now you're making me want to book the first flight available. I've only paid a fleeting visit to the castle when my parents got married in Gretna. But i'd love to go back and explore more!
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I really love Deep Sea World and Camera Obscura. I haven't been to any of the museums and really need to change that!
ReplyDeleteHayley
Water Painted Dreams
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Camera Obscura is such an amazing place to visit!
ReplyDeleteMy friend tried to get me down Mary King's Close but I got so far as the entrance. That was enough for me :D
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I loved the Mary Kings Close tour - best thing we did in Edinburgh!
ReplyDeleteThis post is perfect timing as I plan to take a trip to Edinburgh next week but I had no idea what there is to do there, thanks!
ReplyDeleteStella x
aw gillian, im taking my mum to edinburgh at the end of the month and this has given me loads of ideas, bookmarked it for when we go :) not sure i'll cram it all into 3 days though! ive been to edinburgh a few times now and just love it. such a gorgeous city.
ReplyDeletedefo going to have to visit the zoo again, forgot they have a panda now. last time i went, my faves were the polar bears and the penguin parade.
Literally writing this on the way home from Edinburgh, such a beaut of a city! You've just given me a whole list of things to do on the next visit - love the sound of the Georgian House and Gladstone's Land, I love seeing things as they would have been so I'll definitely be checking them out <3
ReplyDeleteI'm off to Edinburgh later this month with my family and I will definitely suggest visiting the Camera Obscura. It sounds amazing! This post was wonderful - so in depth, informative and the photos are lovely x
ReplyDeleteI only ever seem to have been to Edinburgh for shopping & nights out but I'm moving there next month and am definitely gonna act like a tourist for the first wee while haha. This is a great guide, I'll definitely be referring back to it.
ReplyDeleteKirsty
Just Like Heaven
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I love Edinburgh, this has definitely given me some ideas for my next visit :)
ReplyDeleteMaria xxx