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Edinburgh

Sightseeing, Attractions, Around Edinburgh

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CITY TOURS in Edinburgh

CITY SIGHTSEEING EDINBURGH (sightseeing by bus) - Hop on hop off

Tickets (with discounted admission to 12 attractions): 12 GBP/adult, 5 GBP/child

Schedule: 9:35-16:15

Frequency: 15-30 minutes

Stops: Waverley Bridge - Frederick Street - South Charlotte Street - Lothian Road - Grassmarket - Johnston Terrace - Lawnmarket - Chambers Street - John Knox House - Dynamic Earth - Queen Marry's Bath House - Royal High School - St. Andrew Square

Language: English, French, German, Dutch, Spanish, Italian, Russian, Japanese, Chinese

 

EDINBURGH TOURS (sightseeing by bus) - Hop on hop off

Tickets: 

Edinburgh Tour or MacTour or Majestic Tour: 12 GBP/adult, 5 GBP/child

Grand Ticket (all routes): 15 GBP/adult, 6 GBP/child

Schedule: Edinburgh Tour 9:25-16:07, Majestic Tour 9:45-15:15

Frequency: 15-30 minutes

Stops:

Edinburgh Tour: Waverley Bridge - Princes Street - Edinburgh Castle - Old Town - Palace of Holyroodhouse - Calton Hill - Queen Street Gardens

MacTour: Waverley Bridge - Regent Road - Palace of Holyroodhouse - Canongate - Fire Brigade HQ - Edinburgh Castle - Charlotte Square - George Street

Majestic Tour: Waverley Bridge - Botanic Garden - Ocean Terminal - Palace of Holyroodhouse

Language: English

 

CRUISES (sightseeing by boat)

Tickets: 10 GBP/adult, 3,5 GBP/child

Combined tickets:

Cruise + Inchcolm Island: 14,7 GBP/adult, 5,85 GBP/child

Cruise + dinner: 20 GBP/person

Cruise + live jazz: 12,5 GBP/person (+buffet dinner 7,5 GBP)

Cruise + bus tour: 18 GBP/adult, 7 GBP/child

Schedule: April-October 11:30, 13:00, 15:00, 16:30, 20:00

Starting: Hawes Pier, South Queensferry

 

RENT A BIKE IN EDINBURGH

Rates: 7 GBP/halday, 10 GBP/day, 25 GBP/3 days, 50 GBP/week

 

CITYTOUR BY WALK or here

Themes: Underground, Horror, Ghost and Torture etc.

 

PUB TOUR

 

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ATTRACTIONS in Edinburgh

EDINBURGH CASTLE

Opening hours: April-September 9:30-18:00, October-March 9:30-17:00

(last admission 45 minutes before closing)

Tickets: 11 GBP/adult, 5.5 GBP/child

Audio guide (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Chinese): 0,5 GBP

Getting there: Bus 36 or walking from the city centre

Edinburgh Castle, the most famous of Scottish castles has a complex building history from the 12th century. It dominates the sky-line of the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, from its position atop the volcanic Castle Rock. The castle houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O' Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland. 

 

PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE

Opening hours: November-March 9:30-16:30, April-October 9:30-18:00

(last admission 1 hour before closing)

Tickets: 10,25 GBP/adult, 6,2 GBP/child

Combined tickets (Holyroodhouse + Queen’s Gallery): 14,3 GBP/adult, 8,3 GBP/child

Evening tours (5, 12, 16, 26 August 18:30) including copy of the official guidebook and a glass of champagne: 30 GBP

Getting there: walking from the city centre

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, Her Majesty The Queen's official residence in Scotland, stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile against the spectacular backdrop of Arthur's Seat. The Royal Apartments, where The Queen hosts State ceremonies and other official occasions, are infused with centuries of history and have witnessed many important events in Scotland's rich history. The Queen's Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection.

 

CANONGATE TOLBOOTH ("The People's Story" of life and work in Edinburgh since the 18th century)

Opening hours: June-September 10:00-18:00, October-May 10:00-17:00

Free entrance.

Getting there: walking from the city centre

The People's Story is situated in the upper floors of the historic Canongate Tolbooth (1591) on Edinburgh's Royal Mile. Opened as a museum in 1954, it describes the life, work, health and recreation of Edinburgh's people, from the late 18th Century to the present day. This multi-sensory experience uses sights, smells and sounds to describe the city's industries and trades. There are also reconstructions of a jail cell, complete with occupants, various tradesmen's workshops, a 1940s kitchen, wash-house, public house and tea room. The museum houses a substantial collection of objects and artefacts, including a collections of trades union banners and friendly society regalia.

 

JOHN KNOX HOUSE

Opening hours: Monday-Saturday 10:00-18:00 (July-August, Sunday 12:00-18:00 as well)

(last admission 30 minutes before closing)

Tickets: 3,5 GBP/adult, 1 GBP/child

Getting there: Bus 3, 35, 37 or walking from the city centre

Dating back to 1470, and now incorporated into the Scottish Storytelling Centre, John Knox House is one of Scotland's greatest cultural treasures and is associated with the most dramatic events in Scotland's turbulent history. On three floors, the exhibition highlights the building's beautiful craftsmanship and the stories of its famous inhabitants. Come close to the most dramatic conflicts in Scotland's history. Stand where they stood and hear the drama in their own words.

 

GLADSTONE'S LAND

Opening hours: April-June and September-October 10:00-17:00, July-August 10:00-19:00

(last admission 30 minutes before closing)

Tickets: 5 GBP/adult, 4 GBP/child

Getting there: Bus 2, 27, 41, 42, 45 or walking from the city centre

Gladstone's Land is a surviving 17th century high-tenement house situated in the Old Town of the city of Edinburgh. The six display rooms furnished with objects of the period, including an original painted ceiling give you a flavour of life in the 17th century. In addition the recently upgraded Green Room shows the differences between 17th and 18th century living standards.

 

3D LOCH NESS EXPERIENCE

Opening hours: summer 9:30-18:00, winter 10:00-17:00, every 20 minutes

Tickets: 5,95 GBP/adult, 3,95 GBP/child

Audio guide (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian)

Getting there: Bus 23, 27, 41, 42 or walking from the city centre

The 3D Loch Ness Experience takes you on a virtual reality journey to discover the World's most famous body of water. Does Nessie really exist? It is your turn to be the judge! Experience: Photos, Illusions, Hoaxes and Hear Real Eye Witness Accounts.

 

CAMERA OBSCURA SHOW (panorama view)

Opening hours: July-August 9:30-19:30, September-October and April-Juna 9:30-18:00, November-March 10:00-17:00

(last show 1 hour before closing)

Tickets: 8,5 GBP/adult, 5,75 GBP/child

Audio guide (English, French, German, Spanish, Italian)

Getting there: Bus 23, 27, 41, 42, 45 or walking from the city centre

The Camera Obscura show is a fascinating and highly amusing way to see the city and learn about its history. This unique experience has delighted and intrigued people for over 150 years. It is a 'must' on any visit to Edinburgh. From inside this mysterious Victorian rooftop chamber, you see live moving images of Edinburgh projected onto a viewing table through a giant periscope. Pick people up on your hands, squash them to a pulp and even make the traffic climb over paper bridges.

 

EDINBURGH DUNGEON

Opening hours: November-March, Monday-Friday 11:00-16:00, Saturday-Sunday 10:00-17:00,

April-June and September-October 10:00-17:00, July-August 10:00-19:00

Tickets: 15,33 GBP/adult, 11,33 GBP/child

Getting there: Bus 36 or walking from the city centre

The Edinburgh Dungeon invites you to a feast of fun with history's horrible bits. Live actors, an eerie ride, shows and special effects transport you back to those black bleak times. You begin your journey in a 17th century court of law were an eccentric judge will haul you into the dock, the verdict is always guilty and the punishment harsh! Enter the dark and terrifying haunted labyrinth that stretches from beneath the Castle, under the Royal Mile and away into the unknown…

 

SCOTCH WHISKY EXPERIENCE

Opening hours: September-May 10:00-18:00, June-August 9:30-18:30

(last admission 1 hour before closing)

Tickets including tasting: 11,5 GBP/adult, 5,95 GBP/child

Getting there: Bus 23, 41 or walking from the city centre

The interactive 5-star Scotch Whisky tour is a great experience. You will learn all about Scotch Whisky including the characters who helped make it the biggest selling single source spirit in the world! Find out how the water of life is produced and then one of the experienced tour guides will take you through the amazing difference between whiskies from the Highlands, Lowlands, Speyside and Islands.

 

SURGEONS' HALL MUSEUM

Opening hours: September-July, Monday-Friday 12:00-16:00, August, Monday-Friday 10:00-16:00, Saturday-Sunday 12:00-16:00

Tickets: 5 GBP/adult, 3 GBP/child

Getting there: Bus 3, 5, 7, 8, 14, 31, 33 or walking from the city centre

Surgeons' Hall Museum Edinburgh is the home of the Surgeons' Hall Pathology Museum, History of Surgery Museum and Dental Collection. The museum is Scotland's largest medical museum and houses one of the most significant surgical collections in the world. William Henry Playfair’s outstanding pathology museum, constructed 1829–32, is thought to be the oldest museum containing its original collection in the United Kingdom. The neo-classical hall contains human anatomical and pathological specimens from the late 18th century. Other objects, images and artworks trace surgery’s history from Roman times to the present day and include the discovery of antisepsis and anaesthesia, the development of false teeth and the chilling Burke and Hare murders.

 

ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA

Opening hours: January-March and November-December 10:00-15:30, April-June and October 10:00-16:00, July-September 9:30-16:30

Tickets: 10,5 GBP/adult, 6,75 GBP/child

Audio guide (English, Arabic, Czech, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Hindi, Hungarian, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Chinese, Norwegian, Polish, Portugese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish, Urdu)

Getting there: Bus 22, 34, 35 - Ocean Terminal

Royal Yacht Britannia is a magnificent ship that has played host to some of the most famous people in the world. But, above all, she was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family. Now in Edinburgh you are welcome on board to discover the heart and soul of this most special of royal residences.

 

SEAFARI

Opening hours: April-October 10:00-17:00 (5 times per day, depending on tide)

Tickets: 20 GBP/adult, 18 GBP/child

Starting: Newhaven Harbour

Now operating from Newhaven, Dunbar and North Berwick, Seafari offera a range of tours to suit your taste. For magnificent views of Gannets nothing can compare to the trips from North Berwick or Dunbar to the world famous Bass Rock. Described by David Attenborough as "a unique wonder of the natural world"  we run multiple 1hour trips every day out to see the famous Gannets, there are over 100,000 of them resident on the rock and we are able to get wonderful close up views of the nests and chicks.

 

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AROUND EDINBURGH

GLASGOW

Getting there: Train from Edinburgh Waverley station to Glasgow - 67 km, 50 minutes - 20,5 GBP return

 

HOP ON HOP OFF

Tickets: 11 GBP/adult/2 days, 5 GBP/child/2 days

Opening hours: 9:30-16:30

Frequency: 15-30 minutes

Stops: George Square – Glasgow Cathedral – Merchant City – Glasgow Green – St. Andrews Square – St. Enoch – George Square – St. Vincent Place – SAS Radisson Hotel – Hotels – City Inn Hotel – SECC Science Centre – The Tall Ship – Glasgow University

Language: English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Swedish

 

TENEMENT HOUSE

Opening hours: March-October 13:00-17:00

Tickets: 5,5 GBP/adult, 4,5 GBP/child

Getting there: Bus 20, 59, 66 or walking from the city centre

The Tenement House is an authentic 19th-century Glasgow tenement house and was the home, for over fifty years, of Miss Agnes Toward, an ordinary lady who kept all sorts of things others would have thrown away. This first-floor flat is a typical late Victorian example, consisting of four rooms and retaining most of its original features such as its bed recesses, kitchen range, coal bunker and bathroom.

 

BURRELL COLLECTION

Opening hours: March-October 13:00-17:00

Free entrance.

Getting there: Bus 45, 47, 48, 57 - Pollokshaws Road

The Burrell Collection is an art collection in the city of Glasgow. It has an important collection of medieval art including stained glass and tapestries, oak furniture, medieval weapons and armour, Islamic art, artefacts from ancient Egypt and China, Impressionist works by Degas and Cezanne, modern sculpture and a whole host of other artefacts from around the world, all collected by one man.

STIRLING

Getting there: Train from Edinburgh Waverley station to Stirling - 60 km, 50 minutes - 11,8 GBP return

 

STIRLING CASTLE

Opening hours: October-February 9:30-17:00, March-September 9:30-18:00

(last admission 45 minutes before closing)

While the castle remains open, the Palace itself is currently shut as part of a major project to present the King’s and Queen’s Lodgings as they might have appeared in the mid 16th century. The Palace will reopen in March 2011.

Tickets: 9 GBP/adult, 4,5 GBP/child

Audio guide (English, German, French, Italian, Spanish, Japanese): 2 GBP

Getting there: walking from the train station

One of Scotland’s grandest castles due to its imposing position and impressive architecture, Stirling Castle commands the countryside for many miles around. Stirling’s history is probably one of the most famous in the world, especially since the major motion picture ‘Braveheart’, starring Mel Gibson, was released. You can re-live the movie experience with staged battle scenarios as well as other historical reconstruction's laid on at the castle. From the Chapel Royal and the Great Kitchens, to Argyll’s Lodging and the Tapestry Studio, there is plenty for all to enjoy.

NORTH BERWICK

Getting there: Train from Edinburgh Waverley station to North Berwick - 30 km, 35 minutes -

10,2 GBP return

 

MUSEUM OF FLIGHT

Opening hours: November-February, Saturday-Sunday 10:00-16:00, March-October 10:00-17:00

(last admission 45 minutes before closing)

Tickets including Concorde Boarding Pass: 8,5 GBP/adult, free for children up to 12 years

Getting there: walking from the train station

The National Museum of Flight is based at East Fortune Airfield, East Lothian which is just 20 miles from Edinburgh. The airfield itself is steeped in history and in 1919 the R34 Airship took off from East Fortune to make the first east-west transatlantic flight. Fortunes of War. Hangar 4 is home to Concorde G-BOAA, the first of the British Airways Concorde fleet to fly commercially.

LINLITHGOW

Getting there: Train from Edinburgh Waverley station to  Linlithgow - 12 km, 20 minutes - 8,1 GBP return

 

LINLITHGOW PALACE

Opening hours: April-September 9:30-17:30, October-March 9:30-16:30

(last admission 45 minutes before closing)

Tickets: 5,2 GBP/adult, 2,6 GBP/child

Getting there: walking from the train station

Linlithgow, an important royal residence, is now ruined, but enough of it still stands for the visitor to be able to conjure up in the imagination what life in such a vast palace must have been like. There are so many rooms, passages and stairways that its easy to get lost walking around. However the palace appartments are all arranged around a central courtyard, giving the air of some renaissance French chateaux, so it is easy to look through windows to get a bearing on where you are.

MELROSE

Getting there: Bus from Edinburgh Waverley station to  Berwick-upon-Tweed and change Bus to Melrose - 70 km, 1 hour - 20,5 GBP return

 

MELROSE ABBEY

Opening hours: April-September 9:30-17:30, October-March 9:30-16:30

(last admission 30 minutes before closing)

Tickets: 5,2 GBP/adult, 2,6 GBP/child

Melrose Abbey is a magnificent ruin on a grand scale with lavishly decorated masonry. The Abbey is thought to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce’s heart, marked with a commemorative carved stone plaque within the grounds. Visitors can also visit a small museum housing a display of artifacts found within the abbey.

ST. ANDREWS

Getting there: Train from Edinburgh St. Andrews Square station to St. Andrews - 85 km, 2 hours -

6 GBP return

 

BRITISH GOLF MUSEUM

Opening hours: April-October, Monday-Saturday 9:30-17:00, Sunday 10:00-17:00,

November-March 10:00-16:00

(last admission 45 minutes before closing)

Tickets: 6 GBP/adult, 3 GBP/child

A visit to the British Golf Museum will transport you down a pathway of surprising facts and striking feats from 500 years of golf history. Using diverse displays and exciting exhibits, the Museum traces the history of the game, both in Britain and abroad, from the Middle Ages to the present day.

 

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