Historic days out in Edinburgh
Craigmillar Castle
Craigmillar Castle Road, Edinburgh,
EH16 4SY
Opening times
1 April to 30 September: daily, 9.30am to 5.30pm
1 October to 31 March daily, 10am to 4pm
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Cost
Adult (16-64yrs) £7.50
Child (7-15yrs) £4.50
What they say
Step inside Edinburgh’s ‘other castle’, which stood a mile outside the old city walls, providing a retreat from Scotland’s capital. Craigmillar Castle was close to the political cauldron of Edinburgh, but pleasingly separate from it.
Mary Queen of Scots famously used the castle as a safe haven in 1566. Ironically, its owner, Sir Simon Preston, a loyal supporter of Mary, would turn her jailer just a year later.
What to see and do
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Climb the tower house, one of Scotland’s oldest, which houses fascinating features like a fine great hall and a prison
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Admire the views from the tower across Edinburgh – spot Holyrood Park and Edinburgh Castle among other landmarks
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Get lost in Craigmillar’s nooks and crannies
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Look for the remains of an unusual fishpond in the grounds – it’s laid out in the shape of a letter P, for Preston
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Take our fun fact-finding quiz
Edinburgh Castle
The Esplanade, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
Opening times
1 April to 30 September: Daily, 9.30am to 6pm
1 October to 31 March: Daily, 9.30am to 5pm
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Cost
Adult £22.00 (£19.50 if you book online)
Child (7-15yrs) £13.20 (£11.40 if you book online)
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What they say
Climb Castlehill to explore this mighty fortress and former royal residence, now a major part of the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh UNESCO World Heritage Site. Scotland’s crown jewels are among the national treasures on display within the castle walls.
What to see and do
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Set your watch by the One o’Clock Gun, fired daily (except Sundays)
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Enter Edinburgh’s oldest building, St Margaret’s Chapel, built around 1130 by David I
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Admire the late-medieval ceiling of the Great Hall, built around 1510 for James IV
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Look for Mons Meg, a huge, late-medieval siege cannon, among the castle artillery
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Find out more about the Jacobite Risings with our Jacobite Trail Quiz
The Georgian House
7 Charlotte SquareEdinburghEH2 4DR
Opening times
26 February to 31 October, daily, 10am to 5pm
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Cost
Adult £13.50
Family £37.00
One adult family £24.00
Child (under 5s free) £8.00
Young Scot £1.00
What they say
An Edinburgh New Town house restored to reflect the lives of those who lived and worked here in the late 18th and early 19th century.
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Wander through some of the most prestigious streets and postcodes in Edinburgh, admiring the distinct architecture of the New Town.
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Explore the grand, ornately decorated family rooms, where the Lamont family would have entertained guests surrounded by the works of renowned Scottish artists Allan Ramsay, Henry Raeburn and Alexander Nasmyth.
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Discover the lives of the servants who lived and worked ‘below stairs’ to support the lavish lifestyle of the family upstairs.
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View the unique collection of 18th-century household items, from the everyday to the curious.
Malleny Garden
Malleny Park, Balerno, Edinburgh,
EH14 7AF
Opening times
1 January to 31 March, 10am to 4pm
1 April to 30 September, 10am to 5pm
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Cost
Adult £3.50
Young Scot £1
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What they say
Tranquil oasis on the outskirts of Edinburgh, where heritage roses sit alongside 400-year-old yew trees
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Discover a hidden treasure amid the bustle of suburban Edinburgh.
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Sit and take a breather on one of the wooden benches and stone seats dotted throughout the garden.
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Breathe in the gorgeous scents of roses, lavender and philadelphus in summer.
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See an impressive 150 varieties of rose, including a heritage collection of shrub roses.
Lauriston Castle
2A Cramond Rd S, Edinburgh, EH4 5QD
Opening times
The grounds are open 8am till 7.30pm. Please visit the website to book a tour of the house.
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Cost
Grounds are free
For house tours
Adult £10
Children £8
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What they say
With its calm, tranquil atmosphere, and stunning views across the Firth of Forth, Lauriston is the perfect place to escape from the bustle of the city centre.
Enjoy a woodland walk, a visit to our award-winning Japanese garden, or step back in time and experience what life was like in an Edinburgh middle-class home at the beginning of the 20th century.
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Mimi’s Little Bakehouse opened in the grounds of Lauriston Castle in the summer of 2020. Operating mainly as a takeaway service with limited seating, they serve a small all-day brunch menu and a selection of award-winning cakes and hot drinks.
Scott Monument
E. Princes St Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 2EJ
Opening times
open 7 days a week from 10 am to 3:30 pm (which is the last tour). The Scott Monument is closed daily for lunch 12:30pm-1:45pm.
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Cost
Adult £8
Child/Concession £6
Family Ticket £20
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What they say
Standing proudly in Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument is one of the most iconic Edinburgh landmarks, a must-visit for tourists and locals alike. Dedicated to Sir Walter Scott, it is one of the largest monuments to a writer anywhere in the world.
Join one of our tour guides to find out who Sir Walter Scott was, why such an impressive monument was in his honour and enjoy the breath taking views of Edinburgh from our third floor viewing platform - a truly unforgettable experience!
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Nelson Monument
32 Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA
Opening times
Visit the website for opening times
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Cost
£6 entry to climb the tower, but the museum on the ground floor is free
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What they say
The upturned telescope was designed by the architect Robert Burn, and was built between 1807 and 1815.
In 1853, a large time ball was introduced, which is lowered as the one o'clock gun is fired from Edinburgh castle each day.
Climb this monument for stunning views over the city!
St Giles’ Cathedral
High St, Edinburgh, EH1 1RE
Opening times
Monday to Friday 10am to 6pm
Saturday 9am till 5pm
Sunday 1pm to 5pm
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Cost
St Giles’ Cathedral is run by donations. Please give as you are able, our suggested donation is £6.
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What they say
In the middle of the Royal Mile lies the stunning St Giles’ Cathedral. Founded in the 12th century it has been a formative part of the city for almost 900 years.
A fascinating place to learn more about Scotland’s history, highlights of any visit include the beautiful stained-glass windows, an original copy of the National Covenant and the famous Thistle Chapel, home of Scotland’s great order of chivalry.
Free guided walking tours, lasting around 45 minutes, take place daily. Tours should be pre-booked online.
​Palace of Holyroodhouse
Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX
Opening times
April - October 9:30am to 6pm
November - March 9:30am to 4:30pm
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is closed every Tuesday and Wednesday (open 7 days in July, August and September).
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Cost
Adult £21.00
Child (5-17) £13.50
Under 5 Free
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What they say
Open throughout the year, the Palace of Holyrood house stands at the end of Edinburgh's Royal Mile.
Explore the Palace's close associations with some of Scotland’s most well-known historic figures such as Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie, and learn how today it is used by The King when carrying out official engagements in Scotland.
​Royal Yacht Britannia
Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ
Opening times
January to March, 10am to 5pm
April to August, 9:30am to 6pm
September, 10am to 6pm
October, 10am to 5:30pm
November and December, 10am to 5pm
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Cost
Adult £20.00
Child (aged 5-17) £9.50
Child (under 5) Free
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What they say
A Royal residence for over 40 years, The Royal Yacht Britannia sailed over 1,000,000 nautical miles on 968 state visits with the Royal Family where they entertained prime ministers and presidents. Now Tripadvisor’s No.1 UK Attraction 2023, you can discover across five decks stories of life at sea for both the Royal Family and the 220 Royal Yachtsmen who served on board. Our five-star visitor attraction is located in Leith, just two miles from Edinburgh's city centre.
what will you see
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Britannia’s five decks with your free audio guide
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Feel like the captain of the ship in the Bridge
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See Queen Elizabeth II's favourite room
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Discover below decks in the Crew’s Quarters
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Admire a tour highlight, the gleaming Engine Room
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Take in the Royal Sailing Exhibition
Gladstone's Land
Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX
Opening times
Open everyday, 10am 3pm
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Cost
Adult £10.00
Child £6.00
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What they say
One of the oldest buildings on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile
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Explore our new immersive visitor experience that takes you through three centuries of Gladstone’s Land history.
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Learn about the fascinating lives of the people who lived and worked in the property.
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View beautiful, hand-painted ceilings from 1620 – see if you can spot the monkey!
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Join one of our specialist tours to find out more about specific aspects of Old Town history.
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Relax in the ground-floor ice cream parlour and coffee shop, which is inspired by the rich trading history of the building.
Gladstone’s Land has been a commercial and social hub for more than 500 years. It has witnessed momentous social and political change as well as war, fire and disease