Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a city which needs little introduction. It’s famous for its dramatic skyline – where piercing spires and proud monuments jostle for ascendancy – and for its web of slender alleyways or ‘wynds’, which radiate through the heart of the Old Town, each with their own intriguing story to tell. It’s home to an exciting array of galleries, museums and festivals, and to glorious green spaces, including the extensive Princes Street Gardens and Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano. And then there’s the magnificent castle, the graceful Georgian architecture and the increasingly innovative culinary scene…

Despite such wealth of interest, Edinburgh isn’t large, and can be easily navigated on foot. We provide notes for three self-guided walking tours, each exploring a different area of the city – from the historic Old Town that clusters around the Royal Mile to the Neoclassical New Town, where illustrious art galleries and serene Georgian crescents reign supreme. Our third tour leads away from the centre in the direction of Leith, the city’s historic seaport.

Wherever you choose to explore, you can be sure of a thoroughly enjoyable experience – Edinburgh is a beautiful city, with something for everyone.

Explore the city

Notes for self-guided walking tours included

Notes for self-guided walking tours included

Edinburgh may be popular but many of its corners still lie undiscovered. Our notes focus both on the highlights and on what remains hidden, providing all the information you’d expect on a guided tour, with the advantage that you can explore at your own pace and detour as and when you wish.

Edinburgh’s ancient heart
The city’s historic thoroughfare, the ‘Royal Mile’, is bookended by the star attractions of Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Palace of Holyrood. Our tour visits these, of course, as well as other such major sights as St Giles’ Cathedral with its amazing pre-Raphaelite stained glass. We also lead you to the Mile’s lesser-known gems: visit James Court where philosopher David Hume lived and where Scottish Enlightenment developed, and pause in Fishmarket Close – this one-time fish market was the reputed workplace of Robinson Crusoe author Daniel Defoe at the time he was working as a secret agent for the English government.

The Neoclassical New Town
Confined by a ring of marshland, medieval Edinburgh was for centuries unable to expand northwards, until the civil engineers of the 18th century found a way to bridge the valley. This initiated the building of what we now refer to as the ‘New Town’: a Georgian district that reaches the banks of the River Leith and which provides the setting for our second walking tour. We begin in Charlotte Square, one of the most exclusive addresses in Edinburgh and the location of the exquisitely preserved ‘Georgian House’ – well worth a visit to discover how the wealthy lived in Regency Scotland. You’ll also have the opportunity to call into the Scottish National Gallery and to climb the towering Scott Monument – the largest monument dedicated to a writer anywhere in the world – before continuing via the impressive Palladian mansion of Dundas House and a number of private art galleries to finish among the grand crescents of Edinburgh’s north-west quarter.

Green spaces of Leith
Our third route follows the highly praised Water of Leith Walkway, which passes many places of interest on its 12-mile journey from Balerno to Leith. We recommend joining the trail for its final stretch, perhaps first paying a visit to Edinburgh’s beautiful Botanical Gardens which lie on the route, and whose 70 acres of gardens and 10 glasshouses with their 3,000 exotic plants are a real pleasure to explore.
Visit a gallery

There’s plenty to choose from…

There’s plenty to choose from…

With three major art museums and its fair share of independent galleries, Edinburgh is a must for art lovers. The Scottish Portrait Gallery is a good place to start – this beautifully renovated building provides a breathtaking introduction to Scottish history – though fine art enthusiasts may want to make straight for the Scottish National Gallery, whose well-regarded collection holds works from both Scottish and international artists. The last of the ‘big three’ is the Scottish Galleries of Modern Art, where Surrealist paintings hold sway. Specialist galleries include Dovecot Studios, dedicated to the art of tapestry; Ingelby Gallery, one of the country’s leading private galleries; and Stills, which, as the name suggests, focusses on photographic art.
Soak in the views

Get up high

Get up high

Edinburgh’s undulating cityscape is best admired from above, and you have a wide choice of vantage points: from its position on Castle Rock, the city’s famous fortress offers spectacular, far-reaching views; as does the extinct volcano of Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park. The 287 steps of the Scott Monument are well worth climbing for the panoramas from the top, or for a different perspective, why not ascend Calton Hill? On a clear day, the vistas stretch across to Leith and the Firth of Forth, and you can also take a closer look at the curious National Monument, situated on the hill. Intended as a replica of the Parthenon in Athens, it was never completed due to a lack of funds, but is nonetheless an iconic feature on the city’s skyline.

Where you stay

We offer a choice of two superb hotels, both quietly located but within easy reach of the city centre. Please state your preference when booking.

We provide suggestions for where to eat out in the documentation that we send you prior to your holiday.

2 nights
Nira Caledonia
Edinburgh
Located across two handsome Georgian buildings in the city's elegant New Town district, Nira Caledonia is only a short, scenic walk from the centre, yet it feels a world away. Personal service is important here, with staff really going the extra mile to make guests' stays special, and the hotel restaurant is committed to using locally sourced produce. The décor throughout is discretely luxurious, with the bedrooms comfortable and well-equipped (we include Petite Double rooms; upgrade for more space).

Meal arrangements: breakfast only
2 nights
The Dunstane Houses
Edinburgh
The wonderful owners of this very special property hail from Orkney, and in The Dunstane Houses they have created a top-class contemporary hotel experience which evokes their beloved homeland. Despite the 5-star status, there is no pomp or pretension – the staff are welcoming and friendly, and the gorgeous bar and lounge area is extremely inviting, whether on an autumn evening or during the endlessly illuminated days of a Scottish summer. Bedrooms are individually decorated and so well-equipped that you may never wish to leave! If you do venture out, the hotel is located slightly away from the centre in the Haymarket area of the city, so we recommend taking a 10-minute bus to reach the main sights.

Meal arrangements: breakfast only

Prices

All prices are in £ sterling (GBP). If you'd like to see what they equate to in your currency, use the converter. For general information on pricing, see the 'your holiday price explained' page.

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Prices for first-named hotel (£ per person based on 2 sharing)

Add-on price

Nira Caledonia, 2 nights: 15 September 2020 - 31 October 2020 & 01 April 2021 - 31 October 2021

Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Add on 2 nights	Single supplement
15 - 30 Sep 2020 #	£206	£124
1 - 29 Oct 2020 #	£174	£100
1 - 30 Apr 2021 #	£150	£120
1 May - 30 Jun 2021 #	£230	£120
1 - 31 Jul 2021 #	£254	£120
1 - 31 Aug 2021	£370	£60
1 - 30 Sep 2021 #	£230	£120
1 - 29 Oct 2021 #	£190	£110

# Nira Caledonia, Fridays & Saturdays: add £30pp (£30 in a single room) for stays 15 Sep-31 Oct 2020; 6 Apr-27 May 2021; 1 Jun-31 Jul 2021; 1 Sep-31 Oct 2021
# Nira Caledonia, all dates: add £30pp (£30 in a single room) for stays 2-5 Apr 2021; add £60pp (£60 in a single room) for stays 28-30 May 2021

# The Dunstane Houses, Fridays & Saturdays: add £25pp (£25 in a single room) for stays 1-31 Oct 2020, 4-30 Apr 2021 & 1-31 Oct 2021; add £35pp (£35 in a single room) for stays 15-30 Sep 2020 & 1 May-30 Sep 2021; add £60 (£60 in a single room) for stays 2-3 Apr 2021

Prices for The Dunstane Houses (£ per person based on 2 sharing)

Add-on price

The Dunstane Houses, 2 nights: 15 September 2020 - 31 October 2020 & 01 April 2021 - 31 October 2021

Start any day | End by latest date(s) shown above

Starting	Add on 2 nights	Single supplement
15 - 30 Sep 2020 #	£300	£160
1 - 29 Oct 2020 #	£250	£160
1 - 30 Apr 2021 #	£250	£160
1 May - 30 Sep 2021 #	£300	£160
1 - 29 Oct 2021 #	£250	£160

Room upgrades & extra nights for first hotel

Room upgrades (£ per person per night)

Nira Caledonia, Edinburgh
Executive double: 15 Sep - 30 Sep 2020	£10
Executive double: 01 Oct - 31 Oct 2020	£6
Executive double: 01 Apr - 31 May 2021	£10
Executive double: 01 Jun - 30 Jun 2021	£20
Executive double: 01 Jul - 31 Jul 2021	£10
Executive double: 01 Aug - 31 Aug 2021	£20
Executive double: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2021	£10
Executive twin: 15 Sep - 30 Sep 2020	£45
Executive twin: 01 Oct - 31 Oct 2020	£40
Executive twin: 01 Apr - 31 May 2021	£45
Executive twin: 01 Jun - 30 Jun 2021	£55
Executive twin: 01 Jul - 31 Jul 2021	£45
Executive twin: 01 Aug - 31 Aug 2021	£55
Executive twin: 01 Sep - 31 Oct 2021	£45
Suite 'plus': 15 Sep - 30 Sep 2020	£50
Suite 'plus': 01 Oct - 31 Oct 2020	£45
Suite 'plus': 01 Apr - 30 May 2021	£55
Suite 'plus': 01 Jun - 31 Jul 2021	£50
Suite 'plus': 01 Aug - 31 Aug 2021	£65
Suite 'plus': 01 Sep - 30 Sep 2021	£55
Suite 'plus': 01 Oct - 31 Oct 2021	£45

Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

Nira Caledonia, Edinburgh (B&B)	Double room	Single room
15 Sep - 30 Sep 2020 #	£90	£144
01 Oct - 31 Oct 2020 #	£76	£120
01 Apr - 30 Apr 2021 #	£66	£116
01 May - 30 Jun 2021 #	£100	£150
01 Jul - 31 Jul 2021 #	£112	£162
01 Aug - 31 Aug 2021	£160	£185
01 Sep - 30 Sep 2021 #	£100	£150
01 Oct - 31 Oct 2021 #	£85	£133

Room upgrades & extra nights - The Dunstane Houses

Extra nights (£ per person per night) in a double or single room

The Dunstane Houses, Edinburgh (B&B)	Double room	Single room
15 Sep - 30 Sep 2020 #	£130	£200
01 Oct - 31 Oct 2020 #	£110	£180
01 Apr - 30 Apr 2021 #	£110	£180
01 May - 30 Sep 2021 #	£130	£200
01 Oct - 31 Oct 2021 #	£110	£180

# The Dunstane Houses, Fridays & Saturdays: add £25pp (£25 in a single room) for stays 1-31 Oct 2020, 4-30 Apr 2021 & 1-31 Oct 2021; add £35pp (£35 in a single room) for stays 15-30 Sep 2020 & 1 May-30 Sep 2021; add £60 (£60 in a single room) for stays 2-3 Apr 2021

Getting to the city centre

This information is for guidance only; no travel is included in our prices and you should pay locally for your chosen option.

Edinburgh has two main railway stations, Haymarket and Waverley. The latter is the main station and is located in the Old Town, while Haymarket is further out. Local taxis are readily available from both.

For more information about travelling between the airport and city centre, please see below or visit the Edinburgh Airport website.

Getting between the airport and the city (8 miles):

Public transport	Approx. duration	Frequency
Shuttle bus or tram	30 minutes	regular departures

Other options	Approx. duration	Approx. cost
Taxi	25 minutes	£30

Edinburgh City Add-On

Holiday information

Edinburgh

Sightseeing

Where you stay