There is so much more to Scotland’s Capital City than what you encounter in the guide books. Let a local company, endorse local amenities at local prices which house local punters …
* Do you want to visit Edinburgh and only mingle with Tourists?
* Would you love to explore this spectacular city but don’t know where to start?
Roam North Tours are here to help!
The Sheeps Heid
The Causeway in Duddingston Village.
The village was home to Bonnie Prince Charlie before the Battle of Prestonpans in 1745, it also houses Scotland’s oldest surviving pub, built in 1360.
Enjoy unique history, charm, period features as well as a Skittle Alley (Bookable for £10) as well as beautiful authentic food and a fabulous beer garden for the more pleasant days of the year. This pub has it all, situated next to Arthur’s Seat and the spectator Duddingston Loch, this is a pub you need to visit while in Scotland. (Duddingston Guided Walking Tour, Coming Soon)
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The Artisan
35 London Road, Edinburgh.
A traditional pub with an ornate exterior and an island bar, the Artisan is hugely popular with tourists and locals in Edinburgh. It’s a pubs that seemlesly blends culture with class. A haven for sports fans, but also a local for couples, groups and singles alike, it’s charm and personality oozes out much like it’s beauty. Once the local waterhole of legendary football player George Best while playing at Hibernian, it is also a 5 minute walk from The Hoppy, a bar made famous by the infamous Netflix series, ‘Baby Reindeer’ located on Marrionvile Road.
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Boundary Bar
Situated at 379 Leith Walk, off the Tram Line is home to a truly unique public house.
The name denotes the line ‘boundary’ in the middle of the bar that divides Edinburgh from Leith. One bar, two areas, one amazing atmosphere … Check it out. (Live Music, food and great selection of beers)
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Waverley Bar
Located at the top of St Mary’s Street next to the Worlds End Pub.
This Free House is a gem amongst the litany of bars offering up the same concoctions of supposed Scottish culture.
The Waverley retains authentic character, charm and a vibrant atmosphere. They have hosted the likes of Billy Connolly to The Clancy Brothers, The Corries, Gerry Rafferty, The iconic Dubliners and Barbara Dickson have all played at this famous yet eccentric Edinburgh dynasty. 105 years of history, play your part after our fabulous Old Town Tour, which concludes just out of it.
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Captains Bar
Located on South College Street just off The Bridges, this perfectly dainty pub certainly packs a punch.
It is the beating heart of live Scottish music in Edinburgh. If being serenaded by a folk band is your thing, then Captains is your place.
Step into this historic and atmospheric pub where local folk musicians meet, seated in the snug bar, for traditional tunes and songs of folklore. Join them and enjoy the truly original and intimate experience of being close to singers and musicians who are unamplified and authentically telling the story of Scotland through music. You may hear of Sandy Bells and also The oak, but for authenticity, Captain’s prevails!⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Princess Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens are two adjacent public parks in the centre of Edinburgh, Scotland, lying in the shadow of Edinburgh Castle. The Gardens were created in the 1820s following the long draining of the Nor Loch and building of the New Town, beginning in the 1760s.
The gardens are home to a cafe, play park, fountains, beautiful grass commons that are open to all as well the Ross Band Stand which has played host to some of the world’s biggest acts at the Hogmanay Party under the backdrop of the illuminated castle above.
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Botanical Gardens – Inverleith
The Botanic Garden is a scientific centre for the study of plants, their diversity and conservation, as well as a popular tourist attraction. A beautiful area that is both relaxing and educational.
Founded in 1670 as a physic garden to grow medicinal plants, today it occupies four sites across Scotland—Edinburgh, Dawyck, Logan and Benmore—each with its own specialist collection. The RBGE’s living collection consists of more than 13,302 plant species (34,422 accessions) whilst the herbarium contains in excess of 3 million preserved specimens.
Check the website before you visit as they often host light shows, live acts and exhibitions.
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Saughton Park
One of Edinburgh’s hidden jewels located in Balgreen in the west of the city, located close to the Zoo and Corstorphine Hill. It has a large tract of well-managed open space with playing fields and an athletics track, the biggest skateboard park in Scotland and a modern creative play area. Spread over 34 acres, it also has a delightful formal garden in classic style featuring the largest herbaceous border in Edinburgh with a bandstand and wonderful cafe open to the public.
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Figgate Park
Situated between Duddingston and Portobello in the Mountcastle area of East Edinburgh, the most charming and character filled park lies 1km in length with a burn running through its heart.
This beauty spot doesn’t disappoint. After tireless work from a local group – https://www.figgatepark.org.uk/ the park has went from strength to strength benefiting from it’s own boardwalk over the loch, stunning landscaped grounds, a modern redeveloped Kids adventure park, manicured shrubs and home to an incredible variety of wildlife. Equidistant between local amenities of Portobello High Street and the charm of Duddingston Village.
Take in the tranquility, you’ll be forgiven for thinking your lost in the rugged Scottish Highlands as opposed to a capital city.
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The Meadows
Situated on Melville Drive it consists largely of open grassland crossed by tree-lined paths, but also has a fantastic children’s playground with a Andy Murray mural inspired café next to the Tennis Club, not to mention a Croquet club and recreational sport pitches.
It is bordered by the University of Edinburgh’s George Square campus, the Gordon Aikman Lecture Theatre, the main university library, St Thomas of Aquin’s RC High School and the ultra modern Quartermile development, previously the Edinburgh Infirmary. On to the north, Marchmont, Summerhall and Sciennes to the south and Newington to the east. To the south-west it becomes Bruntsfield Links where there is a free, public Short Hole Golf Course (pitch and putt). Clubs can be collected for £5 at the adilic Golf Tavern Pub.
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Arthur Seat:
Climb an Extinct Volcano in Edinburgh Arthur’s Seat is an extinct volcano in Edinburgh’s Holyrood Park that offers panoramic city views from its 251-meter summit. It is a popular spot for hiking, with trails for all fitness levels, and is a site of significant geological, historical, and scientific interest. Visitors can reach it via a car park near Holyrood Palace, accessible from Queen’s Drive.
Activities and features
The area has a rich history, including evidence of a 2,000-year-old fort. A mysterious discovery of 17 miniature coffins in a cave on the crags remains unsolved today.
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National Museum of Scotland
Located on Chambers Street in the heart of the Old Town, the National Museum of Scotland is a must visit. It literally encompasses it all from antiques to sculpture, exhibitions to the prehistoric era, there is something for all and it is absolutely kid friendly with a wonderful and interactive section for families which truly brings learning to life while keeping it really fun. It’s easy to understand why in 2019, the museum received 2,210,024 visitors, making it Scotland’s most popular visitor attraction that year. Come and see why, and don’t worry about your wallet, it’s free entry.
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Portobello Beach
Edinburgh boasts 16 miles of coastline, none more beautiful than Portobello Beach, a highly popular urban beach in Edinburgh, known for its wide sandy stretch and Victorian-era promenade.
Located east of the city center, it offers a seaside escape with a variety of cafes, restaurants, and shops along the promenade. Some lovely independent cafes such as Miro’s, The Beach House and Otto’s on the High Street. If cafes aren’t your thing, enjoy a local beer in Forrester’s, The Porty Tap or the wonderful Espy on the prom.
You’ll find soft play for the kids at Tumbles, football or Padel at The Power League, amusements at Nobels or an indoor swimming pool at the Baths, not to mention a sailing/boating club and even an outdoor sauna if you wish to warm up after braveley taking a dip in the north sea.
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South Queensferry
A truly spectacular community located at the tail end of Edinburgh, situated under the 3 bridges that connects Edinburgh to the Kingdom of Fife. If you are visiting Edinburgh, South Queensferry should be a non negotiable on the itinerary list.
You can take the train form Waverley/Haymarket Station to Dalmeny or alternatively arrive by bus.
The community is bustling with beautiful shops, cafes and bars. Ferry Tap, Orroco Pier or The Boat House are all highly recommended. The views are quite simply unrivalled, it’s absolutely beautiful, and quite something to behold the Forth Rail Bridge, Forth Road Bridge and The Queensferry Crossing in tandem.
Take in the history and learn about the village by sea, on the Maid Of The Forth Boat Tour, it departs every 30 minutes (see their website) and descend on Inchcolm Island.
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Craigmillar Castle
Everyone that visits Edinburgh instinctively gravitates towards Edinburgh Castle, did you know the city is home to two castles?
Craigmillar Castle is a ruined medieval castle situated three miles (4.8 km) south-east of the city centre on a low hill to the south of the suburb of Craigmillar and now surrounded by the fabulous Little France Park. The Preston family of Craigmillar, the local feudal barons, began building the castle in the late 14th century and building works continued through the 15th and 16th centuries. In 1660, the castle was sold to Sir John Gilmour, Lord President of the Court of Session, who breathed new life into the ageing castle. It is most famous for housing Mary, Queen of Scots as well as featuring in the film Braveheart. It’s located 1km from The Sheep’s Heid in Duddingston Village if you wanted to kill two birds with one stone.
Admission Cost : £7.50
Benefactor : Historic Scotland (Membership Pass valid for entry)
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