Things to see and do Edinburgh

Popular with children, families and birding enthusiasts in general, the Seabird Centre is a benchmark in Britain for its realistic approach to the world of seabirds. Several webcams provide live views of colonies in their everyday lives on nearby islands, including Bass Rock, which is unique in its kind and populated by some 100,000 Northern Gannets. The very helpful staff and the many children's games make things quite clear and playful. The most passionate will be able to treat themselves to a trip at sea.

Nicknamed the Iona of the East, this abbey is located on an island in the Firth of Forth. Inchcolm Abbey was founded as a priory in 1215 by David I, but Alexander I before him had already dreamed of building a place of worship there after taking refuge there during a storm. Surprisingly well preserved, it is one of the best preserved monastic buildings in Scotland. Remarkable objects include a humpbacked tombstone dating from the 10th century, a superb fresco of a funeral procession and an octagonal chapter house (1200s), as well as remarkable stone screens. The cloister is the most complete of its kind in Scotland, creating a moving atmosphere conducive to meditation. From the 14th to the 16th centuries, there were numerous English raids during the various Anglo-Scottish wars. In 1560, the Reformation put an end to its religious activity but the site remained occupied, particularly militarily. The island is also famous for its wildlife, seals and tusks from the First and Second World Wars

One of the most beautiful views is probably the one you get from the water, when the boat docks.

Practical info: Inchcolm Abbey can be visited by ferry from South Queensferry. Two companies serve the island and offer cruises, with or without a stopover on the island: Forth Boat Tours and Maid of the Forth. Count a 3-hour excursion for about £15 per adult, plus the cost of the site visit. Guided tours are available, as well as a quiz to make it more fun.

A Frenchwoman living in Edinburgh after an instant love affair with the city, Sarah takes you on a guided tour of her beloved capital in French. It offers different tours, to be taken in private or public groups: "On the Tracks of Harry Potter in Edinburgh", "The must-see in Edinburgh", an aperitif-walk, a "Crimes and Punishment" tour and tailor-made tours, according to the participants' requests. She will also be happy to give you her good addresses to have a drink, eat well or discover the hidden jewels of the city.

At the foot of the Balmoral and next to the Princes Mall, this tourist office, called here Edinbugh iCentre, provides a very useful amount of information about the city, but also about the whole country. The brochures are numerous and complete, by theme or region. You will find turnkey programs for an excursion to scare yourself, to marvel, to taste local specialities or to dance. We'll also tell you about the best things to do in the city!

60 metres high, inaugurated in 1844, it is Edinburgh's tribute to one of its greatest men: Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). A total of 68 statues cover him and represent characters from his works. During his lifetime, his novels were best-sellers that were shipped from the port of Leith to London, where they were then distributed throughout Europe. Among the winners are Ivanhoe, Quentin Durward, Waverley, Rob Roy and l'Antiquaire. To get to the top, you'll have to climb 287 steps. His house is visible at 25 George Square.

This magnificent monument, built from 1699 to 1701 by Sir William Bruce, has since been substantially extended by an architect, William Adam. Robert and John, his sons, also architects, took care of the luxurious interior. Hopetoun House has remained unchanged since then, both in its high level of refinement and in its Georgian attributes.

The drawing rooms and the view from the roof are a must, as is the impressive staircase with its trompe l'oeil paintings. The park and the English gardens are also magnificent and the deer are happily roaming around. The family of the Marquis of Linlithgow still lives here, but an association is in charge of preserving the heritage of the place. Many works of art and sumptuous decorations are to be discovered and it is also the occasion to take a tea in the enchanting tea room or to buy some good products from the farm of the domain. Notice to families: Children will love the place, since several areas and activities are dedicated to them. They can walk along a path specially designed to facilitate their visit to the house, dress as they did in the past in Butler's panty, go on a bug hunt, try a treasure hunt (geocaching) or an orienteering race (extra charge of £2), or have fun in the park games.

Practical information : During your visit, depending on your desires or your budget, you can choose to visit the gardens alone (half price) or gardens + house. The parking is free.

Sometimes a retreat for kings in peacetime, sometimes a refuge for Catholics in wartime, the Stuart de Traquair family has always been faithful to the cause of Mary Queen of Scots and the Jacobites. At Traquair House, we discover nearly a thousand years of history. The wooded park is ideal for strolling or adventures in its maze of more than 2,000 m². The plus: the brewery that existed until the 18th century restarted production in 1965 and the products can be tasted. And, uh... The establishment also does B&B, for a night in an extraordinary setting!

Mercat Tours offers several different tours about the history and ghosts of the city. Coupled towers with the castle are possible. An option is available in French: "Fossoyeur d'Histoire". The ghost tour reputed to be the scariest in the city. It takes place entirely under the cobblestones of the old town. Within the dark and damp walls, one witnesses stories staged with a creepy realism. For a challenging exploration of the bowels of the old city, this is the place to be.

Founded in 1446, the Rosslyn Chapel has seen its popularity grow since Dan Brown's novel, The Da Vinci Code. It also (and above all) inspired Walter Scott's poem The Lay of the Last Ministrel. A guide will introduce you to the many treasures of the chapel. You can discover them with the help of explanatory sheets, free sheets or a paid booklet (in French) inviting you to a rich journey. Meet the famous "green man" and many myths. Indoor photos are prohibited, so as not to disturb visitors in large numbers.

The Britannia, Britain's last royal yacht in service from 1953 to 1997, is today a five-star tourist attraction and an exclusive venue for evening events in Edinburgh. Visitors can explore the state apartments, crew quarters and engine room. They can also discover why the Britannia was so special to Queen Elizabeth II and the Royal Family, and what life was like on board for the crew. The Britannia occupies a special place in maritime history as the latest in a long line of royal yachts. To guarantee entry, it is advisable to book tickets online in advance. The Britannia is also the sister ship of the Fingal Hotel, where guests can extend their stay in one of the luxurious cabins.

The Water of Leith Walkway is over 13 km long, between Balerno in the west and Leith Harbour in the east. This Garden of Eden is a real luxury for such a big city. Ideal for escaping the hustle and bustle of the streets, it crosses the lush green Dean Gardens along the river. You will see some of the statues from 6 Times, a project by the artist Antony Gormley, who designed the Angel of the North in Newcastle. Between Miller Row and Saunders Street is St Bernard's Well, a small neo-classical temple dedicated to the health goddess Hygieia.

Its three towers dominate the West End skyline and are visible from many places in Edinburgh, including Princes Street. The different phases of its construction spanned from 1874 to 1917 and the cathedral now has some beautiful neo-Gothic features. It is famous for its Paolozzi stained glass windows, Robert Lorimer's crucifix and massive organs. Its choir is one of the most active and recognized in the country.

Created in 1582, it is the fifth oldest English-speaking university on the planet and was at the centre of the Enlightenment movement in Scotland. Charles Darwin, David Hume, Alexander Graham Bell, Sir Conan Doyle, Robert L. Stevenson and Sir Walter Scott have all passed through its walls. Today, the most famous buildings are the Old College (1789) on South Bridge, the New College (1846) on Mound Place and the buildings dividing Bistro Square: the Medical School (1880), McEwan Hall (1897) and Teviot Row House (1889) which is the oldest student union built in history and has no less than six bars. Several museums depend on the university, if three are accessible only by appointment or with limited schedules/dates (anatomy, natural history and geology; see website), two others are open to the public.

Talbot Rice Gallery: this contemporary art gallery offers temporary exhibitions by international artists.

St. Cecilia's Hall: it has one of the largest collections of musical instruments in the world.

Opened in 1960, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art is the temple of modern and contemporary art in Scotland. It consists of two buildings along Belford Road. Information is available in French and also adapted to families, with activities, installations and workshops designed specifically to introduce young audiences to art. The most "hip" or "connected" will download the dedicated free application: Smartify. By scanning the work, you will read a lot of additional information about the artist, the context of creation...

In Modern One, all the big names from the end of the 19th century to the present day are present: Henri Matisse, Georges Braque, Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Louise Bourgeois, Damien Hirst, Douglas Gordon, Anthony Gormley and Bill Viola. The whole on two floors and 22 rooms, with a shop and a small but very popular café.

The Modern Two is dedicated to the surrealists with René Magritte, Salvador Dali or Alberto Giacometti. Another room houses a reproduction of Eduardo Paolozzi's studio and one can admire his famous Vulcan sculpture of more than 7 metres. It is also here that the temporary exhibitions (sometimes paying exhibitions, online programming) can be found, as well as a library and a second café.

The gardens between the two galleries are themselves the work of Charles Jenks and host the works of sculptors such as Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore, Rachel Whiteread and Nathan Coley.

In 1424, King James ^I launched the construction of this palace on the shores of Loch Linlithgow, after a fire had razed the town's previous castle. It quickly became the royal residence of choice for the Stuarts, who appreciated the tranquility and the country setting. It was also an ideal stopover between Stirling and Edinburgh, where the court regularly visited. James V and Mary Queen of Scots were both born here. However, when her son, James VI, united the crowns of Scotland and England in 1603, he moved to London and Linlithgow Palace lost its royal use. It was kept in good condition until it was partially destroyed by fire in 1743, so that today you can see mainly the ruins. It is no less romantic and its central fountain is a masterpiece. It was the inspiration for the fountain in the Palace of Holyrood in the capital. A detour to the medieval St Michael's Church, which stands next to it, is a must. We also like the superb landscape which places the palace in a setting, between luxuriant vegetation and deep blue waters of the eponymous loch. The walk in the garden is also very enjoyable.

Smart info : There are guides and quizzes in French to know everything about the site and to have fun exploring it, between adults and with the family. And if you're around at the end of June, check out the annual Spectacular Jousting at Linlithgow Palace! (Reservations are available and recommended online.)

During its various reigns, the royal family acquired a sumptuous collection of works of art from all over the world. The Queen's Gallery was inaugurated by Her Majesty in 2002 and showcases some of the greatest masters of classical, baroque and Flemish painting, as well as pieces acquired during trips abroad. It is housed in an old Victorian church, just across the street from the Scottish Parliament. The exhibitions change regularly and the programming can be consulted online.

This is probably the best ghost tour available. Your guides will lead you through Old Town to tell you the most disturbing legends at nightfall. 4 tours take you into the bowels of the city, to the South Bridge underground: the Vaults tour (60 min), the Haunted vaults tour (60 min), the Ghost & torture tour (for private groups only) and the Terror Group (at 10pm, adults only). Here the worst atrocities took place, perpetrated by criminals and witches. Sensitive souls should not go!

Since 1993, Rabbie's Tours has been offering ethical small group tours throughout Scotland. Driver-guides who know the stories, sights and secrets of the regions follow off-the-beaten-path itineraries created and tested by travel enthusiasts. This is an opportunity to support local communities. A wide range of options are available, from one-day to two-week adventures through distillery visits, castles or even private tailor-made itineraries. There are also tours of Edinburgh.

The neoclassical building designed by William Henry Playfair houses a collection of European paintings. First opened in 1859, it contains paintings by Gainsborough, Goya, Francis Bacon, William Blake, Vincent Van Gogh and de Vinci. On the French side, Cézanne, Monet, Delacroix and Ingres are also present. Do not miss the two famous paintings by Titian devoted to the myth of Diana and Actaeon and the series of the seven sacraments of the Church by Poussin.

Designed by the Spanish Enric Miralles, the construction of the Scottish Parliament's headquarters was spread out from 1999 to 2004. Today, this boldly shaped building stands in stark contrast to the rest of Old Town and its neighbour, the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Some people love it, others hate it... It can be visited free of charge: an interactive exhibition explains the role, functioning, history and architecture of parliament. Several guided tours (to be booked) are available: classic, "Architecture tour", "Art tour" and "Photography Tour".

This colossus overlooking the hill was completed in 1815 to celebrate the victory of Trafalgar by the famous Admiral Nelson ten years earlier. In 1853, a huge sphere was installed on top of the Nelson Monument. Every day, at 1pm, she is hoisted up a mast and then released to give the time to the sailors of Leith. In its tiny museum, this story is told alongside some documents on the legendary naval battle that defeated Napoleon. At the top, the view is pleasant, but not much different from Calton Hill.

Opened in 1913, this 33-hectare zoo is home to more than a thousand animals from 170 different species. Its two giant pandas, the only ones in Britain, arrived from China at the end of 2011: Tian Tian ("Honey"), the female, and Yang Guang ("Sunlight"), the male, are its main attraction. Koalas are also very popular, and there are many other fascinating specimens such as chimpanzees, penguins, Asian lions, Sumatran tigers, zebras, rhinos and many others.

A collection of toys, dolls, costumes and equipment provides a fun and educational insight into the lives of these children from the Victorian era... And the adults' eyes on them! We also talk about school, daily life, sports clubs, leisure and holidays. More recent objects, vintage, also play on the nostalgic fibre of visitors, children in the 1980s or 1990s.

This beautiful columned building dating from 1832 houses Scotland's largest museum of medical science. We owe his emergence to the architect William Playfair, also father of the National Gallery of Scotland, who was a great collector of utensils related to medicine. Surgical instruments, cabinet of curiosities, pathological specimens, odontological exhibition: the immersion in the history of the treatment and exploration of the human body is impressive.

L'info en + Petit Futé: The museum offers a guided walk on the theme "Blood and guts". It is an invitation to discover the history of medicine in Edinburgh on foot. It takes place every Saturday and Sunday at 2pm, departing from the museum. Your guide will introduce you to the medical history of Edinburgh, with its intrigues, rivalries and key discoveries. Walk in the footsteps of anatomists, surgeons and doctors, go where they worked, operated and conducted their medical research. This tour is an opportunity to soak up little-known accounts by iconic writers and frightening stories including chloroform teas, grave robbery and anecdotes about Britain's first serial killers, the infamous Burke and Hare. Visits are in English and, like the museum, are not recommended for sensitive souls.

The Writers' Museum packed its suitcases full of books in Lady Stair's House, a narrow medieval house in the Royal Mile (1622). It traces the lives of three famous Scottish writers: Robert Burns (1759-1796), Robert L. Stevenson (1850-1894), and Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832). Through manuscripts, paintings, portraits, personal effects, engravings and photographs, their paths are retraced. The top floor features a superb Ballantyne press, on which Sir Walter Scott's first edition of Waverley was printed.

This museum reconstructs a Victorian-era printing press. It shows the oldest printing presses in the United Kingdom and allows visitors to visit the office of Robert Smail, the printer, which has hardly been modified since 1866. This museum is a rare opportunity to see a press from this period in operation. A must for book lovers and industrial tourism enthusiasts, especially since the museum was awarded in 2017 as "Best Heritage Tourism Experience".

Famous for his in situ interventions in important British cities, the London sculptor Antony Gormley has installed a set of human silhouettes carved in the River Leith. The first is buried shoulder-deep in front of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the other five are in the water. You can be surprised by their presence as you take a pleasant walk along the green banks of the river, which you catch up with from the museum, to Dean Village and to the port of Leith, where the last sculpture is located.

Legend attributes the discovery of this source to Bernard de Clairvaux, founder of the Cistercian order. This water would have cured him. Later, chemical analyses attest to its medical interest in soothing intestinal disorders. In 1788, a lord bought the spring and built a small neoclassical-inspired temple dedicated to the goddess of health, Hygieia. This picturesque building has been the subject of many paintings. Steps lead up to a terrace below the temple, from which there are beautiful views of the river.

A picturesque atmosphere emanates from this group of workers' houses, built between 1861 and 1911, structured in lines along the Leith River. Each walkway has been assigned to a trade that can be guessed by observing the work instruments carved in low relief on the wall of the houses overlooking Glenogle road. Their front door is located on the first floor, clearing the pediment of the houses to shelter lovely gardens.

Fans of art, crafts and design will come here to stroll through the former Victorian baths, which have been converted into a vast exhibition space. Popular artists come to present their work and creators are constantly working on it. Ceramics, pieces by cabinetmakers and glassblowers, contemporary furniture, jewellery, paintings and many others are displayed on several bright floors. The Tapestry Studio showcases the contemporary art of hand-woven tapestry and is world-renowned.

The National Library regularly exhibits a selection of manuscripts, engravings and other works on paper on various themes. Two temporary exhibitions are scheduled during the year. The John Murray Archive is on permanent display. Other famous manuscripts include Charles Darwin's original Origin of Species, but also rare books in gaelic scottish and Lowland scots, as well as old maps.

What better place than the base of a former volcano to erect a museum in honour of Earth sciences? Our Dynamic Earth opened in 1999, in memory of local geologist James Hutton, whose work was taken over by Darwin himself. The long white curve of the structure that appears to answer the stony rock on Salisbury Hill Hill is reminiscent of a shell. Behind its walls, videos, light cards, 3 D animation and interactive screens make the Big-bang, galaxies, world history, its glaciations, mountains, volcanoes, tectonic plates and natural disasters. Our beautiful blue planet will have no secrets for you.

Edinburgh's celebrity does not rest solely on its ghosts, but fortunately also on its illustrious writers! Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson are evoked with humour and panache by Clart and McBrain, a duo of actors who take up the role. They walk you between the houses, courtyards and pubs where these personalities lived, got drunk and wrote their prose. Please note: the tour includes a pub crawl, minors (under 18 years old) are not allowed and the price of consumption is extra.

This excellent gallery of contemporary art is particularly innovative thanks to quality programming. It shows both international and local artists and a very good bookstore dedicated to discipline. Just opposite the train station, it allows you to extend the pleasures of the National Gallery of Modern Art for those who like it. Also a coffee.

Built in the 12th century, the castle of Dirleton was the residence of three noble families for 400 years: the de Vauxes, the Haliburtons and the Ruthvens. The latter plotted here against Mary Stuart and James VI. It was during the Wars of Independence that he entered most deeply into Scottish history. It was largely devastated during Cromwell's Civil War, before the land was bought back in the 1660s to build a manor house. Beautiful Victorian and Arts & Crafts gardens are also laid out here.

Newhailes is a pleasant villa of the 17th century on a vast wooded park. If its front may seem a little austere, it has been finely decorated, in particular thanks to the Dalrymple family who was influential in the Enlightenment movement. The decorative elements are original, like Chinese wallpaper. The guided tour lasts 75 min. There is a 45 min version available at a reduced price (bookings possible). The Weehailes Park is fun for children.

Owned by the Dalyell family since 1612, this interesting house reflects the architectural trend of the time, which sought to combine defensive fortifications with space and comfort. Its large white façade is enhanced by turrets and behind the windows are rooms of great aesthetic quality. Among other things, you can see refined paintings, porcelain and rich furniture from the end of the ^19th and beginning of the ^20th century. Specific times for guided tours to be checked. The estate is more accessible.

The Musselburgh Museum changes its exhibitions every year or every two years, on themes related to the city or the Lothian. Its location and access to natural resources have helped to make the city a city of emulation and dynamism, taking an active part in the history of Scotland. In the past, the museum has dealt with war, the Roman Empire, the fishing industry or education. Be careful, it can sometimes close its doors during installation time. The programming is available online.

If John Muir is not very well known in France, he is a great star in Scotland, but especially in the United States, where he emigrated in 1849 with his parents and became a great defender of the national parks. He is partly responsible for California's Yosemite National Park or Sequoia National Park. In this house where he was born, we discover his life, his travels and the vast legacy he left us. Some excerpts from his journals allow us to follow in his footsteps and share his love for nature and the wild world.

Belhaven is one of Scotland's leading beer brands and you've bound to have come across it at the pub counter in Scotland. It is said to have been brewing in Dunbar since 1719, where its premises are still located. Its high level of activity restricts visits to groups of 12 and it is necessary to make reservations on their website or by telephone. Fans will still take the trouble, because the tour lasts no less than 2 hours and plunges into the heart of the history of the site and its manufacturing process. A tasting is of course organized at the end!

This small village museum is located on the edge of the Firth of Forth, in the shadow of the famous Forth Bridge. It tells the story of Queensferry and its people through its bridges and strategic location between Lothian and the Kingdom of Fife. It will be of interest to lovers of local and social history, folklore traditions, but also civil engineering (history of the bridge, the construction site...). In addition to its permanent exhibitions, it also has temporary exhibitions, which are regularly renewed. Note: the site offers a breathtaking view of the estuary.

The guides tell you all the little anecdotes, from the great buildings to the small dark alleys. They tell you about the witches, the Covenanters, the Enlightenment, Harry Potter, Greyfriars Bobby, Dr Jekyll & Mr Hyde... An excellent first approach. Specialized paid tours are also available.

Pub Crawl: every night at 8pm for £15. Your wristband allows you to participate in an unlimited way for the rest of the year.

Inspired by the Athenian Temple of the Four Winds, the City Observatory was an astronomical observatory from 1776 to 2009. The Collective Gallery moved there in 2018. It is a contemporary art gallery specializing in visual arts. Free tours (in English) are offered every Saturday at 2pm. The exhibitions vary and systematically feature international contemporary artists who are committed to thinking about urban space. Try out the audioguides to discover Carlton Hill through the eyes of different artists.

This lively and frightening visit to the city's basements is as much fun as it is thrilling thanks to eleven actors and numerous special effects. On the program: torture room, labyrinth, boat ride, staging and historical characters such as the cannibal Sawney Bean or the serial killers Burke and Hare. The tours leave every 10 minutes and last 80 minutes. Attention: children (under 15 years old) must be accompanied and the visit is not recommended for children under 8 years old. Special tours for an adult audience are also available.

In the heart of Edinburgh, this small distillery produces a gin that is appreciated by experts and offers small group visits to discover this industry which, far from equaling the figures for whisky, remains one of Scotland's specialities. The classic tour lasts 45 minutes and ends with a tasting, with expert guides who will share their passion with you. When the visits stop, the Heads & Tales bar takes over in a cosy setting where you can enjoy cocktails and tapas. The tiny shop, in a cellar, is accessible without visits.

As its name suggests, the People's Story Museum tells the story of the people of Edinburgh from the 18th century to the present day. It shows the evolution of work, living conditions, but also morals and ideas. Mannequins, objects and descriptions relate the everyday life of the people and their city. Trade, day-to-day subsistence, war, the homosexual community, the alcohol and printing industry, trade unions, fishing, the navy, mining, transport, domesticity: everything is depicted, right up to the punk movements of the 1990s. The exhibition takes place on 3 levels, in a superb historical building from 1591, which was the headquarters of the independent municipality of Canongate. You can also discover the atmosphere of "The Canongate Toolbooth": a prison with the reputation of being one of the worst that the 18th century had known. Amongst the points covered by this museum, the Little Face was fascinated by the links between the riots of the 1780s and 1790s in Edinburgh and their influence on the French Revolution. Born out of opposition to the Catholic Church and anger over rising food prices, they were suppressed in blood and most likely gave impetus to the movement that took place in France. Moreover, as a witness to this link, a replica of a key to the Bastille is on display here. There is also a focus on the birth of the "unions" in the 1800s and the socialist movements.

This museum, which opened in 2006, is a young museum in Edinburgh, as its neighbours have been living there for a long time. He specializes in money, the banking system and the economy. It may not sound very sexy, but its location in the heart of the former Bank of Scotland headquarters and its didactic aspect make the visit very informative. The history of money, the rise of capitalism and insurance, the role of banking over time and real estate after the Industrial Revolution are the main themes discussed.

The City Art Centre specialises in Scottish painting from the 17th century to the present day, with over 4,500 works by major artists such as William McTaggart, Joan Eardley, George Henry, Edward Hornel, William George Gillies, Anne Redpath and Elizabeth Blackadder. Contemporary artists include Christine Borland, Rosalind Nashashibi and Toby Paterson. Edinburgh is, of course, the subject of many subjects, as are the Highlands, the sea and portraits. Temporary exhibitions are also organized.

Contemporary art lovers will not miss the Royal Scottish Academy after their visit to the Scottish National Gallery. This neighboring pavilion overlooking Princes Street, the fruit of the same architect, houses temporary exhibitions of Scottish artists, painting, sculpture, and also videos and installations. The permanent collection includes many works of the Academy's historical members, which is funded independently.

The Linlithgow Canal Centre is located a short walk from the city centre, where the Union Canal, which has linked Edinburgh to Glasgow since 1822, flows. This small museum, the only one on the canals in Scotland, retraces their history and also offers several boat trips, from 20 minutes to 4 hours (times online). The more experienced can also take advantage of rentals to sail according to their desires. There is also a tea room on site. The boat ride, but also the surroundings, is charming and very suitable for a family outing.