W E L C O M E TO TH E
G O O D L I F E
I N
E D I N B U R G H
P L A N N I N G
Edinburgh’s compact size makes it ideal for walking, though the hilly terrain—particularly the climb up to the castle or down to Dean Village—can be demanding.
Private transport is helpful for exploring sites outside the city, such as Rosslyn Chapel or the coast around East Lothian.
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are ideal for milder weather and smaller crowds.
That said, Edinburgh in August is an experience unto itself—the entire city transforms into a vast stage for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the International Festival, the Book Festival, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
While this is one of the most exciting times to visit, it’s also the busiest, with accommodation and dining needing to be booked months in advance. We strongly recommend you reach out early if you’re planning to attend during this period, and we can help coordinate ticketing, private access, and experiences around the chaos.
Staying in or near the Old Town or New Town offers the most immersive experience and easy access to key sites.
Consider the calm of Stockbridge or the elegance of Bruntsfield for a more residential feel—still central, but a bit more refined.
M U S E U M & S I T E B O O K I N G
Edinburgh Castle – Booking ahead is essential, especially in summer and during festival season. If you’re working with one of our guides, we recommend visiting in the morning for the clearest views and quietest experience.
The Royal Yacht Britannia – Tickets are easy to secure online. A good choice for rainy days, but still popular with visitors, especially families, and honestly just a great deal of fun for anyone with any sort of interest in how the Royals lived, or just in the grandeur of a faded age. Allow time to explore nearby Leith as well.
National Museum of Scotland – No ticket required, though special exhibitions may need advance booking. A private guide can make a real difference here, tying together Scottish inventions, folklore, and national identity in compelling ways.
The Writers’ Museum – Small and charming, focused on Burns, Scott, and Stevenson. Entry is free, but hours can be irregular—worth checking in advance.
The Real Mary King’s Close – A fascinating look into Edinburgh’s buried past. Tours book out quickly, especially in summer. We can help arrange private or after-hours access.
Rosslyn Chapel – Located just outside Edinburgh, this ornately carved church has deep ties to Scottish mystery, lore, and yes, the Da Vinci Code. Booking is essential, and private transport or a guide makes the trip much easier.
The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Tickets for the Tattoo sell out fast. Book as early as possible (ideally January–March) for August performances. Ask us about upgraded seating and dining packages with views of the Castle Esplanade.
Fringe Festival – With thousands of performances across hundreds of venues, it’s vital to book headline shows in advance. But the joy of the Fringe is also in the unexpected—our guides can help you navigate the options and get the most out of your time.
S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y P O I N T S
DAY I
Castles, Closes & Canonball Roads
Morning: Begin your day at Edinburgh Castle, ideally with one of our private guides. Not just a fortress but a national symbol, it houses the Stone of Destiny and the Honours of Scotland (the Scottish Crown Jewels).
Pause for views, and the silly attempt that everyone makes to try and take a photo through one of the cannon ports across the city before descending the Royal Mile.
Wander the Mile’s narrow closes and wynds—Lady Stair’s Close, Advocate’s Close—each with their own legends. Pop into St Giles’ Cathedral, a hub of Scottish religious history, with its remarkable
Thistle Chapel.
Lunch: Have a relaxed meal in the Old Town—soup and smoked salmon if it’s brisk out, or haggis and neeps if you’re feeling brave and adventurous. Local favourites include Cullen skink and venison pies.
Afternoon: Visit the Real Mary King’s Close for a tour of the city beneath the city, or head to the National Museum of Scotland, where Dolly the Sheep and the Lewis Chessmen share a home. If literary history calls, detour to the Writers’ Museum tucked into Lady Stair’s Close.
Evening: Have a drink at a historic pub—Deacon Brodie’s or the Sheep Heid Inn—or head to the New Town for a more refined dinner.
During festival season, take in a Fringe show or the Royal Military Tattoo if booked. If not, a pint or a whisky tasting provides a fitting end to the evening.
DAY II
Edinburgh New Town Elegance & Local Secrets
Morning: Start in Dean Village, a photogenic enclave nestled along the Water of Leith. From there, walk through Stockbridge toward the Royal Botanic Garden, a peaceful break from the city centre.
Lunch: Choose something elegant—modern Scottish cuisine with a French or Nordic twist. There’s a thoughtful culinary scene developing in Edinburgh right now, and some of the city’s best cooking comes in quiet dining rooms with stone walls and well-worn wooden floors.
Afternoon: Explore the New Town, an 18th-century masterwork of Georgian planning. Visit the Georgian House or the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. If the weather’s fine, take a walk up Calton Hill for panoramic views of the city framed by classical architecture.
Literary-minded travellers may want to spend time in the Scottish Poetry Library, or stop in at one of the city’s many independent bookshops. It’s also worth mentioning that August’s Book Festival often attracts major names in literature—if this is your thing, we can help you plan accordingly.
Evening: Dine in Leith, Edinburgh’s port district, where dockside warehouses have become fine-dining restaurants.
Finish with a wee dram of whisky in a quiet bar, or take a last walk along the castle-lit streets of the Old Town.
DAY III PLUS
You Might Also Want to Stay Longer, and Here’s Why We Think You Should:
Climb Arthur’s Seat, the extinct volcano that looms over the city, for a view and a bit of wind in your hair. N.B. this is arguably one of the windiest places in the entire universe. Thou hath been warned.
Visit Rosslyn Chapel, a masterwork of stone carving and centuries-old mystery.
Take a day trip to St Andrews, the birthplace of golf and a charming seaside university town, or continue onward to Fife and the East Neuk, with lovely little towns such as Arnstruther and the coastal path to enjoy.
Explore the Borders region—home to ruined abbeys, wool mills for tweed & wollen goods, and literary trails.
And of course, Glen Coe & the Highlands beckon, along with the Isle of Skye, using Edinburgh as your cultural introduction before heading deeper into Scotland’s dramatic landscapes.
M E E T Y O U R G U I D E
All of our guides can offer you a spectacular experience. As each person has a slightly different look at the world, due to their own unique interests and specialties, we'd encourage you to read a few profiles.
