9am: Breakfast at Loudons

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Loudons New Waverley (2 Sibbald Walk) is known for its healthy, homemade dishes with plenty of gluten-free and vegan options. Its breakfast menu includes a full breakfast (vegetarian and vegan alternatives), hot-filled rolls, pancakes, eggs benedict and more.  

10am: Explore the Royal Mile

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The Royal Mile is made up of five streets which run through the heart of Old Town. It was coined the Royal Mile as it’s a ‘Scots mile’ long and connects Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Walking the full length of the Royal Mile and exploring its various ‘closes’ (Scots term for alleyways) along the way will give you a good feel for the area. Starting at Edinburgh Castle, continue down to High Street, which is home to St Giles' Cathedral and Parliament Hall, through the Canongate which is named after the monks of Holyrood Abbey (known as 'canons') who would walk (‘gait’ in the Scots language) along the street, and you’ll eventually end up at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

12pm: Lunch at Clarinda's Tearoom

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Clarinda’s Tearoom (69 Canongate) has been delighting visitors with its homemade scones, China teacups and lace tablecloths since 1976. Interestingly, the tearoom is named ‘Clarinda’ as a nod to one of Edinburgh’s love stories. Scotland’s national poet Robert Burns met Agnes (Nancy) McLehose and the pair began a secret love affair through correspondence using the pseudonyms ‘Sylvander & Clarinda’. It’s believed that Burns penned his song ‘Ae Fond Kiss’ as an ode to her. 

2pm: Visit One of Edinburgh’s Royal Residences

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As we’ve mentioned, the Royal Mile is bookended by two royal residences. Edinburgh Castle sits at one end on top of Castle Rock and is one of the oldest fortified places in Europe and the most besieged place in Britain. Within the castle walls is a mix of museums, historic architecture and artefacts plus spectacular views over the city. At the foot of the Royal Mile lies the King's official residence in Scotland, the Palace of Holyroodhouse. A portion of the Palace is open to visitors including 14 state apartments, the ruins of the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey and the royal gardens.

6pm: Dinner at Arcade Bar Haggis & Whisky House

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The Arcade Bar (48 Cockburn Street) is the only Haggis & Whisky Pub in Edinburgh. If you’re visiting Scotland for the first time, you may be looking to try our national dish and enjoy a dram and the Arcade Bar has you covered with one hundred whiskies and various ways to try the legendary dish such as haggis bon bons and haggis stuffed chicken. They also offer gluten-free and vegan haggis options!

9am: Breakfast at Söderberg The Meadows

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Soderberg is a well-loved independent Edinburgh chain. Its Meadows branch (27 Simpson Loan) was the first to open and won over locals and students with its delicious array of authentic Swedish sandwiches, bread, pastries, and cakes. If you’re blessed with good weather, why not grab a to-go drink and pastry and enjoy a wander through the Meadows. 

10am: National Museum of Scotland

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You could easily spend a whole day at the National Museum of Scotland. Located on Chambers Street, the museum is spread out over eight floors with a large portion of the museum dedicated to taking you on a journey through Scotland’s fascinating history. There are also wonderful exhibitions for little ones and families to enjoy such as its popular “Animal World” and “Explore” exhibitions as well as a mixture of permanent exhibitions complimented by an exciting programme of temporary exhibitions. On the very top floor, you’ll find a roof terrace which is open during good weather and offers a different vantage point over Edinburgh.

12pm: Lunch at the Outsider

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Sitting on George IV Bridge, the Outsider (15-16 George IV Bridge) is a popular bistro with wonderful views over to Edinburgh Castle. It’s known for its modern European cuisine using fresh, seasonal produce and offers an ever-changing selection of specials as well as a lunch menu which includes its popular steamed mussel dish, chargrilled burger and pan-fried sweet potato gnocchi.

1pm: Greyfriars Kirkyard

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Greyfriars Kirk and Kirkyard have played an important part in Scottish history including being the site of the signing of the National Covenant in 1638. At the entrance to the Kirkyard, you’ll spot a bronze statue of the beloved Greyfriars Bobby and as you walk around the Kirkyard, you’ll spot several Mort Safes which prevented grave robbers from digging up bodies and selling them to the Medical College. You may also spot crowds of visitors huddled around certain gravestones as it is believed that J.K. Rowling used them as inspiration when naming characters for Harry Potter.

3pm: Victoria Street and Grassmarket

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The Grassmarket is a hub of hotels, small businesses and places to eat with marvellous views up to Edinburgh Castle. The area was once a market for Old Town with many drovers coming to sell their cattle. Today, the area continues to host a popular market featuring food and craft stalls every Saturday from 10am-5pm. Branching off from the Grassmaket, Victoria Street is one of Edinburgh’s most picturesque streets which is also home to a range of wonderful small businesses like the Red Door Gallery (42 Victoria Street), Walker Slater (16-20 Victoria Street) and Swish (22-24 Victoria Street).

6pm: Dinner at Angels with Bagpipes

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Located in a 16th-century building, Angels with Bagpipes (343 High Street) is an independent family restaurant. Since it opened in 2010, the restaurant has quickly become one of the best Scottish restaurants in the city offering visitors a modern Scottish seasonal menu using fresh ingredients from Scotland’s natural larder.

8am: Calton Hill

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Let’s begin our day with a walk up Calton Hill. The hill is one of the smallest of the city’s seven hills, but it still offers some of the best views over the Capital and beyond. Look north for views over the Firth of Forth and Fife; you’ll spot another of Edinburgh’s hills to the south, Arthur’s Seat; west for views along Princes Street towards Edinburgh Castle; and east offers views of Portobello, the Bass Rock and North Berwick Law. 

9am: Breakfast at Papii

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Papii (101 Hanover Street) is a well-loved neighbourhood café that offers a range of scrumptious breakfast and brunch options. One of its specialities is its homemade buttermilk waffles that come with a range of topping options such as fresh strawberries & maple syrup and crispy bacon with maple syrup. 

10am: The Georgian House

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Completed in 1820, Charlotte Square was the climax of James Craig’s New Town plan. The National Trust for Scotland has beautifully restored no 7 Charlotte Square for visitors to discover what life in a typical, wealthy New Town home of the early 19th century would have looked like. The museum covers several floors which feature a lavishly furnished drawing room and elegant master bedroom as well as a kitchen and servants’ rooms in the basement which are in stark contrast to the rest of the house. 

Note: The Georgian House is closed during the winter months.

12pm: Lunch at Contini Scottish Cafe & Restaurant

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Situated at Princes Street Gardens entrance of the Scottish National Gallery, Contini Scottish Cafe & Restaurant offers a seasonal a la carte, set lunch menu and all-day Scottish brunch menu which features ingredients from local suppliers and fresh produce from its one-acre Kitchen Garden on the outskirts of Edinburgh.

1pm: The Scottish National Gallery & Princes Street Gardens

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After lunch, why not enjoy a wander through the Scottish National Gallery which showcases some of the greatest art in the world including a mixture of Botticelli, Rembrandt and Raphael, as well as covering the history of Scottish painting which includes Ramsay, Raeburn and Wilkie. Depending on how long you spend in the gallery, there’s also the option to enjoy a stroll through Princes Street Gardens.

6pm: Head to Thistle Street for Dinner

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Head along to Thistle Street which is home to a wonderful selection of places to dine including Dusit (49A Thistle Street), Cafe Marlayne (76 Thistle Street), Noto (47 Thistle Street), Fishers In The City (58 Thistle Street), and Cafe St Honorė (34 Thistle N W Lane).  

9am: Breakfast at The Beach House

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Sitting on the Promenade, The Beach House Café aims to provide simple, delicious, and, where possible, locally sourced food. Their breakfast offerings include seasonal porridge, pancakes with various toppings, “Porty Smash”, as well as a range of pastries.

10am: A Walk Along the Promenade

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Portobello’s main feature is its beautiful, sandy beach and Promenade which stretches out for nearly two miles and boasts views across to Fife and North Berwick. For this reason, on sunny days, it’s a favourite among Edinburgh locals so it can get pretty crowded but with it comes a wonderful atmosphere. As well as the beach, there is a range of beautiful buildings dotted along the Prom such as the Portobello Swim Centre. The impressive, red sandstone building remains one of Scotland's finest examples of a Victorian leisure building and features the city’s only remaining Victorian-built Turkish baths. Another Porty institution is Nobles Amusements Arcade. The family-run establishment will transport you to another time with an array of classic and more modern arcade games to play. 

1pm: Lunch

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Civerinos Slice (Portobello): Situated just a short stroll from the scenic Portobello beach, Civerinos Slice introduces a burst of Italian flair to Edinburgh's coastal district. Since its opening, this pizzeria has become a favourite for its hand-stretched, New York-inspired pizzas served by the slice. Boasting a vibrant atmosphere and a menu that features eclectic toppings, from the classic Margherita to adventurous options like the 'Piggy Smalls,' Civerinos Slice offers a fresh and flavourful dining experience.

2pm: Explore Portobello’s High Street

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Portobello is also known for its wonderful community spirit and independent shopping scene so why not take a stroll along Portobello High Street which has managed to retain some of its charming town centre traits with its local greengrocer (Root Down, 81 Portobello High Street), award-winning butcher (Findlays of Portobello, 116 PHS), fishmonger (J Williamson Fishmongers, 146 PHS), several bakeries, and a local bookshop (Portobello Bookshop, 46 PHS).

5pm: End the Day with a Chippy

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For many, a trip to the seaside wouldn’t be complete without a chippy and where better to go than St Andrew’s Fish and Chip Shop (280-284 Portobello High Street) which has been open for over 100 years and has won various ‘Best Chippy’ Awards. As well as the traditional dishes you’d expect at a fish and chip shop like Batter or Breaded Haddock (gluten-free option available), there are also pasta dishes and wood-fired pizzas.

9am: Breakfast at the Edinburgh Larder

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The Edinburgh Larder (15 Blackfriars Street) is a hugely popular spot for breakfast and brunch and is a short walk from Holyrood Park. The café is aptly named as since it opened in 2009, it’s made a name for itself by serving delicious and seasonal food using local ingredients sourced from Scotland’s best producers.

10am: Walk through Holyrood Park to Duddingston

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Make your way to Duddingston Low Road which skirts past Duddingston Loch, the largest of the three lochs within Holyrood Park, and onto Duddingston Village. Some of you may have spotted Henry Raeburn’s painting ‘The Skating Minister’ in the Scottish National Gallery yesterday which features the Reverend Robert Walker skating on Duddingston Loch. Beside Duddingston Loch is the equally historic Duddingston Kirk, a beautiful example of Scoto-Norman architecture that dates back to the 12th century.

11am: Dr Neils’ Garden

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Dr Neils’ Garden sits on the banks of Duddingston Loch and was created in 1963 by doctors Andrew and Nancy Neil. Along the way, the doctors had help from some of their patients and to this day the Garden is maintained with the help of a wonderful group of volunteers. Despite its relatively humble size, the well-tended garden is bursting with flowers and foliage. There are various paths which lead you to hidden nooks with beautiful views of the loch, a commemorative garden, a 19th-century tower designed by renowned Edinburgh architect William Playfair, and more.   

1pm: Lunch at Sheep Heid Inn

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The Sheep Heid Inn is one of Scotland’s oldest surviving public houses. Despite being located in a small village, the Sheep Heid Inn has had a long history with royalty. Mary Queen of Scots was fond of stopping here and more recently, regulars at The Sheep Heid Inn were left stunned as Queen Elizabeth II visited from Holyrood Palace to dine in 2016. To this day, you can still pop in for something to eat or drink, and even play a game of skittles.

2pm: Wander around the Village

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Before we leave Duddingston, why not take a stroll through its quaint streets. Along the way you'll spot various lovely cottages, Georgian Villas, and keep an eye out for a house at 8 The Causeway with a plaque above its door reading: 

“In this house on 19th September 1745, PRINCE CHARLES EDWARD STEWART held his Council of War before the battle of Prestonpans.”                    

Bonnie Prince Charlie set up his military camp in Duddingston village on the eve of his most significant victory at the Battle of Prestonpans, a key moment in the Jacobite Uprisings.

3pm: Explore Holyrood Park

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As you head back to the city centre, there’s the option of climbing the extinct volcano Arthur’s Seat. This is a wonderful option if you’re visiting the city for the first time as you get the chance to climb Edinburgh’s iconic Arthur's Seat which boasts 360-degree views of the city.   

6pm: Dinner at White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar

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Situated on the site of the oldest inn on the Royal Mile, White Horse Oyster & Seafood Bar (266 Canongate) offers a range of small plates, sides and sharing platters featuring the best of British seafood and shellfish.

9am: Breakfast at Cairngorm Coffee

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Since it opened in 2016, Cairngorm Coffee (1 Melville Place) has become one of the West End’s most popular coffee shops. The bright and airy space is a lovely spot to start your day while enjoying their speciality coffee or loose-leaf teas with a pastry, bacon sarnie or avocado toast.

10am: Dean Village

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Dean Village is one of Edinburgh’s oldest and most picturesque villages. Nestled in the valley of the Water of Leith, with Telford’s great bridge towering above, it was once home to several industries. Since its decline in industry, the leafy neighbourhood has become an attractive place to stay and has managed to retain part of its rural, tranquil atmosphere despite its close proximity to the city centre. The centrepiece of Dean Village is Well Court, an imposing red sandstone building, which was built by Sir John R. Findlay, owner of The Scotsman newspaper. Rumour has it that Sir Findlay was appalled at the state of the tenements below as he looked out of his window and commissioned Well Court as an experiment in model housing for working people.

12pm: Lunch at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

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The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is a must-visit if you’re in the West End. The gallery is home to two cafes. Cafe Modern One opens out onto a stone terrace in the tranquil walled garden and serves a range of light lunch options using produce from their kitchen garden and Café Modern Two allows you to dine in the shadow of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi’s 24-foot Vulcan statue.

1pm: Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

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The gallery is split between two grand buildings. Modern One houses a range of permanent exhibitions as well as an exciting programme of temporary art installations. Across the road from Modern One is Modern Two which is dedicated to showcasing the Gallery of Modern Art’s extensive collection of Dada and Surrealist art and work by the Edinburgh-born sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi – known as one of the pioneers of pop art. Today, the gallery houses one of the most important Surrealist collections in the world and a reconstruction of Paolozzi’s studio. 

3pm: The Water of Leith Walkway

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The Water of Leith Walkway is a popular pathway that runs alongside the Water of Leith from Balerno to the Shore in Leith. The river has played a key role in Edinburgh’s history, having powered over 76 mills in the late 1700s and provided a clean water supply for the city from the mid-1800s. There are several routes to join the walkway, one of which can be found behind Modern One where you’ll find a set of steps leading down to the river and one of Antony Gormley ‘Six Times’ statues.

5.30pm: Forage and Chatter

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Forage and Chatter (1A Alva Street) is a lovely, cosy nook to end your day. The restaurant is tucked away on Alva Street and offers a menu featuring seasonal dishes made using Scotland's natural bounty and as its name suggests, a large percentage of it is foraged.

9am: Breakfast at The Pantry

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Since it opened its doors in 2012, The Pantry (1 N W Circus Place) quickly won over locals with its seasonal, fresh dishes and is now a firm favourite brunch spot among many locals. It offers a breakfast menu till 11am as well as a delectable all day brunch menu which includes eggs benedict, waffles and chorizo black beans. 

10am: Circus Lane

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It’s time to wander through one of Edinburgh’s most famous lanes, Circus Lane. Charming mews houses line each side of the lane which historically would have been stables and carriage houses with living quarters above them, commonly built behind large townhouses. As you wander through, you'll encounter a slight bend where the striking St Stephen's church comes into view. 

10.30am: St Stephen Street

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St Stephen Street is known for its variety of independent stores including the beautiful independent bookshop, Golden Hare Books (68 St Stephen Street); popular lifestyle store, The Method (9 St Stephen Street); charming children’s bookshop, Ginger and Pickles (51 St Stephen Street); stylish vegan clothing store, Treen (2-4 St Stephen Place); modern jewellery store, ætla (46 St Stephen Street); pop-up space, Space at Seventeen (17 St Stephen Street).

12pm: Lunch at Cowan & Sons

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Cowan & Sons (33 Raeburn Place) is a long-running family café with plenty of character. The cafe offers various light lunch and brunch options including homemade soup, toasties and filled rolls. 

1pm: Stockbridge’s High Street

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The neighbourhood’s vibrant high street has a wide variety of independent shops, places to eat, and an impressive collection of charity shops. There are too many places to mention but a few to look out for are Caoba (56 Raeburn Place), a quirky shop specialising in Mexican crafts and decorations; I.J. Mellis (6 Bakers Place) and George Mewes Cheese (3 Dean Park Street), two brilliant cheesemongers; and An Independent Zebra (88-92 Raeburn Place) which stocks unique products from 120 different small businesses.   

3pm: Royal Botanic Gardens

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Known locally as “The Botanics”, the Royal Botanic Gardens stretches out over 72 acres of magnificent scenic gardens which are divided into various segments including the Rock Garden, the Alpine Houses, Woodland Garden, the Chinese Hillside, the Rhododendron Collection and the Scottish Native Plants Collection in the Heath Garden. Furthermore, a quarter of the garden’s vast collection of living plants is kept in the glasshouses. Unfortunately, the glasshouses are currently closed as part of a restoration project, but they are well worth a visit when they reopen. 

6pm: Dinner at Purslane

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Tucked away on St Stephen Street, Purslane (33a St. Stephen Street) is run by head chef and owner Paul Gunning who has created a high-quality dining experience without the formality. For dinner, Purslane offers either a five or seven-course seasonal tasting menu paired with matching wines.