Exploring Edinburgh’s Quieter Edges
A day by car, from Craigmillar Castle to Cramond Brig.
Written by Graeme Johncock
Edinburgh’s streets are overflowing with stories. You could easily spend an entire week without leaving the city if you wanted! However, as somebody who lived there for ten years, I know there’s so much more to see if you venture just a little further out. The rolling hills around Edinburgh are dotted with magnificent castles, mysterious chapels and dramatic glens, making a trip around the quieter edges of Edinburgh a day to remember!
Pick your dates, and who is coming, and every stop will say whether it is open that day, and what it is like with children, a dog or a wheelchair.
- How
- A day by car
- Distance
- About 21 miles
- Starts
- Craigmillar Castle
- Ends
- Cramond Brig
- Good for
- Food and drink, Castles, Walks, History
Book before you go
0 of 1 booked
Accommodation nearby
If you are staying over: here are ours nearest where the day starts and ends.
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Worth booking aheadCraigmillar Castle: tickets are sold at the castle too, but cost less online, where you choose a date and time. A day or two ahead is enough outside the summer holidays.
The day
Craigmillar Castle
An attraction
Start the day at Edinburgh’s “other castle”, the luxurious Craigmillar. Built by the Preston family in the late 14th century, it grew in size and standing, becoming a favourite escape from the noises and smells of Edinburgh for Kings and Queens. A young James V once stayed here to escape an outbreak of plague! Craigmillar’s most famous visitor was Mary Queen of Scots who recovered here in 1566 during an illness. While she lay in her chamber, her followers made a plan to get rid of her unpredictable husband Darnley in what became known as the Craigmillar Bond! Royal intrigue aside, wandering through the ruins of Craigmillar lets your imagination come alive and the view from the ramparts is incredible!
The rest of this day is for members.
6 more stops, what to do at each, and the drive between them. Members read every one of our days, and the magazine.
Rosslyn Chapel
An attraction
Battle of Roslin Monument
An attraction
Original Rosslyn Inn
Food and drink
Rosslyn Castle
An attraction
A Walk in the Pentland Hills
Cramond Brig
A walk
Places to stay near where the day ends, and when each is next free.
Make it a weekend
Days that start near Cramond Brig.
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Photograph by simonhird