Don’t miss

EDINBURGH INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL AND FRINGE

In August every year, Edinburgh turns into a bun fight. Together, “The Festival” and “The Fringe” (as everyone calls them) create the world’s largest arts festival, and the population of the city centre nearly doubles for the duration. It’s a riot and everything is insanely busy, so book well ahead if you want accommodation during the month. eif.co.uk; edfringe.com

CALTON HILL

At the east end of Princes Street rises Calton Hill. Climb to the top for the best views of Edinburgh: towards the Firth of Forth and Fife, right along Princes Street past the Scott Monument, the castle, and to Arthur’s Seat. Refresh yourself with an ale in the pub at the bottom, recently renamed the JK Rowling but still referred to locally by its previous title, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle.

G&V ROYAL MILE HOTEL

Edinburgh is blessed with stacks of handsome and grand hotels, but this one has the best location in the Old Town: next to the castle and Royal Mile. The rooms are very stylish, with doubles starting from around £220. quorvuscollection.com/ en/gandv-hotel-edinburgh

TIMBERYARD

This city has the highest concentration of good-quality restaurants in the UK outside of London, with chefs such as Tom Kitchin, Paul Kitching (no relation) and Martin Wishart among the top standard-bearers. But for a truly local flavour, try Timberyard, which uses a New Nordic approach (adding a Scottish accent) and applies it to seasonal produce. timberyard.co