Bustling with culture, historic Edinburgh is a stunning city with a quirk around every corner. By Vicky Castle

In no more than five hours, we had swapped London’s Kings Cross Station for the much chillier arrivals platform at Edinburgh Waverley Station.

The station’s striking gothic architecture gives an instant flavour of the surrounding city in the Old and New towns. The first thing we saw from the station was the sooty spire of the Sir Walter Scott Monument – breathtaking.

The vaults, the pubs, the clubs, the hills, the views, the parties, we simply didn’t have enough time to discover everything on a short break.

Scotland’s inspiring capital has become a blend of fascinating history and a cosmopolitan lifestyle.

Old Town has a medieval charm with its cobbled streets and narrow wynds leading off from the infamous Royal Mile.

Then the (not so) New Town has a Georgian splendour and more modern features.

A trip around the ancient vaults, organised by Mercat Tours, provided incredible insights into the city’s past. The lively, theatrical guide led a group of us around the haunting underground corridors.

Her detailed tales of medieval Edinburgh truly brought the past alive.

But if that wasn’t lively enough, the Edinburgh Ghost Bus Tours (Ghostbusters, geddit?) shows the darker side.

The creepy conductor takes a night-time trip around the city, sharing “terrifying” stories about witches, grave robbers, and the plague.

It’s a theatrical comedy horror, and it’s fabulous.

Edinburgh Castle is a must-see. Home to the Scottish crown jewels, it is dripping with history.

It sits on top of the city’s extinct volcano and is visible from just about everywhere in Edinburgh.

If it’s views you’re after, a trek up the iconic (mountainous) Arthur’s Seat provides an amazing panorama of the surrounding Lothian countryside.

For an easier stroll, nearby Carlton Hill offers an equally breathtaking view.

But if all that climbing is just too much, the city is inundated with pubs, bars and restaurants to relax in. The largest selection are found on the Royal Mile, Princes Street and Queen Street.

But just a few minutes walk from these is Grassmarket,which hosts a stretch of independent boutiques, vintage bookshops and, of course, The Whiskey Shop.

For a night out there is no end of entertainment, and options include the Jazz Bar and the Banshee Labyrinth, which claims to be Scotland’s most haunted nightclub.

One attraction not to miss is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions.

The observatory projects a 360-degree panorama of the city and the displays and interactive exhibitions are a challenge for your eyes and brain, and appeal to all ages.

Vicky’s trip was organised and funded by Mason Williams on behalf of ibis Hotels