A new look at Auld Reekie – through a tourist’s eyes

Take a tour and find our capital has more to offer than just shops

EDINBURGH is one of the gems of Scotland – everyone knows that. And it’s not exactly a stranger to me. I’ve been countless times over the years.

But usually, I cover the same old beat. Maybe a bit of shopping on Princes Street. A quick bite to eat. A drink or two. Then home.

So when the chance came to stay in our capital as a tourist and actually do a bit of exploring, it was too good to pass up.

We had central accommodation in Fountain Court on Thistle Street. Look for the Braid Apartments.

You couldn’t really ask for a better location. Less than five minutes from Princes Street and within easy walking distance of pretty Stockbridge, they made for a great base.

They’ve thought of everything to make Braid Apartments a home from home.

You know when you arrive at your destination and you want to go out exploring – but first you fancy a quick cuppa, just to recharge?

They provide a welcome pack of tea, coffee, milk and sugar, plus some household basics.

Breakfast isn’t included in the price of your stay, but they can provide a continental breakfast for an additional fee.

And it goes without saying that our apartment was the last word in luxury.

Think fluffy pillows on the beds, cosy duvets, free wifi, a dining area and TVs – including in the bedrooms.

It was almost enough to make us waver and forget the whole notion of exploring Edinburgh as tourists.

When the home comforts are this good, it’s tempting just to chill out and relax.

But we reminded ourselves we’d come to see Edinburgh and headed out.

First up had to be a trip round Edinburgh on a sightseeing bus.

A confession. When we’re on a city break my other half and I always take a tourist bus. Friends laugh and say that it’s a sign we’ve reached middle age. Well, what do they know?

They’re a great way of exploring a city and finding out a few facts about your chosen destination. With many of them, you can get on and off where and when you want. That means they can be an economical way of getting around.

Just take a tip from a veteran of these tours and avoid rush hours – or you may be stuck on them for a bit longer than you’d ideally like.

For our jaunt round Edinburgh, we chose a Rabbie’s tour. You might be familiar with them from tours of the Highlands, the Borders and several other areas.

They have a convertible bus for their Edinburgh tour. On a sunny day, it’s perfect. And it’s smaller than other tourist buses, so you get a more personalised service.

Our driver was Linda, an Edinburgh resident who knows the city like the back of her hand and was full of stories. Did you know that the landmark clock at the