OFF-THE-CUFF

Experiences and places to uncover beyond the usual: • Ditch the clichéd fridge magnets and 'I Love Edinburgh' merchandise, and go fossil shopping at Mr Wood's

Fossils. In their stock is a collection of quality fossils, minerals and meteorites sourced from all over the world.

WHERE: 5 Cowgatehead, Edinburgh EH1 1JY, United Kingdom • Try cheese from across Europe and artisanal Scottish brie, blue and smoked varieties at I.J Mellis.

WHERE: A, 30 Victoria Street, Edinburgh EH1 2JW, United Kingdom • Engage in astronomy-related activities at Royal

Observatory. Their Public Astronomy Evenings are popular among tourists and locals alike and include a tour of the Victorian telescope dome, the observatory, information about the science and engineering here followed by a question and answer session. WHERE: Blackford Hill, Edinburgh EH9 3HJ, United Kingdom • Tour Pickering’s Gin, that boasts being the first exclusive gin distillery to be established in Edinburgh for over 150 years. Their gin is based on an original 1947 recipe from Bombay, India (present-day Mumbai) and comprises nine botanicals with a blend of bitter and sweet elements.

WHERE: 1 Summerhall Summerhall Distillery, Edinburgh EH9 1PL, United Kingdom