24 Hours in Edinburgh
Are you a stranger in Edinburgh with a bit of time to spare to soak up the city’s atmosphere? tengri’s mini-guide tells you how to while away 24 hours in Scotland’s history-packed capital city.
09.00
Smoked sensation
Start the day with a plate of kippers, a traditional Scottish breakfast treat, or cold-smoked herring. The Huxley, located in the Rutland Hotel, serves Loch Fyne kippers, considered by many in the know to be the finest, with a twist of butter, lemon and a free range poached egg.
History lesson
The Museum of Edinburgh is the best spot to get the lowdown on the city's illustrious history. Its many rooms are crammed with artefacts that tell the story of the historical and cultural life of Scotland's capital city from its earliest days to modern times. See the intricate work of the craftsmen of yesteryear, from delicately engraved glassware to fine silver jewellery.
Урок истории
Музей Эдинбурга — отличное место для знакомства с историей города. Залы музея заполнены артефактами, рассказывающими об исторической и культурной жизни столицы Шотландии, начиная с ее первых дней и до современных времен. Обратите внимание на искусную работу мастеров прошлых лет — от стеклянных изделий с изысканной гравировкой до утонченных серебряных ювелирных изделий.
Royal Mile
Below the castle are the higgledy-piggledy collection of streets and lanes, known as the Royal Mile, that lead down to Holyrood Palace, Queen Elizabeth II’s official residence in Edinburgh. When the Queen’s not visiting, the palace, once home to Mary, Queen of Scots, is open to the public. Stop off at the nearby Blue Bear café to refuel with a filling bowl of stovies – a stew of potatoes, onions and beef, or browse the small, independent shops for some unusual gifts.
Liquid gold
Learn the story of the country’s most famous export with a visit to The Scotch Whisky Experience. The tour begins with a ride in a converted whisky barrel through a virtual distillery followed by a talk on the myriad types of amber nectar from the different regions of Scotland. The visit ends in a tasting room, where you’ll get a chance to savour a wee dram.
Neeps ‘n’ tatties
The Dome Grill Bar, housed in a distinctive neoclassical building, which once served as a bank’s headquarters, has been a leading light in the city’s fine dining scene for the last 20 years. The restaurant’s sumptuous surroundings are topped by the glass dome that gives the place its name. Try the typical Scottish dish of haggis, a round sausage made from sheep’s innards and spices, served with neeps and tatties – mashed parsnips and potatoes, all doused in a rich whisky sauce.
Ghost walk
As darkness descends, take a spooky trip into Edinburgh's ghostly past with the Double Dead walking tour, run by City of the Dead Tours. Local historians guide you through two of the planet's most haunted places – the South Bridge Vaults, a series of dark tunnels and underground caverns, and the Covenanter’s Prison in Greyfriars Graveyard, which has been used as a place of burial since the late 1500s.
Cocktail hour
You might need a whisky or two to calm your frayed nerves after your walk with the ghosties and ghoulies. The Whiski Rooms has a selection of more than 300 to choose from. It also has whisky-based cocktails including The Kilt, a dash of ten-year old Malt mixed with Amaretto or a Whiski Sour, with a tangy, citrus kick.
Going underground
End the evening with a craft beer and a boogie in the underground club Cabaret Voltaire, or ‘Cab Vol’ for short. This subterranean venue, with a labyrinthine interior consisting of hidden nooks and crannies, is located in a cave. Famous names and up and coming DJs from Edinburgh and beyond keep the joint rocking until 3am every night of the week.