Total Days: 4 Days | Accommodations: Hotel in New Town near Princes Street | Transportation: Walking and Tram from the Airport | Traveled: Solo | Type of Trip: History and royal discoveries | Highlights: Carlton Hill, Dean Village, Harry Potter inspiration, Highlands tour
DAY 1
At a glimpse: Exploring the intersection of New and Old and then a hearty pub dinner
Travel agenda: If you are based in New Town, start your trip with a short 10-minute uphill walk to Carlton Hill, just enough to see the city views and orient yourself. There’s more up there than you would think. Check out the monuments!
From there, walk a few minutes west to the Scott Monument and Princes Street Gardens. This will take you to the Ross Fountain, the locals meeting spot with one of the best views of Dublin Castle.
Circle back and enjoy an afternoon at the National Gallery. It’s not very big but every piece is very curated and each piece is described. And it’s free! For dinner, start with a true pub dinner at Guildford Arms, owned and operated by the Stewart family since 1896.
DAY 2
At a glimpse: A jaunt back in time at Dean Village and the Old Town
Travel agenda: Start the morning with an early morning walk through the streets of New Town. Your destination is Dean Village. To get there, walk down Bells Brae street until you see the Water of Leith river and bridge. This hidden gem was a thriving 19th century milling village. Keep an eye out for the mill stones and plaques decorated with baked bread and pies. Then follow the Water of Leith Walkway/nature path to see a waterfall and more of Dean, with a surprising amount of museums just 20-30 minutes west.
Back in New Town, walk South to Lothian Rd. Just off on Bread Street, grab a big English breakfast at Fatty Owls. Then make your way to the Royal Mile, the backbone of The Old Town. Book an early afternoon tour, usually 1.5 hours, which is the best way to discover the little alleys, secret historical remnants and not get duped by the more recent buildings. Mercat Tours and Edinburgh Tour Guides will show you the way. If you need a snack, there’s always Oink on Canongate. No fuss, just a seriously delicious pulled pork sandwich.
Head back to your hotel to rest your feet and get ready for dinner. Switch it up and try a newer spot, The Bon Vivant says “We do as the Europeans do, eat small but with thought.” This can then be followed by an unofficial whiskey tasting 10 minutes away at Usquabae Whisky Bar & Larder, or if you need a little direction there are several whiskey tours you can book!
DAY 3
At a glimpse: Harry Potter inspired day with time for castles and palaces
Travel agenda: Good morning! Today’s itinerary is inspired by one of Edinburgh’s most famous residents, J.K. Rowling. For breakfast, head to The Elephant House, where the author wrote the first books over a cup of coffee. Make sure to check out the wall of photos and the messages and HP quotes scribbled in the bathrooms.
From here, walk 5 minutes to Greyfriars Kirkyard graveyard. First, you will pass Greyfriars Bobby’s Bar and the statue of Bobby, the faithful dog who watched over his owners grave every night. Rub his nose for good luck! Behind it is an entrance to the graveyard. It’s beautiful and definitely haunted. Specific graves to keep an eye out for: Robert Potter, William McGonagall and Thomas Riddle just to name a few.
When you peak through the gates on the other side, you’ll see George Heriot’s School. With castle-like turrets and students broken out into four houses, it’s easy to see where the idea of Hogwarts came from. Next, walk 10 mins towards the colorful Victoria Street, definitely on par with Diagon Alley. Some stores are even a bit magical…
Since guides can’t enter any attractions on the Royal Mile tour, now is the time to head into St. Giles Cathedral, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and/or the Dublin Castle. Book these tickets ahead of time! In between exploring, Edinburgh Larder has healthy soups, salads and sandwiches… or pop by one of the many pubs if you would prefer to keep with the theme.
Tonight, treat yourself to dinner at the Balmoral Hotel, where J.K. wrote the last Harry Potter book. Yes, full circle. Sitting at Bar Prince is perfect for people watching and getting a very good burger. To close out the night, Edinburgh is known for their robust theatre, comedy and concert lineup. It’s a short walk to The Stand or The Playhouse as an after-dinner activity.
DAY 4
At a glimpse: Full day Highlands tour
Travel agenda: Today involves a road trip to the Highlands. If you have more time, make it a 2 or 3 day tour. But it wouldn’t feel like Scotland without seeing the countryside and a loch or two. Rabbie’s Tours is the go-to and for good reason. The one day Loch Ness, Glencoe & the Highlands tour is a fantastic 12 hour day.
The morning starts with an overview of the history of Edinburgh in a comfortable, small van. After a couple hours, there’s a stop in Dunkeld, a quaint town on the water with cafes for a coffee, snack or takeaway lunch. Subsequently, it’s a sprint up to Loch Ness, just in time to board the 45 min cruise. It’s both a practical and fascinating ride with the guide describing the landscape, animals nearby and what could potentially actually lie in the depths of the loch.
After, the drive winds down to the Glencoe area, the most scenic stretch. Your guide will make various stops to see the different landscapes and point out not only the history, but also the modern day information: like movie filming locations.
A final stop is at the adorable town of Callander. From here it’s two hours back to Edinburgh. If you’re famished, The Newsroom Bar & Eatery is a good spot just down the street from where you are dropped off.
