Museums & Galleries

Royal Museum and Museum of Scotland
These two Edinburgh's foremost museums stand together on Chambers Street. The Royal Museum and the Museum of Scotland cover the gamut of natural and social history. 

National Gallery of Scotland
The finest gallery in Scotland and a must-see in Edinburgh. The gallery has acquired an excellent collection of Western art, including pieces from Velázquez, Boticelli and Gauguin.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Situated in a grand 1820s building overlooking a vast landscaped lawn, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art offers a collection of 20th century paintings, drawings, prints, and sculpture, many international and many from Scotland.

Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre 
Housed in a former school, the Centre explains the making of whisky from barley to bottle, in a series of exhibits combining sight, sound and smell. As a reward, you get a wee taste of the real thing, before being channelled into a shop full of whisky. 
Website

Castles

The Edinburgh Castle
Location: Castle Hill
The renowned castle proudly dominates the city. The castle is also the site for the annual Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the traditional end-of-festival fireworks at the Edinburgh International Festival.

Palace of Holyroodhouse 
Founded as a monastery in the 12th Century, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is The Queen's official residence in Scotland. Visit the royal apartments, with their carved plaster ceilings, floor-to-ceiling tapestries and mythological paintings.
Website

Craigmillar Castle 
Location: Craigmillar Castle Road
One of the most perfectly preserved castles in Scotland. Even today, the castle retains the character of a medieval stronghold. Wedding ceremonies can also take place in the Great Hall, which can accommodate up to 60 people.

Lauriston Castle & Grounds
Location: Cramond Road South, Davidson's Mains
This charming Edwardian home in tranquil grounds and offers a fine collection of decorative art for the visitors to explore.

Real Mary King's Close 
Location: Warriston's Close 
Now open to the public, the City Chambers were built over the sealed-off remains of Mary King's Close, and the lower levels of this medieval Old Town alley have survived almost unchanged in the foundations for 250 years. This spooky subterranean labyrinth gives a fascinating insight into the everyday life of 17th-century Edinburgh.
Website


Historic Houses

Gladstone's Land 
Location: 477b Lawnmarket
Built in the mid-16th century, the tenement gives a fascinating glimpse into the Old Town's past. The comfortable interior contains fine painted ceilings, walls and beams and furniture from the 17th and 18th centuries.

The Georgian House 
Location: 7 Charlotte Square


Other Attractions

Calton Hill
At the east end of Princes Street, the view of the Castle from Calton Hill is perhaps the most famous in Edinburgh. 

Royal Yacht Britannia
Moored on Leith’s waterfront, the Royal Yacht Britannia served the Royal family for more than forty years and travelled more than a million miles.

Royal Botanic Garden
Open all year, the stunning Royal Botanic Garden offers 31-hectare to be explored.

Glenkinchie Distillery 
Pencaitland
EH34 5ET Tranent