I've been there not so long ago and I'd recommend this place for anyone who wants to get away from…read morethe city rush but not move away from the city itself. Large gardens with lots of footpaths around the castle plus stunning views over the Firth of Forth (especially on a bright and sunny day), quiet with a bit of Victorian atmosphere stil in the air. A trip for a half a day with a picnic basket higly recommended!!

Circus Lane is probably one of the most picturesque parts of Edinburgh, thanks to Instagram. It's a…read morebeautiful place and a hidden gem to visit. We went here early on a weekday morning, and it was quite quiet. However, be respectful, as this is a normal street where locals live. If you're looking for a quick pick with a beautiful background, this is highly recommended!

We stayed in Stockbridge area during our visit, so it only took 3-4 minutes walk from my place to…read moreCircus Lane. I took advantage of that and went here a few times during our stay since it's such a picturesque cobbled street. It gets quite busy in the afternoon since everyone wants a photo here, but if you're patient you can get some good shots without people in the background.

Standing just over 200ft (61m) high, and known as the Gothic Rocket, the Scott Monument is often…read moremistaken for a church - understandably, perhaps - and dominates the view of the eastern section of New Town along Princes Street. Following Scott's death in 1832 the people of Edinburgh decided that a monument should be built in memory of one of Scotland's best-loved literary figures. At the time he was probably the most widely read British author of the era. The Scott Monument is the largest monument to a writer in the world. some data says, its 2nd largest though. This is especially fitting, given that Edinburgh is a UNESCO City of Literature, having been home to many notable writers, such Scott, Burns, Stevenson, Conan Doyle and many more! There are 287 steps to the top of the Scott Monument, from where you can enjoy breathtaking views of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside.

This gothic monument to the famous Scottish writer (Sir Walter Scott) is so dark and mysterious…read morelooking during the day. It's an even better view at night when it's all lit up. It kind of makes you wonder what it actually looked like before it soaked up "auld reekie's" pollution back in the 19th century. In a way, the black soot actually gives it more character. It's also a nice contrast with the white Carrara marble statue of the writer. Do you see his dog (named Maida) laying to the right of him? So cute! So, if you can actually see the outer architectural details then you're in for a treat. It stands at 200 feet tall and has about 64 statues that represent some of the most notable characters in his novels. To be honest, I was more impressed with the gargoyles. We didn't attempt to go inside to climb up to the top of it, but many pay to do that. I'm sure it's a nice view. The courtyard surrounding it was being decorated for Remembrance Day celebrations. I loved seeing all the crosses and red poppies around it. It's definitely a must see monument, and certainly one that you're going to eventually pass by at some point during your stay in Edinburgh.

Before you go into the Rail Bridge Bistro, you are immediately confronted with a monument. The…read moremonument is situated upon a stone structure, with a small replica of the Forth Rail Bridge in its famous red colour. The monument is dedicated to those people who worked on the bridge, but also for those who died during the construction phase of the world renowned bridge. The monument, is not flamboyant, but rather conservative and I think it is an appropriate way to remember those who made this bridge and for those who sadly lost their lives. People go over the bridge without even taking a thought about those who were involved in making it, and once in a while in would be nice if we actually took the time to appreciate the efforts of those who built the Forth Rail Bridge!

Edinburgh Castle is definitely worth a visit! There's so much history to take in and plenty to…read moreexplore throughout the castle and grounds. I chose to explore on my own without a guide and was completely satisfied doing it that way. I was able to go at my own pace, take my time, and see everything I wanted to see. Such an impressive place and a must-see while visiting Edinburgh!

A must stop to learn all about the Scottish history, their longstanding fights with England, the…read moreJacobite rebellion and how the Scottish royalty merged with the England royalty. Joining the All Stars tour with ticket entrance to the castle is a definite highlight. Our guide Davy was humorous and a well of knowledge. Plus he resembled Jamie Fraser from the Outlander. Or as one of our tour group members said, he looks like Thor and we can imagine him carrying a hammer wearing his kilt! The view of Edinburgh is gorgeous. And there is also poignancy with a cemetery dedicated to fallen dog companions of soldiers as well as a war memorial for fallen soldiers from World War 1.

Hundreds of people pass by them every day. These gracefully decorated pillars stay by the promenade…read morein Portobello like ancient guards. My friend and me thought they were from Roman times. As a matter of fact, they are only from eighteenth century and were part of the Argyle house construction. Have a close look at the patterns - it is a true art of masonry. One of the pillars is covered in small cute elephants.

A beautiful old country house with historic charm. This gigantic mansion is home to one of the…read moreworlds finest art collections. The whole place can be rented for events and is truly worth it. Think Wayne Manor just for your group. We had a bbq reception there and it was just breathtaking to stand on the terrace and watch the sunset, and then going inside to listen to the jazz band playing their tunes.

We walked out of our hotel and right up the stairs and hill to one of the best scenic viewpoints of…read morethe city. Each way was a different vibe. It was a great time to think about the history of what was before you and all around. Many of the buildings are hundreds of years old so it creates an interesting atmosphere. I would highly recommend coming here. On one side is a cafe but we didn't go in. It was busy. Tons of trails and some dogs. We spotted a few off leash so keep that in mind I didn't see any trash on the grounds which was refreshing although there was a touch of graffiti.

The volcanic hill has a collection of some of Edinburgh's most important monuments- Dugald Stewart…read moreMonument, National Monument, Nelson Monument, and Playfair Monument. The National Monument was designed as a replica of the Parthenon in Athens and it was to commemorate the Scottish servicemen who died in the Napoleonic Wars. It was not completed. The City Observatory is also located here. The hill offers panoramic views of the city and of iconic landmarks- Edinburgh Castle and Arthur's Seat. When we were there, it was really windy and drizzling. We didn't spend much time here due to the unpleasant weather.

Awesome destination for checking out the local atmosphere. It's a castle after all. The attached…read moregardens are a joy in the summer! A must visit when you are headed to Scotland.

A Beautiful Castle Outlander Fans Will Love. Another…read morebeautiful castle. The grounds are breathtaking. The castle stands in as the monastery in Outlander Season 1. And the scene in Season 1 where Claire is in Wentworth Prison and she yells in through a cell full of prisoners looking for Jamie. Come see the castle, learn about its history, and soak in the beautiful surroundings.

Stunning location, lovely place, and excellent views. The library, which holds many old classic…read morebooks, and afternoon tea will allow you to step back in time and experience the history of Carberry Tower.

Wow...just wow...Carberry Tower is absolutely stunning and I was lucky enough to attend a wedding…read morereception here last night. When you turn into Carberry you are met by a long, tree lined drive with cute wee bunnies hopping around the grounds, I couldn't help but let out a huge "awwwwwwe" at the beauty in front of me. Round the side is no less beautiful with well groomed gardens and knee-height maze-like plants (yip I had a wee run round!). Then there's the hotel; full of olde-worldy grandeur (you know, the kind with knights armoury and shields dotted about the place), you can't fail to be impressed by its appearance, and inside is no different. It's a rabbit warren of snugs, stairwells, nooks and crannies and so much fun to explore. The library is utterly charming while the drawing room has a piano tucked away in one corner (cue chopsticks by a slightly inebriated me!). There is a very small bar, which for a wedding wasn't ideal due to the large number of guests (probably fine for regular stays however), and a word of warning, it isn't cheap...2 (single) Hendricks and tonic waters...£14! And sadly not even served with cucumber! Bar prices aside it was a really lovely venue for a wedding, I'm told there is even a Chapel in the grounds - you can't get more romantic really. As an evening guest I haven't tried the food so don't feel I can award the full 5 stars but it's definitely now on my radar to go back for a meal.