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Main Towns


Edinburgh

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Linlithgow

Queensferry

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Musselburgh

North Berwick

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Haddington


Theatres

Church Hill Theatre

Festival Theatre

Edinburgh Playhouse

Kings Theatre

Brunton Theatre

Royal Lyceum

Traverse Theatre

Queens Hall Edinburgh

The Stand Comedy Club

Usher Hall

Edinburgh Corn Exchange

Pleasance Theatre


Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh Castle dominates the skyline of the city and is the iconic image most people have of Edinburgh. Visitors can explore the castle assisted by an audio guide or join one of the guided tours. The castle employs actors in period costume and weaponry to perform short historical displays that bring history to life.

The castle is also the location for a number of musical and dramatic events throughout the year. The most stunning of the events is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo that will feature an awe-inspiring display of military sets from around the world. Displays include Massed Pipes and Drums, Massed Military Bands, Display Teams, Dancers and the haunting lament of the Lone Piper set against the magnificent backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place in  August



Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is home to the UK's only giant pandas and more than 1000 other amazing animal.

In a fantastic act of friendship and co-operation, two giant pandas are on loan from China for ten years. It is hoped that one day it will be possible to re-introduce these animals into the wild and this fits in perfectly with Edinburgh Zoo's mission which is to "inspire and excite our visitors with the wonder of living animals and so to promote the conservation of threatened species and habitats".

The Royal Yacht Britannia - Edinburgh

The Royal Yacht Britannia, was once the perfect royal residence for Her Majesty The Queen and used for glittering state visits, official receptions, royal honeymoons and relaxing family holidays. The Royal Yacht is now berthed at Leith in Edinburgh and visitors can discover what life was like on board and find out what a typical day aboard the Royal Yacht was like for The Queen.

A tour of Britannia starts at the Bridge and covers five main decks and includes the State Apartments, Crew's Quarters and the Engine Room. An audio handset in 22 languages is available. As part of the tour you may decide to visit the Royal Deck Tea Room to enjoy freshly made food, stunning views and a warm welcome.

Edinburgh Dungeon

 Edinburgh Dungeon brings 1000 years of horrible history to life. The 80 minute interactive tour includes 11 shows with professional actors, numerous special effects, 2 scary rides and lots of fun. Some of the attractions include the torture chamber, judgement of sinners and the labyrinth of lost souls.

Things to do in Edinburgh, Lothian

Our Dynamic Earth - Edinburgh

 Our Dynamic Earth takes you on a journey through our planet's past, present and future, with interactive exhibits and impressive technology, including a 4D and 3D experience.

Beginning with the Big Bang, children and adults alike can witness the creation of the Earth, follow the planet through its evolution and even catch glimpses of its future.

Scottish Parliament Visitor Centre

Scottish Parliament Visitor Centre is open to visitors Monday to Saturday. Tours are free of charge and usually include a visit to the Debating Chamber, the Garden Lobby and a Committee Room. They include detailed information about the work, history and procedures of the Scottish Parliament. The tour also includes information about the design and architecture of the building, something you either love or hate.

The Palace at Holyroodhouse

The Palace at Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the Monarch of the United Kingdom in Scotland.

Queen Elizabeth II spends one week in residence at Holyrood Palace at the beginning of each summer, where she carries out a range of official engagements and ceremonies.

It is possible to visit the palace and use an audio guide (available in several languages) that explains both the history and the role of the Palace as an official residence of The Queen. You will hear about the Palace's former residents, including Mary, Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Royal Botanic Garden - Edinburgh

Royal Botanic Gardens are known locally as "The Botanic's" and the garden is a popular place for a walk, particularly with young families. Entrance to the botanic garden is free, although a small entry charge exists for the glasshouses. During the year the garden hosts many events including live performances, guided tours and exhibitions.

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Malleny Gardens - Bo'ness

Dirleton Castle and Gardens

Inveresk Lodge Garden - Musselburgh

Glenkinchie Distillery

A visit to Glenkinchie - the home of The Edinburgh Malt involves a short and pleasant drive from the City centre into the rolling farmland of East Lothian. Here you can see a working distillery, the making of a Capital Malt in every respect. An exhibition of malt whisky is housed in the listed red brick building which was formerly the floor Maltings. At the bar a taste of the Glenkinchie Single Malt which has a long, warm finish, with a floral and fruity spiciness.

Tours of Edinburgh

Murrayfield Stadium Tour

This is the home of Scottish Rugby union and the setting for many titanic sporting battles over the stadiums 80 year history. Stadium tours will take you to the dressing rooms, players tunnel, Royal box, hospitality suites as well as the famous pitch.

Cadies & Witchery Tours

Edinburgh's history is filled with tales of ghosts, gore, and witchcraft, and this tour is enlivened by characters who leap out of seemingly nowhere when you least expect it. Two tours - the 90-minute 'Ghost & Gore' and the 75-minute 'Murder & Mystery' - overlap in parts.

Auld Reekie Tour

There are 3 different tours that visitors can choose from but all 3 tours enter the South Bridge Vaults which date back to the 1700s. The tours are the Original underground tour, Ghost and Torture, Terror Tour (not suitable for children).

Edinburgh sightseeing tours are hop-on hop-off style. This means that you can travel around the city and get off at any of the following stops:




Stop 1 - Waverley Bridge, Stop 3 - Lothian Road, Stop 4 - Grassmarket, Stop 5 - Lauriston Place, Stop 6 - Johnston Terrace,

Stop 7 - Lawnmarket,

Stop 8 - Chambers Street, Stop 9 - John Knox House, Stop 10 - Dynamic Earth,

Stop 11 - Holyrood,

Stop 12 - Canongate

NB / Currently there is a diversion on the route and this explains why Stop 2 is missing.

Museum of Flight - Haddington

The Museum of Flight in Haddington tells the story of flight from the Wright Brothers to Concorde and has lots of things to see and do. There are 3 hands-on galleries with 25 activities where you will find out how aeroplanes are built, the skills required to fly them, how to fly an aeroplane and how to pack a parachute.

The displays of planes include many planes from different periods and uses. There are military planes from 1939-45, helicopters and rotorcraft, sailplanes, hang gliders, fuselage and cockpit sections from various aircraft and also a complete concorde that you can board.

Almond Valley Heritage Centre - Livingston

You don't need to be a child to enjoy Almond Valley. There is always something going on like milking, feeding, talks, handling sessions and craft demonstrations. Children can let of steam on in the play areas with games, toy tractors, pedal carts, trampolines, etc.


There are also some activities that are seasonal or weather permitting such as tractor rides, trips on the narrow gauge railway, a working watermill and riverside walks.

Five sisters Zoo Park - West Calder

With over 160 different species of mammal, birds and reptiles, daily keeper talks, feeding and handling sessions and a large outdoor play & picnic area, the Five Sisters Zoo is a great day out for everyone all year round!


The Scottish seabird Centre - North Berwick

The Scottish seabird Centre in North Berwick is a great place to see a range of seabirds such as Puffins, Razorbills, Kittiwake etc. The centre also has a number of boat cruises to see birds, seals, whales and dolphins in their natural environment.

Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World

A tropical rainforest with hundreds of butterflies and other exotic insects.

Midlothian Ski Centre

Midlothian Ski Centre has the longest dry ski slope in Europe. It has two main slopes one 320 metres in length and the other 450 metres in length, a 20 m nursery slope and a jump slope. It is used for skiing, snowboarding and snowblading, and social use includes lessons for adults and children occurring all year round.

All ski runs are made of matting that is suitable for use all year round, and floodlighting allows the slopes to be used in the evenings. A misting system ensures the slopes remain lubricated to increase speed and to create a more realistic surface.

Park Resorts

Self catering holiday accommodation at Eyemouth Holiday park. Situated on a dramatic headland with fantastic views of 3 beaches

Places to visit in Lothian

Hopetoun House

Dalmeny House

Newhailes House

House of Binns

Museums and Art Galleries

National Museum of Scotland

Scottish National Gallery

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Find great things to do, the best Edinburgh attractions, cheap family days out, romantic weekend breaks & fun things to do visiting Edinburgh this weekend.