edinburgh - Scotland & surrounding area
Edinburgh, Scotland
Scotland is a wonderful place to visit. The buildings and grounds are so well kept. There are a wide variety of cuisines to eat. We loved spending time at Edinburgh Castle, Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, the Royal Mile and King Arthur's Seat. This is one of the highest rated international destinations to visit and it certainly lived up to its reputation.
Edinburgh, Scotland & Surrounding Area - Quick Facts/Tips
Passport Required - Yes
Currency - Pound Sterling
Public Transportation - Excellent - Edinburgh has Trams, Buses, and Taxis. We were able to get around primarily on foot in Edinburgh. We took the public transportation when we went from the airport to downtown and when we took the small bus tour to Stirling Castle and Loch Lomond. For more info relating to transportation see the link below.
https://www.introducingedinburgh.com/transport
Explorer Pass - The Historic Scotland Explorer Pass is a great offering if you plan to visit Edinburgh Castle and Stirling Castle. The pass includes 78 locations but the savings start when you visit 3-4 locations. See more information regarding the pass below.
https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/explorer-passes/
edinburgh & surrounding area - things to do
Edinburgh Castle
National Museum-Scotland
National Museum-Scotland
Edinburgh Castle was our favorite place to visit in Scotland. You can easily spend all day here with the vast number of items and exhibits to experience. The views of the city are amazing from the castle. Edinburgh Castle is included in the Explorer Pass.
National Museum-Scotland
National Museum-Scotland
National Museum-Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is another wonderful place where you can spend the entire day. There are numerous displays throughout buildings which cover nature, art, design, science, technology and fashion. Admission is free.
Arthur's Seat
National Museum-Scotland
National Portrait Gallery
Arthur's seat is located approximately one mile from Edinburgh castle. The views of the city from the top of the mountain (Arthur's Seat) are spectacular. The hike takes 2-3 hours. The trail is not paved and is steep in some places.
National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
National Portrait Gallery
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is a great place to experience Scottish history. The museum contains 3,000 paintings and sculptures and over 38,000 photographs. Admission is free.
Stirling Castle
National Portrait Gallery
Stirling Castle
Stirling Castle is located approximately 40 miles (64 km) from Edinburgh. We visited this castle as part of a small group bus tour with Rabbies tours. Stirling Castle is a beautiful place to visit and is included in the explorer pass.
Loch Lomond
National Portrait Gallery
Stirling Castle
Loch Lomond is located approximately 77 miles (124 km) from Edinburgh. We visited this lake as part of our small group bus tour with Rabbies Tours. Loch Lomond is a great place to walk. Be sure to listen to the songs dedicated to this place when you go.