Edinburgh Spotlight loves living in ‘Festival City’ and already has all these dates in its calendar – here’s the rundown of 2012′s festivals.

Mary King’s Ghost Fest TBC for 2012

Paranormal investigations, celebrity ghost hunts and other spooky goings on at The Real Mary King’s Close.

Ceilidh Culture 16 March – 25 April

Edinburgh’s traditional arts festival, featuring music, dance, storytelling and more.

International Science Festival 31 March- 13 April 2012
The International Science Festival features a host of fun and educational events, lectures and attractions celebrating all things scientific.

Beltane Fire Festival 30 April 2012
Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival and Edinburgh plays host to some colourful and exciting celebrations to mark the date.

Imaginate Festival 7 – 14 May 2012
The Imaginate Festival is Edinburgh’s children’s festival and has loads of plays, activities and fun things to do for youngsters of all ages.

Leith Festival 8 -17 June 2012
Come and celebrate all things Leith at this festival, featuring music, dance, art and other exciting events.

Edinburgh International Film Festival 20 June – 1 July
The Edinburgh Film Festival is an internationally-renowned event on the movie festival circuit and attracts premieres and stars from all over the world.

Edinburgh International Magic Festival 29 June – 6 July 2012

2012 will see Edinburgh host the third International Magic Festival with a range of performers show-casing their magical talents.

Edinburgh Art Festival August 2 – September 2
Edinburgh Art Festival celebrates the visual arts in all its diversity, from world-class exhibitions to strikingly original installations.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 28 July – 6 August 2012
Get your gladrags on and party to the sounds of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, a popular event which attracts international talent.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 3 - 27 August 2012
Getting bigger, better and – some may say – weirder every year, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the highlight of many a festival-goer’s calendar.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 3 – 25 August 2012
Selling out months in advance, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a spectacular event taking place on the Castle Esplanade.

The Edge Music Festival TBC 2012
Adding alternative music to the August festival mix, The Edge Music Festival attracts A-list bands as part of its programme.

Festival of Spirituality and Peace TBC 2012

The Festival of Spirituality and Peace features music, dance, talks and other events highlighting humanitarian issues and causes.

Edinburgh International Festival 10 August – 2 September 2012
The one that started it all, the Edinburgh International Festival is a feast of world-class music, dance and theatrical performances.

Edinburgh International Book Festival 11 - 27 August 2012
This literary event attracts major names in the writing, publishing and political fields to the serene Charlotte Square Gardens setting.

Edinburgh Mela Festival 31 August  - 2nd September 2012

Celebrating the cultural diversity of the city, the Mela Festival brings colour and exotic flair to Edinburgh in August.

Scottish Story Telling Festival 19-28 October
Celebrating the great Scottish oral tradition, the Story Telling Festival showcases the talents of national bards, poets and tale-spinners.

Edinburgh’s Christmas TBC – late November – End Dec 2011
Edinburgh sparkles at Christmas and features events, attractions and shows for all the family to enjoy during the festival season.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30 December 2012 – 2 January 2013
End the year with the biggest street party in the world!

The Royal Mile runs through the heart of the Old Town and is a must for any visitors to the city.  As a resident, I have walked up and down the street hundreds of times over the years, but there is always some small detail that I notice every time I explore the area.   The Royal Mile  runs from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood Palace and consists of six different sections.

Edinburgh Castle

Starting from the top, there is Edinburgh Castle where you will find the Scottish Crown, Sword and Sceptre, and the legendary Stone of Destiny.  Free guided tours are included with the admission price, or you can take it at your own pace with an audio tour.  At peak tourist times, it makes sense to buy your tickets in advance as the ticket queues can take up valuable sightseeing time.  If your budget doesn’t allow full entry to the Castle, make sure you still walk through the grand entrance so you can say you have been within the Castle walls.  This is now possible due to the relocation of the box office inside the grounds, leaving the esplanade clear for taking excellent photos.

There are panoramic views of Edinburgh to be had from the castle esplanade.  Look out for the magnificent George Heriot’s School built in 1628 which looks like another castle, straight out of a fairytale.

As you head down the Castlehill section of the Royal Mile, you will see the Scotch Whisky Experience which also houses Amber Restaurant.  On your left, you will see Camera Obscura which is a 150 year old observatory and a fun place for children and adults alike.

Views down the Royal Mile from Camera Obscura

Moving down the Royal Mile, you will start to see many tourist shops which basically sell all the same souvenirs, but at a variety of prices, so it pays to shop around.

The Writer’s Museum is set in a charming courtyard which you can access through Lady Stair’s Close.  This is the place to learn about the three great Scots writers, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson, through manuscripts, portraits and their personal possessions.  (free)

Moving down the Royal Mile, you will come to the High Kirk of St Giles (St Giles Cathedral) which has been an Edinburgh landmark since 1160.  Make sure you see the rib-vaulted ceiling of the Thistle Chapel.  The cathedral looks good at any time of the day or night and in all weather conditions (admission is free, but a donation is welcomed; there is also a small charge requested if you wish to take photos inside).   Opposite the cathedral, there is the spooky Mary King’s Close to explore which is a perfect all-weather activity for those aged 5 and up.  We have also visited the Close with a psychic medium.

High Kirk of St Giles

Further down the Royal Mile, you will cross North Bridge, and to the left, the road leads down to Princes Street.  Stay on the Royal Mile though, and on your left hand side you will come to the Scottish Storytelling Centre which is a theatre with a wide range of entertainment.  Those in the know enquire about the local storytellers who can often be found here.  This is also the place from which to access John Knox’s House, home to the fiery religious reformer in 1599.  The house is a beautiful building to admire from the outside as well.  Across the road is the Museum of Childhood, another council-run museum (free admission) which allows older generations re-live toys from their childhood. Young children also like this museum as they try to comprehend what amused the oldies in times gone by!

Why not stop at Clarinda’s Tearoom in the Canongate for tea and cake?   Make sure you adhere to the rules in this cute eatery.

Further down is Dunbar’s Close Garden, not often found by tourists.  This is a perfect little green area to enjoy a break from the main street. You will often find locals having their lunch here in the warmer months.

Right at the bottom of the Royal Mile you will find the Scottish Parliament.  It was designed by Spanish architect Enric Mirrales and despite being a controversial design, he won the contract.

Directly opposite is the Palace of Holyroodhouse which is the royal residence best known for tales of romance and intrigue during the time of Mary Queen of Scots.  The state rooms are still used by the present-day Queen, who stays here when she is in town.  There is an admission charge, but you can still take a good picture of the palace through the gates to the left.

Although, not strictly on the Royal Mile, you will see Arthur’s Seat which is a fabulous place to get sensational views across the city.  It forms part of Holyrood Park and it is worthwhile walking one of the several circular routes around the extinct volcano.  You will look down on the Palace and see the spires of the places at the top of the Royal Mile and a fantastic view of the Castle. We reviewed this walk when the area was covered in snow.

The Castle from Arthur's Seat

Bear in mind that it’s still light in the evening till around 10pm in the summer, so this free activity can be enjoyed when other tourist attractions are closed.

This guide is by no means a definitive list of what there is to do on the Royal Mile, but gives you a selection to choose from.  The whole area buzzes with charm and surprises and despite having trod the pavement for thirty five years, I still enjoy exploring the hub of activity that is The Royal Mile.

Many of these attractions are available on the Edinburgh Pass that we reviewed.

All set for some festive cheer aboard the Royal Yacht

On the weekend of 3rd and 4th December, the spirit of Christmas will be stepping aboard the vessel, as the yacht’s State Apartments will be adorned with decorations fit for a Queen.

In accordance with naval tradition, a Christmas tree will also be placed on the bridge; and complimentary mulled wine and shortbread will be available in the Chief Petty Officers’ Mess.

Additionally, there will be a selection of seasonal tastings in Britannia’s well-stocked gift shop; as well as discounts on its range of high quality and original items: ideal for some last-minute Christmas shopping.

To get a glimpse of how the Royal Family may have celebrated Christmases past on the ocean waves, Britannia will be open from 10.00am on Saturday 3rd and 4th December (with a last admission time of 3.30pm). More details are available on their website.

The Royal Botanic Garden is a wonderful place to visit at any time of year.

At Autumn, it is arguably at its best – when all the many different species of trees and plants begin to shed their leaves, resulting in all the varied colours and hues of the season.

And on clear, sunny autumn days, there are few places in Edinburgh to beat ‘the Botanics’.

Click on the small images below to view our gallery of photos.

With guests in town, we took a stroll around the city centre today to show them some of the best views of Edinburgh. Blessed with perfect Autumn weather and a gorgeous blue sky, here’s some of what we snapped today.

Started off with a walk through Inverleith Park

Reflections in St Andrew Square and the tents for 'Occupy Edinburgh' protest

View from The Mound

View from the museum roof garden on Chambers Street

Greyfriar's Bobby

Classic shot of Edinburgh Castle from Johnston Terrace

Ramsay Gardens with the tattoo seating dismantled

St Mary's Cathedral from Edinburgh Castle

View from Edinburgh Castle looking north. The trees are the Botanical Gardens,

With the exception of the views taken from within Edinburgh Castle, all the photos and places mentioned are free. You can still take a stroll up to the esplanade and take pictures of outside the castle for free and it well wor-th doing for the panoramic views of Edinburgh.

For years, the Royal Museum on Chambers Street was the ‘forgotten bedfellow’ of the National Museum of Scotland. Now, after a three year refurbishment, it is ready to reopen its doors once more: with a treasure trove of objects and exhibits and a modern space which has been designed to give access to its rich and varied collection to everyone.

View our photo gallery and video tour of the National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland - a treasure of Edinburgh

Window on the World

The grand steps from Chambers Street leading to the entrance doors of course remain: but street-level access to either side of them now leads into the new Entrance Hall. Originally the basement, the space was used to store the huge number of objects not on permanent display.

Now, with its vaulted ceiling and new Caithness stone flooring, the Entrance Hall provides a new and welcoming introduction to the museum, with a shop, a brasserie and visitor facilities. Described by architect Gareth Hoskins as like ‘holding up a grade-A listed building with one hand’, the work done on the Entrance Hall is the first sign of the museum’s impressive and modern transformation.

Newly-installed glass lifts take visitors into the stunning Victorian architecture of the Grand Gallery. As they glide smoothly upwards, they pass the Window on the World, a four-storey installation of objects from the museum’s collection. An example of the innovative work by designer Ralph Applebaum, it is intended to evoke a sense of drama and wonder: a nod to the original Victorian intention of the museum as a ‘portal’ into cultural amusement and public education.

The World Cultures galleries

The lifts also ensure access to the upper galleries is easy and fully accessible. Prior to the refurbishment, only around 10% of visitors ever ventured above the ground floor. Now, we imagine most people will take the lifts straight to the top, to marvel at the architecture of the Victorian ‘birdcage’ design and to enjoy the new sense of light and space which the transformation has provided.

From the Grand Gallery, 16 new themed exhibition spaces can be reached. The National Museum of Scotland’s collection is broad, encompassing science, nature and culture: but the galleries are connected by a broad theme of showcasing the Scots as a nation of inventors, entrepreneurs and explorers; their objects telling stories of the nation’s ingenuity, sense of adventure and its thirst for knowledge.

The galleries therefore include Shaping Our World, an innovative look at how technology has affected our lives; and the World Cultures galleries, bringing together objects from all corners of the world in a fascinatingly curated collection.

Old friends in the Natural World galleries

If like us, you have fond memories of visiting the museum as a child, then the Natural World gallery will be a welcome surprise. A stunning new three-storey installation, it is filled with some old friends – and some destined to become new favourites. Sealife exhibits ‘swim’ overhead: above leaping tigers, fighting peacocks and powerful dinosaur skeletons. The overall impact is striking and modern, and this section of the museum is likely to be the first stop for children and families.

When the museum first opened in the 19th century, the papers proudly reported that there was ‘no sign of wantonness’. Nor, we are happy to report, is there any on display today – only a stunning and impressive modern museum for the 21st century which is all set to become one of Edinburgh’s top attractions for visitors and residents alike.

The National Museum of Scotland opens to the public at 10:00 on 29 July. The grand reopening will be preceded by celebrations on Chambers Street outside at 09:15 – more information is available here.

Video of the Grand Gallery and Natural World gallery

We understand that some Edinburgh residents will be less than enthralled at the prospect of the coming weeks with the madness and traffic jams that ensues.

Here is our guide to finding some peace in Edinburgh, away from Fringe performers demanding you accept their flyer for a show you have no intention of seeing.  All of our suggestions are linked to our previous articles and remember we’ve personally been everywhere we suggest!

Our things to do section is full of  ideas, but here are some of our personal favourites:

Explore the botanics

1.  Explore Dr Neil’s Garden in Duddingston and escape the mayhem in this peaceful hidden garden in Edinburgh.  Take a picnic and enjoy reading a book in the shade.  Another excellent garden in the north of the city is the Edinburgh-Kyoto Friendship Garden.

2.  Take a stroll along the Water of Leith and get the ‘country’ feel.   Walk one way and get the bus back to your starting point if you don’t wish to cover the same ground.  The Roseburn to Dean Village section is particularly stunning in the summer. Try and spot all six Anthony Gormley figures.

3.  It has been known to rain in August, so head to the excellent Camera Obscura and lose yourself within a world of illusions. There are great views from the top on a clear day, but this attraction is also a perfect wet-weather choice.

4.  Another wet weather activity is an underground adventure at Mary King’s Close (although you have to walk on the Royal Mile to get there, so avoiding Fringe people completely may not be possible).

5.  On beautiful sunny days, head with kids to Inverleith Park Playground or to the neighbouring botanical gardens for a stroll amongst the gorgeous grounds.  You can also take younger family members squirrel hunting there.

6.  Great views are to be found at the top of Nelson’s Monument on the top of Calton Hill.

View from the Scott Monument

7.  The Scott Monument affords 360 degree views of Edinburgh and you even get a certificate to say you climbed all 287 steps to the top!

8.  Pay a visit to Leith and see how the Royal family lived on board the Royal Yacht Britannia, which comes highly recommended from us.

9.  You could also head to Brunstfield Links and play some golf for free. This is the world’s oldest short hole golf course.

Jupiter Artland, West Lothian

10.  And if you really can’t stand to be in town during August, then head on one of our suggested day trips. Our favourite get-aways are Jupiter Artland and Vogrie Country Park.

Entrance of Castle

A trip to Direlton Castle in East Lothian

We headed down to East Lothian recently to pay a visit to Dirleton Castle in the beautiful village of Dirleton.  The castle is set in wonderful gardens which are beautiful to enjoy and are worth a visit in their own right.

We used our Historic Scotland membership to gain entry but the normal charges are Adult £5, Child £3, Concession £4.

You can pack a picnic, take a book or if visiting with little ones, just spend time exploring the castle and having fun.

The staff are very friendly and showed us an aerial map of the grounds and castle and the best route we should take.  One part of the castle was closed due to restoration work, but this did not spoil our visit.

The gardens

After walking through the main entrance into the castle, we explored all the nooks and crannies of the remains.  Staircases led to various look outs and the areas that are are damaged, are safely fenced off to visitors.  This is another good castle for children to explore and climb all over without getting into trouble.

We explored the castle vaults and read all the information boards to learn about the castle’s past before we exited through the west gardens which had an immaculate bowling green and lawn.

Explore the castle vaults

The castle is worth a visit if in the area as well as  Tantallon Castle in nearby North Berwick.  With views out to the sea and the Bass Rock, it is a must see when in East Lothian.

Whilst in  the Direlton area, you can stop off for afternoon tea and cake in Gullane and take a walk along the beach.

Suitable for disabled? The gardens are, but the access to the castle is via a set of steps.

Head down towards Mountcastle and beside the High School lies Figgate Park. The last time we visited this gorgeous green space, it was so foggy, Arthur’s Seat couldn’t be seen, but today, the sun was shining and we got views galore.

There’s some more information on Figgate Park on the council website but we found it a great place to wander around and soak in the views, look at the wildlife in the pond (with board walk) and admire the beautiful pictorial garden. You can walk your dog here, there’s picnic tables for good weather and it connects to Edinburgh’s cycle network.

Well worth a visit, but make sure to take your camera and binoculars for all the wildlife.

Figgate Park with Arthur's Seat in the background

Pictorial Garden

Baby moorhens

The excellent boardwalk

A heron on the central island

View from Camera Obscura

Get busy in the summer holidays by exploring Edinburgh

It’s almost the summer break and the kids will be off school looking for things to do.  Here’s some of our suggestions that come with our full recommendation and have all been individually reviewed.  You can also look at our things to do section for further ideas and our kids section.

1.Visit the excellent Camera Obscura on the Royal Mile.  Allow the kids to explore and learn on this very hands-on tourist attraction.

2. Take a trip to Edinburgh Zoo.  It’s a firm favourite of ours and we’ve taken the mini-Spotlight members many times.

3.  Explore underground Edinburgh at Mary King’s Close.  Perfect for any weather, the mini-Spotlight members enjoyed their time there.

4.  Pay a visit to Dr Neil’s Garden in Duddingston and pretend it’s a secret wonderland.   FREE

5.  Use up energy by climbing to the top of the Scott Monument and enjoy panoramic views of Edinburgh.  Get children to count every one of the 287 steps.

6. Explore the National Museum on Chambers Street and be sure to visit the 7th floor for spectacular views of the Edinburgh skyline, including the castle. The new museum will be open from 29th July 2011. FREE

7. Go squirrel hunting the Botanical Gardens.  Arm the family with some nuts and hunt out the squirrels and feed them.  FREE

8. Be a tourist in your own city and make good use of the Edinburgh Pass.  We saved a whopping £57.15 with a bit of careful planning.

View from Nelson Monument

9.  Admire the swans at St Margaret’s Loch and then walk around Arthur’s Seat.  Point out areas of Edinburgh to the children and get them to spot buildings such as Edinburgh Castle and Easter Road football stadium. If you’re feeling particularly energetic, you could also walk to the top!   FREE

10.  Visit an ancient castle.  We love Craigmillar Castle as you can climb all over it and explore every nook and cranny.

11.  Pay a visit to Gorgie Zoo. The goats, pigs, horses and other animals will keep youngsters amused for hours.  FREE

12.  Take a stroll along the Water of Leith and see if you can spot one of the otters living there just now.  There’s an abundance of wildlife to be seen and if you do spot any, photograph it and submit it to the excellent Edinburgh Wildlife site.  FREE

13.  Take a trip to the Edinburgh Brass Rubbing Centre.  Admire the beautiful building and have some quiet ‘craft’ time with children.  A perfect wet weather activity.

14. Visit the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile and show the little ones toys from years ago. FREE

15. Ever seen a million pounds?  You can at the Museum on the Mound as well as seeing what used to be used as money.  The museum often run workshops for children in the summer holidays. FREE

View from the Scott Monument

16. Explore the Royal Mile and Holyrood Park. Start at the top and walk down one side exploring every close, nook and cranny.  Once you reach the Parliament, cross the road and explore the other side back up to the Castle. You’ll discover secret gardens and places you never knew existed. FREE

17. Walk up Calton Hill and soak in the views of Edinburgh. Look southwards and try to spot Holyrood Palace. You also get a perfect view of Arthur’s Seat and Salisbury Crags.  Sit on the Portugese Cannon and climb the Athenian acropolis. FREE

18. Visit Nelson Monument and climb to the top for unrivaled 360 degree views of Edinburgh.

19. Walk up and down the newly opened Scotsman Steps that connect North Bridge to Market Street.  There’s 104 different coloured steps to count and get the wee ones to point out their favourite colour. FREE

20. Have a game of pitch n’ putt on Brunstfield Links. FREE

Heron, Water of Leith

Shortcut from North Bridge

The Scotsman Steps are open again with 104 different coloured marble steps

Edinburgh’s famous Scotsman Steps have been revamped and a major artwork installed to once again provide a grand public passageway between the city’s Old and New Town.  We’ve missed the handy shortcut from North Bridge to Market Street and are delighted that they’re open again.

Originally built in 1899, as part of the Scotsman building – the steps have undergone a major refurbishment to create an attractive way to get quickly from one level of the city to another as well as creating a unique art destination in its own right. Previously the building looked run down and worse for wear with graffiti on the walls, damage to the stairs and recurring anti-social behaviour.

Now, the City of Edinburgh Council has been working with Edinburgh World Heritage and the Fruitmarket Gallery on a major project to bring the historic steps back to life.

Market Street entrance

Colourful marble

Since 2009, repairs have been carried out, retaining much of the original architecture. The work was carried out with around £250,000 funding from the Council and Edinburgh World Heritage. And the Fruitmarket Gallery also commissioned a Turner-Prize winning Scottish artist, Martin Creed in a £250,000 stunning art project.

The artwork called, Work 1059 is a feast for the eyes – with 104 steps leading from the Scotsman Hotel on North Bridge to Waverley Station and The Fruitmarket Gallery on Market Street. Each step is clad in a different colour of marble. Martin Creed is an artist of international reputation, in 2001; he won the Turner Prize with Work No. 227: The lights going on and off.

It is hoped, that the new refurbishment and artwork will not only improve the condition of the steps and bring in a wow factor but will reduce anti-social behaviour which was once associated with the building.

One more level to North Bridge

View out the windows of Waverley, North Bridge and The Balmoral

Marble detail

A rainbow of colours

A million pounds

Ever seen a million pounds in real life?  You can at the Museum on the Mound amongst many other interesting bank-related exhibits.  The museum has been open for a few years now and is an excellent free activity for people of all ages.

The museum has different sections to explore and the friendly staff supply you with a map of the floor plan and any information you may need.  As you walk through the entrance, you immediately spy £1,000,000 encased in a glass display.  Look carefully at the top right hand corner, it looks as if there’s 4 lots of bank notes missing – but there’s no money missing.

This money display used to be housed elsewhere but the sheer weight of the money (130 lbs) was no longer suitable for the cabinet, so it’s now been placed here.  Every single note has been marked ‘cancelled’ so it’s no longer legal tender.

Although we think of money today as banknotes and coins, things like tea, shells and even feathers have been used in the past. You can find out how money has evolved over the past 4,000 years and even have a go at cracking a safe!

There’s a few hands on exhibits, which will amuse children whilst adults may look at the old currencies on display and remember the designs of the coins and notes.

It’s certainly interesting to use the interactive maps to see how the city has changed and grown since the 1600s and to find out how the Mound got its name.

During the school holidays, the museum normally runs special workshops with hands-on activities.

There is a small gift shop that sells a selection of money-related items and the museum is completely accessible and buggy friendly.

Information:

Museum on the Mound
The Mound
Edinburgh
EH1 1YZ

Tel: 0131 243 5464
E-mail: info@museumonthemound.com

Group visits by appointment only

Opening hours:

Tuesday – Friday  1000 – 1700

Saturday – Sunday  1300 – 1700

Bank Holiday Mondays  1300 – 1700  (closed normal Mondays)
13:00 – 17:00

Free entry to the museum

Free museum

The Museum of Childhood, Royal Mile, Edinburgh.

By Victoria Bamber

The City of Edinburgh is home to many museums, all of which have a unique and interesting way of portraying the story they wish to tell. One museum which does this particularly well is the Museum of Childhood, situated on Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. As many would agree, childhood is a magical time; a time of learning, developing, growing and playing. The Museum of Childhood is solely dedicated to this period and it enchants its viewers in the only way it knows how; pure, innocent nostalgia – and lots of it.

With free admission, and generous opening times, the Museum of Childhood is instantly appealing to those visiting alone or as part of a group. Surprisingly roomy and with 5 floors full of artefacts, guests can easily spend a good couple of hours drifting back to a time where Muffin the Mule ruled our television screens, stamp collecting and metallic spinning tops entertained children for hours and pristine dolls with porcelain faces were to be admired from afar, out of reach from sticky fingers.

Collection of dolls

The museum is arranged in five well presented sections; ranging from hobbies, activities and games to the school yard, teddies, health and holidays. The third floor is especially impressive and plays host to hundreds of dolls, each with their own history and culture – many dating back to the early 19th century.

At the moment, some exhibitions in the Museum of Childhood are undergoing a refurbishment, leaving parts of the second floor in particular a little sparse, but despite this each section has the wonderful ability of appealing to visitors young and old through the classy displays, interesting arrangements and clever use of sound and picture. As expected, the museum is exceptionally child friendly, and offers old-fashioned games and toys such as snakes and ladders and rocking horses on every floor to combat boredom whilst educating and entertaining youngsters. One particular part of the museum which is especially thoughtful is situated on the fifth floor and gives children the opportunity to dress up in the fashions of the early 20th century with a few chosen garments symbolic to the period (adults too could indulge a little here if willing to leave their dignity at the door.)

One of the other lovely aspects of the Museum of Childhood is that visitors are so obviously enchanted by the items they see in the display cases. Whatever era you lived in, it is almost a guarantee that you recognise and identify with many artefacts on show – although the fact that your childhood toys are now behind glass in a museum is a harsh reality many adults can probably do without. Often the phrases ‘I had one of those’ or ‘Do you remember that?’ can be heard when passing a meccano set from the 1960s or a pedal car from the 1940s. Often much comfort can be found in the past when reminiscing over items which obviously brought much joy and happiness once upon a time.

Various displays

The Museum of Childhood is obviously popular with guests and has an informal air that many larger, less intimate museums lack. If you visit on a bank holiday, or at weekends the floors are usually busy – yet quiet reflection and pointed silences can be found when visiting on weekdays.  During the holidays family classes, events and workshops are introduced by staff, which help enhance visits and provide entertainment – usually free, for children and adults alike. The museum shop, selling replica toys and faux vintage items is also worth a wander around and one can almost guarantee that each group will leave with a few ‘Daddies Sauce’ or Reliant Robin postcards as a memento of a fabulous trip back in time.

Information:

The Museum of Childhood

42 High Street, Royal Mile, High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1TG
Tel: 0131 529 4142

Suitable for disabled?  Galleries One to Three are fully accessible. There are stairs to galleries Four and Five. Please ask the customer assistants for directions to the disabled toilet.

Our passes and free guidebook

Edinburgh Spotlight tests out the Edinburgh Pass

The Edinburgh Pass is the top tourist attraction pass for those visiting Edinburgh. We thought we would use our local knowledge and give a shot at cramming in as much as possible to get value for money.        

You can buy the pass online, at one of the various Visit Scotland Tourist Information Centres  and at the Edinburgh Dungeons in Market Street.        

Adult prices: 1 day pass £29, 2 day pass £39 & 3 day pass £49        

Child prices: 1 day pass £18, 2 day pass £24 & 3 day pass £30.        

Our review covers the use of 2 adults passes over 3 consecutive days (£49 each).         

There’s a section of FAQ’s on the Edinburgh Pass website, but the main ones we thought about were:        

Does the Edinburgh Pass cover Edinburgh Castle?  No.        

When does the card activate?  As soon as your visit your first attraction.        

Do I have to use the 2 and 3 day passes on consecutive days?  Yes.        

Does the Edinburgh Pass include travel on Lothian Buses?  No, you will need to pay for your fares separately, but most of the attractions visited can be done on foot.        

At the bottom of the Royal Mile

Bearing all of these in mind, we used the free information book and got planning!  Taking into account logistics and opening hours, we came up with 3 full-on days of activities. Each of the days are broken down with what we did and the total cost (if you were visiting without the Edinburgh Pass) which clearly demonstrates how much you can save.  We didn’t use the free airport bus ticket since we already live here, but that’s worth £6 and can be used on any day before or after the pass is valid.  We made substantial savings, making the Edinburgh Pass suitable for residents as well.        

Highlighted attractions are linked to individual reviews of the property or their own website.        

Day 1

Taking advantage of the 9am opening at Edinburgh Zoo (£15.50) we spent 2-3 hours exploring this animal attraction.  The highlights were the chimpanzees in the Budongo Trail and the sunbears.  We made use of the free hill-top safari to save our legs and left just before noon having seen the majority of what we wanted to.      

Zebra

Using the bus stop directly outside the zoo, we heading into town and the North Bridge.  Taking a left down the Royal Mile,  we were at the Queen’s Gallery (£6)  by 12.25pm where we enjoyed 40 minutes (including the free audio tour) of photos of the Queen from birth.      

Our next stop was the Surgeon’s Hall Museum (£5)  which is a fascinating series of exhibitions themed around surgery and anatomy in a building that is home to the Royal College of Surgeons. There are exhibits from years gone by, right up to information on modern-day sports surgery and a chance to try out keyhole surgery for yourself (simulated).   

We had to leave there by 3.30pm to get to the Mercat Cross in the High Street to start our 4pm tour with Mercat Tours – the secrets of the Royal Mile. (£10)   This was an interesting tour that informed us of the secrets that lurk in the history of Edinburgh’s most famous street.     

As this tour finished in Blair Street at 5.15pm, we walked the short distance to the timber-panelled  John Knox House (£4.25). Since it closed at 6pm, we quickly walked through this house (circa 1490).  It’s doubtful that John Knox ever lived here, but instead, preached from the window.  Although it was a quick visit, it was definitely worth taking the short tour for a glimpse of this old house.       

Our next stop was outside the Witchery on the Royal Mile to start our Murder and Witchery Tour (£7.50) at 7.30pm (pre-booking essential). Adam Lyal (deceased) told us stories from Edinburgh’s history with the help of a few characters from its past.  The tour is not frighteningly scary, but there’s a few ‘jump out’ moments, but all done in good fun.  This is an excellent tour and one you should make sure you fit in during your visit to Edinburgh.       

Total cost without Edinburgh Pass for the day – £48.25.  Saving of £18.25 per adult on standard 1 day pass (+£6 for airlink bus).        

Day 2

We visited Calton Hill first thing in the morning and soaked up the magnificent views that can be had from here,  before the Nelson Monument (£3) opened at 10am. This monument was erected in 1807 and stands 30 metres high.  There are 143 steps to reach the top of the public access and a further 27 that are private.  The viewing platform is small, but offers unrivaled views of Edinburgh.        

Gladstone's Land

Plan your itinerary and you can save substantial amounts of money

We took lots of photos before walking towards Charlotte Square (approx 25-30 mins at slow pace) and arrived at the Georgian House (£5.50). This property was formerly owned by the family of the Marquess of Bute before it was refurbished by the National Trust. It’s a delightful way to spend an hour and gives visitors a glimpse of life in the New Town in the 18th century.        

We headed towards Kingstables Road and the shadows of Edinburgh Castle,  through the Grassmarket and up picturesque Victoria Street to Gladstone’s Land (£5.50) at the top of the Royal Mile. This six-storey was home to a prosperous 17th century merchant.  The painted ceilings are incredible and the reconstructed shop booth is excellent with its 17th century replica goods.       

View down the Royal Mile from Camera Obscura

Camera Obscura is a must-see

Our next stop was one of our favourite attractions in Edinburgh - Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions (£9.95) which has a 150 year old observatory with a roving mirror that projects a 360 degree panorama of the city. The rest of the displays and interactive exhibitions drop you into a world of illusion and warped images. The views of Edinburgh Castle and down the Royal Mile are impressive, but we loved the shrinking room and mirror-maze the best.  Certainly a great way to spend the rest of the afternoon until it closed at 6pm.       

At 7pm, we started the  Ghost and Gore Tour (£7.50) outside the nearby Witchery.  Pre-booking  is essential.  We learnt about Alexander Clapperton, Jimmy Tamson and other characters from Edinburgh’s history and was an excellent (and not scary) way to the end the day.       

Total cost without the Edinburgh Pass for the day – £31.45. Savings so far on a two day pass (£39) per adult  is £41.45 (+£6 for airlink bus)        

Day 3

A more leisurely day was planned for our third day that involved our car.  If you’re a tourist, you could still do this day tour with a hire-car, picking it up early and dropping it off in the evening (or leaving town the next day).        

We chose to do it in the following order for a reason.        

Starting off at Hopetoun House at 10.30am (£9.20) we explored the impressive family home of the earls and marquesses of Linlithgow.  Most of the original 18th-century furniture and wall coverings can still be seen.  The grounds of Hopetoun House are also very impressive and we managed a brief walk around the parkland before heading down the east coast at 12.30pm.  The car journey took us approximately 1 hour to reach the National Museum of Flight (£9.50). We explored the hangars and parachute store and were amazed by the concorde experience which allows you to step inside a real plane.  The new interactive exhibits are excellent and we spent time learning how things fly and making the most of this hands-on museum.     

A short 15 minute journey saw us arrive into North Berwick at 4.15pm and into the Scottish Seabird Centre (£7.95).   We loved the live cameras that allowed us to snoop on birds nesting on Bass Rock and neighbouring islands.  The puffins were extremely cute and we made good use of the information boards to learn about the animals.  There is also an outdoor telescope deck that allows you to look at the islands more closely.     

Choosing to do these 3 activities in this order made perfect sense as we wandered round the streets of North Berwick and had a well-deserved ice cream.  The beach also makes a pleasant stroll and for anyone with any energy left after 3 full days of sight-seeing, you could make the effort to walk up Berwick Law.     

Total cost for the day without the Edinburgh Pass – £26.65        

Value

Total spendings with the 3 day Edinburgh Pass – £106.10        

Cost of 3 day Edinburgh Pass -£49.00  per adult      

Total savings – £57.15  per adult (+£6 airlink bus)        

Of course, there’s different combinations you can do, but that’s the itineraries that we came up to get exceedingly good value from the passes.        

View from Nelson Monument

Other attractions included

Dynamic Earth normally costs £10.50 and the Edinburgh Dungeons £15.84  (the Edinburgh Pass also giving you priority entry).  One tour that we highly recommend is one of the Greenyonder Tours run by Edinburgh woman, Jean Bareham. You can see the full list of attractions also included in the pass on the website.        

With a little bit of planning, tourists and Edinburgh residents can get good value out of the Edinburgh Pass.        

Further information

You also receive a voucher for £2 off any Edinburgh Bus Tour and 20% off Scottish Citylink buses. These don’t have to be used within the same time period as the pass.        

There are also good food discounts available with the Edinburgh Pass, all of which are listed here.        

All offers associated with the Edinburgh Pass can be found here.      

Hopetoun House

Gladstone's Land

Nelson Monument in Spring

Magnificent views from Nelson Monument

The Nelson Monument is in honour of Admiral Lord Nelson’s victory and death at the battle of Trafalgar on 21 October 1805. We have previously visited the monument in winter but returned this week to enjoy the magnificent views in the sunshine.

The monument was erected in 1807 and stands 30 metres high.  There are 143 steps to reach the top of the public access and a further 27 that are private.  The viewing platform is small, but offers unrivaled views of Edinburgh.

The monument’s up-ended telescope design is topped with a mechanised time-ball sycronised with the one o’ clock gun fired from Edinburgh Castle.  The time ball, which is dropped daily, allows ships in Leith Harbour to set their chronometers by it.

Every year on 21st October, the anniversary of Nelson’s death, naval flags are flown from the monument signalling his famous words:  ’England expects every man to do his duty”.

If you are visiting Edinburgh, then try to pick a clear a day as possible to get the best views and if you are a resident, then choose a good weather day.   In summer, the sun does not pose too many problems when taking photos as it’s so high in the sky.  In winter, the sun can be low and early in the  morning it can spoil the views over to Arthur’s Seat and around lunch time, it’s above Edinburgh Castle.  You can never taken sunset shots from here as it’s only open till 6pm in summer and closes at 3pm in winter.

Arthur's Seat

Admission is  still £3 (April 2011) and is pretty reasonable for the rewarding views when climbing to the top.  The stairwell up to the outside viewing area is not cramped like the Scott Monument but has a very narrow exit.  We have actually measured it and it’s only 18 inches / 46cm in width. It would be impossible to fit through it front ways for any adult, so make sure you will be able to squeeze through sideways.  

Edinburgh Castle and Old Town skyline

There are great views looking down to the Athenian acropolis and over to the Firth of Forth.  It’s fantastic looking over the roof tops of Edinburgh’s New Town and working out which buildings are which.  It’s easy to spot the Botanical Gardens from the top and Easter Road, the home of Hibernian Football Club.

Looking down on the Athenian acropolis

Looking west over towards Edinburgh Castle, the Old Town skyline is clearly visible.  You can spot the buses on Princes Street and crowds of people. 

The view south to Arthur’s Seat is also fabulous and you can also spot many other landmarks such as the Scottish Parliament, Dynamic Earth and Holyrood Palace.  Just make sure you bring your camera to the top and a pair of binoculars if you have them.

At the bottom you can even get a certificate to commemorate your visit.   

Looking down onto Princes Street

Opening Times.  April to September:   Monday 1pm–6pm, Tuesday to Saturday 10am–6pm   Closed Sunday.   October to March:  Monday to Saturday 10am–3pm (no sunset shot available)  Closed Sundays.
 
Suitable for disabled?   Unfortunately not as there is only stair access.  If you can manage to walk up to the entrance, it’s worth looking at the imformation displays (free of charge)

Easter Road, home of Hibernian Football Club

Hopetoun House

Hopetoun House is a grand estate set on the outskirts of Edinburgh.  The 6,500 acres of land is glorious at any time of the year, but extra special when the sun is shining. You can visit the house and gardens, or just the gardens to enjoy one of the nature walks.  The House is open daily to visitors from Easter until the last weekend in September.  

Originally built between 1699 – 1707 for the 1st Earl of Hopetoun, the house is now run by a trust, but is still lived in by the current Earl of Hopetoun and his family.   

The Yellow Sitting Room

Inside the house, you get to experience how the wealthy family would have lived in the 1700s.   There is a lot of  gold amongst the magnificent interiors which also boast fine paintings and antique furniture.  Some of the sections of the house are closed to the public, but this does not detract from the experience.  

You do the tour at your own pace, but there are guides on hand to give you an introduction.  Each room has an information card which is valuable in finding out what happened in each of the grand rooms.  Even the butler’s pantry is amazing to see and imagine what hive of activity would have taken place hundreds of years ago.  

Don’t forget to climb to the top of the spiral staircase which leads out onto the roof terrace for magnificent views out to the Firth of Forth and the Forth Bridges.  The Stables Tearoom is also visible from here and is an excellent way to round off a visit.  

Looking down to the Stables Tearoom from the roof terrace

 A wide selection of snacks and more substantial meals are available amongst the usual coffee and tea selections, or you could treat yourself to a champagne afternoon tea.  Hopetoun House also welcomes visitors to picnic in the grounds at their leisure.  

Buy a season ticket for the grounds and enjoy the wonderful walks.

Opening dates and times: Hopetoun House and Grounds are open daily from 22nd April to 25th September 2011 from 10.30am – 5.00pm (last admission 4pm) Groups can book by appointment all the year round.  

Admission Prices:  

House and Grounds:  Adult £9.20  Child (5 – 16 years) £4.90  Pensioner/Student £8.00  Groups (20+) £8.00  Family £25.00  Registered disabled £4.90  

Grounds Only:  Adult £4.25  Child (5 – 16 years) £2.50  Pensioner/Student £3.70  Family £11.50  Registered disabled £2.50  

Grounds Season Tickets:  Individual Ticket (admits 1) £20  Couples Ticket (admits 2) £30  Family Ticket (admits 2+2) £35. These offer great value for money as you can use them as often as you wish during the visitor season. They also allow you to join in the ranger activities free of charge.  

Butler's Pantry

Keep up to date with Hopetoun house

You can read their what’s on page for upcoming events.  Hopetoun House plans to open a farmshop at the end of May 2011.  You can sign up to their newsletter to keep informed of what’s new. 

Hopetoun House is also on facebook and on twitter. 

Suitable for disabled?  Concession tickets are available for those registered disabled. There is designated parking, wheelchair loan, a lift to the main floor of the house and interactive digital access to the upper floor. Assistance dogs are welcome. The Tearoom is accessible, as are the bathrooms.

*

Beautiful grounds

Entrance to Malleny Garden

Worth the trip to Balerno for this stunning garden

Malleny Garden is a National Trust for Scotland property situated in Balerno. This beautiful 400 year old garden is free to enter for those that are members of the NTS, but non-members can pay the admission price of £3.50 into the donation box.  Concession and family prices also apply.

One of the main features of the garden is the four, 400 year old yew trees in the middle. Take a seat on one of the many benches and spend a couple of hours of quiet contemplation amidst beautiful surroundings.

The roses are stunning in the summer and the greenhouse is a wonderful array of colours.

This garden is perfect to visit after a walk along the neighbouring Water of Leith.

Suitable for disabled? Partially.  You can drop off near the house (private) and enter the gardens there to avoid the steps.  The paths are made up of small stones, but are manageable.

Take a seat and enjoy the silence

Spring blossom

Old yew trees

There’s nothing we like more than a stroll around the Royal Botanical Gardens.  Today, we took our camera with us and captured the vibrant colours of the flowers.

Pink bush

Yellow

Lilac

Orange

Scarlet

Purple

White

Green appearing on the hedge

Edinburgh residents and six Australian tourists have a ball at Camera Obscura

 

Camera Obscura entrance

Edinburgh’s Camera Obscura has a 150 year old observatory with a roving mirror that projects a 360 degree panorama of the city. The rest of the displays and interactive exhibitions drop you into a world of illusion and warped images.   

Last week, with Australian relatives in tow, we headed to this popular tourist attraction first thing in the morning.   

Our party of 9 (5 adults and 4 children) were warmly welcomed by the staff and given an allotted time for the observatory.  Everyone ran up the stairs to the very top and absorbed the views of Edinburgh in all directions.  The smaller children loved using the (free) telescopes to see as far as they could.  Wonderful views down The Royal Mile can be had here and over the Old Town rooftops.   

We were taken into the observatory where it is completely dark, but can be guided by hand rails to take your position above the image circle.  The guide talks through the history of Camera Obscura and points out everything you can see from the revolving view.  The staff member was enthusiastic as he spoke about the history of the camera and explained how it worked.  The children loved seeing the 360 degree views and were allowed a short time to ‘lift up’ people walking on the Castle Esplanade (a magic trick).   

View down The Royal Mile from the top

“Wonderful views down the Royal Mile”

You only get to experience this part once, which is all that is needed to be honest, but you are then free to spend as much time as you require exploring the other floors before leaving.   Our group as whole absolutely loved exploring every nook and cranny.  

We started at the Magic Gallery which is full of lightning tubes, plasma domes (including one of the largest in Europe) and lumiglass. Again, this floor is dark to give the best experience but shouldn’t be scary to young children as the lights lead the way through to the other section on the floor.  In this room you will find magic eye optical illusions on the wall.  There are also true mirrors which are interactive and suitable for all ages.  Some of the group’s favourite items were the kaleidoscope, an exhibit which allows you to swap heads with someone and a machine that took pictures of your shadows.      

“The new additions make this a must-visit attraction for tourists and residents of Edinburgh.”

Moving down to the 3rd floor, we came to ‘light fantastic’.  Holography was explained with numerous examples of dinosaurs, people’s heads and a giant spider so big it’s enough give an arachnophobe a heart attack. The kids were impressed, as were the adults and everything so far had been a sure-fire hit.   

Squeals of excitement were soon heard as the kids explore the new section of Camera Obscura and one we hadn’t seen before.  “Woooaaaah, that’s soooooooo cool” shouted one as another popped his face up on the ‘head on a plate’ exhibit.  We quickly ushered the kids to the morphing machine so the adults could take their turn and join in the fun.  

The amazing Ames room

On this floor is also the incredible, but disorientating Ames Room. You can become a giant or a dwarf here, which provided us with 20 minutes of fun as we took pictures of every combination of our group possible.  The youngest in the group (aged 7) loved that he became ‘bigger’ than his father and we laughed hysterically as other visitors turned their 2 year old into a giant.  This was a personal highlight for our group and full marks to Camera Obscura for allowing free photography of inside the room.  

Just when we thought it couldn’t get any better, the children led the way to the mirror maze and tried to find their way through, but kept bumping into themselves.  The vortex tunnel was next and the children took great pride in managing to run through the ‘rotating’ tunnel as the adults clung onto the sides as they were disorientated completely. (Closing your eyes and walking straight gets you there, if it’s not for you).    

Put your head on a plate

Moving down to the 2nd floor sees a display of old, new and unique images of Edinburgh.   

Several pictures of how the streets of Edinburgh used look are on the walls and you can think and compare how they look today.   

There is an excellent sepia photograph of St Giles Cathedral in the 1880s with a horse and cart in the foreground and beside it sits a picture of how it stands today with a taxi – a complete contrast.    

Throughout the building, there are optical illusions on the stairways and corridor walls, continuing the visual workout.    And on all the floors, there are little kick stools for smaller children to stand upon to make the most of the exhibits.  This is a well thought-out addition and saves adults lifting their children around the higher exhibits.  

If you’re an Edinburgh resident and not been to Camera Obscura for a while, there’s an excellent selection of new additions  that make it a must-visit tourist and resident attraction.  

We spent just under 2 hours here, but were on a tight schedule with limited time.  You could certainly spend a good 3 hours here (with children) exploring every single exhibit and it’s good value for money. For adults visiting,  we recommend 2 hours to do the place justice, but of course you can whizz around as fast as you like. 

Click here for admission prices, current opening hours and to book your visit online.  

You can find Camera Obscura on facebook and follow them on twitter.  

Suitable for disabled?  Unfortunately not due to the age of the building.  There are only stairs inside.  

Views over Edinburgh Old Town

Oldest short hole golf course in the world

Play on the world’s oldest short hole golf course for free

A wonderful free activity to do all year round is to play golf on Brunstfield Links.  Believed to be one of the oldest sites of gold (pre-dates 17th century), the short hole course was founded in 1895. 

Situated south of Melville Drive, there are two courses available to play on.  A summer short 36 hole course (open end of April to October) and a 9 hole winter course (open October to end of April). 

In the summer months, the green starter’s hut on the edge of the links is open most days to get information and advice on where to start your game. 

Pasture Golf state you must follow the rules of the Bruntsfield Links which are as follows: 

1) playing each hole from the tee areas
2) replacing any displaced turf (divots, not just your own, all over the course, particularly the tee areas.
3) repairing golf ball plugmarks on the putting greens.
4) keeping a watchful eye open for anyone: – a) causing willful damage to the course, b) damaging/stealing the flag pins, c) not playing in accordance with the Course Rules, e.g. playing over paths, and to politely advise them accordingly. 

You must also adhere to the rule that  ”no player shall play his or her ball across any footpath or road”. 

Permanent maps explaining courses are available

Playing on the course is free, so just take a long your own clubs and balls.  Should you need to hire equipment, visit the Golf Tavern on the edge of the links and hire them from behind the bar.  £5 deposit for clubs and balls (£3 hire, £2 returned at end of play) which is very reasonable. 

This BruntsfieldLinks course is not to be confused with the golf course situated at Barnton of the same name. 

You can play all year round, but adhere to the rules

Pic courtesy of Tollcross.org