Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and a picturesque city that is jam-packed with history, culture and splendid views. Both its medieval Old Town and Georgian New Town are World Heritage sites, and its Castle and Royal Mile are world-famous. Known as much for its culture, Edinburgh hosts the Fringe Festival, Hogmanay street party, Military Tattoo and Beltane Fire Festival, inspired by the ancient Gaelic celebration.
Edinburgh is also a city of parks, and we are never far from the wilder great outdoors. Our route takes us from Arthur's Seat out to Leith before returning to the city centre, walking via Murrayfield and The Meadows before reaching Haymarket, Princes Street and the Castle. We progress up the Royal Mile as our grand finale, finishing again at Holyrood Park.
- DAY 1: Arrive in Edinburgh on Friday and assemble at our hotel and make the most of the evening!
- DAY 2: We start at Holyrood Park, our route takes us uphill through the estate home of Holyrood Palace to Arthur's Seat, the highest point today at 250m. From here we head east and downhill to the Firth of Forth, via Duddingston Loch until we reach Leith and Edinburgh's docks. The Royal Yacht Britannia is moored here.
Heading inland, we reach the Botanical Gardens, and turn west, passing via Murrayfield Stadium. More than halfway now, we walk through Haymarket before looping back round to the centre again. We cross the lovely wide open spaces of The Meadows, Edinburgh's well-known public park, In the Old Town now, we pass Edinburgh's 16th-century University and walk through Grassmarket, an ancient market square. The Castle looms above us, and we walk around it to Princes Street, crossing over The Mound, with its impressive buildings, we return to Old Town and progress up to Castle Rock, the hard volcanic plug which forms the base of Edinburgh Castle. Here the Royal Mile stretches all the way downhill to Holyrood Palace. We're now only a stone's throw away from our finishing point.
- DAY 3: You are free to enjoy the city and depart for home as per your own travel arrangements.
Photography from Edinburgh Inspiring Capital