Edinburgh continues to show its diversity by providing a variety of fantastic things to do for free!
The Stand Comedy Club 5 York Place, Edinburgh, 0131 558 7272
Edinburgh’s famous comedy club hosts “Whose Lunch is it anyway?” every Sunday lunch-time with comedians Stu and Gary. The show is very interactive, where the audience are asked to shout out ideas for mini sketches such as first line, middle line, last line, and the hilarious 1-minute scene that gradually becomes condensed into one second. Doors open at 12:30pm and the show starts at 1:30pm.
Bishops Hill Edinburgh
Hermitage of Braid Western Entrance, Braid Road
This leafy two-mile round walk through a beautiful nature reserve is one of my favourite places in Edinburgh, and you feel as if you’re in the countryside thanks to the Braid Burn, its wooded hillsides, and earthy smells. Take your time to discover the Hermitage House Visitor Centre, the 18th Century ice house, the waterfall and all the various paths throughout the reserve. Try and make it to the end because you might see horses from the nearby stables cavorting in the fields. To get there, take the 11, 15, 15A or 16 bus from Princes Street, alight in Morningside and it’s just a short 10 minute walk from the bus stop.
Arthur’s Seat Edinburgh
Where else will you find an extinct volcano in the centre of a city? Arthur’s Seat continues to be one of Edinburgh’s main attractions, with tens of thousands of people climbing and exploring it every year. With panoramic views of Edinburgh that reach as far as the Pentland Hills, you can chat with new friends you make at the top or add your name to the collection of past climbers by writing it with large stones. If you don’t have the energy to climb (it can be quite steep at times), you can walk around the Loch at the bottom and watch the diverse range of wildfowl that change throughout the year. If you’re really lucky, you might see the swans waddle across the road in single file and cause a mini traffic jam.
Princes Street Gardens Princes Street , Edinburgh
These pretty Gardens are a great place to have a picnic, relax or wander amongst the trees, all directly under Edinburgh Castle. Expect fountains, benches, a play park, even a carousel, and there’s also a little kiosk with seating that sells hot drinks and snacks.
Museums and Galleries Edinburgh
Edinburgh has are fantastic range of museums, with many providing free admission. Try Museum of Scotland on Chamber Street , Scottish National Portrait Gallery on The Mound , People’s Story Museum, Writers Museum and Museum of Childhood along the Royal Mile and Dean Gallery and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art on Belford Road. Google them for more information about their latest exhibitions.
Calton Hill , Edinburgh
Calton Hill affords excellent views of the Firth of Forth, the Kingdom of Fife across the water and North Berwick to the east. It’s also home to the National Monument, Nelson’s Monument and various festivals throughout the year such as Beltane Fire Festival and Dussehra Hindu Festival. Calton Hill is a great spot to get your bearings geographically and realise just how close Edinburgh is to the sea, which leads me to… Portobello Beach. Yes, we have a beach! It’s obviously not the Caribbean, but you’ll find a clean, blustery stretch with crashing waves and a nice promenade. There are a few hotels along the promenade where you can stop for lunch and people-watch. To get there, take the 26 bus from Princes Street, ask the driver to tell you when you reach the High Street and then it’s a short 5-10 minute walk to the sea.
Royal Mile street performers and artists Royal Mile
Although it’s best to see street folk doing their thing during the Festival in August, you’ll normally find a lone piper or caricaturist along the Royal Mile, so keep your eye peeled
By Kitty Colquhon
