Edinburgh/South

[1]

By foot

• Walk across The Meadows (though not alone in the hours of darkness) from the southern edge of the Old Town.
• Or southwards along Nicholson Street and Clerk Street from South Bridge.
• Or down Lothian Road and Home Street from the West End of the New Town.

By bus

• The Royal Observatory

  phone: +44 131 668-8100
  address: Blackford Hill
  Take a tour of the dome, housing one of Europe's largest telescopes. Learn about the history of the observatory and some of the cutting edge work they are carrying out today. If the weather is clear you can observe the stars in winter or the sun (through a special telescope) in summer. On some Fridays there is a special theme - check website for details.

• Craigmillar Castle

  phone: +44 131 661-4445
  address: Craigmillar Castle Road, EH16 4SY

Otter

• Rosslyn Chapel

  address: Roslin, Midlothian
  A 15th-century church already famous for its connections with the Knights Templar and stories that the Holy Grail might rest here, then the Da Vinci Code came along and Rosslyn went ballistic. Despite the crowds it's well worth a visit for the stunning stone-carving and special atmosphere. Be sure to take a walk along the Roslin Glen before catching the bus back into town.

• Swanston Village

  address: Swanston, Fairmilehead
  Strangely isolated little village of thatched cottages where the city meets the Pentland Hills. Robert Louis Stevenson spent a lot of time here is his late teens and early twenties, as his parents lived in Swanston Cottage at the time.

• Upright Gallery

  address: 3 Barclay Terrace, Bruntsfield
  Commercial art gallery

• MeadowsEdinburgh's best and biggest central public park. Absolutely free. Known for great atmosphere especially during the summer and entertainment like the festival and regular busking. Great for a walk at any time, day or night. Always awash with activity, the Meadows is the perfect place to relax, read a book, get drunk, or play some football. Tennis courts are available for hire at the eastern end of the park.

• Summerhall

  phone: +44 131 560-1581 (Box office)
  address: 1 Summerhall
  Contemporary art exhibitions and event space in the former Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary. The distillery that produces Pickering's Gin is located there and tours by appointment are available (+44 131 290-2901). Barney's Brewery is there as well, though only open to the public on special occasions. You can try both beer and gin at the Royal Dick, which is a pub in the courtyard of Summerhall.

• The Queen's Hall

  phone: +44 131 668-2019 (Box office)
  address: 85 - 89 Clerk Street
  Offers a variety of musical events across all genres (classical, jazz, blues, pop, rock, world, folk and comedy).

• Royal Commonwealth Pool

  phone: +44 131 667-7211
  address: Dalkeith Road
  The pool was built for the Commonwealth Games in 1970, and was used again for the 1986 and 2014 games.

• Bruntsfield LinksThis is a park adjoining the Meadows which offers a short hole golf course for everyone. If you don't have any equipment, ask for clubs and balls from The Golf Tavern (see below).

• Union Canal

  address: Starts at Fountainbridge Square
  Walk or cycle along the start of the Canal or go for a boat trip. The Canal eventually meets with the Forth and Clyde Canal at the Falkirk Wheel, which is about half-way to Glasgow.
• Walk along Bruntsfield Place and Morningside Road (all one long road) which feature lots of small shops, cafés, restaurants and bakeries.

• Dominion

  phone: +44 131 447-4771
  address: 18 Newbattle Terrace
  Mainstream & alternative films. One screen is full of two- and three-person leather sofas for the ultimate cinema-going experience.
• Arthur's Seat is easily accessed from South Edinburgh, but see Old Town for description.

Further afield

Eileen Henderson

• Pentland Hills Regional ParkHillwalking, mountain-biking, orienteering and horse-riding. The Pentlands are far from Scotland's highest or most prestigious hills, however they do offer some proper wilderness on the fringe of the city, with hills, lochs and some amazing views across Central Scotland. If you're planning to head into the hills, make sure you have a suitable map. Ordnance Survey Landranger sheets 66, 65, 72 cover the area, Harveys SuperWalker Pentland Hills Map covers the whole area on one sheet. All should be available from local bookshops and outdoor equipment retailers. Getting there takes around 30 minutes on the bus, or 45 minutes by bicycle from central Edinburgh. Map of official mountain bike routes and local walks.

• Midlothian Snowsports Centre

  phone: +44 131 445-4433
  address: Hillend, Biggar Road, near Edinburgh. Located in the Pentland Hills Regional Park
  One of Europe's longest artificial ski slopes, suitable for skiers and boarders of all abilities. Instruction available. Chairlift and 2 tows. Equipment hire available on site, or bring your own. Wear long trousers, long sleeves and gloves as the matting will take off a few layers of skin if (when?) you fall.

• Stewart Brewing

  phone: +44 131 563-7580
  address: 26a Dryden Road, Bilston Glen Ind Estate, Loanhead
  Th and F starting at 7PM (until 9:30PM) you can take part in a brewery tour which includes drinks and snacks. Prices are £15 adults and £12 concessions. Call the number above to book in advance. Every Saturday you can come by (advance booking not required) between noon and 4:30PM and will get a tour plus beer samples for £7.50.

• Dalkeith Country Park

  phone: +44 131 654-1666
  A vast park next to Dalkeith. Great for outdoor activities such as cycling, walking, hiking, etc. One entrance point is at the north-east end of Dalkeith High Street.

• Drinkmonger

  phone: +44 131 229-2205
  address: 11 Bruntsfield Place
  They offer a very good selection of whiskies, wines, beers and other spirits.

• Great Grog Bottle Shop

  phone: +44 131 667-2855
  address: 2 Dalkeith Road
  Nice selection of local and international beers; has wines and spirits as well.

• Hog's Head Music

  address: 62 South Clerk Street, EH8 9PS
  Store selling second hand music CDs and movie DVDs.

• Waitrose

  address: 145 Morningside Road
  A branch of the UK-wide chain of more upmarket supermarkets.

• Time & Tide

  phone: +44 131 446-3667
  address: 7-9 Church Hill Place, EH10 4BE
  Relaxed homeware and interior accessories.

Budget

• Susie's Wholefood WagonVegetarian wraps, burritos and burgers. Only served around lunch time. Check the webpage if the wagon is there before you go.

• The Wee Boulangerie

  phone: +44 131 629-3134
  address: 67 Clerk Street
  Delicious bakery which produces their breads, croissants, baguettes etc. in the bakery shop. It's a small shop, but they have a few tables to sit in.

Mid-range

• Apiary

  address: 33 Newington Road
  Fine dining. It's the sister restaurant of the Three Birds in Bruntsfield.

• The Clay Oven

  phone: +44 131 447-9724
  address: 86 Morningside Rd
  Homey, comfortable restaurant dedicated to offering traditional and simple South Indian cuisine.

• Hanedan

  phone: +44 131 667-4242
  address: 41 West Preston Street
  Turkish restaurant specialising in grilled meats and fish. Always very popular; a reservation is recommended.

• The Hermitage Bar

  address: 1 Comiston Road
  This pub has very good food at reasonable prices and a nice modern interior.

• Voujon

  phone: +44 131 667 5046
  address: 107 Newington Road, EH9 1QW
  Proper Indian restaurant (rather than a cafè or take-away), full meals around £22.

• The Canny Man

  address: 237 Morningside Road
  Famously idiosyncratic pub in Edinburgh's douce Morningside area. (Be aware that it's actually illegal to mention Morningside without describing it as douce - just search online for news items mentioning the area for evidence of this). Heinous crimes such as "owning a rucsac", "using a mobile phone" and "waving a camera about", among others, are liable to result in instant dismissal and a lifetime ban. Don't let the grumpy reputation put you off however as this is a comfortably civilised place to spend some time, with an excellent range of ales, impressive wine list, and a whisky menu as long as your arm. Good food too.

• Clerk's bar

  phone: +44 131 667-2701
  address: 74-78 South Clerk Street
  Good pub food and a changing selection of local beers.

• Cask and Barrel

  address: 24-26 West Preston Street
  A pub offering a changing selection of ales. They also have a big selection of whiskies. No food.

• Leslie's Bar

  address: 45-47 Ratcliffe Terrace
  A traditional pub with lots of locals, changing guest ales and a decent selection of whiskies.

• The Golf Tavern

  address: 30-31 Wrights Houses
  Good food and an outside seating area overlooking the Bruntsfield Links. You can also get golf clubs and balls for £3.50 from here if you want to play on the adjacent Links.

Budget

• Argyle Backpackers

  phone: +44 131 667-9991
  address: 14 Argyle Pl
  Two good self-catering kitchens, garden, conservatory/seating area, choice of different sized dorms, and private rooms. Definitely not a party hostel.

• Pollock Halls

  phone: +44 131 651-2189
  address: 18 Holyrood Park Road
  Run by Edinburgh First from the University of Edinburgh, open June 25 to September 10. Accommodation near to the Royal Commonwealth Pool and Arthur's Seat. About half-hour walk to city center. Very nice Scottish breakfast in campus cafeteria. Completely nonsmoking.

• Travelodge Cameron Toll

  phone: 08719 846458 (high cost)
  address: 43 Craigmillar Park, Cameron Toll, EH16 5PD
  Usual Travelodge experience. About 20 minutes by bus to the centre. Around £50 for a double room without breakfast.

Mid-range

• Southside Guest House

  phone: +44 131 668-4422
  address: 8 Newington Road
  Probably the stand out among the many hotels and guest houses on this main road which stretches from the edge of the Old Town southwards almost to the edge of the city.

• Sonas Guest House

  phone: +44 131 667-2781
  address: 3 East Mayfield
  Sonas Guest House is a beautifully converted 19th-century Victorian villa, built in the 1870s for the directors of the railway. It offers the charm of 19th-century Edinburgh with 21st-century amenities such as free Wi-Fi and parking.

• Dairy Cottage

  phone: +44 131 440-1608
  address: Roslin
  Bed and Breakfast near the Rosslyn chapel.

• Kingsway Guest House

  phone: +44 131 667-5029
  address: 5 East Mayfield
  Popular, family-run Victorian guest house established in 1990, one of the first in this area. Great service, great rooms, great breakfast.

• The Dunedin Guest House

  phone: +44 131 668-1949
  address: 8 Priestfield Road, West of Old Town
  This is relatively expensive (£50-£90 for a double room), but with a beautiful decor and friendly staff.

• Best Western Plus Bruntsfield Hotel

  phone: +44 131 229-1393
  address: 69 Bruntsfield Place
  Traditional boutique hotel with contemporary touches and Bisque Bar & Brasserie with mains around £15. Free parking & free WiFi.

Splurge

• Prestonfield House

  phone: +44 131 225-7800
  address: Priestfield Road
  Multiple award-winning 5-star hotel in the shadow of Arthur's Seat. What other city hotel anywhere in the world can boast a herd of Highland Cattle in its grounds?