Edinburgh is one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in the world. The Edinburgh Festival and Fringe Festival, The Science Fair and Hogmanay (New Year) Celebrations are all popular times to visit Edinburgh, but "Auld Reekie" also offers all year round interest, including the Royal Mile historical or "ghost" tours that will take you underground to excavations of the historical old city, many fine museums and galleries, performing arts in the Playhouse, the Lyceum and the Festival Theatre among many others, and concerts in the Usher Hall or the Queen's Hall.

Edinburgh Festival and Fringe

Hogmanay

Favourite Places:

• The world-famous Edinburgh Castle
• Holyrood Palace, the Edinburgh Royal residence, including the 12th century Abbey and the Holyrood Gardens.

To find out more about the history of the city:

• Museum of Childhood
• Royal Museum of Scotland

If the weather is nice:

• Melville Golf Centre
• The Princes Street Gardens
• The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith
• The Royal Botanic Gardens
• Edinburgh Zoo
• Arthur's Seat for panoramic views of the city and the Firth of Forth
• Forth Bridges
• Cruises

Guided Tours:

• Mercat Tours (historical and/or "ghost" walking tours)
• Rabbies Tours, who offer mini coach tours throughout Scotland.
• The Edinburgh Malt Whisky Tour
• Edinburgh Crystal Factory

For Fun with Children:

• The Butterfly Farm
• Portobello Promenade and "Shows" (amusements)
• Megabowl and Multiplex Cinema
• Beaches at North Berwick, Yellow Craigs, Gullane
• Golf in Duddingston Park
• Alien Rock (Climbing Wall)
• Leith Water World
• Deep Sea World

Day Trips

• St. Andrews to see the home of Golf
• Melrose, including Melrose Abbey
• Loch Lomond and the Trossachs
• Glasgow, including the People's Museum