Amidst the cobbled grey stone streets around Edinburgh’s infamous Royal Mile is an adventure seeped in history. Avoid the tourist crowds at its proud-standing Edinburgh Castle and instead venture into the nooks and crannies of old alleyways, reminiscent of the past.
With plentiful underground ancient vaults tucked away, there’s much to explore in the candlelit corridors with Mercat Tours. You can learn of the illegal whisky distilling trade amongst the old taverns and hear of the city’s notorious body snatchers and medicinal serial killers, Burke and Hare, through its history tours. You could, however enjoy the storytelling of the city’s ghosts and ghouls, and go on a ghost hunt.
Above ground, hear the children of the 1930s schoolroom recite their multiplication tables and witness the street games once played in the Museum of Childhood, the first museum of its kind in the world. Head along to The People’s Story, a museum dedicated to detailing the history of the people of Edinburgh. The Scottish Storytelling Centre similarly provides many live oral community tales.
There’s also the Scottish Whisky Heritage Centre, which provides tours as well as the excellent Amber restaurant, providing award winning traditional Scottish food. Many shops, cafes and restaurants support Slow Food, with Edinburgh hosting the most active local convivium within the UK movement, with a rundown of options including from Michelin-starred chefs, listed here.
Edinburgh is best known for its location for the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe during the month of August, which rounds up the world’s best entertainment through non-stop shows of theatre, dance, music, art, comedy and much more across the city’s charming venues, as well as street entertainment. The city becomes a wondrous, fun-packed throng of activity so book your shows, accommodation and travel now to avoid disappointment.
Image: tie78reu
