Enjoy a Family Break in Edinburgh

Enjoy aFamilyBreak in

Edinburgh Words and pictures: Sonja Bolger Edinburgh is a charming city that never failed to delight us as a couple, and we love returning to explore everything it has to offer a family.

Alongside wellknown Edinburgh attractions, there’s always something new to do! Our itinerary is focused on activities that entertain a toddler but are enjoyable for us too, and we’ve offered alternatives for older children.

DAY

The Hop On Hop Off bus is a

1fantastic way to orientate yourself while learning about Scotland’s diverse capital.

Edinburgh’s centre is compact, but the bus allows you to see the lay of the land while discovering the city’s history. Children can listen to the ‘Horrible Histories’ Kids Commentary too! Disembark near Princes Street Gardens to spend the rest of the morning around the former “Nor Loch”. There’s a small playground for little ones, climbing Scott Monument for older kids, or shopping along Princes Street. Loudons New Waverley is one of our favourite family-friendly lunch spots, just a short walk from the gardens. They have a tasty lunch menu and tempting cakes too. After, we take an ambling walk up the famous Royal Mile, browse touristy shops, and end up at Edinburgh Castle. We find inside Edinburgh Castle is geared towards older kids, so we enjoy its majestic sight then head to Camera Obscura & the World of Illusions. It has five floors of mind-bending entertainment and a rooftop terrace. Do both if you have time, though!

A family weekend in Edinburgh

Another favourite is the nearby Real Mary King’s Close. The historic underground street is an Edinburgh highlight, but it’s only available for ages 5+. Travelling with kids doesn’t stop you from dining in style! We suggest Scran & Scallie for dinner. They have a Michelin award, but the food is reasonably priced, and they welcome children of all ages.

DAY

Day two begins at Dynamic

2Earth, a family-orientated museum where you can journey from the Big Bang to the present day. It’s also an excellent opportunity to visit Calton Hill for more epic Edinburgh scenes on the way from the hostel. Holyrood Park is next, where the Salisbury Crags and Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano, dominate the city skyline. If you’re not up for walking to the very top of Arthur’s Seat, the Crags have magnificent views across the city. All the walking makes us peckish, so we go to Hemma on Holyrood Road for a homely atmosphere and delicious Scandi/European fare. We love getting out of the central city, so our afternoon itinerary has several options. For us, it’s a bus to Edinburgh’s “other” castle, Craigmillar, where our little one is free to roam the medieval ruins. Other ideas include Portobello beach, the tidal walk to Cramond Island, the mysterious Gilmerton Cove, or visiting the Pandas at Edinburgh Zoo. For kids (and adults!) who love Harry Potter, it’s the perfect time to embark on a tour of the locations said to have inspired the series, from Greyfriars Kirkyard to Victoria Bow. There’s time for a break at the hostel before an early dinner at Dishoom, and we can also suggest La Favorita on Leith Walk.

DAY 3

We’re going in the opposite direction to the Royal

Yacht Britannia at Leith’s Ocean’s Terminal this morning. Explore the former floating Royal home at your own pace with the audio tour (children’s tour available). After an easy walk to The Shore and a pit stop at our long favourite brunch spot, Mimi’s Bakehouse (save room for cakes!), we venture back into central Edinburgh. Last up is the National Museum, a classic spot but always a delight! Kids love the Natural World and Science galleries. As you can see, our family weekend in Edinburgh just scrapes the surface of fun things to do, and we’ll definitely be back for more!