Edinburgh: Salt and Sauce

Pick a clear day to visit the castle. There are fantastic views to be had from the Esplanade. Go up Arthur's Seat, but watch the weather--it can get pretty cold and windy up there. The new Museum of Scotland has great views from the roof and is beautiful inside and out, being built from golden sandstone which is a common building material in Edinburgh.

Quick Tips:

Always have plenty of change for the bus, or even better--get an off-peak ticket. The bus service into town from the airport is very reliable and frequent--don't waste your money on a taxi.

Best Way To Get Around:

The bus service is not bad and off-peak tickets are a good value. Many of the sites--e.g., Royal Mile, Grassmarket, and Princess Street--are within reasonable walking distance, but there are a lot of hills and little legs will tire quickly.

The Elephant House is a great place for a hot chocolate and croissant, but they also provide something more substantial and do interesting quiches, salads, and sandwiches. Sit at the back and you get an unusual view of the Castle. You will be surrounded by students from the university and sharing tables is the done thing. Newspapers are usually on the tables and board games are also available.