It feels like it was ages ago that I had my weekend in Edinburgh. I love weekend breaks away, it is a great way to unwind as well as experience somewhere new.
My Instagram stories had real-time snippets of what I got up to for my weekend in Edinburgh. But there are so many top attractions in Edinburgh and you could easily spend a whole week exploring and still need more time. I only had the weekend though and this is what I got up to. For those of you that didn’t get to see them, I will fill you in on some of the key bits.
The trip started with an early morning flight with British Airways into Edinburgh airport. It was only a short flight but as I have built up so many air miles for spending on my American Express credit card, I thought it would be nice to fly premium for a change.
A perk of flying premium with British Airways is their airport lounges. Make sure you always travel in style with a nice hand luggage suitcase too.
My Weekend Escape To Edinburgh
Accommodation in Edinburgh
We got the bus from Edinburgh airport into Old town. We stayed in a hotel called The Scotsman which was right in the city centre.
The hotel was full of character with luxurious features, the walls and the floors were very grand.
It sits at the top of the North Bridge which is one of the highest resident points of the village. Allowing sensational views over the town and Edinburgh Castle. There are also some amazing lodges with hot tubs in Edinburgh for those who would rather have something other than a hotel.
The Director Room was the room in which we stayed, it which was a large newly refurbished room with panelled walls and stylish features.
The Scotsman Hotel is a 4-star rated hotel. The location, the quality and the value of the room is ideal for anyone wanting a nice, elegant stay within the heart of the city.
Edinburgh Castle
The castle for me was the highlight of the trip, we spent pretty much the whole day there.
If like me you get engrossed in history, try and get there as early as possible as it closes at 6 pm.
You can buy an audio tour or you can just make your way around the castle yourself going from point to point.
I highly recommend the audio tour though as there was a lot more information than you would have found out by just going around the points alone.
Parts of the military are still on site and it is in use.
You can go to St. Margaret’s chapel within the grounds which was built around 1130. It is very small and it is still used to this day for Christenings and Weddings.
The crown jewels of Scotland are on display to see, which is a pretty spectacular sight
Number one on my list of things to do in Edinburgh
The Scottish Whisky Experience
Whisky wouldn’t usually be my drink of choice, but when in Scotland it would be rude not to try some.
I was actually pleasantly surprised by the samples I got throughout the Whisky tour.
Learning about the history of the whisky and how each batch gets its flavours was pretty interesting.
The tour was great fun. It starts with a whisky barrel ride through time and the aromas of whisky and then a virtual tour of a distillery. It was all pretty impressive.
You get taught about identifying the taste notes in the different types of Whisky.
As well as which regions are the produces of which type
Another attraction that I would highly recommend. If you are an outdoor family, I highly recommend taking a look at Linlithgow Loch Circular Walk
Edinburgh was such a fun break away and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Even all the walking up hills and stairs didn’t bother me too much.
If you enjoy reading about visiting new places see what I got up to for my birthday in Bruge and my Easter holiday in Portugal
If you are looking for a family day out have a look at Plean Country Park
I intend to add Edinburgh to my list of destinations to visit again as there were loads I wasn’t able to do or see.
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I have always wanted to visit Edinburgh and I am determined I will go next year with my hubby for a weekend, it looks lovely! Your hotel looks gorgeous!
A beautiful city – looks like you had a ball
A fantastic city I’ve only been the once but it’s definitely on my travel bucket list to go again and explore it further
We spent last Christmas at Edinburgh. It was fantastic (especially the whiskey!) x
I am lucky enough to have a friend who lives not far from Edinburgh, so we have visited many times, its a beautiful city with loads of history, this year we are going to their Christmas markets, which i can highly reccomend
It looks like a really historic place to visit
One of the best times to visit Edinburgh is at Samhain. Love being there during special occasions
Edinburgh is a great city,glad you enjoyed it
Looks like a lovely place x
We visited Edinburgh last October and had a great time visiting the Castle, National Museum which was amazing and the lovely Botanical Gardens.
Beautiful city to visit I’ve been worth going
So nice to read of your lovely visit. Edinburgh is such a beautiful city.
Beautiful city x
I love Edinburgh. The most beautiful city in the UK. Never been to the Witchery though.
I haven’t been to Edinburgh since I was a child so can’t really advice of places to go to
this looks like an amazing weekend, have always wanted to go, especially to the vaults
i have family in EDINBURGH its a beautiful place x
Looks Beautiful there I have never been but would like to now I have seen these pictures
Scotland is a place I would love to visit, a lovely review and the hotel sounds amazing
Edinburgh is a lovely city we visited last summer. The national museum of Scotland is amazing.
I have never been to Scotland, Edinburgh does look very nice. I like art and culture so I am sure i would enjoy it.
I went there a few years ago with I was pregnant with my youngest, spent 3 days marching up and down the high street trying to find places lol was fun! The buskers there are amazing!
Love Edinburgh such a beautiful city
I would love to go
Looks like a lovely place to visit x
I have never been to Scotland but I’ve always wanted to visit Edinburgh. I would love to go at Christmas time I bet it’s lovely.
I last visited Edinburgh many many years ago but my son would love to visit the castle
This looks like an amazing weekend, I’d love to go here for Christmas!
I absolutely adore Edinburgh! so near to where I grew up too
I love Edinburgh. My baby brother lives there so I’m lucky to have a place to stay. Beautiful city.
I’ve always wanted to visit Edinburgh – looks such an interesting city.
I love Edinburgh, it’s got everything from shopping, bars, restaurants to castles and a zoo
I have never had the pleasure of visiting Scotland, but its on my bucket list, the hotel looked lovely, Edinburgh Castle and the whisky experiences sounds fabulous.
Wonderful photos – It’s on my bucket list to visit Edinburgh, such a beautiful city with great history.
I used to live in Haymrket a good few moons ago x
I love Edinburgh, I think it’s one of my favourite places to visit!
Never been but look great
edinburgh is a great city to visit. i travelled by train and stayed for a long weekend last year. Lots to do and see. Enjoyed the zoo. Lots of time viewing the pandas. The Royal Mile and castle are well worth a visit.
Looks stunning
Never been but would love to go
I’ve never been to Edinburgh. Great review of it.
Never been to Edinburgh, but this looks lovely. Another one to add to the list…
A lovely city
Looks lovely
I have been to Edinburgh on my own but would love to take my husband for a long weekend when we retire
l would love this for my mother in law! she loves her Whisky! x
Looks a fantastic place to be!
I’ve been on a whiskey tour when I visited my daughter in Inverness 4yrs ago. Great fun
So many years since I visited Edinburgh and I’d love to go back.
This looks gorgeous, I’m not sure the whiskey tour would be for me though
I love visiting Edinburgh, I always visit the zoo to see the pandas & I have a few fave cocktail bars there too.
I’m very glad you enjoyed your visit. It sounds like you didn’t try to fit too many things in, instead giving yourself the time you needed to enjoy the places you chose to the full, which is a great idea with a city break.
I’ve never been but it looks like a very lovely place to visit
That whisky tour just made it onto my bucket list!
I haven’t visited Edinburgh in quite some time but I really love it there. We always enjoy climbing the Scott Monument there.
A lovely trip to a beautiful city and what a treat flying premium.
Visit the castle then an underground tour of the vaults which was scary
Edinburgh is a lovely city to visit. We love to wander around Stockbridge for all the great little independent shops.
The castle looks like a must visit, and i do love Scotland and wish to visit again….
Diagon House at 40 Victoria St for any Harry Potter fans. Amazing!
What a lovely hotel and all those bottles of alcohol. No wonder you had such a great time.
Looks fabulous, I have never visited Edinburgh but am tempted to now!
I have never been to Scotland and your blog has inspired me…being half Scottish it’s ridiculous that I’ve not explored this beautiful country
Edinburgh is a great city, love some of the trendy suburbs too
Went to Edinburgh to see the Tattoo
JEL!!! it sounds like u had a ball it looks so BEAUTIFUL! i love ancient looking places! id get married here if i could! 🙂 😁 Thanks for sharing hun! x
Edinburgh looks a fantastic city and there are always different events going on. I have never been to Scotland and would love to visit Edinburgh but I am in a wheelchair and, from photos I have seen and different things people have said, I would struggle to be able to get about, even with my husband pushing the wheelchair.
looks good there never been
Love your photos, you seem to have enjoyed it.💕
Reading this blog has made me want to go to Edinburgh so much! I think it is one of those cities that has everything and has the best of modern life and history. Definitely on the bucket list!
Ive always wanted to go to edinburgh, looks like you had a lovely time
Edinburgh is on my wishlist for places to visit. I would love to go down into the Vaults and see if i can feel any ghostly atmospheres.
Aww wow it looks like you had an amazing trip to Edinburgh! It is an amazing City with lots of incredible places to explore, The Hotel looks super quirky I love it!
it looks lovely there
The Scotsman Hotel looks stylish, comfortable and full of character. It would be lovely to stay there and learn more about Scottish history by visiting Edinburgh Castle.
We have relations in Edinburgh so we have seen the castle.Love how it stands proud on the hill,I remember our relation saying as a child she used to climb up Arthur’s Seat ( the mountain in Edinburgh ) And sit and watch the garden parties in the grounds of Holyrood House.
Looks amazing, I’d love to visit Edinburgh 😊
Looks lovely 🙂
This is somewhere that I have not visited yet. Lovely reading your blog, I must go.
Ooh I would love to visit looks like you had an amazing experience!
i’ve always wanted to visit Edinburgh its such a beautiful city x
I have never been to Edinburgh but would love to, I just need to convince my other half
oh it sure looks beautiful there i would love to visit
I’m so happy you liked the castle, I think it’s well worth a visit.
I would love to go to Scotland! It’s on my list of destinations I would love to go too. Looks like you had a great time! I know the whisky distillery would be a must of my husband lol. The hotel looks inviting too!
Would love to go back to Edinburgh – lovely city!
I have never been to Edinburgh but I understand it is a wonderful place to visit
I would love to visit Edinburgh 😀
I love Edinburgh, such an atmospheric city. I hope to go again one day.
Edinburgh is a lovely place to visit. A visit to the castle is a must.
Been to Edinburgh lots of years ago really good would love to go again and try the whisky tour
Love Edinburgh especially when the Christmas markets are on
Looks like you had a great time
It looks a beautiful place I’ve been through it but never stopped to look around
I want to go so bad now! Only ever been to London. Think I need to live more x
ive never been,it looks really nice though
What a wonderful trip you had! I have never been to Edinburgh but your account has inspired me to try to go soon.
the scotsman looks amazing.
I have visited Scotland, but I have never been to Edinburgh. It looks wonderful. We love Scotland and the friendly people, so I’ treally want to stay in this lovely city.
I’ve passed through Edinburgh but never actually visited it. The Castle looks like an amazing day out xx
I love Edinburgh 💖
Sounds like a wonderful visit. Such a beautiful city.
Great photos, it looks like you had a wonderful time
I just love Scotland!
Edinburgh is my home town but i left years ago. Many memories
I have never been to Edinburgh and your post really makes me want to go there now! Thank you for all the interesting information.
Its a beautiful City, been a couple of times and have enjoyed the history which it offers, never got to the Castle and didnt realise it held crown jewels, so when we next go, thats the first place to visit on our agenda, thank you for this review
What a lovely place – I have always wanted to go to Edinburgh and perhaps one day I shall. Your account makes me want to go even more!
I have never been to Edinburgh and you have given me even more of a desire to go there. What a lovely time you had and what super places to visit while there.
I really want to go to Edinburgh it looks like such a beautiful place. And that hotel looks great!