Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Auchtertool

"Edinburgh's Camera Obscura (meaning "dark room") is a fascinating and delightful way to take advantage of the wonderful views of the city from Castle Hill. Located immediately beside Edinburgh Castle, this intriguing attraction is housed in a Victorian rooftop chamber at the apex of the Outlook Tower. Inside this mysterious room, you can see moving images of Edinburgh's panorama projected onto the walls by the giant periscope."

"Getting to Camera Obscura : Located on Castlehill, the museum is a 6 minute walk from St Christopher’s Inns Edinburgh. Photo credit: Camera Obscura & World of Illusions, Edinburgh. Right at the top of the Royal Mile, just a few seconds walk from Edinburgh Castle, is the most fun, interactive museum on this list."

"A fascinating must-visit place for kids and elders which uses science optical principles into play is Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Located on the Royal Mile next to the Edinburgh Castle, is a perfect stop for fun. Camera Obscura originates from a Latin word meaning ‘dark room’."

"One of the most iconic views from Edinburgh is from atop Calton Hill, looking across Princes Street towards the castle, and placing the Dugald Stewart Monument in the foreground of your frame. This is a really lovely composition, and this image is often used to represent Edinburgh in photos around the world. You can shoot this particular shot either with a wide angle, or you can back up a bit and use a longer lens to compress the different elements together."

"If you’re in the market for a picture-perfect proposal spot, look no further than Calton Hill It boasts sights of the city and looks absolutely magical at dawn and dusk. As an added plus, it comes with built-in engagement photo backdrops - the Nelson Monument and National Monument."

"Princes Street marks a clear division between Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns. On one side, you’ll find all the high street stores you’d expect in a big city, along with countless coffee bars and eateries. Whilst on the other side, you’ll find the steps that take you down to the Gardens and, further, to the Old Town."

"Princes Street Gardens is located in the middle of Edinburgh, right beneath the castle. They used to be the site of the Nor Loch – the North Loch which was drained when the New Town was built in the 1760s. The gardens have a wonderful view of the castle, and it is a great place to stroll or stop for a picnic."

"It offers an amazing view of Edinburgh Castle, plenty of space to sprawl and stroll and won’t cost you a £ to visit. Dream date idea: pack a picnic basket with your partner’s favourite meal and a bottle of bubbly and spend the day enjoying the great outdoors before you pop the question."

"Also known as Edinburgh’s Secret Garden and on the other side of Holyrood Park from Edinburgh city centre, Dr Neil’s Garden is a heaven of tranquillity and a font of inspiration for artists, musicians and writers. It was originally created by Drs Nancy and Andrew Neil, who had a keen interest in horticulture and medicine. Child friendly: yes Address: Dr Neil’s Garden, Old Church Lane, Duddingston Village, Edinburgh EH15 3PX Opening hours: Mon to Sun: 10am – 5pm More information on visiting this garden"

"Dr Neil’s Garden is a wonderfully quaint place to wile away an afternoon or as a pit-stop on your way up to Arthur’s Seat. Tip: If you're lucky you may catch deer cooling off in the nearby Loch. *Guide-dog friendly!"

"Edinburgh’s quintessential secret garden, in the shadow of a 12th-century kirk, is one of the most peaceful green spaces in Scotland. Cultivated in the 1960s by doctors Andrew and Nancy Neil from a scrappy piece..."

"This is a new space in a historic area, just off ancient Canongate in the heart of the Old Town. Envisaged as a community arts and commerce project, the Old Tolbooth Market (daily 11am to 6pm) has a multicultural remit, with a Scottish/Afro-Caribbean street buffet, Jam Rock Jamaican chicken and more. You’ll also find hot Tanzanian hot chilli sauces, flowers, arts and crafts, plus live music and performances."

"This aesthetically pleasing restaurant is all whitewashed walls and stripped wooden tables and serves deceptively pared-back dishes that burst with flavour. Much of the food is sourced locally, such as the asparagus, which is grown in Angus just over an hour away, while the beremeal and malted barley bread is baked on-site daily and served warm from the oven with Fhior’s house-made butter."

"Since opening Fhior in summer 2018, chef Scott Smith has been busy wowing food critics and putting his stamp on restaurant-centric Broughton Street. His previous project, Norn, down in Leith, was good—maybe excellent—but Fhior is even better, slicker, and more focused. Smith has a lightness of touch and just the right amount of everything: inventiveness, wit, and skill."

"If you hadn’t guessed by the ruddy great Eiffel Tower adorning the wall of the café space, there’s a French influence at large here – though the flaky brekkie croissants and pains au chocolat are as popular as the traditional breakfast fry-up or black pudding butty. All day ‘snacks’ range from the likes of croque monsieur to grilled paninis and salad. It’s the menu du jour though, available at lunch and dinner, that offers the tastiest scran, and best reason to loiter here."

"Cafe Marlayne is a lovely French restaurant in the New Town. There is a large semi-formal dining area to the rear of the premises, and a delightfully relaxed cafe nearer the front with comfy sofas and a plethora of cushions. The restaurant serves a wide array of classic French bistro dishes, such as the wonderful crock monsieur and an array of tempting soups, terrines and roasts."

"Cafe Marlayne in Thistle Street has a charming artsy decor, which is inspired by typical Parisian restaurants. Located near the Princes Street shopping area, this restaurant serves classic French dishes made with local produce. The menu comprises a wide selection of soups, seafood and meats."