Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Balerno

"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."

"Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is a quirky little museum just down the hill from the Castle. It’s one of the most popular Edinburgh attractions and great fun for the whole family. The museum is set over 5 floors and contains hundreds of illusions, many of which are interactive."

"Originally known as Caltoun or Caldoun Hill, Calton Hill offers one of the best and most iconic views of the city of Edinburgh. Granted to the people of Edinburgh by James II in 1456, the hill is now home to a bewildering number of buildings and monuments including the National Monument (an unfinished folly resembling the front of the Parthenon which is dedicated to those who died in the Napoleonic wars), Nelson's Monument (housing a time-ball mechanism by which ships used to set their chronometers), the Dugald Stewart Monument (a beautiful circular temple of nine columns dedicated to the Scottish philosopher), the Political Martyrs Monument, and the City Observatory (to name only a few). Recommended for Parks because: Calton Hill is home to some of the most famous Edinburgh monuments and offers some of the best views of the city."

"If you head for the Balmoral Hotel (large clock tower in New Town) head Northeast and you’ll find your way up Calton Hill. There’s plenty to see up there – from Nelson Monument (see below) to just soaking up in the breathtaking views of Edinburgh!"

"If you don’t want to venture too far out of the city, kids can also play in Prince’s Street Gardens in the shadow of the Scott monument – which you can climb, although at 287 often narrow and twisty steps, you might want to stick to the views from the Camera Obscura instead. At Christmas, the gardens turn into a Winter Wonderland including Christmas market, ice rink and ferris wheel, dubbed the Edinburgh Eye."

"Nestled below the castle is this charming, flora-filled park, which features walking paths as well as the Scott Monument and the Ross Fountain. The Ross Bandstand plays home to assorted concerts and special events, including during Edinburgh’s legendary hogmanay, or New Year’s Eve, celebrations as well as a Christmas Market and ‘winter wonderland’ in the lead-up to Christmas."

"Enjoy a glass of mulled wine at Edinburgh Christmas Market|© Monica Wells / Alamy Stock Photo. No visit to Edinburgh in the wintertime would be complete without a browse round the atmospheric Christmas Market (daily 10am – 10pm, mid November to early January). It’s also pretty much impossible to avoid, regardless of whether you’re a tourist or a beleaguered Edinburgh shopper."

"A two story extension was added in the 1820s by architect William Burn, and finally a library was added in the 1870s. The interior is beautifully decorated and furnished in Edwardian style and features some beautiful works of art. There are regular craft workshops for all ages held in the Victorian kitchen throughout the year."

"Tucked away near Cramond Beach, enjoy the delights of Lauriston Castle while being surrounded by an open green space. Don't forget to take a walk through their Japanese Gardens as recommended by Rosa, our Design Assistant!"

"Edinburgh Waverley is the perfect blend of old and new, with areas dating back to the 1800s and other sections being constantly expanded, developed and changed. Travellers are welcomed to Scotland’s capital with stunning arches, and can walk out straight onto Princes Street beneath a glass ceiling which offers a perfect view of the Edinburgh sky. As well as being the primary link between Edinburgh and the rest of the UK, the station is also one of several links between the Old Town and the New Town — bringing people together in many different ways."

"Located under North Bridge, between the Old and New Towns, the zigzagging rooftop of Waverley Station – Edinburgh’s main railway station – is another iconic feature of the city’s architecture. Its vast glass roof makes the interior light and open (provided the weather cooperates) making the first impression of Edinburgh a pleasant one."

"Source: Photo by Wikimedia Commons user Hchc2009 used under CC BY-SA 4.0. Explore the intricate beauty and collections of a luxurious townhouse, from back in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, with a visit to the Georgian House. This beautiful structure, built by Robert Adam, a renowned architect in those days, is a real testament to the country’s impressive architectural art in the Georgian era."

"Standing tall in the bustling city centre, the Georgian House is a slice of 18th century Edinburgh. Built in 1796, the Georgian House is a fine example of the fashionable buildings that made up Edinburgh’s New Town. The New Town was built to provide wealthier residents of the city with more comfortable living conditions than the Old Town could offer."

"The Kelpies, the stunning equine statues gracing the eastern entrance to the Forth & Clyde Canal, are named after mythical Scottish water-horses. The two 30m-tall horse's heads are fashioned out of stainless steel, and are a tribute to the working horses that once hauled barges along the canal. You can view them for free (indeed, they are clearly visible from the M9 motorway between Edinburgh and Stirling), but the 45-minute guided tour takes you inside the sculptures."

"A day tour of Loch Lomond and Stirling Castle, as well as other highlights including the Trossachs and the Kelpies A full day tour that includes Loch Ness, Glencoe and Whisky tasting. A long day, but a good way to see a lot."

"Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, New Lanark was home to a social experiment at the beginning of the Industrial Revolution. Robert Owen…"

"Real Mary King’s Close This is the perfect tour to learn about medieval life in Edinburgh. Journey back in time to 1645 Edinburgh, down Mary King’s Close, a real alleyway in the city. This was the year of the Black Death, when one-third of Edinburgh’s population succumbed to this terrible illness."

"Head to one of my favorite Edinburgh points of interest, the Real Mary King’s Close. Truly one of the most amazing and historically accurate tours I have ever been."

"The Scotch Whisky Experience is one of the most popular five star tourist attractions in Edinburgh offering various tasting and educational tours, masterclasses and a unique culinary experience for those drawn to Scottish food. No matter which tour you…"

"For this reason, you may want to visit the Scotch Whisky Experience. Here you’ll find the largest private collection of whisky in the world, all in one room!. How about this as a top Edinburgh Instagram spot?"

"Mashed potato is the culinary glue that binds all food together. Makars Gourmet Mash Bar pays homage to this truth with potatoes galore. Once more, every single food item is locally produced and free from all the bad stuff."

"We’ve been here a bunch of times when people are visiting, and we love it. Because who doesn’t love mash?. There’s a restaurant in the West End, but we’ve only ever been to the one on the Mound, just off the Royal Mile."

"Our final day involved trips to the National Museum of Scotland and Edinburgh Castle, so we concentrated our café search on the Old Town. As we vaguely hunted for souvenirs/bribes-for-the-grandparents-so-they-agree-to-look-after-the-children-for-a-week-again, we wandered past Deacon’s House. The site was established in 1788 as a workshop for the Brodie family, one of whom – “Deacon Brodie” – ended up being hung for housebreaking, crimes he often committed using the tools from his workshop."

"Chop Chop near Haymarket Station prides itself in its authentic approach to Chinese cuisine, with the tagline "How can one billion people be wrong?". If you find the range of unfamiliar dishes overwhelming try their banquet option, which includes a wide selection of dishes delivered to your table to share. Head chef Jian Wang travels back to China every year to seek out new mouthwatering food to add to her expansive menu, however arguably she is most well known for her dumplings, which the restaurant claims are some of the best in the country."

"The Haymarket branch of this popular Chinese restaurant opened in 2006 and following its success a second branch opened in Leith in 2010. It was founded by dumpling expert, Jian Wang, who arrived from China back in 1997 and began supplying Chinese supermarkets throughout the UK. Her sublime dumplings have won recognition within the industry and Chop Chop has an excellent reputation as one of the best Chinese restaurants in the capital."

"When it comes to Chop Chop, you can’t get the food in your mouth fast enough. The brainchild of Jian Wang following her arrival in Edinburgh from Changchun (a region in North Eastern China renowned for its dumplings), Chop Chop came about after the success of her dumpling factory, which supplied dumplings all over the UK and then to cruises around the world. The no-fuss food is fresh, healthy and utterly delicious."