Top 10 Free Things To Do and Attractions in Blairhall

"Address: Castlehill, Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2NDWebsite: Camera Obscura Edinburgh. The Camera Obscura is one of the oldest purpose-built attractions in the United Kingdom and tens of thousands of visitors pour through its doors each year. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions is located in a prime location on The Royal Mile, not far from Edinburgh Castle and more-or-less opposite The Scotch Whisky Experience."

"Don’t miss the Camera Obscura show on the top floor. PRO TIP: The presentation also gives you a nice overview of Edinburgh and its history, which is great if you’re unfamiliar with the area. Plan to spend about an hour here (or more, depending on your interests)."

"Calton Hill is another fantastic place for kids to let off steam and as a bonus you’ll get some of the ultimate best views of the city!. When you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded with amazing views to the Firth of Forth, Arthurs Seat, the port of Leith, the Pentland hills and of course right down Princes street towards the castle. Calton Hill is also home to several unusual monuments including the national monument which looks like it was built by the Romans."

"Boasting gorgeous views, Calton Hill’s central location makes it a popular spot for those wishing to take in the entire city in all its beauty. On top of the hill you’ll find the Nelson Monument and the National Monument, an unfinished acropolis that is better known under its local nickname ‘Edinburgh’s disgrace.’ It may be seen as a failure in architectural endeavours, but it is still a popular place to get some fantastic photos."

"In view of the Castle and separating the Old Town and New Town, Princes Street Gardens are one of the most popular green spots in the city. Divided into East and West, they attract dog walkers, city workers and families in search of some calm and tranquillity on the midst of the capital. The perfect spot for a picnic on a sunny day."

"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."

"After your visit, consider a stroll through the Princes Street Gardens or climb the Scott Monument for another bird’s eye view of Edinburgh. Royal Yacht Britannia"

"Also dating back to the 1800s, Old St Paul’s has since been renovated multiple times – the nave extended and the chancel floor raised with marble. Nearly all of the many panes of stained glass, ornaments and vestments were made possible by fundraising or donations. Unusually, the gargoyles at Old St Paul’s are located inside, not on the exterior of the church as is common on buildings of this period."

"Constructed in the 12thcentury by King David I as the parish church of Stirling, the Church (or ‘Kirk’) of the Holy Rude is the second-oldest building in the city after the castle. Its current structure was developed in the 15thcentury, with its chancel and distinctive tower later being added in the 16thcentury. Situated near the castle, several royal coronations and baptisms took place in the building (including the crowning of King James VI in 1567), and it remains an active place of worship even in the present day."

"This is a parish church built during the medieval era and the second most ancient structure in Stirling. Its design is famous for its stained glass windows. It also has a historic graveyard with stones dating as early as 16th century."

"Completed in 2002, the Falkirk Wheel is a modern engineering marvel, a rotating boat lift that raises vessels 115ft from the Forth & Clyde Canal to the Union Canal. Boat trips depart from the lower basin (eight daily March to October, three daily in winter) and travel into the wheel, which delivers you to the Union Canal high above. Boats then go through Roughcastle Tunnel before the return descent on the wheel."

"The only rotating boat lift in the world, the Falkirk Wheel links two major waterways, the Forth and Clyde Canal and the Union Canal,…"

"Harajuku Kitchen, the Bruntsfield-based Japanese bistro, is a sushi staple in the city and, to their credit, was one of the first eateries in Edinburgh to adapt to the takeaway trend. The online menu includes a variety of sushi, noodles, set mains (with miso soup and rice), sake and Japanese beer. The team’s focus is very much on respect for the ingredients used as well as their flavours."

"A post shared by Honeycomb & Co (@honeycombandcocafe) on Mar 2, 2019 at 4:52am PST. Honeycomb & Co is located in Merchiston Place and whilst relatively new to the area has quickly built up a loyal following in the Bruntsfield area. Their brunch menu is a real winner mixing classic options with contemporary flavours – highlights include their fruity french toast, spiced Korean bacon and eggs and their signature Honeycomb Full breakfast."

"Another one to add to the list of brunch gems in the Bruntsfield neighbourhood is Honeycomb & Co. As you might have guessed by the name, this buzzing little place loves all things bee-related. They even use their own adopted beehives to produce the honey used in their signature Honeycomb & Co honey buns, home baking and granola bowls."

"Honeycomb & Co is not only a comfortable, bright and well decorated place. It also offers an immense selection of cakes, scones, toasties and everything you’ll need for a first-class brunch. Sweet, salty and all kinds of drinks make a truly spectacular experience."

"'So thanks to all at once and to each one, whom we invite to see us crowned at Scone.' This line from Macbeth indicates the importance of Scone (pronounced 'skoon') as the coronation place of Scottish monarchs. The original palace of 1580, laying claim to this historic site, was rebuilt in the early 19th century as a Georgian mansion of extreme elegance and luxury. The self-guided tour takes you through a succession of sumptuous rooms filled with fine French furniture and noble portraits."

"The magnificent Scone Palace stands proudly just two miles outside of Perth city centre. Steeped in Scottish history, Scone has welcomed many royal figures into its stately home over the decades. Most famously, the palace once housed The Stone of Scone, better known as The Stone of Destiny."

"Once the location of an 800-year-old grain milling industry, Dean Village is now best known for its beautiful architecture which features in so many iconic photos of Edinburgh. Dean Village developed its numerous mills thanks to the Water of Leith which powered the milling stones that refined wheat crops brought in from around the Lothians. In its heyday, there were eleven working mills in this one small area of Edinburgh along with buildings to house the hundreds of mill workers."

"Visiting Dean Village is like taking a step back into time to old Edinburgh. In recent years, this little neighborhood has become a huge draw to photographers and tourists because of just how Instagrammable it is. For the best shot of the beautiful architecture and river, walk over the stone bridge and down besides the river."

"The Water of Leith is the main river which flows through Edinburgh and it passes through Dean Village. As a result the splendid architecture of Dean Village reflects perfectly in it. For this reason, this is a top Edinburgh Instagram spot."

"As the very last medieval building left on the Royal Mile the John Knox House is an exciting window into the 16th century. As you walk around the parlour, the dining room, the kitchen and the rest, you’ll see the way its past inhabitants (including Mary, Queen of Scots) used to live. Soak up the opulence and the drama of Scotland's turbulent past, before walking straight back into the bustling present on Edinburgh’s main drag."

"A stylish contemporary building appended to the 15th-century home of Protestant reformer John Knox, housing materials relating to Scotland’s rich oral culture.43–45 High Street, 556 9579, scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk. Mon–Sat 10am–6pm (also Sun noon–6pm during Aug only). Free entry to SSC; John Knox House £4.25 (£3.75; children £1; under 7s free)."