Best Nature and Parks (RV, National, Dog, etc) in Shandon

"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."

"Right next to the train station, not far from the National Gallery of Scotland is the gorgeous Princes Street Garden. When I went in April, the tulips were bursting with color, even though the weather was dreary."

"The rocky peak of Arthur’s Seat (251m), carved by ice sheets from the deeply eroded stump of a long-extinct volcano, is a distinctive feature of Edinburgh’s skyline. The view from the summit is well worth the walk, extending from the Forth bridges in the west to the distant conical hill of North Berwick Law in the east, with the Ochil Hills and the Highlands on the northwestern horizon. You can hike from Holyrood to the summit in around 45 minutes."

"With incredible views onto Edinburgh and beyond (as well as a great, yet fun, workout) I highly recommend a hike up Arthur’s Seat for any first time visitor to the city. Although legends of King Arthur are never far away when it comes to Gaelic and Celtic countries, in this case, the extinct volcano that is Arthur’s Seat won its name in a different way."

"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..."

"I suggest a late lunch after you explore the charming, cobbled streets of this historic area and experience some street performers, Canongate Kirkyard (Adam Smith is buried here), Dunbar Close, St. Giles Cathedral, and eventually Edinburgh Castle itself, all the way at the top of the Royal Mile (Be sure to book your Edinburgh Castle skip the line tickets in advance). The charm and beauty of Edinburgh, Scotland never cease to amaze me."

"At Black Ivy, comfort and relaxation is assured, without the formality that you’d sometimes expect from a high-class hotel. Each of the 21 unique boutique rooms feature Egyptian cotton bed linen on the king-size bed, flavoured teas, and White Company toiletries while, for a thoroughly laidback stay, guests can head for brunch until 5pm or order blueberry pancakes direct to their room. Many rooms enjoy delightful views over Bruntsfield Links Park, while the city centre attractions, Usher Hall, Filmhouse Cinema, and the shopping precinct of Princes Street are only 15 minutes away."

"Best for Neighbourhood vibes In a nutshell Dodge the thrum of tourists in the centre of Edinburgh and escape to this neighbourhood hotel overlooking Bruntsfield Links. Black Ivy has 21 bedrooms, decorated with welcoming splashes of colour. There’s also a conservatory restaurant filled with chandeliers and hanging flowers and a large, lively outdoor terrace with a brunch menu that runs until 5pm."

"To be honest- any restaurant covered in foliage with a bohemian vibe is my kind of place!. Black Ivy is actually a self-described ‘local luxury’ hotel located in Bruntsfield that has a wonderful restaurant for brunch, lunch or dinner. It is especially bonnie at Christmas time when it is covered in Christmas decorations."

"As well as plating up fantastic Mexican food at decent prices, Illegal Jack’s also offers a great array of bottled beers. Their tasty burritos, quesadillas, tacos and nachos are all around the £7 or £8 mark, but small burritos are more than a pound cheaper than the standard size, and are more than enough to fill you up at lunchtime. Visit: 44-45 St Patrick Square, EH8 9ET"

"The Tex-Mex fast food trend was slow to arrive in Edinburgh but there are now two excellent rivals – Illegal Jack's in the south of the city and Los Cardos in the north. Illegal Jack's is a slick branded operation with the product to match. While the menu carries fajitas, nachos and tacos, it's really all about the burritos."

"Tasty Mexican food, quick helpful service and good value is not illegal any more. The only thing you will find illegal about this place are the flavours, they serve good Mexican food USA style which is great, big portions too."

"If you’ve spent a day exploring the city’s hilly streets, and are wondering where to eat in Edinburgh, hit up Wannaburger for a real feast – you’re on holiday after all!. This spot is a cut above the rest when it comes to burger joints due to their ‘no artificial additives’ policy. Their burgers are all Aberdeen Angus beef, the buns are baked locally, and they even handcraft their own mayo."

"Sometimes you just want a burger, or maybe a hotdog, some fries, and a good milkshake. That's exactly what you'll find at the American diner style Wannaburger in the West end of Edinburgh. A full menu of burger combinations includes all the classics alongside daily specials and some unusual treats."

"Purslane eschews the stuffiness often associated with fine dining|Courtesy of Purslane Restaurant. Situated in a bijou basement in ever-fashionable Stockbridge, Purslane is that apparent oxymoron: a casual fine-dining restaurant. But Purslane, headed up by chef-patron Paul Gunning has successfully pulled it off, serving up ambitious modern cuisine without the stuffy formality often associated with fine dining."

"At first glance Purslane appears to be a contradiction, offering casual and rustic fine dining. Yet scores of happy customers and a rapidly growing reputation confirm that this commitment to excellent cuisine without the stuffy formality sometimes associated with fine dining is very popular. This delightful Stockbridge restaurant has a laid back and welcoming ambience and no dress code."

"Teuchter's Landing is a great little pub close to the docks at Leith. The pub is housed in a quaint and attractive stone building that was once the ferry terminal for boats arriving from Aberdeen (Teuchter, pronounced choochter, is a lowland Scots name for a highlander) and it has retained much of the original stonework. The interior is clad in warm wood with a huge fire to warm patrons on winter nights and the extra seating outside includes a wonderful floating pontoon."

"This bar is located in the Shore area of Leith and its outdoor seating area is always popular in summer. However, the warm and homely inside area of this bar is an even bigger draw in winter. A formal restaurant (A Room In Leith) lays adjacent, but it's the mug menu of Teuchters Landing which is an absolute steal."