Must See Sights and Landmarks in Ecclesmachan Area

"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."

"Camera Obscura and the World of Illusions Camera Obscura is located one block down the Royal Mile from the Edinburgh Castle. If you are visiting Edinburgh with kids, this is an awesome spot to visit. Six floors are filled with illusions, puzzles, and optical tricks."

"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."

"Situated at the east end of Princes Street sits Calton Hill, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For sweeping city views from practically any spot, this is your place. Consider this sanctuary the perfect Kodak moment location for stunning views — and free of charge."

"Calton Hill is an easy climb where you can see some of the best views of Edinburgh, discover the monuments built there, or just relax for a while."

"Walk in the footsteps of royalty and climb aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, which once ferried the Queen from port to port. This royal vessel, in service from 1954 until 1997, is berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith and is well worth a visit. These audio tours tell of celebrity visitors (Liz Taylor and Frank Sinatra among them) and share delightful anecdotes such as the glowing Rolls-Royce Phantom V onboard, which was used when her majesty disembarked."

"Rated Scotland’s Best Visitor Attraction for 13 years running, The Royal Yacht Britannia was Her Majesty The Queen’s floating palace for over 40 years. Sailing over 1,000,000 miles around the world, Britannia is now moored permanently beside Ocean Terminal in Leith. With a complimentary audio tour, available in 30 languages, follow in the footsteps of royalty to discover the heart and soul of this most special of royal residence."

"If you’d like a taste of how the other half lives, then step aboard the Royal Yacht Brittania, the personal ship of the Royal family from 1953 to 1997. Located in the harbor of Leith, which is easily accessible from Edinburgh’s city center, the ship has 5 decks just waiting to be explored. The rooms in which the Royals spent the majority of their time are on the upper decks."

"From Tom Marvolo’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard to the Elephant Tearooms in the centre of town, there’s no shortage of Harry Potter attractions in Edinburgh! If you’re not a huge fan of Harry Potter, then it’s also possible to follow in the footsteps of many other iconic authors who once lived in Edinburgh. A beautiful museum dedicated to all things literature and called “The Writers’ Museum” can be found just a short stroll from the Royal Mile. Inside there are exhibitions dedicated to the likes of Robert Burns, Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson."

"It’s a heart-warming tale that’s been told in books, cartoons and even a Disney film – the faithful little dog that guarded his master’s grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard for 14 years. Greyfriars Bobby, a Skye terrier, became a local celebrity, even making a friend of the Lord Provost of the time. His memory is celebrated by a granite drinking fountain, complete with bronze cast of Bobby (which is also the smallest listed structure in Edinburgh)."

"Greyfriar’s Bobby is the tale of a wee dog from the Greyfriar’s area of Edinburgh. His is a tale of friendship and devotion. A kind local policeman named Jock Grey adopted a little Skye terrier and named him Bobby when he was just a couple of weeks old."

"The Royal Mile, so called because it covers roughly a mile between Edinburgh Castle and reaches down through the city centre towards Holyrood Palace (the Scottish Residence of Elizabeth II). A stroll down this main road, listening to the bagpipes and entering all the small shops which line its two sides is simply one of the best things to do in the Scottish capital."

"The Royal Mile ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This palace is the official residence in Scotland of Queen Elizabeth. She resides here about one week every year. When the Queen is not here, the Palace is open for visit."

"The John Knox House dates back to 1470 and it is associated with the Scottish Reformation. Even though the name-giver John Knox only lived in the house for a brief period in the 16th century, his association with the house stuck throughout the…"

"Cramond Island: This pretty tidal island is located an hour or so from Edinburgh’s Waverly Bridge by bus. Purchase some picnic essentials, grab a book and hop on a bus on a sunny day to make the most of this short day trip from Edinburgh. Nearby, there are coastal paths to follow and history to uncover; the most important Roman statue ever found in Scotland, the Cramond Lioness was uncovered in the estuary near Cramond Island!"

"3D Cakes Store has a large selection of cakes most especially for weddings. Aside from this, they also let their customers design their own cake to make sure that they get exactly what they want. These cakes also vary from small to a truly enormous one."

"If you fancy treating yourself, head to Casa Angelina— a quaint vintage tearoom and patisserie located in the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town. Its vegan afternoon teas are the cream of the crop, complete with fluffy scones, savoury bites and a selection of cakes. Alongside the classics, it also offers a selection of sweet treats with some really unique flavour combinations including chocolate and lavender cake, and choc chip and rosemary cookies!"

"The plans to construct an iconic city hall in Edinburgh were sparked in 1896 by Andrew Usher, renowned whisky distiller, who promised to fund the project. In 1914, Usher Hall was built by architects Stockdale Harrison and Howard H Thomson, a magnificent and classical beaux-arts-style concert hall which stood in defiance against the Victorian Gothic architecture so commonly found within the city of Edinburgh. Situated on Lothian Road in the west of the capital, Usher Hall is instantly recognizable with its curved walls, geometric precision and intriguing exterior design, featuring famous Scots such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns."

"Usher Hall is Edinburgh’s premier concert venue and a must-visit for fans of entertainment and culture. The hall was built in 1914 and features beautiful architecture, including a curved exterior decorated with panels of famous figures such as Sir Walter Scott and Mozart. The hall has historically been used for a variety of events, including concerts, political events, and sporting events."

"In the city centre, seek out the Heart of Midlothian for a uniquely Scottish piece of history. The Heart of Midlothian is set in the pavement on the Royal Mile, constructed from coloured granite blocks that form the shape of a heart and cross. This landmark records the position of the 15th century ‘heart’ of the town, the Old Tolbooth."

"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."

"The Helix, a country park on the edges of Falkirk with cycle and walking paths, play areas, and a wetland, is home to sculptor Andy Scott's…"