Top 10 Things To Do, Activities and Attractions in Howgate

"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."

"Calton Hill is best known for its monuments and incredible vantage points, popular with locals for viewing the fireworks during the Hogamanay celebrations. It is also the site of many Edinburgh festivals, including the Beltane Fire Festival at the end of April, the Edinburgh Science Festival in June, the Edinburgh International Festival each August, and the Samhuinn Fire Festival each Halloween. The best place for visitors to enjoy views from is the Nelson Monument, which was built in 1816."

"0 km from city center 2 out of 11 places to visit in Edinburgh. Situated on the east end of the Princes Street, the Calton Hill in Edinburgh is included in the city's UNESCO world heritage site. The National Monument of Scotland is situated on the Calton Hill."

"The Princess Street Gardens sit at the feet of Edinburgh Castle in the valley between the old city and the new city. Nor Loch once occupied the space, but the city began draining it in the 1770s, finishing in 1820. Wide paved paths lead throughout the park for full accessibility, roaming across fields of wildflowers, through wooded areas, and over streams and the railroad that divides the east and west sections of the park."

"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."

"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."

"Address: 28 Manor Place / Palmerston Place, Edinburgh, EH12 5AW, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 225 6293 Designed by George Gilbert Scott, the Cathedral Church of St. Mary the Virgin is located on the western side of the city centre. Construction of the cathedral began in 1874 and whilst the nave was opened just five years later, the twin spires on its western side were not actually completed until 1917. Highlights include impressive neo-Gothic architecture, well-preserved stained-glass windows, murals and an outstanding art collection, as well as daily choral services."

"St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral is a short walk from Princes Street towards Haymarket. Its spires are visible from most places in Edinburgh, especially looking west from Princes Street. Not only does this cathedral offer a place of stillness in the bustling Scottish capital, there are also opportunities such as learning to be a stonemason in the Cathedral Workshop or a Cathedral Chorister at St Mary’s Music School."

"The neo-Gothic St. Mary's Cathedral is a striking building set in large grounds. Designed by George Gilbert Scott, it was consecrated in 1879. St. Mary's is the largest ecclesiastical building to be built in Scotland since the Reformation."

"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..."

"Address: 61 York Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3JD, Scotland, UK Tel: +44 (0)131 556 1798 This popular Roman Catholic church dates back to 1814, being designed by James Gillespie Graham. Each month on the third Tuesday, look out for the organ and choir recitals. The adjacent Cafe Camino provides a rather tempting menu, offering bacon sandwiches, freshly made soup, lunchboxes for children, a choice of beverages (including coffee, tea, wine, beer and cider) and tubs of locally produced ice cream."

"St Mary’s Catholic Cathedral, originally called the Chapel of St Mary’s, held its first masses in August 1814. The Cathedral houses the National Shrine of St Andrew, Scotland’s patron saint, and even has an underground passage leading to a priest’s house in York Place. It wasn’t until the 1970s that passers by could see the Cathedral in its full splendor when tenements in front of the building were demolished."

"Covid-19 alert: Currently closed and focussing on cookies and cake to order. Opening a new café in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic was always going to be a risky gambit, but the folks behind Grams seemed to have pulled it off with their latest venture: Plant Bae. With Grams now moving to Stockbridge, Plant Bae has settled into its big brother’s old digs opposite Haymarket Station."

"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."

"For special occasions, look no further than Liggy's Cake Company on Deanhaugh Street. They make the most incredible celebration cakes for weddings, birthdays, new babies, Christmas and anything else you can think of. All their cakes are freshly baked and you can choose the flavours, size and design to suit your event."

"Plant-based, vegan, dairy free: Considerit ticks all the boxes. Grab an iced cinnamon bun or gorgeously gooey Oreo or Biscoff doughnut plus an oat milk latte or vegan ice cream milkshake at this low-key bakery and cafe (all chipboard benches and student vibe) on Edinburgh’s Southside. Before you leave, stock up on their hand-crafted chocolate bars (popcorn, chai spice and smoked sea salt flavours)."

"Located near the Meadows, Considerit is a relatively new addition to Edinburgh’s exciting foodie scene. If you’re vegan or lactose intolerant, this is one for you as Considerit believe in a plant-based future and therefore all their sweet treats are free from animal products!. Also, their doughnuts, chocolate, and ice cream are all hand crafted on a daily basis."

"Considerit is a must-visit for all the vegan sweet-tooths out there!. This place specialises in decadent chocolate, doughnuts and, in the warmer(?) weather, ice cream. Whether you are vegan or not, you are going to love the baked delights here at Considerit."