12 Alternative Edinburgh Activities

There is absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying the regular sights in a city. Places like Edinburgh Castle or the South Bridge Vaults are popular for a very good reason. However, I want to shine a light on some of the alternative Edinburgh activities for those who think they’ve seen it all.

Some of these might seem obvious to you but they don’t always show up on the usual lists of “Things to do in Edinburgh”. If you have visited Edinburgh before and want to see something a little different this time then look no further! In case you’re searching for accommodation – try reading about where to stay in Edinburgh.

Craigmillar Castle

The first alternative Edinburgh activity is incredibly underrated. Yes, Craigmillar Castle doesn’t have quite the same national importance as the big one on Castle Rock. What it lacks in action though, it makes up for in substance along with a much lower entry fee. Craigmillar was very much a living castle and you can still see the layout of kitchens, great hall and bedrooms. Castles like these bring history to life and you can imagine how things were when Mary Queen of Scots stayed here.

Climb right up to the battlements and look back towards the city centre and Arthur’s Seat. Look down and see the P-shaped pond, the centre piece of the Preston family’s garden. Craigmillar Castle’s biggest historical claim to fame is the location of a murderous pact. Mary Queen of Scot’s closest advisors met here while her majesty was in bed unwell and plotted to murder her husband Lord Darnley.

Craigmillar Castle is run by Historic Scotland, free for members or £6 for Adults.

Edinburgh Gin Tasting

Scotland is known around the world for whisky, but the water of life isn’t to everybody’s taste. Luckily, if you’re looking for an alternative then we also make some world class gin. Right in the heart of Edinburgh you can enjoy a gin tasting, distillery tour or even just sit in a really cool underground bar.

Edinburgh Gin are located at the junction between Princes Street and Lothian Road, down the steps next to The Ghillie Dhu bar. Their large distillery is down in Leith so this little place is where the more select, limited edition gins are made. You can even have a go at making your very own, unique Edinburgh Gin. Find out more about their packages here.

Inchcolm Island

Technically this is just outside the city but I would still recommend it as an interesting thing to do if you’re in Edinburgh! Book yourself onto a trip to Inchcolm Island and head to the pier in South Queensferry. Trust me, you won’t regret it (unless you get seasick). Make sure you book the additional option of an hour and a half to walk around the island.

The boat trip is interesting in itself, sailing under the Forth Bridge with a bit of seal spotting if you’re lucky. The real treat is Inchcolm Abbey, otherwise known as the Iona of the East. King Alexander I was stranded here during a storm in 1123 and looked after by a hermit living on the island. He was so grateful that he founded Incholm Abbey which has survived well due to its isolated position.

Don’t miss the hermit’s cave like most people! Right at the back of the Abbey, there is a large grassy space next to the keepers hut with what looks like a garden in the corner. Head towards this and you’ll discover a small path leading to a cave. If nothing else, you’re safe from the seabirds in there.

The Island can only be visited 1st April – 31st October and there are two sailing companies to choose from. All details with links to both can be found on the Historic Scotland website here.

Walk Stockbridge to Dean Village

Lots of people talk about the nice shops and cafes in Stockbridge. Lots of people talk about the Instagrammer’s dream location – Dean Village. For a different Edinburgh activity, try the beautiful walk in between the two!

It’s only around half a mile of reasonably flat walking alongside the Water of Leith and through an enormous gorge. Stockbridge was the closest low bridge into Edinburgh after the gorge while Dean Village was home to a variety of mills. On your walk you’ll pass by St Bernard’s Well which is an old healing spring and pass under the enormous Dean Bridge. For 15 minutes or so, you would have no idea you were in the middle of Scotland’s capital city.

Portobello Beach

Admittedly, most people don’t come to Edinburgh or Scotland for a beach holiday. But one my personal favourite alternative Edinburgh activities is join Molly for a swim at Portobello Beach. Contrary to popular belief, we do get sunny weather sometimes but even on a brisk, stormy day its a beautiful spot.

There are lots of good food options along the promenade as well as a coffee van and ice cream stop. There’s a good chance you’ll even see brave souls swimming or paddle boarding. Head back from the beach to the main street running through the Edinburgh suburb and head to the Portobello Tap for a pint and a burger.

Cramond Brig & Eagle Rock

Another spot that’s just on the outskirts of Edinburgh City is Cramond Brig. Either get the bus or park at the large Miller & Carter restaurant and then make your way down to the left hand side of the building. Don’t worry, we aren’t here to see the dual carriageway overpass but the original Cramond Brig.

In 1532, King James V was crossing this bridge disguised as a minor laird when he was attacked by a gang of robbers. The narrow bridge meant he could hold his own against the men for a while but the King was going to be in trouble soon. A local tenant farmer called Jock Howieson saw this stranger in trouble and rushed to help him against the odds. Unknowingly, he had just saved the King’s life and was rewarded with the deeds to his farm in return.

If you’re feeling a bit more energetic then head back to the car park and down a track at the other corner. This leads all the way to the Firth of Forth and a sandy gravel beach with a bit of a surprise. An 1800 year old carving in a huge boulder from the time of Roman Fort at Cramond. You can find out a bit more about Eagle Rock here.

Surgeons Hall Museum

The National Museum is great but it’s a well known attraction in the city. A slightly different thing to do in Edinburgh would be visiting the Surgeons’ Hall Museum. Inside you’ll find the weird and wonderful from medical curiosities to the methods and tools used in surgery hundreds of years ago. There are lots of rules about displaying even pictures of human remains but you can read more about their collection here.

Two names that regular visitors to Edinburgh might be familiar with are the serial killers Burke & Hare. This pair murdered unsuspecting loners before selling them to the surgeon Robert Knox. William Burke was executed and inside Surgeon’s Hall Museum you can find his death mask along with a pocketbook made from the criminal’s skin.

The Surgeons’ Hall Museum is open 7 days a week and costs £8 an adult.

Museum of Edinburgh – Canongate

If you want a less gruesome museum then head towards Canongate and visit this hidden gem. The Museum of Edinburgh does what it says on the tin, focusing on the city itself. The museum itself is historical, situated in a collection of 16th century buildings.

Discover the history of Edinburgh from its earliest beginnings including artefacts like the collar of Greyfriar’s Bobby!

The Museum of Edinburgh is open daily and entirely free! All the details can be found here.

The Stand Comedy Club

By this point you might be getting tired of history and walking so this really is a different Edinburgh experience. One of my favourite things to do on a Monday night in the city is visit The Stand Comedy Club. This weekly show is called Red Raw where brand new, amateur comedians get a few minutes on stage to see what they can do. Some of them are naturals, some of them are terrible but the evening is always a good laugh.

At only £5, the show is one of the best value for money nights in Edinburgh. All details can be found here.

Gladstones Land

While everybody else is discovering what life was like for Kings and Queens in Edinburgh Castle or Holyrood Palace, you can explore the life of the lower classes at Gladstone’s Land. This is a traditional Edinburgh tenement in the upper section of the Royal Mile. This is preserved as it would be for middle class craftspeople and shows the city in a different way.

It’s a fascinating insight to the daily lives of those working in Edinburgh 400 years ago. Traditional layouts, furniture and even a painted ceiling from 1632. If you’re truly looking for something different to do in Edinburgh, I think you’ve found it.

Gladstone’s Land is run by the National Trust for Scotland so free for members or £7.50 for Adults. More details here.

St Giles Cathedral

Practically everybody in Edinburgh walks by St Giles’ Cathedral and most city walking tours start outside it. It’s surprising that so few people actually go inside that it can justifiably feature on a list of unusual things to do in Edinburgh! The current building mostly dates from the 14th century but it has been Edinburgh’s main parish church since the 12th century. St Giles’ still carries out its role as a working church with a service every Sunday.

Inside you can see memorials to some of Scotland’s big characters as well as one to lowly Jenny Geddes who threw a stool at a minister. In one corner sits the Thistle Chapel where members of the highest order of Scottish chivalry The Knights of the Thistle meet. Beautiful stained glass windows surround the church. Lastly, make sure you look up and take in the incredible deep blue, painted ceiling.

St Giles is free to enter but there is a suggested donation of £5.

Eat & Relax

This is less of a tourist attraction and more of a local’s favourite thing to do. Near the bottom of the Royal Mile, you’ll find a little shop with a hog roast sitting in the window called Oink. Pick your size of roll, pick an extra filling of haggis or stuffing and then your apple sauce, BBQ or chilli jam. Make sure to ask for a piece of crackling before you’re done!

You aren’t done yet. Cross the street and walk up the Royal Mile a little and you’ll come across an alley between two buildings called Dunbar’s Close. At the end of the close is one of Edinburgh’s hidden, public gardens. There are few more tranquil places in the centre of the city to enjoy your picnic and rest after enjoying all of those alternative Edinburgh activities!

If you enjoyed your time in Edinburgh and you’re looking to go a little further afield then why not look into Fife’s Hidden Sites here?

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