Best things to do on holiday in Edinburgh and The Lothians

Made up of Edinburgh, Scotlandโ€™s capital city, East Lothian, Midlothian and West Lothian, Edinburgh & The Lothians is a compact area with plenty of top attractions to visit, and hidden gems to discover. From history and beautiful architecture to lush countryside and great attractions, you’ll find plenty of fun activities to fill your holiday in Edinburgh and The Lothians without having to travel far.

Where to stay

Mortonhall, Edinburgh

Only 4 miles from the heart of Edinburgh, this premier park is located in acres of country estate, combining leafy green parkland with bustling city attractions. With superb transport links in every direction, getting here couldnโ€™t be easier and once you arrive, you will find yourself in a wonderful location for exploring Scotlandโ€™s capital city. Only a short bus ride away from the centre of Edinburgh, Mortonhall Caravan Parkโ€™s tranquil country estate location means that you genuinely can enjoy the best of both worlds. Peace and tranquillity combined with easy and affordable access to the exciting city.

Drummohr, Musselburgh

Drummohr Holiday Park is a Scotland caravan, camping and glamping site located about 2 miles from Musselburgh, on the beautiful East Lothian coastline. There is access to sandy bays, rocky headlands and amazing Scottish golf courses. Ideally placed for walkers and cyclists, the long-distance route, the John Muir Way, is located close by.

Slatebarns Caravan Park, Roslin

Located on the outskirts of Edinburgh and just minutes from Edinburgh City Bypass, this peaceful park offers a choice of hardstanding or grass pitches – all with electric hookups. Situated on the edge of Roslin Glen where you can spend hours taking in the great woodland walks or visit the nearby Rosslyn Chapel and Rosslyn Castle, both famous for featuring in the movie The Da Vinci Code.

Edinburgh and The Lothians Days out

Best for families: The Edinburgh Treasure Trail

Hunt for clues as you explore the Edinburgh self-guided, themed Treasure Trail and locate the long lost treasure. You’ll discover all manner of things that you never knew were there as the whole family work together to spot and solve the clues on this treasure hunt.

Best for bird watchers: Scottish Seabird Centre

With different wildlife to see throughout the year, the Scottish Seabird Centre is a five star attraction that is a must visit for any nature lover. You can also enjoy a Discovery Experience, featuring interactive live cameras that allow you to view the amazing wildlife in its natural habitat up close. Boat trips run between April and the end of September

Best for history lovers: Edinburgh Castle

A must see for any trip to Edinburgh, the historic and famous icon was recently voted top UK Heritage Attraction in the British Travel Awards. The castle houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century gun Mons Meg, the One O’ Clock Gun and the National War Museum of Scotland.

Edinburgh and The Lothians Beaches

Best for families: Portobello

To the East of the capital lies Portobello, a seaside town with a wide promenade and sandy beach. On a hot summers day, this small resort is a hive of activity as residents and visitors head for the beach, mini-funfair and try their hand at sailing and kite flying. Local bars, cafes and ice-cream parlours will ensure that there is ample opportunity to enjoy a light bite or relaxing meal.

Best for dogs: Cramond

Take a short drive north of Edinburghโ€™s city centre to the suburb of Cramond, where youโ€™ll experience wonderful views across the Firth of Forth. The beach is found on the estuary of the River Almond and at low tide the beach is vast and sometimes it is even possible to walk out to Cramond Island along a rocky causeway. But be careful to check the tide times though so that you donโ€™t end up stranded!

Best for birdwatching: Aberlady Bay

Bridge over the Peffer Burn at Aberlady ยฉ M J Richardson licensed under CC Licence.

The delightful village of Aberlady with its sprinkling of shops, restaurants and cafes is a favourite spot for birdwatchers. A picturesque stroll across a wooden boardwalk (give yourself about 40 minutes for this) and through a small nature reserve leads to a secluded, sandy beach. This is a tranquil spot to admire the fauna, birds, wildlife and beautiful sea views.

See this

The Forth Bridges

The Forth Bridges is one of Scotlandโ€™s major landmarks, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The magnificent railway bridge was built between 1883 and 1890 by Sir John Fowler, Benjamin Baker and over 4,500 men.

A play at one of Edinburghโ€™s many theatres

Antosh Wojcik, How to Keep Time ยฉ Madeleine Rose Photography.

Every August, Edinburgh comes alive with performers, actors and comedians for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Itโ€™s of no surprise that the city thrives with theatre shows all year round, so grab a ticket and settle in for a show.

Do this

Walk the Royal Mile

The Royal Mile runs through the heart of Edinburghโ€™s Old Town, connecting the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, perched high on a base of volcanic rock, with the splendorous Palace of Holyroodhouse, resting in the shadow of Arthur’s Seat (which we also recommend walking).

Visit Rosslyn Chapel

With unique and mysterious carvings, as well as itโ€™s beautiful location, Rosslyn Chapel attracts visitors from far and wide. Founded in 1446, as the Collegiate Church of St Matthew, and taking around 40 years to build, the ornate stonework and mysterious symbolism have created countless theories, myths and legends.

Eat this

Dine at The Fishmarket Newhaven

Celebrating the sea, with only the freshest and sustainable seafood from the dayโ€™s catch. The Fishmarket Newhaven opened in 2018 by chef-patron Roy Brett and Ishu Mehotra.

Drink this

Get a true Scotch Whisky Experience – with child friendly exhibits

No trip to Scotland is complete without a tipple of whisky, so visit the Scotch Whisky Experience for a sensational journey through a replica distillery. With an expert guide there to impart the secrets of the Whisky regions, you’ll choose your perfect ‘dram’, and taste it in The World’s Largest Whisky Collection.

 


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