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Edinburgh tours and excursions

Edinburgh tours

Pub tours

The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour is a promenade performance around four historic pubs with links to famed Scottish wordsmiths – Robert Ferguson, Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. From May to September, tours leave each evening from the Beehive Inn in the Grassmarket. They run less frequently during the rest of the year (check their website for details). The route climbs the Royal Mile then drops into the New Town, finishing at Café Royal.

Tel: 0800 169 7410
Website: http://www.edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk

Walking tours

The Cadies & Witchery Tours organises walking tours of the Old Town, mixing history with humour and ghosts with gore. The tours leave from outside the Witchery restaurant, near the castle, and lasts around 1 hour and 15 minutes. Mercat Walking Tours operates ghost and history tours daily, including journeys into the depths of Edinburgh's 18th-century underground vaults. Tours leave from the Mercat Cross on the High Street.

Tel: +44 1(0)31 225 6745 (The Cadies & Witchery Tours) +44 (0)131 225 5445 (Mercat Tours)
Website: http://www.witcherytours.com

Edinburgh excursions

North Berwick

The seaside town of North Berwick, 41km (25 miles) east of Edinburgh, is worth exploring for its glorious beaches, golf courses and views from local hill Berwick Law. Nearby Tantallon Castle was the last great medieval castle built in Scotland, in the 1350s.

Website: http://www.north-berwick.co.uk

Melrose

This beautiful Scottish Borders town lies on the banks of the River Tweed beneath the Eildon Hills, 64km (40 miles) south of Edinburgh. The ruined 12th-century abbey is said to be the burial place of Robert the Bruce's heart. Nearby Abbotsford was home to writer Sir Walter Scott, and the Borders' literary tradition continues in a book festival held in Melrose each June.

Website: http://www.melroseliving.co.uk/

A digital image at https://illuminoto.com

City Highlight: Edinburgh

World-class culture, striking architecture and a dazzling nightlife, Edinburgh is a city that will leave you awestruck and wanting more

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Featured Hotels

Crowne Plaza Edinburgh - Royal Terrace

This hotel is situated in an elegant Georgian terrace, close to the city centre and to attractions such as the Scottish Parliament and Our Dynamic Earth. Perhaps uniquely for a hotel in Edinburgh city centre, the Royal Terrace has its own beautifully landscaped gardens. It also has a small gym, sauna and indoor swimming pool.

Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh

Radisson Collection Hotel occupies an enviable location on the corner of the Royal Mile and George IV Bridge. The rooms and public spaces are beautifully styled using a mixture of Missoni and other furniture and textiles. There's a small gym, spa, Italian restaurant and super stylish bar.

The Balmoral

With its distinctive clock tower, old and new Edinburgh blendsperfectly in this landmark hotel, which was once the guesthouse of Waverley railway station. The hotel has a choice of bars and restaurants, including the Michelin-starred Number One. The Balmoral Spa is highly acclaimed, with ESPA and Ytsara treatments, and there's also a fully equipped gym and a decent-sized pool.

The Scotsman

This distinctive and luxurious hotel on Edinburgh's North Bridge is housed in the former offices of The Scotsman newspaper. Many of the building's original features have been retained and wooden panelling and high ceilings mingle with contemporary art and high-tech facilities. The Scotsman offers guests a shoeshine service, TV entertainment system, Wi-Fi, whiskey upon arrival, an in room telescope and GHD straighteners, as well as a complimentary newspaper.

Orocco Pier

The seaside suburb of South Queensferry is a convenient option for travellers who plan to combine their visit to Edinburgh with a tour of Fife or other parts of Scotland. Formerly an old coaching inn, Orocco Pier is now a classy boutique hotel located between the southern landfalls of the two Forth bridges.

Residence Inn by Marriott

A good option for travellers looking for the flexibility of self-catering accommodation combined with hotel service, this Marriott apartment-hotel comprises over 100 smart studios and suites spread over seven floors. Rooms are pet friendly and have microwaves, fridges, and dishwashers, alongside free Wi-Fi.

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