Unconventional Activities to Explore in Edinburgh by 2025
Edinburgh, Scotland's enchanting capital, is not just about the historic Edinburgh Castle and the bustling Royal Mile. This city brimming with history and culture offers a plethora of unique and offbeat experiences that will captivate your imagination. Here are some unusual and quirky things to do in Edinburgh that go beyond the typical tourist spots.
Haunting Underground Tours and Vaults
For those with a penchant for the eerie, the World Famous Underground Ghost Tour and the Edinburgh Old Town Vaults Walking Tour are must-dos. These tours reveal the hidden, eerie layers of the city's past, taking you on a journey through the city's darker history [2].
Mary King’s Close
Another intriguing historical tour is Mary King’s Close, an underground 17th-century street once closed off due to plague. The street now comes alive with costumed guides and ghost stories, including the tale of a haunting child named Annie [2].
Picturesque Retreats
For a more atmospheric and picturesque setting, exploring Dean Village offers a magical, fairytale-like retreat within the city. The charming streets and peaceful vibe of this hidden gem are reminiscent of classic storybook settings. Nearby, Circus Lane is renowned as one of Edinburgh’s most Instagrammable streets, perfect for a quiet, scenic stroll away from busy areas [3].
Moody Architecture
Stepping into New College provides a moody “dark academia” atmosphere, ideal for those intrigued by gothic architecture and a mysterious vibe not usually found on the typical visitor's itinerary [3].
Modern Politics and Architecture
If you are willing to venture slightly outside Edinburgh, consider the Scottish Parliament Building. This modern and architecturally bold structure offers free tours, providing insight into contemporary Scottish politics and design—an unusual contrast to Edinburgh’s historic sites [2].
Day Trips to Remote Nature and Ruins
For a change of pace, day trips to remote nature and ruins, such as the Isle of Kerrera or the St Kilda archipelago in the Outer Hebrides, offer rugged landscapes, wildlife, and ancient ruins very different from city attractions. St Kilda is especially noted for its ghost town ruins and seabird colonies, accessible mainly by boat from nearby islands [4].
Cocktail Geeks and Chocolatarium
Edinburgh's vibrant nightlife offers unique experiences like Cocktail Geeks, themed bars with drinks inspired by constantly rotating themes, as well as pop-up bars and drinks experiences at venues across the city. For those with a sweet tooth, the Chocolatarium offers a 90-minute chocolate tour, offering insights into the history and production of chocolate and the chance to taste and make your own [5].
Storytelling Culture
Edinburgh has a strong storytelling culture, with the Storytelling Centre on the Royal Mile being a creative space for various storytelling events [6].
Unique Cafes and Distilleries
The Chihuahua Cafe in the New Town of Edinburgh is a unique cafe home to a small pack of adorable chihuahuas. For those interested in spirits, Pickering's Gin Distillery, located in the old kennels of the former Summerhall Veterinary School, is one of the best gin distilleries in Scotland [7].
Maps and Tours
A map provided offers a visual guide to the locations of the most fun and unusual attractions in Edinburgh. Locally owned food tour company Eat Walk Edinburgh offers tours around Edinburgh’s Old and New Town, featuring traditional Scottish dishes and drinks [8].
Harry Potter, Rosslyn Chapel, and the Wild West Ghost Town
For Potterheads, a Harry Potter walking tour is a popular activity, with popular spots including the Elephant Cafe where J.K. Rowling wrote many of the early books and Victoria Street, said to be the real-life inspiration for Diagon Alley. For fans of the mysterious, Rosslyn Chapel, located less than an hour outside of Edinburgh, is a historic chapel that was featured in the movie "The Da Vinci Code" and offers informational talks about its history and mysteries [9]. For a touch of the Wild West, the Wild West Ghost Town in Edinburgh, created by a furniture maker, features a jail, horse stables, a bank, and a cantina [10].
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions
Camera Obscura & World of Illusions is an attraction in Edinburgh featuring amusing illusions, 3D cityscapes, heat-resistant cameras, and a mirror maze. It offers views across the city from its rooftop terrace [11].
Historic Castles and Festivals
Craigmillar Castle, located 3 miles from the city centre, was known as a safe place for plotting and was the site of the "Craigmillar Bond," a plan to dispose of Mary Queen of Scots' husband, Lord Darnley. Edinburgh is also famous for its numerous festivals, including the Jazz and Blues Festival, the Royal Military Tattoo, and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival [12].
The Pentland Hills and the Wee Pub
The Pentland Hills, located south-east of Edinburgh, offer rolling hills and over 100km of unmarked but well-trodden trails for walking and hiking. The Wee Pub at Biddy Mulligans in the Grassmarket is the smallest pub in Scotland, with room for about 20 people and a menu on a postcard [13].
In summary, Edinburgh offers a blend of history, mystery, nature, and contemporary culture that go beyond the usual Edinburgh Castle and Royal Mile visits. Whether you're a fan of the eerie, the picturesque, or the quirky, Edinburgh has something for everyone.
- For those seeking a taste of the eerie, the World Famous Underground Ghost Tour and the Edinburgh Old Town Vaults Walking Tour are must-dos, revealing the hidden layers of the city's past.
- Another intriguing historical tour is Mary King’s Close, an underground 17th-century street with ghost stories and costumed guides.
- Dean Village offers a magical, fairytale-like retreat within the city, while circus Lane is renowned as one of Edinburgh’s most Instagrammable streets.
- New College provides a moody "dark academia" atmosphere, ideal for those intrigued by gothic architecture and a mysterious vibe.
- The Scottish Parliament Building, with free tours, offers insight into contemporary Scottish politics and design, contrasting Edinburgh's historic sites.
- For a change of pace, day trips to remote nature and ruins like the Isle of Kerrera or the St Kilda archipelago offer rugged landscapes, wildlife, and ancient ruins very different from city attractions.
