Edinburgh Day Trip Review Part 2

A return trip to Edinburgh beckoned as soon as the flights were booked home. As mentioned in the first Edinburgh day trip, their is simply too much to see and do in a 6hr window. On this occasion we explored more of the city center as well venturing off to nearby Queensferry to visit the UNESCO listed Forth Bridge.

Itinerary

As with all day trips prior planning allows you to coordinate your activities into a logical sequence maximizing the time without exerting too much energy. Deciding on what to do and when to do it was the tricky part. During our first visit we spent the morning exploring Edinburgh castle and the Royal Mile, you should budget a good 2 hours to fully appreciate the grounds and scenery surrounding Edinburgh castle. Following lunch we would trek towards Princess street gardens and climb up Calton Hill for spectacular views of the city as the sun sets over a majestic Edinburgh. At a relaxed pace you can enjoy two of the city’s most popular attractions. On this occasion we decided to explore the old town, picturesque streets and staircases that dissect the labyrinth of buildings.

Getting Their

Edinburgh is well connected from most major towns or cities within the UK requiring very little deviation. Traveling north from Preston there is a direct train that will get you to Edinburgh in 2hrs – 3hrs, arriving at Edinburgh Waverley station right in the heart of the city. Tickets per adult range from $65 CAD or 40 GBP for a same day return depending on whether or not you take peak trains. Tickets should be booked in advance as this train is usually busy due to commuters as well as being the direct link from London. Trainline is a safe and secure way of getting tickets within the UK.

For the latest prices and timetables please visit trainline.

Points of Interest – Forth Bridge

Before setting off to wonder the streets of Edinburgh we decided to take a short ride towards Queensferry to visit the Forth Railway Bridge that crosses the Forth estuary. Designated a UNESCO world Heritage site in 2015 the Forth Bridge is a celebrated Scottish landmark and symbol of Britain’s industrial and transport heritage. The worlds first major steel structure is recognized as the most famous cantilever-trussed bridges and continues to operate daily as an integral part of the rail network transporting passengers and freight.

Getting Their

Trains depart frequently from Edinburgh Waverly towards North Queensferry or Dalmeny depending on which side of the estuary you get off at. Personally I would exit at North Queensferry so you experience the Forth bridge for its intended purpose.

Explore the area

Exiting the station head towards South Bay of North Queensferry located just a short 10-minute walk away. The bay area is a serene and peaceful oasis that holds spectacular views of the Firth of the Forth and its three bridges. Just round the corner you will find Queensferry Light Tower, the smallest one in the world of its kind that is still in use. The pier stretches out into the estuary for a full 180 degree view and the bridges provide a stunning backdrop for any photographer when seen from the ground or the air. At this point we headed back to Edinburgh, however you can easily spend the day touring the bridges and Queensferry area by land or water.

Just a 10 minute walk from North Queensferry South bay is the North Access bus stop. Weather permitting you can walk or cycle across the Forth Road Bridge where you’ll be treated to breathtaking views of the adjacent bridges.

Once across head towards Queensferry Museum, the museum has stunning views out onto the Firth of Forth and the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Forth Bridge. Whether your interest is social history, folk traditions or civic engineering, there is something here for everyone to enjoy.

Beyond the Queensferry Museum is the Maid of the Forth, boats depart from Hawes Pier where you can embark on a scenic sightseeing cruise, encountering wildlife as you pass under all three Forth Bridges and down towards Inchcolm Island. By far the best way to view the magnificent engineering of the Forth Bridge, The Forth Road Bridge and the Queensferry Crossing. During peak season its best to book the cruise in advance to avoid disappointment. For more info on departures, itineraries and pricing check out the link: Maid of the Forth or Edinburgh Three Bridges Cruise.

If a boat cruise isn’t your cup of tea South Queensferry has plenty of shops, bakeries, artisans and restaurants to indulge. Try fresh seafood, Scottish pastries and of course whisky while you enjoy the spectacular views of the Firth of the Forth Bridges.

Dalmeny station is a 15 minute walk from Hawes pier if you are heading back into Edinburgh city center.

Lunch

After spending the morning exploring the Forth Bridge and its surroundings, we had certainly worked up an appetite. On a previous trip to Edinburgh we visited the advocate for some comforting Scottish pub grub. On this occasion we checked out a venue I saw on the UK youtube channel, Sortedfood. In this particular episode they embarked on food marathon around Edinburgh consuming 26.2 dishes in 24hrs. Check out the video below:

Makars Gourmet Mash

While the video explores the diversity of Edinburgh’s restaurant scene, again local flavors, comfort food and Scottish beverages prevailed. Makars Gourmet mash located on Bank Street celebrates classic Scottish dishes sourced with local ingredients paired with craft beers and ciders from the area. The menu as suggested combines a variety of flavored mash paired with braised meat such as lamb shank or beef shoulder, Scottish staples like Haggis and Makars awarding winning Wild Boar Sausages. Vegans and Vegetarians are catered for with plant based alternatives to Haggis and Sausages in addition to a selection of soups, salads and sides. Makars also celebrates the mushroom with dishes created from the variety grown in their in house Mushroom Emporium.

Explore Edinburgh

After an hearty lunch, burning off some calories and taking in the surrounding sites seemed a pleasant way to spend the rest of the afternoon. From Makars Mash we headed towards Victoria Street as pictured above, the street slopes towards grassmarket square and is lined with artisanal shops, confectionary, bakeries and restaurants. An Instagram hotspot synonymous with Edinburgh the colorful buildings make a great photo op and as with most places, wake up early to avoid the crowds to get that serene photo. Walking down the cobblestone streets we headed onwards towards grassmarket square. The square is a vibrant hub of activity and a great place to grab lunch or enjoy a beer with bars and restaurants spilling out into the street and views gazing towards Edinburgh castle. Those with a sweet tooth can enjoy a variety of flavored donuts from Kilted Donuts or artisanal ice cream at Mary’s Milk Bar.

Vennel Viewpoint

Around the corner from grassmarket square hidden away from the city center is the Vennel viewpoint, a landmark sandstone stairway between tenement buildings with a great view of Edinburgh Castle at the top. Crossing over back towards grassmarket square we ascended up Granny’s Green Steps meandering our way towards Princes St Gardens and the Scott Monument.

Scott Monument – Princes Gardens

Princes St is a great place to wander along or simply rest whist’s taking in the panoramic views of the gardens, buildings and castle. Venturing into the gardens you can navigate several pathways though the fountains, statues and flowers with great views of the castle and monuments. Sticking to princes st as you continue to walk towards Waverly Station you will notice one of Edinburgh’s most iconic landmarks, the Scott Monument. Dedicated to Sir Walter Scott it is one of the largest monuments to a writer anywhere in the world. If walking around Edinburgh wasn’t strenuous enough you can climb the 287 steps to the top and enjoy spectacular views of the gardens and castle. Tickets can be purchased from the Scott Monument kiosk on arrival. This concluded our day trip to Edinburgh as we casually strolled towards Waverly Station, whiskey and souvenirs in hand to catch the train back to Preston.

Final Thoughts

Overall Edinburgh did not disappoint, exploring other areas of the city and a neighboring UNESCO world heritage site made for a truly memorable day out. Edinburgh has a great food scene to explore all year round and simply just walking the backstreets between the lower and upper town is an experience itself. As previously mentioned the Edinburgh Tattoo is a spectacular performance to witness and whilst making the most of an overnight stay photographers can capture Edinburgh and the Forth Bridge at its majestic best before the crowds arrive. Edinburgh makes for a great basecamp to explore nearby loch Lomond, Stirling castle, the Scottish Highlands and Loch Ness. Harry Potter fans can take the Harry Potter and Horrible Histories Walking Tour in Edinburgh or venturing further afield journey across the Glenfinnan Viaduct on the “Hogwarts Express”.