New! Magazine – 29 July 2019

WORDS: Becky Ward PHOTOS: Becky Ward, VisitScotland/Kenny Lam

Our tips for a top weekend in the Scottish capital

TOURIST ABOUT TOWN

A walking tour is a great way to learn a bit

about the history of Edinburgh so we joined

Mercat Tours’ Ghostly Underground walk,

which takes you down into the haunted vaults

beneath the city. Listening to your guide’s

spooky stories by candlelight makes them

seem even eerier. You won’t want to venture

too far into the shadowy corners!

To see Edinburgh from a completely

different angle, climb to the top of Arthur’s

Seat for a stunning view of the whole city,

with the iconic castle in one direction and

the North Sea in the other.

We also squeezed in a visit to Camera

Obscura & World of Illusions – a quirky

interactive museum filled with magic and light

exhibits that make your eyes play tricks on

you. Get lost in the Mirror Maze then swap

noses with your pals – brilliant fun for all ages.

FESTIVAL FEVER

The Fringe is Edinburgh’s most famous

festival. It takes place every August, with

more than 2,000 different performances in

venues across the city, from comedy and

circus to theatre and dance. There are also

book, film, jazz and art festivals throughout

the year so be sure to check what’s on at

edinburghfestivalcity.com when you’re

planning your trip.

BON APPETIT

We loved the Chilean-influenced tapas at

83 Hanover Street. The restaurant has a

stylish interior, with exposed brickwork, cool

artwork and an open kitchen and plays lively,

but not distracting, Latin music while you dine.

L’Escargot Blanc is the place to go for

delicious, beautifully presented French cuisine.

We couldn’t resist photographing all our food

in this friendly and intimate restaurant and

it tasted even better than it looks.

If Japanese is your cuisine of choice,

visit Harajuku Kitchen. This award-winning

café has an extensive sushi menu alongside

favourites like gyoza and tempura prawns

• perfect if you’re looking for a light bite.
  I’LL DRINK TO THAT
  If you like your bars to be chic and
  Instagrammable, head to Copper Blossom.
  Think pink flowers, white chandeliers and
  espresso martinis!
  The young party crowd can be found
  up the road at Tigerlily, which is also
  flower-filled but has a more clubby feel. For
  a more relaxed atmosphere, we enjoyed
  candlelit cocktails at The Bon Vivant.

CATCH SOME ZEDS

We stayed at Kimpton Charlotte Square, which

is close to all the bars and restaurants in the

New Town. Breakfast is served in a gorgeous

plant-filled conservatory and there’s a spa and

gym if you want to fit in some pampering or a

workout during your trip. Plus, you’ll be in good

company – the Spice Girls stayed here when

they performed in Edinburgh in June. Book at

kimptonhotels.com/IHG/Edinburgh.

MORE INFO

See visitscotland.com/edinburgh for more

on the city. To book restaurants, visit

lescargotblanc.co.uk, 83hanoverstreet.com

and harajukukitchen.co.uk. See BA.com

for flights.

TRAVEL

HOURS IN

4848

EDINBURGH

Enjoy breakfast in

the Kimpton Charlotte

Square’s conservatory

Try L’Escargot Blanc’s

fine French fare

Have fun in the

Mirror Maze