Welcome to Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland, home to the Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh Castle, and several national museums.
Edinburgh is a compact city that is easy to get around, by foot, by an extensive bus network, and by tram. There are two railway stations in Edinburgh: Haymarket and Waverley. Between them lies the city centre and the bell towers. A third, Edinburgh Park, is on the western edge of Edinburgh and is useful for the airport and for Park and Ride schemes.
Edinburgh airport is located just outside of the city boundaries, but has good connections by bus and by tram to Haymarket station.
Being small and very busy, Edinburgh is not particularly car-friendly, and we recommend that you use public transport within the city itself.
Here are tourist information links for further information about Edinburgh and getting around Scotland:
www.thisisedinburgh.com/discover/must-see/top-attractions/
Accomodation
There are many hotels and hostels to suit a variety of budgets.
Things to do
When you are not ringing, or for those guests who are not ringers, Edinburgh is an ideal city break, with many Museums and activities year round. Many large attractions in Edinburgh (such as Edinburgh Castle and Dynamic Earth) offer advance ticketing online which allows you to avoid long queues.
'DIY' lunch venues
There are many lunch/food options within a 5-minute walk from St Andrew & St George West. Here is a selected list, but there are many, many other places within the centre of Edinburgh.
Carry-out sandwiches etc:
- Sainsbury’s – Rose Street (off St Andrew Square)
- Pret a Manger – Hanover Street
- KFC – St Andrew Street
- McDonalds St Andrew Street
Pubs:
- Standing Order (Wetherspoons) – George Street
- The Booking Office (Wetherspoons) – Waverley Bridge
- Alexander Graham Bell ( Wetherspoons) – George Street (west end)
- Abbottsford Bar – Rose Street
- Café Royal – West Register Street
- Tiles – St Andrew Square
- Milnes Bar – Hanover Street
- All Bar One – George Street
Vegetarian:
- Henderson’s – Hanover Street
In-business cafes and diners:
- National Portrait Gallery – Queen Street
- Valvona and Crolla in Jenners – St Andrew Square
Outdoor
- St Andrew Square Café
- Sir Walter’s Café - Princes Street Gardens
More expensive/ foreign :
- Harvey Nichols – St Andrew Square
- The Dome – George Street
- The Dogs – Hanover Street
- Dishoom – St Andrew Square
- Saigon Saigon – St Andrew Street
- Pizza Hut – Hanover Street