We take an alternative look at Auld Reekie, guiding you off the tourist trail to uncover some real hidden gems in Secret Edinburgh Have a look at the map below […]

When it comes to Victorian baths and swimming pools, Edinburgh’s certainly not at the shallow end! Warrender in the Marchmont area and Glenogle at Canonmills have both recently been  refurbished […]

If you fancy exploring a beautiful part of the Union Canal with tea and cupcakes as your carrot, then head to Zazou – the only narrowboat cafe in town. The […]

Edinburgh and the Central Belt have amongst the highest reported UFO sightings in the world. As they said in the X Files, the truth is out there – so you […]

The Water of Leith Walkway is a public footpath and cycleway that runs alongside the small river of the same name for 12¾ miles, from Balerno to Leith. This gorgeous […]

Eating out doesn’t have to be fussy and expensive in the capital. Follow the locals to Union of Genius – Scotland’s only soup café – in Forest Road. At Union […]

Edinburgh is well-renowned for its underground tourist attractions of Mary King’s Close and the Vaults. However, most residents are blissfully unaware of another amazing feat of engineering that lies under […]

Hosted by auctioneers Ramsay Cornish, the weekly Lane Sales are an Edinburgh institution dating back over 100 years. The sales take place at 11am sharp each Thursday in Jane Street, Leith. You […]

In need of some Tibetan tea and tranquillity? Head to Newington to a shop and café inspired by a meeting with the Dalai Lama himself – The Himalaya Café. At […]

Fancy a visit to Quentin Tarantino’s favourite cinema in the whole world? Pop along to Home Street’s historic film house, The Cameo. The Cameo first opened its doors as The […]

Ssssh! Edinburgh Secret Society organises events for those of a curious disposition. Edinburgh Secret Society’s events pop up every now and again in some of the city’s quirkiest and most unusual venues. […]

Fancy some Lycra and Lemon Drizzle Cake? No problem! Just head to Ronde Cycle Café in Stockbridge. This bespoke store is a specialised independent bike shop and café combined. Located […]

Edinburgh’s New Town is a World Heritage site and the largest, best-preserved example of Georgian architecture in the UK. At the heart of this stylish, old money neighbourhood are the […]

Forget the crowds descending on that “modern carbuncle” further down the High Street and visit the original Scottish Parliament building instead – Parliament Hall. This magnificent 17th-century hall, with original […]

Only two minutes walk from Princes Street but hidden away from everyone except those who can use their detective skills to seek it out is Inspector John Rebus’s favourite watering […]

To view some of the best sunsets in the city, head to Newhaven Harbour. This former fishing village is around three miles from the city centre, between Leith and Granton. With […]

Hidden away in the leafy lanes of the genteel suburb of Morningside is a scene more in keeping with John Wayne than John Knox… Tucked away up an alleyway off […]

This Japanese garden can be found in the grounds of Lauriston Castle in the leafy Edinburgh suburb of Cramond. The Kyoto Friendship Garden is so zen-like that many locals have […]

This Swedish-owned bar is an Elm Row institution. With high ceilings and huge windows, Joseph Pearce’s is kitted out in a relaxed, bohemian style (a bit like your granny’s front room […]

Forget the hustle and bustle of Princes Street Gardens or even the Meadows – Inverleith Park, just to the north of the city centre and across from the Botanic Gardens, […]

Few people would associate the High Street (for that’s what locals call the Royal Mile) with greenery but behind the towering tenements and down picturesque closes and vennels hide a […]

There can’t be many places in Scotland where you can simultaneously learn German and eat cake, but you can in stylish Bruntsfield bakery, Falko Konditormeister. Germanborn owner, Falko Burkert, is a […]

Edinburgh is awash with book shops and record shops. None, however, are quite like this Leith Walk institution, Elvis Shakespeare. As the name suggests, this unassumingly-fronted shop doubles up as […]

Nestling under the south eastern slopes of Arthur’s Seat, the picturesque village of Duddingston is one of the oldest parts of the city, dating back to the 12th century. There […]

Although just five minutes from Princes Street, Broughton Street isn’t on most tourists’ or shoppers’ radar but to locals, it’s independent shopping heaven! One of the most bohemian and cosmopolitan […]

The Anatomical Museum, which is part of Edinburgh University’s School of Biomedical Sciences and tucked away in Teviot Place, is well worth examining. Opened in 1884, the imposing lobby welcomes […]