Places to Visit
Guests of Studio Hart are fortunate to be within walking distance of many of the top tourist attractions in Edinburgh. Around Edinburgh's old and new town there is an abundance of attractions worth visiting. From shopping on Princes Street to walking the cobbles in Grassmarket there is something for everyone.
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We have highlighted some of our favourite places to visit.
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Castlehill, EH1 2NG
Edinburgh Castle
Only a 5 minute walk from Studio Hart you will arrive at Edinburgh Castle, a historic fortress which dominates the skyline and with stunning views towards the Forth. Listen out for the One o'clock Gun which is still fired every day at 1pm, except on Sundays, Good Friday and Christmas Day.
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Not to be missed is The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo which takes place here in August and the Hogmanay celebrations with an outstanding firework display to bring in the new year.
Castlehill, The Royal Mile, EH1 2ND
Camera Obscura
Located next to Edinburgh Castle and only 5 minutes from Studio Hart at Camera Obscura & World of Illusions you can experience and take part in over 100 illusions as well as a breath of fresh air on our magnificent Rooftop Terrace, which offers the most spectacular 360 degree views of Edinburgh. Five floors of interactive hands-on optical illusions, tricks and fun things to do including vortex tunnel, mirror maze and shrinking room. Get involved, play, touch everything. Great fun for all ages and nationalities, whatever the weather. Scotland’s oldest purpose-built attraction, established in 1835.
20a Inverleith Row, EH3 5LR
Royal Botanic Garden
A trip to the world-famous Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is unmissable. Visitors can experience an extravaganza of plants from around the world, learn about the Garden's rich and diverse Living Collection and discover a history dating back 350 years.
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Set in over 70 acres of beautiful landscape and just one mile north of the city centre, the Garden offers superb panoramic views of the city skyline featuring Edinburgh Castle. The Botanics, as the Garden is affectionately known locally, is breathtaking at any time of year.
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Garden entry FREE
The Mound, EH2 2EL
Scottish National Gallery
The Scottish National Gallery is one of Scotland’s top free visitor attractions. It houses Scotland’s national collection of fine art from the early Renaissance to the end of the nineteenth century.
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Spend an hour strolling around this peaceful setting and you’ll find masterpieces from Raphael, Velázquez and Vermeer to Monet, Cézanne and Van Gogh. For a nation of Scotland’s size, the collection is rightfully regarded as one of the very best in the world. The most comprehensive part of the collection covers the history of Scottish painting. All the major names, including Ramsay, Raeburn, Wilkie and McTaggart, are represented in depth.
75 Belford Rd, EH4 3DR
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Come and enjoy the grounds at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. With their world-class sculptures and a pop-up cafe, these beautiful green spaces are a breath of fresh air. You can also enjoy some of the family activities and self-led tours of the sculptures in the grounds.
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Modern One is housed in a neoclassical building, which was designed by William Burn in 1825. Modern Two was originally built in 1833 and in 1999 it was converted into a Gallery.
16A Queen St, EH2 1JE
Holyrood Park & Arthur's Seat
Holyrood Park is a short walk from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in the heart of the city. It is a 640 acre Royal Park adjacent to Holyrood Palace.
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Roam through a city park like no other. Holyrood Park’s dramatic hills and crags shape Edinburgh’s unforgettable skyline, and its history and archaeology span thousands of years. Arthur’s Seat, the park’s highest point, is the remains of a volcano, and stone and flint tools found here reveal human activity as far back as 5000 BC. Arthur's Seat offers spectacular views of Edinburgh.
Summerhall Distillery, 1 Summerhall Place, EH9 1PL
Pickering's Gin Distillery
Tours of Summerhall Distillery, home of Pickering's Gin. Come along and see how handcrafted, small batch gin is made, hear their story and sample all three of their marvellous gins.
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Pickering’s Gin is handcrafted in the heart of Edinburgh, nestled amongst the galleries, workshops, theatres and studios of Summerhall. Here you will find a small but perfectly formed distillery, and a friendly and passionate team ready to show you around on one of their distillery tours.
354 Castlehill, EH1 2NE
The Scotch Whisky Experience
Take a barrel ride as you actually become part of the whisky making process. Experience for yourself our regional whiskies and whether you like fruity, sweet or smoky flavours our experts will help you select your perfect dram. Enter the vault containing the world's largest collection of Scotch Whiskies and enjoy a special tutored nosing and tasting. Explore Scotland's whisky history from the very beginnings through to the global success of today.
Calton Hill, EH1 3BJ
Calton Hill
The panoramic views from Calton Hill have astonished and inspired visitors for centuries. Major landmarks can be seen from a bird’s eye view: Arthur’s Seat with the Crags behind Holyrood Palace and the Parliament, Leith and the Firth of Forth, Princes Street in its New Town grid and the Royal Mile climbing up towards the Castle.
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Calton Hill is also famous for its collection of historic monuments, which form some of the most important landmarks of the city. One of the most striking is the National Monument, inspired by the Parthenon in Athens.
Dean Path, Edinburgh EH4 3AY
Dean Village
Situated five minutes away from Princes Street, visitors can find Dean Village, a beautiful oasis right by the Water of Leith. You will come across a variety of mill stones and stone plaques decorated with baked bread and pies. The Dean Bridge can also be found if you walk along the walkway following the Water of Leith. The Bridge and St Bernard’s Well were both designed by Thomas Telford.