24405BRI
opening days/times, entrance fees, etc. listed on yellow pages.
Ring and reconfirm Local Guide at least 24hrs prior.
City sightseeing with local guide: includes
Panoramic overview of old and new towns.
Castle inside visit
Holyroodhouse Palace photo stop
- If your hotel is slightly out of town you will meet your guide at West Register House, Charlotte Square at 08.30. Arrange departure time from hotel accordingly
- Explain to the group that the coach will leave them at the castle. (If your hotel is out of town you may need to arrange a meeting time with your driver. Top of Waterloo Place/ Regent Road official coach parking location.)
- Castle entrances are paid by voucher and are TIMED ENTRY. Reconfirm voucher.
TIMES
08.30 Depart with guide for sightseeing tour. Recommended route: New town, Holyroodhouse Palace (photo stop is available, Old Town, Castle (visit).
If time allows your guide may wish to take you into the Royal Park (Arthur’s Seat). Most have permits for Arthur’s Seat which is great. Discuss with your Local Guide and Driver before the tour.
Tour ends at Castle. The guide stays with the group outside the castle, whilst the TM goes inside to collect entry tickets, remember to include one for the local guide (STG) in this number. During peak season pre ordered tickets can be collected from black hut at the bottom of the esplanade, left hand side. Hand tickets out and walk group through entrance arch. Meet by Red telephone boxes some may wish to use the toilets whilst you collect tickets. Everyone gets an individual ticket which is barcode read further up the Castle Hill. If they lose it they will not get in. The Guide will walk group to top and they visit inside on their own. Give free time suggestions/assistance before they disperse. Make sure group knows when you will next see them. Red Coat Café is good place to liaise if inclement weather.
If you have a mobility impaired/elderly individual, ask your guide to request the mini-bus assistance to take them up to the top of the castle. When they wish to return, they just need to find a tartan-wearing Castle guide who will call up the mini-bus.
FACTS AND FREE TIME SUGGESTIONS
Museums
PALACE OF HOLYROODHOUSE
MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD – 42 High St
ROYAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND – Chambers St
NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND – Chambers St
NATIONAL GALLERY OF SCOTLAND – The Mound
SCOTTISH NATIONAL PORTRAIT GALLERY – Queen Street
THE GEORGIAN HOUSE – Charlotte Square
DYNAMIC EARTH VISITOR CENTRE – 112 Holyrood
SCOTCH WHISKY HERITAGE CENTRE – Castle Hill
WRITERS MUSEUM-Lady Stair Close
MARY KINGS CLOSE – Royal Mile (entrance charge)
SHOPPING
Princes St, Waverley Centre, Royal Mile, Princes Mall, George St, MacSween of Edinburgh (Haggis emporium) on Dryden Rd. St James Quarter leading to Multrees Walk
Evening activities
WITCHERY WALKS – Witchery Restaurant, Castle Hill
A walk around the gloom and mystery of the Old Town with chilling tales from Edinburgh’s past. Tour lasts 1½ hrs. Tel: 0131 225 6745 www.witcherytours.com
MERCAT TOURS – Various start points including Mercat Cross
A tour of Edinburgh’s underground city. Tours are small, so book early, they won’t always take large groups. Tel: 0131 297 1615
TRADITIONAL SCOTTISH MUSIC
Sandy Bells Pub (very small) on Forrest Road and music at Ghillie Dhu, Rutland Place
LUNCH SUGGESTIONS
Old Town:
The Hub – just down from in a converted church.
Deacon Brodie’s – Royal Mile
The Elephant House – George IV Bridge (fire damaged awaiting restoration)
The Grassmarket- Traditional pub food.
The Mosque Kitchen – Nicolson Square. An Edinburgh Institution with Canteen style curries.
New Town:
Rose Street/George Street – many places.
The Dome –George Street.