15 commonly overlooked free things to do in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the awesome capital of Scotland and a bustling hive of political, historical, and cultural activity. As Edinburgh is a popular tourist spot, many of the attractions can be a little pricey. For travellers on a shoe string budget or those interested in the city’s often overlooked attractions, here is a list of 15 free things to do in Edinburgh.

Galleries

There are three free galleries (try saying that quickly!) in Edinburgh including the National Gallery, the Portrait Gallery, and the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art. Raphael, Van Gogh, Matisse, and Picasso all grace these galleries’ walls.

Head for the Hills

Retreat from the hubbub of the city to explore the surrounding Lothian hills. Puff your way up Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano and the tallest of Edinburgh’s seven hills. Alternatively, grab some fresh air on top of Calton Hill for stunning views over the city.

Portobello Beach

Just 3 miles outside the city centre, Portobello is a great place for kids to play and parents to unwind. This rugged stretch of sand is a great contrast to the concrete jungle of the city. Who doesn’t like building sand castles, flying kites or playing tag with waves coming to shore?

Greyfriar’s Bobby

Bobby the dog loved his master so dearly he stayed by his grave until the day he died too. The memorial erected at the Kirkyard (graveyard) in Bobby’s honour is designed to commemorate true loyalty, faith and love. There are several other memorials, each with a unique tale to tell so take some time to explore the area.

Festivals

Come August, Edinburgh overflows with creative talent. The Fringe festival offers little pockets of wonder citywide in the form of pop-up cinemas, magicians, brilliant comedians and much more all for free!

Parliament

Head to the Parliament building to watch live debates, marvel at award winning architecture and learn about Scottish politics. During the summer, the building is host to the Festival of Politics combining politics, media and art to draw in the crowds.

St Giles Cathedral

Known as the cradle of Presbyterianism, this 12th century cathedral has impressive stain glass windows from the 1870’s. Half way between the Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace, it makes a great pit stop on the Royal Mile trek.

Old Town Weaving Company

Intrigued by kilts? Well, stop staring at some poor bloke’s knobbly knees and discover how all things tartan are produced with a visit to the Old Town Weaving Company! There is also a chance to see how Highland dress evolved over time and to test a pedal-operated loom.

Walks

Walk the stunning streets of Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns, which are listed as a World Heritage Site. Be your own tour guide and choice your own routes with the help of the free maps from the Edinburgh World Heritage website.

Botanical Garden

The garden opened in 1670 and ranges over 72 acres. While there is a fee to enter the greenhouses, the grounds remain free to the general public. Soak up the gorgeous scenery and follow the meandering trail of the Waters of Leith.

Museums

There are plenty of things to keep the entire family entertained at Edinburgh’s free museums. See a million pounds in cash at the Museum on the Mound, drool over rare first editions at the Writers Museum, wave to a T-Rex or check out the often overlooked rooftop garden at the National Museums. These museums are perfect for wet weather days.

Police Information Centre

This fully functioning police centre has a fascinating exhibition room packed with historic weapons, artefacts and police equipment. It also provides information on past and present policing.

The Boom

The firing of the cannon at 1pm is a 150 year old tradition at Edinburgh Castle. The courtyard at the castle entrance offers spectacular views over the city and the magnificent boom can be heard as clearly from here as within the castle walls (but without the pricey admission fee).

Princes Park

At the heart of the city lies this peaceful oasis next to the domineering Scott Monument. This park is perfectly situated beneath the castle walls for you to people watch, picnic and play.

Gorgie City Farm

This farm is a hidden gem, perfect for those searching for the quieter side of Edinburgh. Visitors can pop in any day of the year to say hello to the farms animals.

Avoid tears at the Edinburgh Castle box office when you discover the admission price (seriously, ouch!) and check out these fifteen wallet-friendly alternatives. This list will help you avoid the tourist crowds and be an independent traveller in order to see far more of the city than you had expected.