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EDINBURGH TRAVEL GUIDE: STAY, EAT, SEE

15/11/2015

So, if you follow me on Instagram or Twitter, or my blog or Youtube (or anywhere else that I can bombard you with pretty pictures of scenery, food, makeup, outfits and more food) then you’ll know that I recently went on a 3 day Blogger/Press trip to Edinburgh. You’ll also know that I ate and drank more than a year’s worth of food and gin and managed to to see some stunning sights in between attempting to gain 10stone in 3 days Oh, and also stayed in a bed that dreams are made of, literally…


So I thought that it might be a good idea to put together a little Travel guide for Edinburgh just in case you’re planning to visit – which if you are, I couldn’t recommend it enough #EdinburghFangirlForLife – so here are my top picks for where to stay, where to eat and where to see.

I also happen to mention the birthplace of Harry Potter so, you know, this is pretty much the best post I’ve ever written…

Stay
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
When it comes to where to stay in Edinburgh, for me, there is no other option than the Sheraton Grand hotel and spa. A beautiful but classic hotel, the Sheraton is a strange contradiction of being luxurious but also accessible. You can’t help but notice the luxurious rosewood and warm red and beige tones with the additional modern, luxe features throughout, but then it also feels completely homely and totally comfortable at the same time. To find a grand hotel that also feels like a home away from home is extremely rare, and that’s exactly what I love about this hotel.

Other notable reasons why it’s a contender for one of my favourite hotels that I’ve ever stayed in? The One Square restaurant. I wrote a huge post about it previously but in short, it has absolutely everything. From amazing afternoon tea, to their very own gin, to the Dining at The Pass experience which will forever go down as one of my all time favourite dining experiences, ever. And then there’s the Sheraton Sweet sleeper beds which really are the bed that dreams are made of. Plus the fact that the staff are extremely friendly and helpful and can’t do enough for you (oh, and actually have an amazing idea of what gluten is and how to cater for it – insert hand clapping emoji here – huzzah!).
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
Eat
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
sheraton grand hotel and spa
One Square
Seeing as I’ve already mentioned One Square – and spent a whole post fangirling over it – I’m not going to say anymore, other than if you’re in Edinburgh it is definitely worth checking out. Photo’s included because they speak a thousand words and for once, I’ve decided not to. I mean, look at those scones…
The Witchery
the witchery
the witchery
the witchery
the witchery
the witchery

If you think that you’ve been to a magical restaurant before, I promise you you haven’t seen anything yet. The Witchery, based a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh Castle is potentially the most magical, stunning, dreamy, Instagram Porn place I have ever the pleasure of dining in, feeling like you’re in a Harry Potter film – i.e the most amazing feeling that you could ever feel – you are surrounded by lanterns, leaf entwined beams across the ceilings and the most stunning gold candelabras and table decorations that I’ve ever seen.

So once you’ve stopped Instagramming the life out of appreciating the decor, it’s time to eat, and that’s where it gets really good. With the most extensive allergy information list – *insert choir voices* haaaaalelujah – I made my way through the menu finally settling on the hot smoked salmon and sweet potato fries (with a side portion of mash because I’m a pig carbs upon carbs the “it” thing, right?) But if fish isn’t your thing, I have it on good authority that the lamb wellington is incredible!

And if you still have room for dessert – if you don’t, then make room – the coconut creme brulee was absolutely amazing/dreamy/[insert your own choice of delicious synonym here].

the witchery
the witchery
the witchery
Visit

summerhall distillery
summerhall distillery
summerhall distillery
If you’re into your gin, then you must visit Summerhall Distillery, home to Pickering’s Gin and also where the One Square gin was crafted. Seeing as we’d spent the previous night getting hammered sampling One square gin, it was only right that we went to check out how it was made. For someone that didn’t know anything about gin and hadn’t particularly show the biggest interest previously, I found it so fascinating to discover the process of how it was made, the botanicals that go into gin, waxing our own gin bottles etc. Plus, I also managed a G&T at 10:30am, move over Lindsey Lohan…
summerhall distillery
summerhall distillery
summerhall distillery
Edinburgh castle, The real Mary’s close and The Royal mile


edinburgh castle
edinburgh castle
I’m sure I’m not the only one that immediately thinks of the castle when it comes to places to visit in Edinburgh and that’s for good reason. It is, in short, absolutely stunning. For starters, just walking round the grounds alone makes you feel like you’re in a little village in Harry Potter; it is so incredibly magical, plus the castle itself is obviously breath taking.

We actually had something called an ASVA pass which allowed us entry into a whole host of attractions including The Real Mary’s King’s close which is actually situated underneath the Royal mile. Unfortunately we wasn’t allowed to take photo’s inside but I found it so incredibly interesting and insightful into what life was like in the 16th – 19th century. You know, before Instagram and that (… I know, what an awful time that must have been).

The final thing I’d suggest within The Royal mile is…. well, just walking down The Royal Mile itself. A really beautiful mile long – funny that – road, The Royal Mile is full of amazing, unique shops that are definitely worth checking out if you’re not already based in Edinburgh.
edinburgh castle
edinburgh castle
edinburgh castle
edinburgh castle
The Elephant house, the birth place of Harry Potter
the elephant house
the elephant house
the elephant house
I have to say, I totally lucked out with the loveliest group ever on my press/blogger trip, but you never really know who you’re going to end up with, whether you’ll get along etc. It was definitely safe to say that we got on from the beginning, but it was when Chiara mentioned that one of the places she’d love to see was the cafe that J.K.Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books in, and Lela enthusiastically agreed that I knew we were going to get along just fine. Anyone that knows me, follows me on social media or on my blog/youtube channel, or just generally anyone that’s spoken to me for longer than 5 minutes will know that I am the biggest Harry Potter fan girl so this was definitely something that I couldn’t miss.

The Elephant House in Edinburgh, birthplace to Harry potter – as plastered all over the cafe, I think they’re just a little bit proud of that fact 😉 – was indeed where J.K.Rowling wrote the Harry Potter books. Now, obviously it’s still a working cafe so there’s not much to see per se, but if you are a HP fan (we abbreviate because we’re cool) then it’s just such a cool place to check out. You also need to make sure you check out the signed toilet which is basically signed by Harry Potter fans from all over the world and will make laugh, smile and maybe even cry of happiness.


(If you’re a loser like me…)


So that brings me to the end of this – slightly mammoth – Edinburgh Travel guide. I really did have an incredible time and couldn’t recommend these places enough. If you have any recommendations, I would absolutely love to know as there is no doubt in my mind that I’ll be returning to Edinburgh very soon 🙂

As always, thanks so much for reading. I hope you enjoyed this post!

xx

55 responses to “EDINBURGH TRAVEL GUIDE: STAY, EAT, SEE”

  1. crafty-zone says:

    You was very lucky to attend to this event, dear, because Edinburgh looks magical and I'm huge fan of Harry Potter too so I wish that someday I'll go there to see this famous Elephant House 😉

    http://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/

  2. Beautiful photography! I love Edinburgh, it's a gorgeous city x

    http://www.beckieeschle.com

  3. Vicky says:

    This was such a useful post as I'm hoping to go to Edinburgh early next year so it's a good idea to get a feel for what it's like 🙂 xx

  4. Lubna says:

    Lovely pics! Was thinking about visiting Edinburgh for the NYE Hogmanay event but it was super pricey 🙁

    – Lubna | The Digital Review

  5. I loved my trip to Edinburgh in September, it is such a gorgeous city and the ideal place if you like gin! We went to the Edinburgh gin distillery which was so good. We also did a food tour which was amazing! x

    Jasmin Charlotte

  6. CB says:

    You had me at Harry. Seriously, do you ever think that maybe when you get married your husband will tell you that he's secretly a wizard and there actually is magic? No? Just me? OK, shh Chloe.

    I've only ever seen Edinburgh airport on my way to a friends house/back from Scotland but its definitely a "staycation" location on my list. I had NO idea there was a cafe where Harry was born.. does that may be a terrible Fan Girl? I now have 2 perfect reasons to go to Edinburgh:
    – Sign the HP fan wall
    – Do the Gin tour

    CB x
    http://www.theCBlife.blogspot.com
    ps – the BEDS in the Sheraton!! That's all.

  7. OMG I love Edinburgh, I've already commented on your vlog, but I thought I would pop up again haha! But yeah, it looks like you have had a wonderful time! I defo want to visit soon! 🙂

    Heather Xx
    100waysto30.co.uk

  8. Jodie Vernon says:

    If I ever go Edinburgh I now know exactly where I'm staying! The hotel looks uh-mazing and the thought of the food makes me so hungry!
    Jodie, xo // Jodie Loue

  9. Alina Bostan says:

    Once again your Edinburgh trip sound amazing, love your photos (especially the food ones, yum). So glad to hear you had a great time & I hope you are enjoying NYC at the moment x

    Beauty with charm

  10. Jordan says:

    Everything about this post is just amazing, especially the food! I'd love to visit Edinburgh soon as I've never been to Scotland at all! I also really need to visit the Harry Potter cafe!

    hellomissjordan.com xx

  11. Pickering's! That's me! How exciting. I'm looking to book Edinburgh for New Year's so this was a perfect little guide! x

    Kirstie | Kirstie Pickering

  12. Call Me Amy says:

    I haven't been to Edinburgh for years but really want to go back it's so pretty! Im so jealous of all the gin!
    Amy Xx
    Call Me Amy

  13. I am officially so jealous! Edinburgh looks so gorgeous and quaint! I wish we had pretty castles here in the states! That hotel looks amazing too!

    <3 Shannon
    Upbeat Soles

  14. Trang Do says:

    Food looks delicious! Love to visit this hotel!
    Xoxo,
    Love from http://www.trangscorner.com {a lifestyle, fashion, beauty, and food blog}

  15. Angie Silver says:

    What a stunning post and I have literally always wanted to go to the Witchery 🙂
    Lots of love,
    Angie

    SilverSpoon London

  16. Millie Rose says:

    that's so cool about harry potter i never knew that 🙂 It looks so lovely there, i love places like this x x

    millieerosee.blogspot.com

  17. Summer says:

    These photos are gorgeous!

    summerdaisy.net

  18. Oh man you kill me with posts like this, I also feel an ache of sadness that I am not adventurous enough to travel more as I really would love to visit Edinburgh and will definitely endeavour to make a trip xxxx

  19. Edinburgh is one of my favourite city and seeing all these photos made me miss there a lot! You seem to have a really nice trip and enjoying every bit of it. All these photos are amazing as always, especially the food photos… #foodporn x

    http://www.elabellaworld.com

  20. Meg Siobhan says:

    Gosh, so much pretty! This makes me want to visit ol' Scotttttttlaaand even more than I already wanted to!

    Meg | A Little Twist Of…

  21. Beautiful photos! I bet it's such an amazing place to visit and I'd love to go one day! You ate soo much yummy food I bet you were in a constant food coma haha! I love reading about what you get up to because I'm a top loser haha 🙂 xx

  22. I've heard such great things about the Witchery, and the lamb wellington must be yummy. Haven't been to Edinburgh for quite a few years but I love it

    Suze | LuxuryColumnist

  23. ella grace says:

    I so love your writing style and photograohy Elle. Like what I said in your previous post, I am now itching to go back to Edinburgh because of your posts. Xx

    eLLa
    every LiTTLE thing07

  24. wow what a beautiful place! love these photos 🙂

    ♥ Ellen
    Latest post: SHOPSTYLECONQUER.COM

  25. crafty-zone says:

    Hope you had great day, dear Elle 😉

    http://crafty-zone.blogspot.com/

  26. Glam O'Clock says:

    These pictures! I love how the weather and fog really adds a touch of mystery to the decor. The room looks amazing and SO spacious! Xx

    Ally | http://www.glamoclock.com

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