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Edinburgh in one day is a downhill walk with a view at each end. The capital of Scotland sits on the Firth of Forth, and its old centre runs from the Castle to the palace at the foot of the Royal Mile. Start high, walk down, and keep the end of the day for the hills.
Edinburgh Castle is a castle and also a museum. Give it the first block of the day rather than squeezing it between walks. To fill out the morning, there is an audio walk below that you do on your own.
Three hours on foot with an app that gives GPS directions and commentary in seven languages: the Old Town closes, the Royal Mile and Arthur's Seat.
The street is made up of five parts: Castlehill, the Lawnmarket, High Street, the Canongate and Abbey Strand. The names change as you go from the Castle towards Holyrood, so a map helps if you like to know where you are.
Three and a half hours, with audio commentaries and a live map, crossing the Old Town and the New Town. Available in English, Spanish or French, with a flexible start.
St Giles' Cathedral takes its name from Saint Giles. Look at the building from the street first, then decide on the spot whether you want to go inside.
Holyrood Palace is a palace and an official residence, in the Holyrood district of the city. It is where the downhill walk ends, so work out your way back before you set off.
Arthur's Seat is a mountain in Edinburgh, and Calton Hill is the other high point for a look over the city. If you would rather see a viewpoint from a car than on foot, a private drive reaches Calton Hill.
Two hours in a private chauffeured vehicle with an English-speaking driver, taking in the viewpoint at Calton Hill, the Royal Mile, the Old Town lanes and a small village by the river.
If you finish early or want something for the evening, three phone games send you through the Old Town streets, each in about an hour. They are alternatives to one another, so pick the mood you like.
Follow clues through the Old Town in an original story inspired by Harry Potter, using only your phone, in about an hour, in English.
Solve clues along cobbled lanes and secret gardens as a love story unfolds, in about an hour and a quarter, in English.
A one hour clue trail through the Old Town about witch hunts and murders, in English.
Prefer to leave town? The Highlands need a day of their own, so choose either the city or one of these private trips with a driver. You will find more options on the things to do in Edinburgh page.
About nine hours by private vehicle through Callander, Loch Lubnaig, Rannoch Moor and Glencoe, in English.
About twelve hours by private vehicle to the Highlands, Loch Ness, Urquhart Castle and the Cairngorms, in English.
Yes, as a walk from the Castle down the Royal Mile. Visit the Castle first, stop at St Giles' on the way, and leave the hills for the end of the day.
Yes. Both audio walks are self-guided and run on your phone, so you set your own pace.
Not in a useful way: each Highlands trip fills a whole day, so you would give up the city.
Sources: Wikidata (CC0).
