Free guide · 2027 edition

Edinburgh: our private guide

Scotland’s capital is a city of closes and crescents, castle and coast, where a short walk takes you from a medieval wynd to a Georgian square, and on to the sea. Our guide covers where to stay, eat and drink, what to see, and the city through the year.

Download the free guide33 pages, sent straight to you as a PDF

Cover of the MacLean & Bruce Edinburgh guide

Edinburgh in brief

Six things worth knowing before you arrive.

30 min

From Edinburgh Airport to the city centre by tram; about 25 minutes by car.

Old & New

Medieval and Georgian towns: one UNESCO World Heritage Site.

August

The Edinburgh Festival Fringe: the largest arts festival in the world.

Free

Most national museums and galleries are free to enter.

On foot

The centre is compact and walkable, with hills, steps and cobbles.

Hogmanay

Four days of New Year celebrations, from 29 December.

Inside the guide

Thirty-three illustrated pages.

An overview of Edinburgh and its neighbourhoods
A potted history, and the stories of the Castle and Calton Hill
A perfect 48 hours
Where to stay: our favourite hotels
Where to eat, and cafés, tea and bars
Whisky in Edinburgh, and a whisky day in the city
What to see, things to do and tours
Tales of the closes, and hidden gems
Shops, and cosy things
Beaches and the coast, Inchcolm and the Forth
Day trips from the city
Edinburgh through the year: the festivals, Christmas and Hogmanay
Good to know, getting around and fun facts

Explore every place on our interactive map of Edinburgh.

Edinburgh, privately

From the Castle at opening time to a table at one of the city’s starred restaurants, we arrange private guides, drivers and access in Edinburgh and beyond.

Download the free guide