Edinburgh is Scotland’s most historically significant city.
Over the centuries, Edinburgh has been the home of kings and queens, the prize fought over by opposing forces, the center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and the inspiration for writers and artists.
If you think keeping up this heritage may be costly (old buildings aren’t cheap to maintain!), you’d be right.
But you also may be surprised to learn exactly how much of Scotland’s rich heritage you can discover without breaking the bank.
Keep reading to find out what to do for cheap – or free! – in Edinburgh.
Table of Contents
The Old and New Towns
Cost: Free
Did you know that the Old and New Towns of Edinburgh are a UNESCO World Heritage Site? They were designated as such in 1995.
The Old Town, as its name implies, is the oldest part of Edinburgh. Its original street plan is in existence. It’s shaped a little like a fish’s skeleton – the Royal Mile is the backbone from which smaller streets, or “closes,” extend outward.
When Edinburgh started outgrowing its walls, the building of a new town was proposed. Construction began in 1767 and continued until around 1850. Today, you can still see the wonderfully preserved Georgian buildings that dominate most of New Town.
The Royal Mile
Cost: Free
If you don’t have the time or inclination to explore all of the Old and New Towns, at least take a stroll along Edinburgh’s most historic street, the Royal Mile.
There are several free historic places to visit along the Royal Mile. Some are mentioned below. You can also learn more about the Royal Mile here.
In addition to historic sites, the Royal Mile is lined with souvenir shops, so while walking along the mile is free, you’ll be lucky to finish your walk without spending at least some money on kitschy souvenirs.
St. Giles Cathedral
Cost: Free
Considered the mother church of Presbyterianism, St. Giles Cathedral is a landmark of Edinburgh. There’s been a church on this spot since 1124. The current building is a surprisingly harmonious mix of mostly late Gothic and Victorian architecture.
St. Giles has been the scene of many important events in Scottish history. Protestant reformer John Knox preached here, helping to turn Catholic Scotland into a Protestant country in the 16th century. Less than a hundred years later, a riot broke out here after Charles I tried to impose The Book of Common Prayer on the Presbyterian Scots, eventually leading to the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. More recently, the Order of the Thistle, Scotland’s only chivalric order, has held its services in the cathedral.
My personal favorites in the cathedral? The small but ornate Thistle Chapel, where the members of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle meet for services and inauguration of new members, and the stained-glass window depicting the assassination of Regent Moray in 1570, the first recorded assassination by firearm in history.
National Museum of Scotland
Cost: Free
The National Museum of Scotland was the result of a merger between two museums – and it really feels like you get two museums in one. The first is a natural history and science museum; the second showcases the history of Scotland.
In the natural history/science and technology section, you’ll find dinosaur bones, artefacts from world cultures, and flying machines. One of the museum’s star attractions? Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal cloned from an adult mammal.
The Scottish history section is particularly fascinating. There’s lots to discover here, from ancient down to modern Scotland. In addition to personal items belonging to Mary, Queen of Scots and lots of claymore swords, you can find the Lewis chessmen (some of them; the other half are in the British Museum in London), the Hunterston Brooch (one of the most important Celtic brooches), and The Maiden (an early form of guillotine).
But it’s not just the exhibits themselves that are worth seeing. Be sure to check out the museum’s architecture, a contrast between the Victorian Grand Gallery and the geometric Corbusian design of the Scottish galleries.
National Gallery of Scotland
Cost: Free
Located in a building designed to look like an Ancient Greek Temple, the National Gallery of Scotland opened to the public in 1859. Here you’ll find important Scottish masterpieces, as well as works from the titans of European art, including Rafael, Van Dyck, Titian, Rembrandt, El Greco, Velazquez, Monet, Cezanne, and Van Gogh.
Some of the works you should check out:
- The Monarch of the Glen by Edward Landseer, iconic Scottish painting of a stag
- The Skating Minister by Henry Raeburn, another of Scotland’s most well-known paintings
- Colonel Alastair Ranaldson Macdonell of Glengarry by Henry Raeburn, portrait of the flamboyant Scottish laird whose dress (as seen in the portrait) influence the uniforms of other Scottish regiments
- Lady Agnew of Lochnaw by John Singer Sargent, which shot the sitter into celebrity status
- Vision After the Sermon by Paul Gaugin, his first foray into the post-Impressionist style for which he later became famous
Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Cost: Free
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery contains over 60,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, and photos of famous Scots. You’ll definitely get a much more local feel here than at the National Gallery of Scotland.
Among the famous Scots portrayed here, you’ll find:
- Mary, Queen of Scots, Scotland’s ill-fated and perhaps most famous monarch
- Charles Edward Stuart, known as Bonnie Prince Charlie, leader of the Jacobite Rising and unsuccessfully claimant to the British throne
- Flora MacDonald, who helped Bonnie Prince Charlie escape from Scotland
- David Hume, leading figure of the Scottish Enlightenment
- Sir Walter Scott, author, famous for his work Ivanhoe, among others
- Robert Burns, Scotland’s premier poet
- Andrew Carnegie, who made a fortune in the steel industry in America, and after whom Carnegie Hall in New York City is named
Greyfriars Bobby
Cost: Free
Bobby was a terrier whose loyalty to his human, whose grave he kept watch over for 14 years, became legendary.
A statue of Bobby was erected and has since become one of Edinburgh’s most well-known and beloved landmarks. It’s located near the Scottish National Museum.
Rub Bobby’s nose for good luck!
Scott Monument
Cost: Free(ish)
This can’t-miss (literally and figuratively) monument to one of Scotland’s greatest writers is a whopping 200 ft (61m) high. Built in the Gothic style, construction began in 1840 from a design by George Meikle Kemp, a self-taught son of a shepherd.
Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832) was a novelist, poet, and historian, and is considered one of the most important writers Scotland ever produced. His most famous work is perhaps the historical novel Ivanhoe.
While admiring the monument from the outside is free, you will have to pay to climb the 287 steps to the viewing platform. The reward? Some of the best views of the city.
Holyrood Park
Cost: Free
You’ll need to pay to get into the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the king’s official residence in Scotland, but the adjacent Holyrood Park is free and open to the public.
Hike through this historic park, where medieval kings once hunted. Visit the ruins of St. Anthony’s Chapel and gaze at St. Margaret’s Well.
Climb up to Arthur’s Peak for incredible views of the city – if you dare. The climb gets steep in some places, so a relative fitness level and good shoes are required. (You will not want to make this hike in flipflops.) I had sneakers on and opted to take an easier route through the park when I felt my shoes wouldn’t have a good grip on the rocks; proper hiking shoes are recommended.
Canongate Kirk and kirkyard
Cost: Free
Built between 1688 and 1691, Canongate Kirk serves as the parish church for the nearby Holyrood House and the Scottish parliament. It’s notable for its distinctive sinuous architecture on the outside and its cheery blue pews on the inside.
The church is also associated with the royal family. Queen Elizabeth II used to worship here during her visits to Edinburgh. Her granddaughter, Zara, married here in 2011.
Whether the church is open or closed (it often is if there are no volunteers to show people around), don’t forget to check out the churchyard.
The most famous person buried here? The economist Adam Smith, whose statue you can see along the Royal Mile. David Rizzio, the murdered secretary of Mary, Queen of Scots, is also said to be buried here.
The Writer’s Museum
Cost: Free
Scotland has an incredibly rich literary heritage. At the Writer’s Museum, you’ll find manuscripts and other personal items of the triumvirate of Scottish literature – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. To top off the historic atmosphere, it’s all housed in a preserved home from the 1600s.
Museum of Edinburgh
Cost: Free
Located in a preserved 16th century house along the Royal Mile, this museum contains artefacts from Edinburgh’s past. One of the things you’ll find here? The collar of Greyfriars Bobby, the city’s most famous dog.
The People’s Story Museum
Cost: Free
Another local history museum located on the Royal Mile, this time focusing on the lives of the working class from the 1700s down to the 1980s. It’s located in a really awesome-looking building, with a large clock and a mini-turret.
Museum of Childhood
Cost: Free
If you ever wondered what children played with back in the day, the Museum of Childhood, located on the Royal Mile, has the answer, displaying a variety of toys from yesteryear.
Calton Hill
Cost: Free
Calton Hill is known for two things: its stunning views of Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth, and its weird collection of monuments.
Some of the notable monuments include the Nelson Monument, designed to look like Nelson’s telescope set in stone; the City Observatory, which was once the city’s astronomical observatory; the Dugald Stewart monument, dedicated to the Scottish philosopher Dugald Stewart; and the National Monument, the Parthenon-inspired set of columns which was supposed to honor those who died in the Napoleonic Wars, but which was rumored to be unfinished as a result of lack of funds.
Calton Hill is a much easier walk than the other great place to get views of Edinburgh, Holyrood Park and the walk up to Arthur’s Seat. However, I consider myself to be a reasonably fit person and even I got a little winded on the stairs up to Calton Hill. It is relatively flat once you make it to the top.
Where to Eat
Food is an intrinsic part of a culture, defined largely by available ingredients.
Scotland has developed its culinary idiosyncrasy over the centuries. My personal favorites? A full Scottish breakfast and haggis, Scotland’s national dish.
The Haggis Box – Yes, you absolutely should try haggis when you’re in Scotland. It (as its name would suggest) is the specialty of The Haggis Box, located in the Scottish Storytelling Centre – vegan options available too!
The Abbey – Looking for a traditional pub? The Abbey, located on S Clerk Street, has you covered and serves traditional Scottish dishes.
Café Marmalade – I love a hearty traditional Scottish breakfast, and Café Marmalade, located in Leith, has affordable options.
There you have it! No matter your budget, I hope you enjoy some of the free and cheap things Edinburgh has to offer!
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