Find The Secret Garden At Dunbar's Close
Scotland's capital is full of little closes which are basically small alleyways dotted around the older parts of the city. Dunbar Close is one of our favourite hidden gems.
As you walk down the Royal Mile, from Edinburgh Castle, you’ll find it on the left-hand side. The entrance looks like it leads to someone's back garden but don't be fooled. Enter the cobbled close and you'll emerge into the serene 17th century-style garden, the hustle and bustle of the city is left behind. It's a beautiful little oasis for strolling or reading a book off the busy Royal Mile.
Visit the Wild West
The Wild West and Edinburgh don't really go hand in hand but if you venture out to the quaint suburban area of Morningside, you'll find a set up worthy of a Spaghetti Western. The facade is tucked away up an alleyway off Springvalley Gardens and here, you'll be greeted with a saloon, a jail, a cantina and stables. It's thought to have been built in 1995 by a furniture store owner. Although a bit run down down, it's worth a photo or two.
Share a Cup of Milk with a Room Full of Cats
Visit Scotland's first cat cafe at Masion de Moggy. Located just by The Grassmarket - a stone's throw away from Apex Grassmarket and Apex City of Edinburgh - the cafe is a custom built paradise for cats with countless places for them to explore and play. Humans can enjoy fresh coffees and cake amongst their new fluffy friends and may even be chosen for a cuddle.
Challenge yourself with 140 steps
Unknown to many, there is a passage that acts at as a short-cut between Waverley Railway Station carpark and Calton Hill.
A Jacob’s Ladder is an 18th-century term that refers to the biblical story of Jacob and his dream of a rope step ladder stretching up to Heaven. The origins of Edinburgh’s Jacob Ladder are first recorded in an article written in 1784, though it is thought to be much older than that. here are a series of 140 steps to climb, so unless you're fit and able, it is advised that you start at the top off Regent's Road, and work your way down to the bottom, ending up on Calton Road. A fun little work out that many locals don't even know about!
Discover an old fashioned hamlet
Dean Village - dene means "deep valley" in Old Scots - was a prosperous hamlet for over 800 years which once had eleven working mills on the currents of the city's river. The village fell into decay and became abandoned during the second half of the twentieth century. You would never know it now as it's a green tranquil oasis and one of the most popular and sought after areas to live in the city. It's always worth a stroll.