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Edinburgh: In Context

Traveling to Edinburgh "in Context" means embracing the soul of the city beyond its well-trodden paths. It's about diving into the heart of Edinburgh, where every cobblestone whispers tales of the past, every pub offers a taste of its storied heritage, and the true essence of the city is not just seen but felt.

At Context Travel, we guide you to the core of Edinburgh, illuminating hidden histories and local narratives, and connecting you with experiences that make the city eternally memorable. These recommendations are carefully curated by Context experts to bring you closer to the authentic spirit of Edinburgh, celebrating its lesser-known treasures and profound cultural richness.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Bites of Edinburgh

Edinburgh Neighborhoods

Local Shops

Family Activities

Read, Watch & Listen 

Get the Google Map

Edinburgh Experiences

Meet Your Context Guides

Irene

Irene Mariani

ART HISTORIAN

Born and raised in Milan, Irene moved to Scotland in 2009. She achieved a PhD in Art History at the University of Edinburgh in 2015. Her doctoral thesis looked at the artistic patronage of the Vespucci family in fifteenth-century Florence. Irene currently works at the University of Edinburgh. She loves art, coffee, yoga, and the sun – not necessarily in this order. Despite her reluctance to sit on planes, she is a travel addict and she hopes to tour the world one day. Edinburgh stole her heart and it is now her home.

Kate Stephenson

Kate Stephenson

HISTORIAN

Kate is an experienced researcher with a PhD in history from the University of York and an M.Litt in Art History from the University of St Andrews. Her research focuses on social history and she has particular interests in the history of clothing and food. She has lived in Edinburgh for the last four years, working in public engagement for the National Trust for Scotland and Holyrood Palace, translating research into tours, interpretation and events.

Bites of Edinburgh

Discover the mouthwatering dishes of the city and the best places to savor them

Cafe Royal

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Website ⟶

A charming Victorian bar, adorned with ornate tiles, offers real ales, whiskies, and seafood specialties.

"I would definitely recommend booking for lunchtime. It depends on the period of the year. If it's winter, then I think you can just walk in and they should be able to find you a seat either in the dining area or at the bar. But during peak travel season and summer, it's always a good idea to book a table to avoid the disappointment."

 

Irene, Art Historian

The Scran and Scallie

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Website ⟶

A stylish gastropub offering a Modern Scottish menu, with a wide selection of draught and bottled beers, plus an extensive range of whiskies.

"I like its Nordic style (with Scottish tartan features, of course!). I think it is one of those places where you can soak up the local atmosphere. I like to watch people walking by from the big windows, and I usually order the steak pie."
 
 
Irene, Art Historian

The Table

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Website ⟶

The Table is a small, intimate 10 seater restaurant in Edinburgh's New Town.

"It's right in the new town at the very beginning of Dundas Street coming from Queen Street Gardens. And it's a very different experience. You have to wait outside and they only open the door at seven in the evening."

 
Irene, Art Historian

Tapa

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Website ⟶

Authentic Spanish cuisine served tapas-style, with rioja and sangria, in tiled, Hispanic decor.

"I tend to get different stuff every time. We just get a big pile of different things and share, and I've never had a bad thing there. They do half-price Thursdays quite regularly. And then probably Friday, Saturday nights it's worth booking, but not early in the week."
 
Kate, Historian

Chez Jules

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Website ⟶

The bistro features a welcoming red and yellow decor, serving French classics and offering set lunch menu deals.

"They do good French food at incredibly affordable prices. It just feels very French. It's the way all of the tables are crammed in and it's always lively. You always have interesting conversations there. Their lunch menu deal is unreal in how affordable it is."
 
Kate, Historian

The Devil's Advocate

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Website ⟶

A cozy, brick-lined pub offering over 300 whiskies, along with burgers, meat dishes, and craft cocktails.

 "I really love their platters. They do a seafood platter and it changes a bit what's on it, but it is always delicious. It's a great sharing board and I think they do other ones as well, but I always get the seafood and it's quite a small menu."
 
Kate, Historian

Favorite Edinburgh Neighborhoods

Explore these neighborhoods for a true taste of Edinburgh life

Stockbridge

Elegant Georgian and Victorian terraced houses fill Stockbridge, a vibrant area with a village vibe on the Water of Leith.

"I love heading to Stockbridge on Sundays when the farmers market is on: it is a good excuse to purchase my favourite apple tart from one of the market’s stalls!"

Irene, Art Historian

Marchmont

Marchmont is a charming residential enclave that exudes a unique blend of tranquility and vibrancy.

"I really like the fact that the Meadows is right in front of Marchman, so you can go for these nice walks around the park. And it's just a nice atmosphere, especially at the weekend to see people jogging or just walking their dogs, or being with their families. There are a couple of cafes and pop-up stalls that sell hot chocolate and sandwiches."

Irene, Art Historian

Fountainbridge

Fountainbridge, once a bustling hub of industry in Edinburgh, Scotland, now stands as a vibrant testament to the city's rich history.

"You see some people paddling over the canal and sometimes in little boats. And during the summer you can find cafes. So you have small boats that become cafes, and you can get something to take away to enjoy in the sunshine."

Irene, Art Historian

Abbeyhill

Abbeyhill is one of the oldest parts of the city, taking its name from Holyrood Abbey, a major historic religious site.

"It's full of lovely, lovely little cafes, a lot of independent cafes. We've got Alibi and Maria's Deli and Little Fitzroy loads of lovely places. Pittsburgh does incredible coffee, but lots of places like that. Many places are dog friendly, it's a great place for families."

Kate, Historian

Portobello

Portobello is a charming coastal suburb of Edinburgh, just a breezy 3 miles (5 km) from the bustling heart of the city.

"It feels very lively, but I really love that you can just get out to the sea. You can go for a little paddle if you're feeling very brave, or you can go in it from the beach. I always enjoy the amount of open space that it gives you, and a long walk along the beach." 

Kate, Historian

Cramond

The small sandy beach is a favorite spot for both locals and tourists in Edinburgh, perfect for walking and cycling along the scenic paths.

"Cramond is beautiful and it's got great pubs, but I love the layers of history on the island. I love that there's the remnants of that Victorian farmhouse in the middle. And I love all of the first World War and the second World War stuff and how intact it all is. You can go poking about on the beach and find bits of the submarine net that have just washed up."

Kate, Historian

Unique Local Shops 

Explore distinctive local shops that offer authentic crafts, products, and histories

Scottish Design Exchange

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Website ⟶

The Scottish Design Exchange is a unique social enterprise where every penny spent in our stores goes directly to those who create.

"I really like the fact that you find a bunch of different items. So it's not just drawings or textiles or pottery or postcards. You have a little bit of everything."

Irene, Art Historian

An Independent Zebra

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Website ⟶

A beautiful selection of gifts, homewares, and furniture, all crafted or up-cycled in Scotland by small local businesses.

"I particularly like this shop for their great selection of cards and Edinburgh-made chocolate! I always find small presents for birthdays and special occasions."

 
Irene, Art Historian

Tartan Blanket & Co.

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Website ⟶

 Crafting sustainable style, timeless homeware, and thoughtful gifts. 

"It's a little bit further away from the city center, so you really need to make your way down to Leaf to go to the Tartan blanket. They have many items, like pajamas, socks, things for the hair. You'll find a lot of different things with tartan design, so it's very Scottish."

 
Irene, Art Historian

CIRCUS Vintage & Curios

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Website ⟶

Discover a unique collection of vintage and antique art, rugs, lighting, and furniture. Each piece is one-of-a-kind, sourced from around the world!

"It changes a lot and I feel like even though it's so small, there's always something in there that I want and I have to resist buying. I like going and having a little browse in there, and I like that there's the workshop out the back and the owner restores a lot of things."

 
Kate, Historian

George Mewes Cheese

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Website ⟶

Discover the world of award-winning farmhouse and artisan cheeses, where every bite tells a story of craftsmanship and flavor.

"Excellent cheese. Visit for knowledgeable, friendly service and amazing flavors."

 
Kate, Historian

Armchair Books

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Website ⟶

Cozy, family-run bookstore with a quirky vibe offering a huge selection of rare & secondhand titles.

"I like Armchair because it's secondhand and it's proper floor to ceiling books. You go in and there are just books everywhere. And I love having a rummage in shop, and I like with armchair books that you can just go in and you can ferret about and it's organized so you're not just wildly ferreting, but actually you might just find a little gem amongst these piles of books everywhere."

 
Kate, Historian

Family Friendly Activities

The parks, museums, and kid-friendly places our experts recommend to keep young travelers engaged

National Museum of Scotland

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Website ⟶

Explore a world of discovery with thousands of fascinating objects across multiple galleries, all under one roof.

"On the weekend, you often find activities for kids. There is a section about the natural world and the display is very impressive because you have all these animals that sort of hang from the ceiling and it seems almost as if they are floating or flying. It's really nice."
 
Irene, Art Historian

Mary King's Close

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Website ⟶

Mary King's Close is a historic close located under the Edinburgh City Chambers building on the Royal Mile, in the historic Old Town area of Edinburgh.

"This is great for families who have kids around 10 years old and up. It's all about life in the closes during the plague. And then there are some ghost stories for a bit of a spook."
 
Irene, Art Historian

Edinburgh Castle

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Website ⟶

Edinburgh Castle is a storied fortress in the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland. This iconic landmark has witnessed the march of history since the Iron Age, offering a captivating glimpse into the past.

"There's always a fascination right around the castles or about queens and kings and the dungeons. The views of the city are incredible. There are also a lot of cannons that are displayed around the castle, so it can be quite interesting for kids to explore."
 
Irene, Art Historian

Surgeons' Hall Museums

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Website ⟶

Surgeons' Hall Museums is an award-winning museum featuring one of the UK's largest and most historic pathology collections.

"It's not for small kids, but I think it's good for older kids. I just love the way they've done their displays. You can go in and see surgical machines, and you can try out robots and actually have a go with them. Kids can have a go at manipulating them and see how they work."
 
Kate, Historian

Read, Watch, Listen

Book, show, movie, and music recommendations from our experts to enrich your travel experience

READ

Mortal Causes

Author: Ian Rankin

"A body is discovered during the Edinburgh Festival in one of the underground rooms of the Mary Kings Close. Inspector Rebus is on a mission to solve a brutal murder… I like this book because it gives a very vivid description of what Edinburgh is like during the August Fringe Festival, and you can mentally follow Inspector Rebus around the streets of the city as you read the novel."

Irene, Art Historian

Buy Online at Bookshop.org ⟶

 

From a Window in Princes Street

Author: William Ernest Henley

"It's so lovely. It's only two verses. It almost certainly inspired Robert Louis Stevenson's The Tropics Vanish and Meseems, where he goes on about the best flagged spires. It's just a really beautiful sort of ode to Edinburgh from the New Town and looking out across the old tow, seeing the history across the skyline."

Kate, Historian

Read at Scottish Poetry Library ⟶

 

WATCH

Burke & Hare

"I enjoyed watching this black comedy because it is based on a true story. Ideal if you want to discover the dark side of Edinburgh’s past and if you are planning to visit the historical graveyards of the city. You're probably going to see the Mort safe, these metal cages used at the time of the body snatchers. And it's just something nice to watch before visiting or after visiting. It's meant to make you laugh, but it's very much based there on the true story."

Irene, Art Historian

Watch on Peacock ⟶

 

Festival (2005)

" I like it because for me it captures the festival. It's a weird dark comedy about comedians at the festival who are competing for an award. But it was all filmed in the early two thousands. A lot of it was filmed in Edinburgh and there's definitely views that they were filming during the festival."

Kate, Historian

Watch on Amazon ⟶

 

LISTEN

National Galleries of Scotland

"I like it because it focuses on lesser known plaques and buildings of the Royal Mile, something you would not necessarily notice or pay attention to."

Irene, Art Historian

Listen on NationalGalleries.org⟶     

 

Get the map

Download our curated map featuring all these recommendations to guide your journey through the city

Edinburgh Experiences

Popular Tours
First Time in Edinburgh
For Kids
Solo Travelers
Food Lovers
Edinburgh Day Trips
Edinburgh All Tours

What People Are Saying

"Our group of six thoroughly enjoyed our time with Adam exploring Old Town. He shared interesting information about Scottish history and identity, while teaching us a lot about the history of Edinburgh and its special role in the development of science, medicine and ideas. Adam was also great about answering our many questions. We appreciated his energy and enthusiasm. What a fun and interesting tour!"

Mary
Sites and Insights: An Expert-Led Edinburgh Welcome Tour

"Gaby was just fabulous! She took us shopping for all the best goodies, we met some amazing purveyors and learned to much! We saw a wonderful neighborhood in Edinburgh and ate some great food! We left full but wanting more."

Joan
Edinburgh Food Tour: Scottish Culinary Traditions

"We had an excellent experience on our day tour of Edinburgh with Gains. He seamlessly provided detailed historical (which was perfect for my high school son who is studying art and history of the region currently) and cultural context for the major landmarks of the city. The flow of the day was enjoyable. With only a short time in the Edinburgh, this tour provided us with a comprehensive understanding of the evolution of the city, its people, and its institutions."

Anjali
Edinburgh in a Day Tour with the National Museum of Scotland