The Atlas Obscura Guide To

Edinburgh

33 Cool, Hidden, and Unusual Things to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland

Unusual
Attractions
in Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland

Mary King's Close

17th century streets hidden under Edinburgh were once a breeding ground for the black death.

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Edinburgh, Scotland

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

360° views of the city plus five floors of optical illusions and hands-on science.

JocksAway

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Edinburgh, Scotland

Holyrood Abbey Ruins

Ruined 11th century abbey built by King David I in Edinburgh, Scotland.

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Edinburgh, Scotland

The Royal Botanic Gardens of Edinburgh

One of the oldest scientific gardens in Britain, containing more than 13,302 plant species in its core collection.

Laetitia Barbier

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Edinburgh, Scotland

Gilmerton Cove

This series of Scottish caves has no clear purpose other than baffling historians.

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Edinburgh, Scotland

Burke & Hare Murder Dolls

Tiny effigies of the victims of Edinburgh's famous Anatomy Murders.

Annetta Black

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Edinburgh, Scotland

Old Calton Cemetery

A 18th century graveyard and its astonishing cortege of macabre iconography.

Laetitia Barbier

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Edinburgh, Scotland

The Witches' Well

A cast-iron fountain marks the spot where hundreds of accused witches were burned at the stake.

satxwdavis

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Unique
Food & Drink
in Edinburgh

Pinch 'n' Sip

Gastro Obscura

Pinch 'n' Sip

At a subterranean Edinburgh bar, drinkers can assemble their cocktails via kitschy claw machine.

Gastro Obscura

rachelrummel

Added by rachelrummel

Fried Haggis

Gastro Obscura

Fried Haggis

Scotland's beloved traditional dish is deep-fried and served up fast-food style.

Gastro Obscura

thegoodishtraveler

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Recent Edinburgh Activity

kristenperkins wants to go to Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

AdamTKincaid has been to The Edinburgh Maiden

AdamTKincaid has been to Rooftop Terrace at the National Museum of Scotland

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Stories
About Edinburgh

"The Anatomist overtaken by the Watch carry'ng off Miss W in a hamper." William Austin, 1773.

A Beginner's Guide to Body Snatching

Where to go for an education in grave robbery, the grisliest chapter in medical history.

by Molly McBride Jacobson

January 26, 2017

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