64 Cool and Unusual Things to Do in Edinburgh - Atlas Obscura

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.

Added by Delireus

Edinburgh, Scotland

Camera Obscura & World of Illusions

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

JocksAway

Added by JocksAway

Edinburgh, Scotland

Holyrood Abbey Ruins

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

Added by aerialdomo

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

Added by Laetitia Barbier

Edinburgh, Scotland

Gilmerton Cove

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

Added by rebeccaorr74

Edinburgh, Scotland

Old Calton Cemetery

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

Laetitia Barbier

Added by Laetitia Barbier

Edinburgh, Scotland

Burke & Hare Murder Dolls

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

Annetta Black

Added by Annetta Black

Edinburgh, Scotland

The Witches' Well

The fountain marks the area where hundreds of accused witches were burned at the stake.

satxwdavis

Added by 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

Added by thegoodishtraveler

Are we missing a unique food or drink in Edinburgh?

Atlas Obscura Trips

Scotland: Highland Clans and the Trail of Tartan

Sep 22—Oct 1, 2019

Atlas Obscura Trips

Scotland: Highland Clans and the Trail of Tartan

Ross Jennings

Community Forums / U.K. & Ireland / Scotland

Top Discussions in the Scotland Travel Forum

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Fairy Glen	1 October 25, 2018	744	October 25, 2018
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Visiting Scotland Tips	2 June 19, 2019	55	June 19, 2019
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emmakearney0707 wants to go to The Writers' Museum

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Stories
About Edinburgh

One of Darwin's finches in the Galapagos.

The Extraordinary Life of the Freed Slave Who Taught Darwin Taxidermy

John Edmonstone was a mentor to the budding teenage naturalist.

by Sabrina Imbler

"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