51 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.

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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

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

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

satxwdavis

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Atlas Obscura Trips

Scotland: Highland Clans and the Trail of Tartan

Sep 22—Oct 1, 2019

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

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carmentom has been to Greyfriars Cemetery Mortsafes

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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