Things to do.
Planning to explore the area in the days around our wedding? We’ve put together a list of some of our favorite things to do in Edinburgh, Perth and around Scotland.
In Edinburgh.
The main sights…
You can walk around most of the main sights in a day. If you’d like a suggested walking route - see this map!
Edinburgh Castle. You need a ticket to go into the castle (book in advance), but you can also just walk up there, and take a look around the grounds.
The Royal Mile goes from Edinburgh Castle right down to Holyrood Palace. Also on the Royal Mile, you’ll see St. Giles Cathedral and Mary King’s Close (and one million tourist shops trying to sell you Princess Diana Tartan). Explore the many closes, alleyways and secret nooks that contain hidden gems and dozens of pubs.
Victoria Street and The Grassmarket. Take a walk down Victoria Street - the inspiration for diagon alley in Harry Potter - into the Grassmarket. There are lots of pubs and shops down there with great views of the castle. It’s also where they used to perform public executions. Spooky! Fun!
Calton Hill. For amazing views of the whole city, take a short walk up Calton Hill.
The Dean Village is a very cute little hidden gem down on the Water of Leith. Perfect for a stroll with a coffee and you can follow the path all the way to Stockbridge (another cute area of town).
Things to do…
Ghost tours: Edinburgh is haunted AF so there is no shortage of ghost tours you can take. Some good companies are Auld Reekie Tours, Mercat Tours or City of the Dead Tours.
Mary King’s Close: Hidden beneath the Royal Mile lies Edinburgh’s deepest secret: a warren of hidden ‘closes’ where real people lived, worked and died.
Arthur’s Seat: The dormant volcano that overlooks the city. Take a walk up to the top or along Salisbury Crag for great city views and a delightful walk.
Greyfriars Kirkyard: One of the world’s most famous graveyards, open 24/7. Lots of famous deads, and where some author stole the names for Harry Potter characters off of the gravestones.
Johnny Walker Whisky Experience: Tours, tastings and a rooftop bar. You can also bottle your own Whisky and make your own label.
Our favorite bars…
The Bailie: You can’t go wrong with the Bailie. Great pub with excellent pub food.
Teuchter’s Bar & Bunker: Angela’s favorite spot in Edinburgh! Amazing Scottish pub food (try the Cullen Skink), and all ‘round great pub.
Kay’s Bar: A Dollman family staple, and where we brought our parents together to meet for the first time. Kay’s is a classic local pub and a must visit.
Never Really Here: A speakeasy!! In Edinburgh! This place has no menu but the bartender will make you a drink based on what you like that won’t disappoint. It’s a little hard to find and you have to knock on the door and wait, even though it looks closed.
The W Lounge: at the top of what’s locally known as “the Golden turd” is the new W Lounge. It has incredible 360 views of the city so worth popping up for a cocktail day or night.
St. Vincent Bar AKA “The Vinnie”: Great pub at the end of the most adorable and most instagramed street in Edinburgh - Circus Lane.
Our favorite restaurants…
The Outsider: Good seasonal food with great views of the castle.
Wildfire: Really great Scottish steaks and fish (not very veggie friendly!)
Bon Vivant: Cocktail and wine bar with great snacks and mains.
Cadiz: Seafood Restaurant
Fishers in the City: Excellent seafood!
In Perth.
Food & drink...
The Old Ship Inn: A cute little pub on a cute little street, The Old Ship Inn is Perth’s oldest bar and dates back to 1665. Stop in for a pint or two!
Cafe Tabou: A local favorite restaurant! Cafe Tabou is a modern, spotlit brasserie for classic French cuisine from carefully sourced Scottish produce.
The Bean Shop: An adorable local specialty coffee and tea shop located across the road from the Perth Museum.
Things to do...
The Perth Museum: A finalist for Museum of the Year 2025, Perth Museum houses exhibits on Scottish culture, history, and of course Macbeth. At its heart sits the Stone of Destiny, one of Scotland and the UK’s most significant historical objects.
Norie Miller Walk & Rodney Gardens: Go for a stroll on this scenic riverside pathway located in Perth, renowned for its peaceful ambiance and beautiful views along the River Tay featuring artistic sculptures, gardens, and wildlife.
Around Scotland.
Day trips...
St Andrews: Perfect for a day trip. St Andrews is a beautiful coastal town with the most famous golf course in the world, the beach where they filmed the famous Chariots of Fire running scene, tons of pubs & restaurants and a whole lot of historic ruins. You can get the train from Perth or Edinburgh to Leuchers Station and then there is a short 10 min bus ride that takes you into the town.
Loch Lomond: Not too far from Edinburgh is one of the more famous lochs - Loch Lomond. If you’re going for the day, Luss is a very cute town on the bonnie banks, where you can grab a bite to eat. Or if you want to stay the night, the Lodge on Loch Lomond is great.
The Glencoe Road: One of the most beautiful roads in the country, this road connects most cities to the highlands. There are endless natural sights to see and stops along the way. From mountain view points, to lochs and waterfalls there is so much to admire, including the James Bond Skyfall Lodge.
Glenfinnan Viaduct: You can either drive or take the train to see the famous Glenfinnan Viaduct (aka the Harry Potter bridge). If you want to ride the train over the bridge, you can get the Jacobite Steam Train from Fort William (Fort William is accessible by train from Edinburgh), or if you are driving, there are lots of walks from the carpark that give you great views of the bridge.
If you have more than a day...
The roads in Scotland can be quite precarious, and Scots drive on the other side of the road to what most people are used to. We’d therefore highly recommend taking a bus tour if you’re going to go visit some spots further north or up into the Highlands.
Rabbie’s Tours are great and offer a range of different bus and van tours that vary in locations and length of trip.
Highlights and top spots to visit are: