The Insider's Guide to Budget Travel

There’s more to Scotland’s capital than bagpipes, haggis and kilts flapping in the breeze. Dubbed the “Athens of the North” for its beautiful architecture, Edinburgh’s grand Georgian streets come alive at night- modern day Scots sure know how to party, and when the internationally renowned Edinburgh and Fringe Festival rolls into town, most places are packed out until the wee hours.

A chic and cosmopolitan city, Edinburgh can seem quite pricey, with the top site the Edinburgh Castle costing around £12! Luckily there are plenty of cheap Edinburgh hostels around town, so by saving $10 with Hostelbookers, and following this budget guide, you’ll have more to spend on that traditional Scottish Whiskey.

1. The National Galleries of Scotland

Aside from the historic architecture on the city streets, Edinburgh is blessed with some excellent museums and galleries that will satisfy culture vultures. The National Galleries of Scotland are free to enter, and are housed in five beautiful buildings across the city. The Modern Art Galleries are set in a huge stately home surrounded by parkland dotted with sculptures, and the National Gallery has an extensive collection of fine art from the Reniassance to the nineteenth-century. Special exhibitions are hosted throughout the year and are well worth the £4-6 entry fee – current shows include a retrospective on British Artists and Collectors in Spain.

2. Scottish Eats

Forget Shortbread and Smoked Salmon – the scarier traditional Scottish food may sound (and look) daunting, but ignore the ingredients and you’ll be pleasantly surprised at how delicious the food is. Haggis, Neeps (Turnips) and Tatties (Mashed Potato) is available in most local pubs, but usually costs a little over $10- to stick to your budget buy one from a local deli and take it to your hostel to cook. Macsween’s is the most famous for haggis, and they can be boiled or microwaved – it’ll cost you around £5 for a haggis for 2-3 people.

A cheaper lunch is Cullen Skink, a creamy fish soup, or a haggis pasty – you’ll need to walk to the top of Edinburgh Castle to burn that one off!

3. The Botanical Gardens

The Royal Botanic Garden is over two centuries old, and makes for a beautiful afternoon stroll. Explore acres of local and exotic plants – highlights include the largest collection of wild-origin Chinese plants outside China, the Scottish Heath Garden, the Rock Garden, and the Queen Mother’s Memorial Garden. Plant Lovers can discover unusual varieties of flora and fauna from across the globe in the quaint Victorian Glass House, browse the oldest Botanical library in Britain or catch an art exhibition at Inverleith House. The Garden is free, the Glasshouses just £3.50 each.

4. See Nessie away from her Loch

You don’t have to venture to the Highlands in search of Scotland’s most famous mythical beast – touristy but hilarious fun, the 3D Loch Ness Experience is based on the work of Loch Ness expert Adrian Shine, with 3D displays and an exhibition on all the facts and myths surrounding the Loch Ness Monster. Entry is £5

5. Explore a Georgian House

Edinburgh is famous for its elegant Georgian architecture, but why not step back in time and see how the well-heeled lived in 18th century Edinburgh. The rooms are accurately restored with Period details and the informative guides will tell you anything you need to know about the city during this period. Entry is £5.

6. Dessert at the Queen’s Deli

Edinburgh is packed with royal heritage, and the Queen herself is a big fan of the city – she orders her cheeses from Valvona and Crolla, a famous artisan deli. The restaurant and cafe upstairs serves dishes made with the top quality produce, with regal prices to match. You may not be able to afford to eat like a Queen, but you can certainly squeeze in dessert – the ‘dolce’ here are to die for, and each dish costs around £4-6. Try the real Italian gelato imported exclusively from Milan, the Torta di Cioccolato – a devilish Chocolate truffle cake made with 70% Valrhona chocolate, and the Limoncello Pannacotta.

7. An Afternoon at The Queen’s Gallery

Carrying on the Royal theme, make like a monarch and visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse, still used by the Queen as an official residence. When she’s back in Blighty, the building is open to the public, and the Queen’s Gallery (entry £5) is filled with a changing programme of exhibitions from the Royal Collection and Library at Windsor Castle.

8. A Dram of Whisky in Greyfriars Bobby

One of Scotland’s most famous exports, you couldn’t leave Edinburgh without sampling a ‘dram’ of malt whiskey. Greyfriar’s Bobby is a legendary watering hole named after the famous dog and city mascot who watched over his master’s grave, and the pub is a cozy place for a drink, if a little crowded in tourist season.

9. A Spooky Drink

Edinburgh’s gothic landscape of spooky catacombs, dungeons and dark alleyways of cobbled streets mean that the city is the setting for many ghost stories. You can fork out for a ghost walk tour around the city, or create your own horror stories by visiting two of Edinburgh’s best themed bars. Frankenstein’s (or ‘Frankie’s) and Jekyll and Hyde are delightfully kitsch bars that are surprisingly slick- with horror movie memorobilia on the walls, huge screens showing old films, and themed cocktails. Splash out on a scary drink for around a fiver – try the ‘Bride of Frankenstein’ at Frankie’s – a ghoulishy girlie mix of Tia Maria, Kahlua, Baileys, milk & chocolate sauce.

10. A Night in a ‘Wee Red Bar’

This achingly hip venue at the Edinburgh College of Art is a refreshing alternative to some of the pricier mainstream clubs. Not as cramped as its named suggests, there’s plenty of room for a good dance. Entry at the Wee Red Bar ranges from £3-5 and club nights are an eclectic mix of art shows, indie, dance and anything slightly offbeat.

LJS – Got any more budget tips for a city break Edinburgh? Comment below!

Images – Thanks to Martydev, amortize , chatirygirl, derrickting, and hanuman.