Fun Things to Do in Edinburgh for Students at Weekends
Explore the Historic Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, perched on top of an extinct volcano, which overlooks the entire Edinburgh city centre. The Castle is home to many old buildings, including Queen Mary’s Palace and the Military Museum. The Castle symbolises Scottish royalty and is a testament to Scotland’s history. The Crown Jewels, Stone of Destiny and St. Margaret’s Chapel are all unmissable highlights of the Castle. In addition, the Castle fires a cannon salute at 1 pm every day (except Sundays, Christmas Day and Good Friday), which is a much-anticipated event for visitors.
Stroll Along the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is a main street connecting Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is about a mile long and filled with historic buildings, museums, shops, and restaurants. The Royal Mile is divided into four sections. A short sloping section in front of the Castle called Castle Hill is the start of the Royal Mile, where Greystones House is located. The next section is Lawnmarket, where kilt-wearing entertainers play bagpipes to show the Scottish flavour. After the junction with George IV Bridge Street, it is called the High Street, where St. Giles’ Church is situated. After the intersection with St. Mary’s Street, it is called Friar’s Gate, which is surrounded by medieval buildings, and at the end of the road is the Palace of Holyrood. Stroll, watch street performers, sample authentic Scottish food and buy unique crafts. It’s the ideal place for a leisurely weekend stroll with friends.
Hike Arthur’s Seat
For a break from city life, go hiking on Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano in Holyrood Park. Arthur’s Seat is one of the best places to take in the beauty of the city of Edinburgh and County Fife. If you want to know where Arthur’s Seat is, look up at Holyrood Park. This 251-metre-high rocky peak dominates the city, as does Edinburgh Castle. To walk to the top, head to the ruins of St Anthony’s Chapel and follow the signs. Pack a picnic or go there to watch the sunrise – an experience every Edinburgh student should have.
Enjoy the Student-Friendly Nightlife
Edinburgh’s nightlife is equally colourful. There’s plenty of choice, from traditional Scottish pubs to modern nightclubs. You can enjoy a lively night out at the pub with a scotch and live music or dance the night away in a nightclub. Areas such as Cowgate and the Grassmarket are very active, with many venues offering student discounts. The West End is a great place to experience modern Edinburgh’s nightlife and dining culture, with distinctive bars such as Brewdog, Angel’s Share and Whigham’s Wine Cellar serving a wide range of choices from craft beer to modern Scottish cuisine. Remember to explore the Edinburgh Gin Distillery and enjoy a refreshing homemade gin.
Visit the National Museum of Scotland
The National Museum of Scotland is the best place to learn about Scotland’s history, culture and nature. The museum has a wealth of exhibits covering various areas, including archaeology, natural history, science and technology and the arts. The long facade of the National Museums Scotland dominates the elegant Chambers Street. The museum’s many collections are housed in two separate buildings, one modern and the other Victorian, and the new building, inaugurated in 1998, is one of the city’s most distinctive landmarks with its gold stone and modern architecture. The museum is connected to the adjacent Royal Victoria Museum, which houses collections of science, technology, natural history, and world cultures. Both buildings are a must-see.
Relax in the Meadows
Arguably, the back garden of the University of Edinburgh, Meadows, is situated behind the University’s main library and is made up of patches of lawn and multiple cherry-blossomed paths, which are perfect for sunbathing and barbecues. The lawn is usually used by Edinburgh students, residents and, of course, tourists, and on a clear summer’s day, there are lots of people walking, picnicking or sunbathing on the lawn, and sometimes there are cricket matches, so the lawn is really ‘big’, so it doesn’t feel crowded. There’s no rush to be seen here, as teenagers can occasionally be seen kicking a ball around, all sorts of critters frolicking, and all sorts of events and small gatherings organised in the school. Squirrels are regular visitors to Meadows, hopping from tree to tree, often standing still and staring, and many grandparents will bring them nuts with hard shells to eat.
