Best Autumnal Sights of Edinburgh
Autumn has arrived, bringing with it the colder months, russet, whisky-coloured leaves and darker nights. The city is starting to look truly autumnal – but where are the best spots to fully appreciate the change in season? Look no further as we’ve come up with some great spots dotted all over the city, perfect for all those autumnal Instagram photos, crisp walks with loved ones and the best sights of our beautiful Capital!
Seven Hills of Edinburgh
Whether you live in Edinburgh or you are just visiting this beautiful city, you’ll be aware that the capital is definitely not flat! Edinburgh is said to be built on seven hills, spread out over the whole city. We’ve got Castle Rock, Calton Hill, Arthur’s Seat, Braid Hills, Craiglockhart Hills, Corstorphine Hill and Blackford Hill – each of which give a fantastic and different view of our majestic skyline.
We recommend the sights from each of the hills, and if you fancy a little bit of a challenge there’s even an annual race to climb them all, with the current winning time being just under 1 hour 35 minutes – think you could beat that?
Photo credit: Muhammed Zahid Bulut
The Vennel
Edinburgh Castle is the centre point of the city and can be seen rising above the skyline from just about wherever you are in the city. However, there are few places that you can get a truly beautiful vantage point. The Vennel provides, what is arguably the best viewpoint of the Castle. Tucked away at the foot of the Grassmarket, the street connects Lauriston Place with West Port.
The cascading steps, Victorian streetlamps and 16th century architecture make The Vennel possibly the most Instagrammable spot in the city, and also is a prominent scene within the popular ‘One Day’ Netflix series.
Photo credit: Michael Porter
Princes Street Gardens
Princes Street Gardens is one of the most well-known urban parks in Scotland. Separating the Old Town from the New Town, the gardens are visited by a large number of people every year. Spanning over 37 acres, they are split into two separate sections by The Mound – both areas give the most stunning views of both the Old Town, with the Castle looming over them and on the other side the bustling streets of the New Town.
The gardens are beautiful all year round, and there are plenty of sights within them to enjoy, from the Ross Fountain, the Floral Clock and the Scott Monument to the numerous statues and memorials that are located within its boundaries. We recommend taking a wander around these beautiful gardens, maybe grab some lunch on-the-go and have a wee picnic.
Photo credit: Michael Porter
Castle Esplanade
So, we’ve sort-of already mentioned this one, since Edinburgh Castle sits upon Castle Rock which is one of the ‘Seven Hills of Edinburgh’ however the Castle Esplanade is a must do if you’re in Edinburgh. Located at the top of the Royal Mile, the Esplanade is the perfect place to view the beauties of Edinburgh’s Old Town.
And, fun fact, the Esplanade has a wealth of history with one particular memorial called the Witches Well, which remembers the large population of women that were burned at the stake for being suspected as witches in the 16th century – a little autumnal/Halloween fact for you!
Greyfriars Kirkyard
A spot not to miss is the historic Greyfriars Kirkyard. Nestled in Edinburgh’s Old Town, the land was first granted in 1562 by Mary Queen of Scots. Today, the graveyard is best known for the heartwarming tale of Greyfriars Bobby, the loyal terrier who watched over his owner’s grave for fourteen years. Visitors can find his statue just outside the Kirkyard – don’t forget to give his nose a rub for good luck!
Greyfriars has long been a backdrop for various stories. It’s rumoured that the notorious body snatchers, Burke and Hare once prowled its grounds in the 1800s. The gothic setting is also said to have sparked JK Rowling’s inspiration for the Harry Potter novels and where fans can spot the real Tom Riddle Grave. But the spookiness doesn’t end there – the grounds are also home to the infamous ‘haunted crypt.’ The Black Mausoleum, final resting place of George Mackenzie, is tied to the chilling legend of the Mackenzie Poltergeist.
With the glow of amber leaves underfoot, it’s the perfect setting for an autumn adventure.
Visit us!
If you happen to be on the Castle Esplanade, then why not pop in and give us a visit! We’re located just a short walk down Castlehill and provide the perfect place to warm up after taking in all those sights!
Discover the tours and experiences that we have on offer here: https://www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk/tours/
There are many more locations that are beautiful at this time of year, especially all of our parks and grassy areas. If you take some Autumnal photos out and about in Edinburgh, be sure to share them with us!