What to do this autumn in Edinburgh

The leaves are glowing in shades of amber; the air is crisp and the cosy coffee shops are alive with the scent of pumpkin spice – autumn has arrived! Ready to soak up the season? Here are some suggestions of how to spend the perfect autumnal day in the city!

Photo of Greyfriars Kirkyard & Kirk upon an autumnal setting with Greyfriars Bobby in the background and amber and green leaves on the trees.

Image of a man in old fashioned dark clothes holding a hitch picker next to a whisky barrel. On the barrel is a plate of Scottish food, a gothic candle, pumpkins, lights and torture instruments.

The Real Mary King's Close and our Taste of Scotland Experience - October 2025

This October, we are collaborating with The Real Mary King’s Close.

Guests taking the ‘Lantern-Led’ tour at RMKC can enjoy a special dining experience at our Amber Restaurant, featuring our Taste of Scotland menu after their tour.

Taking place from 11th – 31st October, this package includes an exclusive guided tour of The Real Mary King’s Close, with each guest being provided with a lantern to descend into the close. Experience the darkness with only a resident of the close to lead you and the flickering of your lantern…

The tours running at the following times, allow visitors the opportunity to indulge in our Taste of Scotland menu, complete with dessert paired with a dram at Amber Restaurant – 6.15pm, 6.30pm, 645pm. Take the short walk up to us at Castlehill after your tour where dinner will be served 15 minutes after your tour ends.

To book tickets, or to find out more visit The Real Mary King’s Close website here.

To view a sample menu, see here.

Image of Advocates Close looking out to Princes Street

Explore the Hidden Closes of Edinburgh's Old Town

Uncover the hidden closes of Edinburgh’s Old Town, where each passageway carries centuries of history. Walk in the footsteps of nobles and writers, uncover the secrets of criminals, and perhaps even sense the presence of restless spirits. Next time you wander along the Royal Mile, take a moment to explore a close or two. Just a word of warning: after dark, their shadowy corners can feel quite eerie… so you might want to bring a friend along for the adventure! Read the blog here.

Image of Greyfriars Kirkyard & Kirk upon a autumnal setting of green and amber leaves and a blue sky.

Best Autumnal Spots of Edinburgh

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! Read out blog here.

Image of person holding up a dram of whisky at a shop sampling. On a table is a flight of whisky, whisky samples, barley, peat, water and seeds. There is also a a map of Scottish distilleries in the background

Shop Samplings

Escape the cold and pop into our Whisky & Gift Shop, located a stone’s throw away from Edinburgh Castle.

This autumn, we have multiple shop samplings taking place where you can meet the makers behind the bottles, explore their unique ranges, and enjoy a dram while you chat with the distillers themselves.

Here’s what’s coming up:

10th October – Nc’nean Distillery
18th October – Gleann Mor Spirits Co. Ltd.
Tuesday 21st October – Bladnoch Distillery
24th October – JG Thomson
26th October – Isle of Raasay Distillery
27th October – Holyrood Distillery
28th October – JG Thomson
29th October – Annandale Distillery
30th October – Pernod Ricard
31st October – The Glasgow Distillery Co.

Image of Spa Pool in dimmed lighting against grey walls with white pool loungers and large potted plants.

Spa Trip to Apex Waterloo Place

If ultimate relaxation is calling your name, why not escape to the tranquil spa at the Apex Hotel, nestled in Waterloo Place? Here, you can indulge in bespoke treatments from massages and refreshing facials to skincare rituals. Afterward, unwind with a dip in the pool and relax in the sauna or steam room. The perfect spot to switch off, recharge, and treat yourself to some well-deserved “me time.”

Photo credit: Apex Waterloo Place