10 Things No One Tells You About… Edinburgh
From wheels down to sun up, TPG Contributor Amanda Wowk wants you to experience Edinburgh like the locals.
The beautiful city of Edinburgh is best known for its stunning castle, (surprisingly) tasty haggis and world-renowned festivals. While all of these attractions are worth checking out, the Scottish capital's lesser known gems have plenty to offer as well. Here are 10 tips for visiting Edinburgh you probably won't find in a guidebook.
The Best Ways to Get Around Town
While the trams that slide through Princes Street might seem like a convenient way to get around town, your best bet for public transportation is by taking the maroon double-decker Lothian Buses, which cover much more ground for the same price. If you’d rather get to your destination in a jiffy, hail a black cab — they’re everywhere in the city center, offer free Wi-Fi (look for the code on the back of the driver’s seat) and cabbies are some of the friendliest, most helpful guides to learning more about the city.
Edinburgh's Other Famous Drink
Scotland is well-known for its whisky, but there’s another local liquor that’s worth sipping: gin. In fact, Edinburgh Gin is distilled right in the heart of the city, meaning you can visit the distillery, learn about the process and sample some of the good stuff. And if you’re in town for any of the city's August festivals, stop by Edinburgh Gin's pop-up al fresco gin garden in St. Andrews Square for a signature hand-crafted cocktail.
The Ultimate Palate Pleaser
Hungry? Head on over to the neighborhood of Bruntsfield, home to Meltmongers and the UK’s #1 cheese toastie (aka. grilled cheese). Order The Big Cheese, an oozing combination of three cheeses and chili chutney on plump sourdough with a side of sweet potato fries, and you’ll soon soak up all that gin you drank the night before. You’re welcome.
Be Prepared for Wacky Weather
The weather here is notoriously unpredictable. Scots love to say that you’ll experience all four seasons in one day — and they’re right! If you have any sort of rain jacket, I’d advise bringing one, or if not, buying one. Sure, you could buy an umbrella in any number of tchotchke shops — you’ll find them next to the shelves of stuffed hairy coos (that’s ‘cows’) — but they won’t stand a chance against the strong winds Edinburgh often experiences. Skip the umbrella and sport the rain jacket. The way I see it, you can’t blow a hooded rain parka inside out, and this will leave you hands-free for snapping photos.
Tour the City With Local Photographers
If you’re looking for a structured way to see the city, check out Iconic Tours. The owner, Will, is a former Lonely Planet photographer and born-and-bred Scotsman, while his business partner, Chris, is also a professional photographer and Edinburgh local. As professional photographers, Will and Chris offer tips for taking the best photos and maximizing your camera’s functionality, all while guiding you to a number of iconic spots around the city. (Not to worry, you can use your smartphone if you don’t have a “real” camera — that’s what I did!) As locals, the duo will provide you with historical facts and interesting insider tidbits you won’t hear anywhere else. And the best part? They’ve been known to make pitstops at charming pubs — it’s thirsty work touring Edinburgh so have a pint, you deserve it!
Beware the Witching Hour
In the center of the city, you’ll find Edinburgh Castle perched atop a crag of volcanic rock, and just below it, the Princes Street Gardens. While the gardens are both picturesque and peaceful now, this wasn’t always the case — they were once home to Nor’ Loch, or North Lake, a body of water where Edinburgh residents would (allegedly) drown witches during the Middles Ages. So, go ahead and enjoy your picnic and view of the castle from here, but don’t venture through them at night, just in case.
Get 'Oot' of Town
Thinking of hopping over to Glasgow during your visit to Scotland? If you haven’t rented a car, your best bet is the one-hour train ride from Waverley Station. Fair warning though: Edinburgh and Glasgow have a long-standing rivalry, so I advise that you don't tell the citizens of one city that you favor the other. Historically, Glasgow is a brutish, blue collar city with a reputation for having the highest crime rate in the UK. Times have changed in recent years, but Glaswegians’ fierce loyalty and love for their city hasn’t. Edinburgh, on the other hand, is known for its beautiful Georgian townhouses and white collar crowd. While I’d have my money on Glasgow in a fight, I recommend you save the favoritism for when you’re safely back home.
Mon the Hibees
Speaking of rivals, if you’re interested in European football (ie. soccer) and want to attend a match while you’re in Edinburgh, you’ll have to choose between the two local clubs, Hibernian FC (also known as Hibs or Hibees) or Hearts FC. Why choose? A fierce rivalry exists between the two clubs that’s been around for hundreds of years. Need help deciding? Just last year, Hibernian won its first Scottish Cup championship in 114 years.
Go Shopping in Stockbridge
Not a sports fan? If shopping and sipping more your vacation style, skip the “high street” stores and bars (aka, those found on George and Princes Streets) and head to Stockbridge. This Edinburgh neighborhood offers a plethora of boutiques and vintage stores for your shopping pleasure. Once you’ve had your retail fix, head to St. Stephen’s Street to check out one of its swanky cocktail bars.
FastTrack Your Way Through Security at EDI
When it comes time to leave this fine city, you might find yourself a bit behind schedule with the recently upgraded but slow-moving security lines at Edinburgh Airport (EDI). Unless you’re flying in business class, I recommend purchasing FastTrack to skip them entirely. You'll have to buy the pass ahead of time through the airport's website, but doing this will also ensure that you have plenty of time to stock up on any last-minute whisky purchases in the duty-free shops before you go. And as they say in Edinburgh, haste ye back!
Have you ever been to Edinburgh? What are your favorite things to do there?
TPG featured card
Rewards
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro offer
Annual Fee
Recommended Credit
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.
Rewards Rate
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 4X | Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year. |
| 3X | Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com. |
| 2X | Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com. |
| 1X | Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases. |
Intro Offer
You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after spending $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer.As High As 100,000 points. Find Out Your Offer.Annual Fee
$325Recommended Credit
Credit ranges are a variation of FICO® Score 8, one of many types of credit scores lenders may use when considering your credit card application.Excellent to Good
Why We Chose It
There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.