Breakfast downstairs from the shared shelf in the kitchen.
08:30
30 minute walk through the meadows parkland and 30 minutes to climb the extinct volcano called Arthur's Seat, wrap up warm as it's windy up there. Great views and rosy cheeks are your reward.
09:30
From the top of Arthur's Seat catch your breath then descend via the rocky outcrop path known as the Salisbury Craigs all the way down to the Holyrood area. Look at the Palace of Holyrood and pass Dynamic Earth to go into the New Scottish Parliament with an airport security system. You can watch the politicians debating in this architectural oddity. If you can spare 40p, have Edinburgh's cheapest pot of tea in the cafeteria, you have earnt it.
10:30
Refreshed, you are now at the bottom of the Royal Mile. This street goes all the way up to the castle, which was also built on a volcano. En route to the castle there is a plethera of interesting shop windows to look through, interesting architecture and tack shops selling all things 'Scottish'. Take in the views from the castle but if £9 entry is too much you can live without the experience I'm sure.
Museums near the Royal Mile
Starting from the bottom working your way up from the Scottish Parliament
On right: Down a hard to find side street called Dunbar's Close are some chilled out gardens perfect for a packed lunch picnic. A bit further up is the People's Story Museum, free and well worth popping into.
Museum of Childhood has toys and is also free, then further up is St. Giles' Catherdral with a medieval interior for those who like their churches. Find the heart in the pavement and watch people as they spit on it. The Heart of Midlothian brings luck apparently.
Further up from the cathedral is a junction. If you turn left onto George IV Bridge this leads you to the two free Museums of Scotland. Lose yourself in the exhibits, especially the Eygptian mummies, the big whale bones and say hello to the fish in the victorian atrium.
Something cheap to eat
Around the corner from the Museum on Bristo Place is the Forest Cafe- a vege bohemian cafe with sofas, free internet and films. A vege Burrito is £3.50.
Original kushi's is an inexpensive Indian on Potterrow near Nicholson street. Good if you want a proper feed for under a tenner.
Also Nicholson street way is a Syrian cafe called Palyrus. The hummous falafal wraps are £2.85 which goes well with Mint Tea £1.
The cheapest meal is chips at £1- £2. The Scots have salt and sauce on their chips and cheese, you too could be fat if you lived off this.
Spend a lazy afternoon
You can walk back throught the meadows park to the hostel, relax with a book in the Scottish sun or play pitch and putt golf nearer the hostel borrowing clubs from reception. You could also chill at the Royal Botanical Gardens which is also free and they have tropical glass houses too. From the botanical Gardens take bus 23 all the way back to hostel, 80p. There is also a beach in Portobello but again this is a bus ride away but worth it for the dazzle of Scottish skin so white you'll need sun glasses.
Art Galleries
On Cockburn street, just off the Royal Mile is my favourite called the Collective Gallery. Turn right onto Market Street for the Fruitmarket Gallery and the City Art Centre. We haven't started on the major galleries yet so you may need to take a whole day seeing them all.
There is a free bus that shuttles arround the major galleries (free all day). Starting at the National Gallery of Scotland on Princes' Street behind the not free Royal Scottish Acadamy. This has sumptuous interior with paintings by old masters. Catch the bus on to the Dean Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art which are next to each other on the outskirts of town. I especially like the modern art gallery with the landscaped garden. If you walk behind the building you can hear the gushing of a river. This is called the Water of Leith and a beautiful day could be spent walking along side it until it reaches the Firth of Forth at Leith. Finally the bus that returns to the city centre stops a the Portrait Gallery with interesting hall murals and enjoyable exhibits.
Back at the hostel
Get to know some of the other guests and enjoy the friendly international atmosphere. You can often get a free meal by offering to wash up for the busy cooks in the kitchen. There is always more fun to be had with others and if you go out for the evening they may buy your drinks all night. If not, pretend your driving and drink soda water with ice, slice of lime and a straw. This is free and you really don't need to drink to have a good time.
During the Edinburgh Festival, there is more fun to be had on the streets than in the shows. All year round there is a magazine called THE LIST. This is fortnightly magazine costing £2.20 and has all cinema, theatre, live music & club listings. Also all free events in the city like book readings and talks are listed. If reception doesn't have a copy you will almost certainly find one lying around.
