Edinburgh

From the airport

Bus. The Airlink 100 service goes to Waverley Bridge in the city centre. Buses leave every 10 minutes from 4.40am - 0.12am.

Shop

Retro heaven glitters in all its glory at fashion boutique Trinquet, with its vintage accessories, costume jewellery and modern gold and silver pieces.
Don't be put off by the tourist-trap location of Royal Mile Whiskies. This is the real deal with a vast variety of classic malts, cask-strength specials and even bottles from long-defunct distilleries.

Dalry Road, next to Haymarket station, is convenient for sporting events at MurrayField and Tynecastle. The cosmopolitan nature of the area is reflected in the neighbourhood restaurants.

Head across the Forth Bridge to North Queensferry for a leisurely lunch away from the Festival crowds. The Wee Restaurant has a Bib Gourmand Award from Michelin for its good food at moderate prices.

When in Edinburgh one cannot buut enjoy the stirring sound of the pipes. During the International Festival one of the most popular events is the Military Tattoo. Troops from many countries take part, but the pipes and drums of the Scottish regiments are always the main attraction. Amongst the city's many showpieces are Edinburgh Castle, St Giles Cathedral, Princess Street and Gardens, the Scott Monument and John Knox's House to name a few.

Hogmanay in Scotland is one of the best and biggest New Year celebrations in the world, pulling in around 100 000 raucous revellers for the legendary Royal Bank Street Party and fireworks.

Day trip

Linlithgow. Mary Queen of Scots' birthplace is 15 minutes from Edinburgh by train. Sights include Linlithgow Palace, overlooking the town's loch and the 13th-century church of St Michael's. The Linlithgow Canal Centre provides an insight into industrial history.
Lammermuir Hills. A half-hour's drive west takes you up into the rolling Lammermuir Hills. Spend a day working up an appetite walking through thigh-thigh heather and down hidden valleys, before a meal in the beer garden of the Garvald Inn.