Edinburgh, Scotland
October 2026
Train during the day.
Explore Edinburgh at night.
Walk the Royal Mile.
Visit castles.
Learn in a setting you’ll remember long after the class is over.
EDINBURGH LIKE A LOCAL
Spend a Morning in Stockbridge
Stockbridge feels almost like a little village tucked inside Edinburgh.
Independent shops, coffee, bakeries, Georgian streets and the Water of Leith make it ideal for a slower morning.
Start there, wander through Circus Lane, then walk toward Dean Village along the Water of Leith.
Dean Village
Yes, people photograph it constantly. No, that doesn’t make it any less beautiful. Dean Village is a former milling village beside the Water of Leith, with old stone buildings, bridges and one of the prettiest walks in central Edinburgh.
Go early if you want it quieter. There is a coffee cart that is quite good
Books and more Books.
Golden Hare Books
A tiny independent bookshop in Stockbridge for fiction, poetry, beautiful editions and the exact kind of thing you’ll wish existed in your own neighborhood.
The Gently Mad
Rare, antiquarian and secondhand books in a delightfully strange little shop near the Royal Botanic Garden.
This is for the people who would rather leave Scotland with an old book than a magnet.
&&& if you go to Inverness- my personal favorite LEAKEY’S
VINTAGE, CLOTHING & THINGS YOU ABSOLUTELY DID NOT NEED
Armstrongs Vintage
An Edinburgh institution. Multiple rooms of vintage clothing, coats, tartan, military pieces, dresses, accessories and the occasional completely unhinged object that suddenly feels essential.
Go prepared to dig.
Those Were The Days Vintage
More curated than chaotic, with clothing and accessories spanning decades. A good option if you like vintage but don’t want to excavate a warehouse to find it.
Godiva
Independent designers mixed with vintage in the Old Town. Less souvenir, more “where the hell did you get that?”
OLD & HAUNTED & WEIRD
Because Edinburgh is approximately 40% beautiful architecture and 60% dead people under your feet.
Greyfriars Kirkyard
One of Edinburgh’s most famous historic graveyards.
Go during daylight if you want history.
Go toward evening if you want atmosphere.
Either way, read the stones.
The Lost Close
Hidden underground spaces beneath Edinburgh’s Old Town with small-group historical experiences and tastings. It feels considerably more intimate than some of the giant theatrical ghost-tour operations.
Auld Reekie Underground Tours
Vaults, plague, murder, ghosts and the deeply questionable architectural decision to build modern Edinburgh on top of old Edinburgh.
Touristy? Absolutely. Fun in October?
Also yes.
Surgeons’ Hall Museums
Medical history, pathology, anatomy and surgical collections owned by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.
This is not a cute little wellness museum. It contains human remains and medical specimens.
So I obviously recommend it.
Tourist Stuff that IS Worth it…GO ANYWAY.
Some things are tourist attractions because they’re actually fucking cool.
Edinburgh Castle
Sitting on an extinct volcano above the city, Edinburgh Castle has been a royal residence, fortress, military stronghold and prison.
The Royal Mile
Runs through the heart of Old Town from Edinburgh Castle toward Holyroodhouse. Yes, parts of it are aggressively touristy. Ignore the novelty tartan shops and look up. The buildings, closes, wynds and architecture are why you’re there. Read the historical signs- go in the closes.
Victoria Street & Cockburn Street
Curving colorful shopfronts beneath stacked Old Town architecture.
Very photographed- Diagon Alley inspiration they say…The Elephant House, MinaLima, Milk Man. Still worth seeing. If you are remotely interested in Harry Potter, you’re going to end up here anyway.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The King’s official residence in Edinburgh at the bottom of the Royal Mile. Royal apartments, ruins of Holyrood Abbey- THE RUINS, Mary Queen of Scots history and considerably more murder than the word “palace” initially suggests…the GARDENS.
Arthur’s Seat
An ancient volcano rising above Holyrood Park. The summit gives you panoramic views across Edinburgh and toward the coast and feels like when “‘The beacons are lit- Gondor calls for aid’ and ‘Rohan will answer’”… Ya know... There are multiple routes and you do not need to be a mountaineer, but this is still Scotland. Wear real shoes.
The wind at the top is frequently disrespectful.
Calton Hill
If you want the view without committing to Arthur’s Seat, do this. Quick climb. Huge payoff. Not Arthur’s Seat but still nice.
WORTH LEAVING EDINBURGH FOR
If you have extra time before or after class, this is where Scotland gets very, very good.
ROSSLYN CHAPEL
Medieval carvings, mystery and conspiracy theories. Obviously. Rosslyn Chapel was founded in 1446 and is covered almost completely in elaborate stone carvings. Green Men. Biblical imagery. Plants. The famous Apprentice Pillar. Knights Templar theories. Freemasonry theories.
The Da Vinci Code.
Nobody can agree on what all of it means, which frankly makes it better. Rosslyn is only around seven miles from Edinburgh, making this one of the easiest side trips on this page. Allow time to actually listen to one of the talks inside rather than walking through taking photos. Photography inside the chapel is restricted.
ROSSLYN CHAPEL VISITOR INFORMATION
STIRLING & WILLIAM WALLACE
If Scotland has already convinced you that you need to spend a day learning about medieval warfare and rebellion, head to Stirling.Do both.
Stirling Castle
One of the most historically important castles in Scotland and a major residence of Scottish kings and queens. Mary Queen of Scots was crowned there. My rabbit hole is King James…iykyk. The Renaissance royal palace is gorgeous. The views are ridiculous. I love the Unicorn Tapestries and the theories that surround them.
The National Wallace Monument
A huge Gothic tower overlooking the landscape where William Wallace’s army defeated English forces at the Battle of Stirling Bridge in 1297. Inside are exhibits on Wallace and Scottish history. At the top are enormous views over Stirling and the surrounding countryside.
There are 246 stairs. Choose your shoes accordingly.
And yes, you are allowed to think about Braveheart. Just please do not use it as your primary historical source.
Leaving Edinburgh Continued…
Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond gives you lochs, mountains and proper Scotland scenery without committing to the enormous drive required for Loch Ness. If you have one free day and primarily want landscape, this is a great choice.
Loch Ness & Glencoe & The Highlands & Inverness
Can you visit Loch Ness from Edinburgh in a day? Yes. Should you understand what you’re signing up for? Also yes.
This is a full day. Expect a very early start, hours on the road and a late return. But if this is your first trip to Scotland and you have always wanted to see the Highlands, it can absolutely be worth it. Most full-day excursions travel through some combination of Glencoe, Rannoch Moor, Fort William, The Great Glen, Loch Ness And we would argue that Glencoe may be the best part of the entire day.
Do not book this the night before class unless you’re passionate about arriving exhausted.
North Berwick
The sleeper pick. If you have half a day or a relaxed full day and don’t want a massive organized tour, take the train to North Berwick. It’s a coastal town east of Edinburgh with beaches, a harbor, dramatic shoreline, independent shops and views toward Bass Rock. The train from Edinburgh is roughly 30 to 40 minutes. It feels like you actually left the city without sacrificing your entire day.
St. Andrews
Medieval streets, Cathedral ruins, great sea food, Castle ruins, North Sea, Golf, if that’s your thing.
St Andrews is lovely even if you could not give less of a shit about golf.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Class will take place in central Edinburgh, in the New Town / Queen Street area.
We are intentionally keeping the exact classroom address private for now. When booking your hotel, flights or transportation, you can comfortably use Queen Street, Edinburgh as your reference point.
The exact venue, class schedule, what to bring and final arrival information will be sent directly to registered attendees.
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You do not need a rental car for Edinburgh.
Actually, unless you’re planning to leave the city independently, we wouldn’t recommend one.
Central Edinburgh is extremely walkable, and taxis, buses and trams are readily available. The Old Town and New Town sit right beside one another, so many of the places in this guide can be reached on foot.
Just know that “walkable” in Edinburgh occasionally means cobblestones, stairs, hills and a level of incline that feels mildly personal.
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If proximity to class is your priority, look in New Town, George Street, St Andrew Square, Charlotte Square or the northern side of Princes Street.
You do not have to stay at one of these hotels. These are simply places we would actually recommend.
Gleneagles Townhouse
A Georgian townhouse on St Andrew Square with only 33 bedrooms, an all-day restaurant, rooftop bar and private club spaces available to hotel guests. It feels distinctly Edinburgh without becoming tartan-themed hotel cosplay.
Tigerlily
Located directly on George Street in New Town, Tigerlily has 33 boutique rooms with Georgian architecture, velvet, bold interiors and very good “girls’ trip in Scotland” energy. It is also extremely close to the Queen Street area.
100 Princes Street
A small luxury hotel overlooking Edinburgh Castle, inspired by the explorers and adventurers who once made the address their home. If you’re making the class part of a proper Scotland trip and want your hotel to feel special, start here.
The Balmoral
The grand hotel beside Waverley Station with the clock tower you’ve probably seen in a thousand photos of Edinburgh.
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Scotland uses pounds sterling.
You do not need to arrive carrying a giant envelope of British cash.
Contactless payment is everywhere, and Apple Pay and major cards are widely accepted.
Tell your bank you’re traveling if necessary and make sure you have a card without ridiculous foreign transaction fees.
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We offer flexible pricing based on project type and complexity. After an initial conversation, we’ll provide a transparent quote with no hidden costs.
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Collaborative, honest, and straightforward. We're here to guide the process, bring ideas to the table, and keep things moving.