Tips for Visiting Edinburgh for IATEFL
(by someone who loves to share Scotland)
Hello, fellow language professionals.
Welcome to Scotland!
This blog is to help you get the most out of your short visit to Edinburgh.
If you have just 3 days in Edinburgh for a conference, what should you sneak off to see, do, eat, drink or visit?
Exploring Edinburgh
This blog has my best tips for a change of scenery, giving you fresh energy by getting you into the heart of our beautiful capital city for amazing Scottish experiences.
Hopefully, they will save you some research or indecision time, and also get you experiences of the city you wouldn’t find on your own.
“Edinburgh’s got this unreal mix of old and new that just blows your mind. One minute, you’re walking through these ancient cobbled streets with the castle towering above, and the next, you’re in the middle of cool cafés and vibrant shops. It’s like history and modern vibes rolled into one perfect city“.
Scotland Travel Group (Facebook)
When your experience is memorable,
Your English is memorable
Real-English Holidays in Scotland
In case you don’t yet know Blue Noun Hub, we are based in Perthshire in Scotland (central/gateway to the Highlands – just 30 miles from Edinburgh Airport).
We offer bespoke English holidays in real-world English so your English learners can get coach-supported English language practice AND discover Scotland – deeply.
We combine deep travel with real-world English to transform our clients into confident speakers – 3 people at any time.
We are trained language teachers and coaches, but even more so, we know how to help people relax and unwind and ENJOY their English. Our methods involve craft workshops, woodland saunas, guided nature walks, great food and drink, and so much more.
First – Some Edinburgh Travel Tips for Everyone
Walking the City
Edinburgh is a city of layers. You could spend most of your time on street level and never realise there is a network of river walks and green paths that crisscross the entire city – even around the centre.
It’s easy to dip down onto one and make your way in leafy green nature to arrive at your destination.
I’ve seen dippers, a kingfisher and foxes on my wanders down there.
Above, it’s traffic and busy pavements.
Below, people smile and say hi.
This network of walkways is a superb place for jogging – or just stretching your legs with a coffee (and saying hi to random dogs).
If mobility is an issue, Edinburgh is full of stairs. Find helpful resources here.
Travelling by Bus
Edinburgh public transport is great!
You can hop on and off buses all day without being charged more than £4.50, only:
- You need to stick to the same bus company (just remember the colours of your first bus) and use the same credit/debit card each time.
- The tram network is not included, making it a pricier choice.
The Traveline App makes coordinating public transport easy!
Download it before you go.
Travelling by Train
It’s often much cheaper to buy a day return than two one way tickets.
How to Pronounce 'Edinburgh'
For some accents, the ‘ugh’ sound is harder than for others. The good news is most Scots skip it altogether, saying Edin-bra, Edin-bruh, Embra (depending on their region) while most Americans call it ‘Edin-bow-ro’ – as it’s known in their land.
Pronounce it as you like. (I have heard it gets easier after a whisky).
If in Doubt - Ask
The Scots are a friendly bunch who take Highland Hospitality seriously.
Don’t be afraid to ask a stranger for help navigating buses or advice about where to eat nearby.
(I’ve seen people chase people down the street to return their dropped glove/umbrella.) In general, we love to help.
What to Do With Just 3 Days in Edinburgh
Tips Nature Lovers
If you have a full day off, then I highly recommend a day trip to North Berwick.
It’s an hour by train – and another world. It’s a town with a harbour (definitely eat at the seafood shack), its Bass Rock is a sea bird reservation, beautiful sandy beaches, and sweet town centre filled with unusual, independent shops. While there, you could hike the Law in an hour, or walk from the town centre to Tantalis Castle (about a 4 hour round trip). (Just turn right at the sea and keep going) (There’s a nice cafe half-way).
Slightly less far is a trip to South Queensferry. This train only takes about 15 minutes (and it is very frequent), and you’ll be in a gorgeous cobbled town centre beside the sea, with the amazing Forth Rail Bridge reminding you how small and temporary humans are. Not everyone’s cup of tea, but thrilling. We like to take our guests on the Maid of the Forth boat trip from here. You’ll see seals and seabirds – even puffins in the summer months. Doable in a free day – and highly recommended.
If you can’t escape for the day, you can still change perspective completely by climbing Arthur’s Seat – or Carlton Hill for a view of the city (even more amazing at dusk).
You can regularly see kestrels and it feels wild and rugged; the clean sea air fills your lungs, and you can see for miles – look North on a clear day and you’ll see the mountains of the Highlands.
PS, the shopping centre roof on the right hand side is known as ‘the turd’.
Tips for History Lovers
The National Museum of Scotland (AKA the Chamber Street Museum) is vast and wonderful, but with limited time in the city, I would explore by foot the Old and New Towns. Together, they make a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Don’t try to follow a set route, – just follow the twisting passageways through the medieval Old Town and the neat, structured New Town.
The geology and terrain of Edinburgh (riverways, sharp hills, volcanic plugs) have led to a remarkable ramshackle array of houses, churches, palaces, graveyards and monuments designed to fill nooks and crannies – Classical doesn’t do Vernacular architecture every day, but it is always interesting when it does!
Tips for Photography Lovers
I highly recommend the Camera Obscura (book in advance). It’s not gimmicky, as you may think, it’s a 170-year-old piece of engineering that still astounds and enchants.
Tip: aim for a sunny day (it works better).
Tips for Food Lovers
There’s so much – but if I have to give you 3:
1. Makars Mash: Why? Because you can visit the mushrooms growing!
Makars Mash is an independent, award-winning restaurant tackling food sustainability and waste by growing Lions Mane mushrooms (a meat substitute) in its own cellars from food waste the restaurant generates, thus, minimal transportation, using an underutilised space & re-purposing waste produce.
If you are looking for an immersive city experience – they play music to the mushrooms – and any chance to get into the miles of Edinburgh’s secret cellar network should be taken.
2. The Safari Lounge. Why? Because spicy food and cocktails are meant to be together.
You get big flavours with a unique indie vibe at great prices. This is my happy place!
3. Fish & Chips: They should be tried, but they taste best beside the sea.
Putting vinegar on them is sometimes a default. You can ask for a fish supper (that’s fish & chips) with nothing on it. There’s a culture divide between Glasgow and Edinburgh that you may trip over, with one city favouring ketchup and one brown sauce on their chips.
Who knew condiments could get political!
Tips for Music Lovers
Get to a gig!
Scottish audiences are renowned for being a friendly, boisterous bunch.
Gigs are a great way to feel like you belong here – as the audience becomes one. (We take all our English learner guests out to see at least one gig. We tend to favour Scottish traditional/alternative, but we are open to all sorts).
Just check out the listings and see what you fancy. All gigs finish quite early these days (around 10.30) to ensure you can make travel connections with ease – making a visit to Glasgow to see a band possible too.
Enjoy IATEFL Edinburgh
Use your time amidst peers well and wisely.
Hopefully, these tips will help you experience Edinburgh outside of the conference centre.
You may have gathered – we are massive advocates for taking a break, changing scene and using nature and culture to refresh the mind and deepen your learning journey.
I (Ruth) will be around all 3 days, so please do say hello and get one of our free postcards to celebrate seeing Scotland.
Say hi on our socials
If you have enjoyed this blog, please consider sharing it.
Let me know if you follow any of my recommendations! (Socials or leave a comment below.)
Image Credits
All the images on this page were taken during our Real-World English Conversation Holidays. (Top image: Beltane Fire Festival, Edinburgh)
Just checking: you know about the ETA, right?
👉 The UK has new travel requirements.
Even EU visitors need an Electric Travel Authorisation
Further Information
Big thanks to the team organising IATEFL Edinburgh!
Can A Holiday Fix Your English?
