Days out in Edinburgh

Our Dynamic Earth is a 20-minute stroll back the way you came. This fantastic children’s science museum is a journey through space and time – from the Big Bang to the latest thinking about exoplanets. Interactive exhibits, 4D and 3D experiences and wide-ranging events make Our Dynamic Earth a must.

If you and the children are feeling a bit peckish after a few hours running around Dynamic Earth, it’s worth mentioning the café at the Fruitmarket Gallery, just outside the station. As well as offering leading contemporary art right in the heart of the city, the Fruitmarket also has one of the best cafes in Edinburgh. A great place for a quick bite to eat, grab some home-made soup, a salad or some scrumptious deli-filled rolls before getting on your way.

Full bellies? Good. You’ll need it for a trip to Edinburgh Castle, of which no trip to Scotland’s capital is complete without. Linking Edinburgh’s Old and New towns and stretching out across the skyline, the castle really has to be seen to be believed. Family-friendly, you and the kids are bound to have a great time.

Our picks:
The Stone of Destiny - probably Scotland’s most famous relic, this stone has been used to enthrone kings and queens of Great Britain through the ages.

Prisons of War - this cavernous dungeon vault was used to house prisoners of war, including a drummer boy captured at the Battle of Trafalgar.

One o’clock Gun - make sure you’re outside the Redcoat Café by 13.00 on your visit to the castle - that’s when the One o’clock Gun is fired (not on Sundays though).

The home of Scotland’s stories, the Scottish Storytelling Centre is an eclectic arts venue about halfway down the Royal Mile. Perfect as part of a day out with children, there’s always lots going on, be it theatre, live storytelling music or workshops. Take a look at the centre’s events listings to find out what’s happening when you visit.

Make your way back to the station for a trip to Edinburgh Dungeon. From the tale of gravediggers Burke and Hare, the plague and Edinburgh’s Great Fire, this centre sees you step into Edinburgh’s (dark) past. Full of rides, actors and special effects, the dungeon is bags of fun and, as you’d expect, rather scary. Best of all, all the stories it holds are true.

Head out of the Dungeon and walk for five minutes through the resplendent Princes Street Gardens ‘til you come to the Scottish National Gallery. Admission is free. The gallery houses some of the finest art in the world, so take in some culture before making your way back to the station.