First off are the touristy things. The obvious thing you are going to want to hit up is the Royal Mile and the castle. I would choose to do the castle on a day where it isn't so windy because it is high up and the wind just rips through the buildings. I've been to a bunch of castles in the U.K and I have to say this one is one of my favorites. Yes, I might be a bit biased, but between the history, some very cheesy wax figures, a beautiful war memorial and the Scottish crown jewels- I think it is worth a mention.
The Royal Mile is great for shopping, especially for souviners. A lot of places sell similar things so walk around a bit to compare prices so you don't buy a nessy plush one place, walk further, and find it for five pounds cheaper elsewhere. The bagpipe music is a lot of fun and you will be able to find some good information on tours. I recondmend taking a Meerkat tour. I took two, and both were great. One was called "From Gallows to Graveyards" and the other was "Hidden and Haunted". I've talked about them before, so I won't go into further details. Just know they were really fun and it is a cool way to spend the night. Also, taking a tour down to Mary King's Close is another slightly spooky fun time.
Besides the Royal Mile, I would head to Prince's Street. There are some really great shops there, including Jenners and Primark, as well as the Prince's Street Gardens which are really pretty to walk through. Calton hill is also around here and it is a quick jaunt up to the top for a great view of the city as well as to see the Folley- a replica of the parthanon that was never finished due to budget issues.
Whoops. Another great climb is Arthur's seat, a giant craggy hill right outside of city centre. That climb was one of the prettiest I have ever done, and its great to be in the middle of the city and just be on this piece of untouched nature.
If you are hungry I have a few places I would reconmend. Black Medicine and Captaion Taylor's are two very nice cafes on south bridge. Black Medicine has a native american/ folky theme to it (yes. In the middle of scotland) and Captain Taylor's is just downright cozy. If you are looking for just a quick bite, I would suggest Greggs. You will pass three or four of them and they sell meat pasties and sweets. It is also a good place to pick up Iron-bru.. It is an orange, very sweet soda that outsells cocoa-cola in this country. If you want to go native, I would suggest giving it a try.
Other quick and yummy eateries include pie-maker (some more easy to eat pasties and pies), red-box (a noodle-bar) and Mosque Kitchen (cheap and yummy indian food for those that like Indian food.) Another really good place to go to is Elephant House. This is where J.K Rowling wrote a lot of the first Harry Potter books. It is comfy, filled with elephants, and they serve a nice variety of teas. Try the Millionaire's shortbread and take a peak in the bathrooms- other visitors have put up A LOT of Harry Potter themed graffiti.
There is one place I really, really think you should go to, and that is MUMS. Even if you ignore this entire list, you should try to head here for dinner at least once. We went here a bunch of times because we could not get enough. They serve comfurt food: bangers and mash. Steak and Ale pie (my favorite) and yes- Haggis. If you are going to try some, I suggest doing it here. I would also go for a milkshake or another one of the desserts while you are at it because there is no way to leave that place without feeling like you are going to burst-so you might as well go all the way. The waitstaff are also spectacular. They quip and joke and really round out the dining experience. Go here, no seriously. Go here.
And after you eat, here are a few places to go and get a drink. If you want an authenthic pub and folk music feel go to either the Captain's Bar (Our personal hang-out) or to the Royal Oak- both off of South Bridge.
Biblos has a nice relaxed feel and the Brass Monkey has beds in the back to lounge on as you drink. Vodka Revlolution has 36 different flavors of vodka to try, and bunch of cocktails as well. They have both an upstairs and downstairs bar, but only go down if you are feeling hip enough. We learned that the hard way :) The upstairs is a lot more chill and less cluby. Bar Kohl is also a great place. They have a lot of Martinis and other fun cocktails to try. I had an apple strudel martini the last time I was there and it was delicious. It is also a bit more expensive than the other places, as it is less a student bar and more a "real-person" bar. But it was where they had cocktail society meetings so I had a discount card. If you are staying in Edinburgh long enough ( or have a friend who is) pick up a snap-fax card because they also get you a discount here.
I think that is enough for now. There are definately a bunch more places around the city that I have come to enjoy that I just couldn't fit, and of course there are places I just didn't have the time to experience. If you are going to Edinburgh and you have any questions about where any of these places are, need directions, or just have a few questions- feel free to email me or send me a facebook message. I like being able to share this city that I have come to love. Now, I am going to stop writing before I get all sappy :)
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