The Queen's Gallery

Hardly a secret attraction but included because of a little known perk that allows free access for a whole year. Simply buy a ticket and, at the end of your visit, ask a Warden to stamp your ticket to convert it into a 1-Year Pass, then you are free to revisit as often as you like for the next 12 months. 

If you time your first visit towards the end of an exhibition and you might manage to see as many as three different exhibitions for the price of one entry.

Tip: The cafe is is very elegant but if you are counting your pennies, pop across the road to the Scottish Parliament where the cafe is much more reasonably priced!

Palace of Holyroodhouse, Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX

royalcollection.org.uk

Potterrow Underpass

One of only a few legal graffiti walls in Edinburgh. Others include New Street (which will be removed when work commences on controversial 'Caltongate'/New Waverley) and a railway tunnel under Telford Road.

Patrick Geddes Centre

Riddles Court is truly a hidden gem in every sense of the phrase. The A-listed 16^th century house is one of the most historically significant buildings within the World Heritage Site. A wealth of influential and creative people have lived and worked within its walls in its 400 year history including pioneering town planner Patrick Geddes whose motto “Vivendo Discimus” (“By Living We Learn”) can be seen over the door.

A keen ecologist, Geddes was was instrumental in creating gardens in the slums of the old town for the benefit of the children ‘starved of nature’ .

Work began in 2014 to create The Patrick Geddes Centre for Learning and Conservation and the SHBT began a campaign to crowd-fund the Patrick Geddes Library with support by the anonymous 'Book Sculptor'.

Tours are held on Thursdays – check the website for further details.

For more information on Patrick Geddes (including a Heritage Trail) see patrickgeddestrust.co.uk

Riddles Court, 322 Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2PQ

0131 220 1232

info@shbt.org.uk

http://shbt.org.uk

@SHBT

 

Parliament House

@scotcourts

Parliament Square, EH1 1RQ

0131 225 2595

supreme.courts@scotcourts.gov.uk

scotcourts.gov.uk

Built in 1632 to house the pre-Union Parliament of Scotland, Parliament House now houses the Supreme Courts of Scotland (The High Court of Justiciary and the Court of Session ), The Faculty of Advocates and the National Law Library of Scotland (but n.b. it does not house the Scottish Parliament!). 

The building and it's first floor cafe, are open to the public. Look out for the south window of Parliament Hall depicting the inauguration of the Court of Session by King James V in 1532. Generally, the courtrooms are open to the public and you can attend and listen to proceedings.

Panmure House

@Adamsmithpanmur
4 Lochend Close, off 129 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BL

0131 451 3090

panmureenquiries@ebs.hw.ac.uk

panmurehouse.org

Built in 1691, Panmure House is a rare survival of a late seventeenth century town mansion. It was the home to philosopher and economist Adam Smith from 1778 till his death in 1790 (he is buried in nearby Canongate Kirk).

A £430,000 programme of works to adapt the A-listed building as an education centre is scheduled to be completed in Spring 2015.

Panda and Sons

79 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 4NF

0131 220 0443

pandaandsons.com

@PandaandSons

What's not to love about a hidden bar?!

Your first task is to find the speakeasy. Your second is to figure out how to access it.

Secreted beneath Queen Street, the only visible part of Panda and Sons is the street level entrance in the style of a vintage barbershop. Once you descend to the basement you will have to master a bookcase door.

(Don't get caught out by the late afternoon opening hours – check the website first!)

Old Calton Burial Ground

27 Waterloo Pl, Edinburgh, City of Edinburgh EH1 3BQ

Unlike other burial grounds, the management of Old Calton was not attached or under the control of a church, but was run as a business by the Incorporated Trades of Calton. Established in 1718 as the resting place for merchants and tradespeople, it was bisected in 1817 with the construction of Waterloo Place and interments ceased in 1865.

Monuments in the larger, southern section include:

• Philosopher David Hume's Mausoleum
• The Scottish-American Soldiers' Monument - a standing figure of Abraham Lincoln, with a freed slave giving thanks at his feet which, when unveiled in 1893 drew huge crowds.
• The Political Martyrs’ obelisk commemorating five political reformists from the late 18th and early 19th centuries.

The north section is by far the smaller but this rarely visited graveyard is worth a look. The entrance is next to the Parliament House Hotel(15 Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH1 3BJ).

Old Assembly Close

172 High Street, Edinburgh EH1


This atmospheric alley has some interesting 'ghost signs' (advertising from long gone trades).

It is worth a wander down to see the B-listed MacKenzie Building, formerly George Heriots Hospital School. When the school moved out in the 19th century, the building became Smith Fletcher & Co's wireworks. Today it is used by the Faculty of Advocates.

North Gray's Close

Rear of 125 High Street, Edinburgh EH1

Now in a ruinous state and listed on the Buildings at Risk register, the roofless buildings should be viewed while they still can be. Pay particular attention to the roll-moulded double doorway with a panel dated 1581.

National Library of Scotland

George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW

0131 623 3700

enquiries@nls.uk

nls.uk

@natlibscot

Don't be put off by the imposing exterior! Although first and foremost a research library, the NLS puts on some fantastic exhibitions and events (including regular 'Getting Started' workshops if you do want to undertake some research). It also has a cafe and a beautiful gift shop.

The News Steps

The News Steps Edinburgh EH1 1PH

The steps run from St. Giles' Street (off the Royal Mile) at the top, down 124 steps to Market Street (close to Waverley Station). From the top you can admire the view across North Bridge and Calton Hill. The lush gardens on the left belong to the Bank of Scotland (see Museum on the Mound).




Since 2013, there has been a pedestrian thoroughfare linking Advocate’s Close with the News Steps.

National Museum of Scotland

Chambers Street, Edinburgh EH1 1JF


0300 123 6789


nms.ac.uk/national-museum-of-scotland


@NtlMuseumsScot






The museum is one of Edinburgh's must-see attractions but if you are limited for time, make sure you see:






Ballachulish Figure (Early People, Level -1) - the mysterious life-sized female figure was carved from a single piece of alder with with pebbles for eyes. It was found under deep peat during building work in November 1880 near Loch Leven. Carbon-dating shows it to be over 2,500 years old.






Group Space (Entrance Hall, Level 0) - Eating at the Museum is pricey but packed lunches can be eaten in the Group Room if it has not been reserved for a group visit. Alternatively, head across the road to the Sheriff Court cafe.






Millennium Clock Tower (Entrance to Discoveries, Level 1) - a 10m high kinetic sculpture in wood, metal and glass With it's themes of death and swinging pendulum mirror, it is quite unsettling to see it chime on the hour.






The Connect and Communicate galleries are some of the most interactive and family-friendly spaces. However, their respective locations are subject to change as new galleries, showcasing decorative art, design, fashion, science and technology exhibits open in 2016.






Arthur's Seat Coffins (Level 4, Scotland galleries) - In June 1836, some boys, hunting for rabbits on on Arthur's Seat, spotted some thin sheets of slate, which, when they pulled out, revealed 17 tiny (95mm in length) coffins hidden inside a gap in the rocks. Their purpose remains a mystery and caught the imagination of Ian Rankin who mentions them in “The Falls”.






Rooftop Terrace (level 7) – take the lift all the way to the top floor for a truly unforgettable view of Edinburgh's skyline.






Alternatively, take a free 'Highlights' tour which lasts an hour and leaves from the Tour Meeting Point, Entrance Hall, Level 0

Museum on the Mound

The Mound, Edinburgh EH1 1YZ

0131 243 5464

info@museumonthemound.com

museumonthemound.com

@museumonmound

Ever wanted to crack a safe or see what a £million looks like? This is the place for you! The museum tells the story of money and history of Scottish banking.

This often overlooked museum is housed in the magnificent, domed head office of the Bank of Scotland which today also serves as the Scottish HQ for the Lloyds Banking Group.

There is a quirky gift shop which sells banknote design tea towels and coin keyrings – all the profits support Lloyds Banking Group's Charity of the Year.

Muschet's Cairn

Duke's Walk, Queen's Park EH8 8JB

The pile of stones commemorates the site where apprentice surgeon, Nicol Muschet, murdered his wife Margaret in 1720.

Just weeks after their marriage, Muschet enlisted friends and relatives in various witless plans to get rid of her (including staged adultery and no fewer than three poisoning attempts). His monogrammed shirt left at the scene where he slit his young wife's throat, backed up by confessions from his sister-in-law meant he was found guilty and hanged.

The (Original) Mosque Kitchen(s)

Indoor: 31–33 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BX

Outdoor: 50 Potterrow, Edinburgh EH8 8BT (behind Central Mosque)

Without getting into a debate over which is the 'original' Mosque Kitchen or which is the best, here is what you need to know: both serve excellent, cheap curries, rice and naan.

Closed every Friday 1 – 1.45

Open at Iftar time during Ramadan

During August, the Discover Islam Festival includes exhibitions and tours of the Mosque.

While here, take a minute to look at the Brassfounders’ Pillar in Nicolson Square Gardens which was commissioned for the 1886 International Exhibition of Science, Art and Industry and moved here from the Meadows after the exhibition.

Maltese Cross

229 229 Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8BJ

You might need patience to see this cross as it lies on the busy road, marking the site of a standing cross of St John (or Malta) – the original was moved to nearby Canongate Kirk where it can still be seen.

Magdalene Chapel

Built between 1541 and 1547, Magdalene Chapel is the headquarters of the Scottish Reformation Society and contains the only surviving intact pre-Reformation stained-glass window in Scotland.

0131 220 1450

info@scottishreformationsociety.org

Also of interest are the 'brods' (receipts for donations received) which line the walls like a latter day supporters' wall.

The Chapel is open to visitors, usually on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 10.30-2.30, however you are advised to check first.

Herman Lyon's Mausoleum

Calton Hill, Edinburgh EH7 5AA

Calton Hill, with its follies, monuments and observatory, not to mention amazing views across the city, is one of Edinburgh's must-see attractions. However, few visitors to the National Monument have heard of Herman Lyon's Mausoleum.

Herman Lyon (or Lion) came to Edinburgh from Prussia in 1788 and bought a burial plot for himself and his family – the first Jewish grave in Edinburgh – on Calton Hill in 1795. The tomb, which has been explored by experienced potholers is reported to be about 3 x 4.5m with a 12m long passage leading up to it. Although the entrance has now been sealed off, the observant walker on the path from the Dugald Stewart Monument to the north-western edge of the walls of the City Observatory (designed by William Henry Playfair in 1818, and today houses the CollectiveGallery) to the Dugald Stewart Monument may notice 'slabs' which are actually the roof of the mausoleum.

Tourists may have heard of the One O'clock Gun which is fired from Edinburgh Castle but the One O'clock time ball, which is raised and dropped from the City Observatory is less well known.

It is on Calton Hill that the Beltane Fire Society hold Beltane and Samhuinn festivals to mark the changing of the seasons.

Flags fly from the Nelson Monument on Calton Hill on Trafalgar Day.

More information about the treasures of Calton Hill can be seen at EWHT

Kleen Cleaners

10 St Mary's Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SU

0131 556 4337

info@kleen-cleaners.co.uk

kleen-cleaners.co.uk

Kleen Cleaners Dry Cleaning and Laundry is the only dry-cleaners in Scotland to be awarded the Royal Charter by Her Majesty the Queen...and to have a bomb shelter!

But the real reason they are included in Secret Edinburgh is because of their little-known selection of vintage garments for sale which, because they have been dry cleaned, have none of the 'vintage' odour so associated with specialist vintage shops.

While you are there, take time to admire the gorgeous curved double fronted windows.

Johnson Terrace Wildlife Garden

Off the Patrick Geddes Steps, adjacent to 25 Johnston Terrace, Edinburgh EH1 2NH
This tiny wildlife garden is the smallest nature reserve managed by the Scottish Wildlife Trust.  Thanks to some careful planning it attracts frogs, birds, and the odd urban fox.

Contact Scottish Wildlife Trust for access or arrange a tour through greenyondertours.com

Jacob's Ladder

Regent Road (top)
Calton Road (bottom)

Jacob's Ladder is a steep, uneven, staircase carved from the volcanic rock of Calton hill which leads down from Regent Road (to the east of Princes Street) emerging under the Calton Rail Bridge on Calton Road. While at Regent Road, take time to take in the magnificent views over the Old Town.

Heave Awa' Hoose

Paisley Close, 101 High Street, Edinburgh EH1 1SP

In 1861, the overcrowded 250 year-old houses at Paisley Close collapsed with the loss of 35 lives. As debris was being cleared away, a young boy was heard to shout “Heave awa' lads, I'm no deid yet”.

The tragedy resulted in the creation of a Medical Officer of Health - and the inscription at Paisley Close (albeit “lads” being substituted” for “chaps”).

Jim Haynes Rhino

Charles Street, Edinburgh EH8 9AD

The bronze rhino sticking out from the Faculty of Informatics building marks the spot where Jim Haynes' Paperback Bookshop was situated in the 1960s.

Haynes is credited with founding the Traverse Theatre and was a leading figure in the alternative scene. Nowadays, he is best known for hosting open-house dinners for strangers every Sunday at his Paris home. If this is your sort of thing, check out Charlie& Evelyn's Supper Club.

Charlie & Evelyn's Supper Club

EH4 (address given to confirmed diners)
rachelandchrisrowley@gmail.com
charlieandevelynstable.blogspot.co.uk

The hosts organise regular dinner parties for up to eight people in their home. They also organise occasional pop-up events.

Although there are several private dining clubs in Edinburgh, often they are short-lived, whereas Edinburgh's first supper club appears to be sticking around.

Freemasons' Hall

96 George Street, Edinburgh, Scotland, EH2 3DH
0131 225 5577
curator@grandlodgescotland.org
http://grandlodgescotland.com
Freemasonry began in Scotland and is the oldest secular fraternal society in the world.  Freemasons Hall, built in 1913, is the head office of the Grand Lodge of Scotland.  The four storey elegant building has marble floors, stained glass windows and a beautiful glass domed roof.  It also houses a museum containing the oldest Masonic Records in the world (Aitcheson's Haven from 1599), the 'Burns Inauguration' painting (Robert Burns was a Freemason) and various Masonic artifacts.

Freemasons' Hall is open to the public (no passwords or secret handshakes required) Monday to Friday 9.00 am - 4.30 pm and tours are conducted 10.00 am and 2.00 pm.  At certain times,  tours of the building may be unavailable or limited to the Museum only so be sure to check the 'Kalendar' on their website.

More info: Grand Lodge Scotland

Waverley Station

Edinburgh's principal station sees more than 18,000 passengers a year, but how many of them really notice its charms?

Booking Hall

Look up and see the roof and cupola. On the south wall there is a plaque commemorating Nigel Gresley, who designed some of the great British steam locomotives including The Mallard.

Platform 2

Every Friday between 11am – 7pm, the every week, the concourse becomes a vibrant indoor market of ethically-sourced gifts, local products and tasty treats. The markets are organised by Local Motive.

Platform 9

Set into the southern supporting wall of the roof across from Platform 9 is the 'Plum(b)ers Shop' which is presumably leftover from a time when this part of the station was accessible on foot. You can't help wondering about the tiny letter “b” which has been squeezed in – was someone teased mercilessly for their poor spelling...? Was there some debate about the spelling...?

Platform 19

Above a closed off tunnel opposite platform 19 is a sign reading “Site of the original Edinburgh-Leith-Newhaven Railway.” The tunnel ran beneath, what is now the Princes Mall shopping centre, through the site of the former Canal Street station (which closed in 1868) and into Scotland Street Tunnel (see Scotland Street Tunnel).

BITE Card

The discount card gives 10% off at food and drink outlets based in UK mainline railway stations (including Burger King, Millie's Cookies, The Pasty Shop, Upper Crust and the Nor Loch pub in Waverley). Get your free BITE card at bitecard.co.uk  

Kids Go Free Ticket

With a Scotrail 'Kids Go Free' ticket, up to two kids (aged 5-15) travel free with each adult. An added bonus is that you also get one free child's entry to selected attractions - which, in the case of the Zoo, is worth £12! Even if you weren't planning to get the train, it might make it worth your while (and it's useful to know about the four minute journey from Waverley Station to Haymarket!). [note – Abellio take over April 2015]


Waverley Railway Station, Edinburgh, EH1 1BB


0845 711 4141


networkrail.co.uk


@NetworkRailSCOT

Scotland Street Tunnel

When the 960 metre railway tunnel opened 1847, it completed the final section of the Edinburgh-Granton line passing deep beneath the cobbled streets of the New Town from Canal Street Station (later to form part of Waverley station) to Scotland Street.

Due to the steep (1:27 gradient) engines were disconnected from their carriages at Scotland Street station and the northern end of the tunnel, and hauled by steel cable to Canal Street.

As a railway tunnel, it was short-lived, closing in 1868. Other uses include storage for coal wagons, commercial mushroom growing and, during World War II, it was used as an air raid shelter and emergency control centre for the London and North Eastern Railway company.

The southern end of the tunnel was demolished in 1983 to make way for the foundations of the

Princes Mall shopping centre and, today, only a narrow (1.5m wide) ventilation pipe connects

the tunnel to the former site (which can be seen from platform 19 of Waverley Station).

Scotland Street Tunnel is secured at its north entrance by a steel screen which allows a peek inside.  The mouth of the tunnel forms a 'Teen Shelter', just one of many pieces of play equipment in King George V Park.

Library of Mistakes

4a Wemyss Place Mews, Edinburgh, EH3 6DN

keeper@libraryofmistakes.com

libraryofmistakes.com

The Library of Mistakes (registered charity SC040205) was founded to promote the study of financial history with a view to avoiding past mistakes. Approved visitors can browse through a collection of over 2,500 financial, economic and business books.

Dr Hugh Dewar Memorial Fountain

Abercorn Park, Abercorn Terrace, Edinburgh EH15 2EF

Edinburgh Council's description of Abercorn Park reads “The park contains a fountain in memory of local doctor Hugh Dewar, who cared for the sick in the area from 1866 to 1914” but that doesn't tell the whole story...

The inscription on the grey granite drinking fountain informs visitors that the foundation was erected in remembrance of Dr Hugh Dewar “by his grateful patients and numerous friends, who deplore the loss in the prime of manhood of a kind friend and skillful and beloved physician. His quiet charity was known to the needy”. And still, we are no closer to the whole story.

Jane Anderson, died at his hands on 4 February 1914, a day after Dr Dewar called to her house to deliver her first child.

In the third stage of labour, while trying to remove the placenta and umbilical cord, Dr Dewar noticed a 'tube' which he proceeded to pull. He had in fact removed the 4m mucous membrane lining of the large intestine.

Quite how a medically qualified person could make such an appalling mistake is utterly incomprehensible but, it happened, and Jane Anderson died, in agony, aged 25.

Dr Dewar was never brought to justice – on the day before his trial for culpable homicide, he took his own life, most likely with narcotics.

For more info see:  The Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine, Volume 93, December 2000

A memorial to another, far less controversial doctor, is the Dr Balfour Memorial Fountain at Newcraighall.

The Flodden Wall

Heriot Place, Edinburgh EH1 2JE

http://flodden1513.com

The Flodden Wall was a defensive barrier built around Edinburgh in 1513. Parts of it can still be seen today in Greyfriars Kirkyard and at Drummond Place/The Pleasance but the best place to view it is from Heriot Place.

At the bottom of the Vennel there is a plaque set into the pavement marking the place where the wall would have continued across the Grassmarket.

Findlay Court

1 Queen Street, Edinburgh, EH2 1JD

A small gated courtyard adjacent to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. It looks private but the public are free to enter.

It is named after John Ritchie Findlay, the philanthropic newspaper owner, who funded the building of the red standstone gallery.

Within the hexagonal courtyard, there is a large mosaic featuring an owl, a squirrel, a bird and a lizard, all intertwined with thistles. The mosaic, which like the Rose Street Roses, was created by Maggie Howarth, is surrounded by seats. A path leads out of the courtyard onto North St Andrew Lane.

The Exchange Café

The Business School, 29 Buccleuch Place, Edinburgh EH8 9LL

0131 667 1971

accom.ed.ac.uk

@uoeliving

The Café is open to the public and offers a wide selection of freshly prepared healthy food and fairtrade beverages, all at very reasonable prices.

Essential Edinburgh/Privilege Card

Essential Edinburgh aims to revitalise the City Centre. It does this through charging a levy to businesses located in the Business Improvement District (mainly the George Street, Rose Street & St Andrew Square areas). Sign up on the website to find out about events happening in the BID area.

People who live or work in a BID area can register for a Privilege Card which gives discounts and offers in businesses in the BID area.

Edinburgh Printmakers

23 Union Street, Edinburgh EH1 3LR

0131 557 2479

edinburghprintmakers.co.uk

@edinburghprints

If 23 Union Street doesn't look quite as posh as its elegant Georgian neighbours, that's because this contemporary arts centre was originally a 'steamie' (wash-house). All the Edinburgh Corporation wash houses closed in the 70s but many of the original features, including the red brick chimney can still be seen here.

The busy studio is set to move in 2017 into a new home at Castle Mills, the former Fountainbridge HQ of the North British Rubber Company.

Edinburgh Labyrinth

George Square Gardens, Edinburgh EH8 9JZ

0131 650 2595

labyrinth@ed.ac.uk

http://ed.ac.uk/schools-departments/labyrinth

Based on the 13^th century Chartres Labyrinth, the Edinburgh Labyrinth is situated at the heart of the University in the peaceful George Square Gardens. Unlike a maze, a labyrinth has only one path and walking this one slowly, will take around 30 minutes (by which time, you will hopefully be feeling very relaxed!).

Edinburgh Gin Distillery & Visitor Centre

1a Rutland Place, Edinburgh, EH1 2AD

0131 656 2810

info@edinburghgindistillery.com

@Edinburgh_Gin

Hidden down stome steps beneath the Rutland Hotel, the Edinburgh Gin Distillery is a small room next to the Head and Tales bar.

It also houses the Edinburgh Gin Club which hosts a variety of events, including cocktail masterclasses, on selected Sunday afternoons throught the year.

When you're there, look out for Cannonball Navy Strength Gin which was created in partnership with Heriot-Watt University. In other words, you you can enjoy a drink, safe in the knowlege that you are helping to advance science...