If anyone knows the city, we're planning a winter weekend away in the next few weeks and would love any recommendations for places to eat, things to see, walks to take etc.

Any contributions much appreciated!

If you happen to venture to Leith, then I would highly recommend The King's Wark for a great meal. Unlike the usual tourist traps, this pub/restaurant serves very good food, with a focus on seafood. We have eaten there twice and know of others that highly recommend it.

The Museum of Scotland is excellent. As a Rebus fan you might enjoy doing one of the Rebus walking tours. I haven't been inside the castle since I was a child, but that is a big draw. I plan to do that early one morning in winter when the tourists have gone home, although I am not sure that ever happens in Edinburgh.

Arthur's Seat is a great walk providing great views. The Old Town and New Town are great for just walking around and exploring the various nooks and crannies. If you venture over to the New Town you could visit The Oxford Bar and you might even run into Rankin or Rebus.

I love Edinburgh and although I have been there numerous times, I haven't even scratched the surface. There are many museums (writers, children's, etc) but they are still on my to do list.

Definitely visit the castle, Royal Yacht Britannia,. I visited Edinburgh few years back and I still remember the place vividly. Probably my favorite city in the world! Castle and yacht may sound touristy but I thoroughly enjoyed both of them.

Would recommend going into the Grassmarket if you fancy an evening out, spoilt for choice if you like traditional pubs etc
Allan

Hi we stayed in Jury's Inn last March, (we had stayed in their sister hotel in Glasgow a few months earlier) its in a great area for sightseeing and has parking although I am not sure if I would return to that particular hotel, we walked all around the city centre and even walked up to Carlton Hill and the Castle was a nice walk from the Hotel, Princess street is lovely with great shops etc, we are planning a return visit to Edinburgh in the Summer time. Good luck I am sure you will have a lovely time, we did.

Great suggestions everyone - thanks! I'm really excited about going as the only other time I've been was 25 years ago for a job interview. I was in and out the same day and really don't remember much about it at all.

Arthur's Seat. Abbotsford in Rose Street. Castle. Holyrood House. One of the Housing Schemes (Pilton/Granton/Wester Hailes) to see how the other half lives. (They used to live in the Grassmarket and High Street but those areas have been gentrified to make way fro rich tourists.)

Pandas!! Go see the pandas at Edinburgh zoo, just make sure you get your viewing tickets beforehand.

http://www.edinburghzoo.org.uk/visiting/panda.html

If you like a bit of retail therapy then you must visit Jenners, such a beautiful building inside, well worth a visit even if not buying.

Great ideas - thanks! Although I think I'll pass on the housing development as I can see that here when I'm not on holiday ;-)

I wonder if the castle is busy even in winter?

I do love the sound of Jenners although looking at the website, I doubt I'll be buying anything!

If you visit the castle, eat at the Witchery (ask for the garden seating- downstairs and quite spectacular), which is just down from the castle on the main drag.

Go for afternoon tea at the Balmoral - yum

I used to love wandering around the steep cobbled streets, poking into all the second-hand bookshops. I wonder if the Malt Shovel pub is still there? If so, definitely worth a visit.

Arthur's Seat is worth the climb too.

Enjoy....

Yes, definitely another vote for Arthur's Seat.

I haven't been to Edinburgh much but if you are going by car, be sure to take your sat nav. The roads have been in a state for years due to the never-ending tram line construction so there are diversions everywhere. It's easy to be a few metres from where you want to go and then next thing you have been diverted 5 turns and half a mile away and no idea how to get back there!

You hasve to wander down the royal mile and see the shops there, usually small shops, OK many are tourist ones, but there are some wonderful Whisky shops as well..

The crazies have destroyed the place with their Great Tram Fiasco.