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Mother and sons looking at interactive screen

Morning


Museum of Childhood (free entry) - open 10am to 5pm every day


Where else would a family tour begin? Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood is a colourful and fun museum packed full of toys, games and stories which explore the history of British childhood throughout the generations. Bring along all the family and they will be sure to enjoy the exhibitions which preserve and display a childhood from ‘back in the day’. There’s plenty to keep everyone amused with dolls, fancy dress items, books, magazines, games and hobbies – all of which might stir a memory or two from the adults in the room…




The Writers’ Museum (free entry) - open 10am to 5pm every day


Time to wander through Edinburgh’s historic streets now as you head up the Royal Mile to a narrow and secretive path – Lady Stair’s Close. Nestled in amongst the 16th and 17th century buildings is The Writers’ Museum, which celebrates the lives of three giants of Scottish Literature – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. Don’t worry if you haven’t read the work of these famous writers, it’s their fascinating life stories and their immortal connection to Edinburgh which will delight and entertain. Home to rare books, portraits, manuscripts and personal items including Burns’ writing desk, the rocking horse Walter Scott used as a child and Robert Louis Stevenson’s riding boots, this museum is a hidden gem, guaranteed to ignite the imagination.


(Note, this afternoon you’ll be heading to the monument built to commemorate Sir Walter Scott, so keep a special eye out for stories and items relating to him).




Explore Makars’ Court (free) - open access


Right outside The Writers’ Museum in Lady Stair’s Close you’ll find Makars’ Court, a constantly evolving project to celebrate the lives and works of Scottish writers. Each of the writers is commemorated by a quotation inscribed in stone and set in the paving leading from both The Mound and the Lawnmarket to the door of The Writers’ Museum. Imagine it a bit like Edinburgh’s own Hollywood Boulevard (only without the guaranteed sunshine)! Have a look and see how many of Scotland’s great poets, essayists and novelists you can find.




Afternoon

 

City Art Centre - open 10am to 5pm every day

(Mimi's Bakehouse is open 9am - 5pm every day)


With its ever-changing exhibition, this gallery provides a brilliant introduction into the world of art for curious minds and this summer we have Sandra George: Start from the Level with a vast array of photography, Jean F. Watson: An Artistic Legacy featuring a selection of historic and contemporary art and Study for North Bridge, a new moving image commission from artists Rachel McBrinn and Jonathan Webb. There’s also our wonderful family Art Cart and on the ground floor there’s a lovely gift shop. What’s more, if you need to feed some hungry mouths, there’s the city’s favourite family-run café, Mimi’s Bakehouse, waiting to delight you with its popular menu of cakes and light-bites.



The Scott Monument - Open 7 days a week from 10am to 5pm


£9 | £7 concession / child

£26 family ticket


Remember Sir Walter Scott, author of Ivanhoe, Waverley and Rob Roy, who you learnt about in The Writers’ Museum? Well this is the magnificent monument built in his honour after his death in 1832, which has towered over the city of Edinburgh for almost 200 years. As well as being one of the most famous gothic features on the Edinburgh skyline, it also provides tours foradventurous visitors with a chance to climb the ancient and winding steps for incredible panoramic views over the city to Edinburgh Castle.


One of the largest monuments to a writer anywhere in the world – the story of its construction is told within the monument’s Museum Room on the first floor. Keep your eye out for the 30-tonne marble statue of Sir Walter Scott himself, sitting proudly at the base of the monument.



And there you have it – a fun tour around Edinburgh which guarantees to keep everyone in the family entertained, no matter what age. We hope you’ve enjoyed your time with us.