A woman strolls through an art gallery in Edinburgh with large paintings on display on the walls and two sculptures on display on plinths.

One day tour of arts and culture

Read on for our one day guide on how best to uncover the many wonders housed across our wonderfully different museums and galleries

City Art Centre: Monday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

Entry is free, charges apply for some temporary exhibitions

The City Art Centre is located in the heart of Edinburgh close to Waverley train station. The gallery presents a diverse series of events and exhibitions throughout the year and on display today are:

John Bellany: A Life in Self-Portraiture

Out of Chaos: Post-War Scottish Art 1945-2000

Be sure to pay a visit to the gift shop on the ground floor before you leave and pick up that perfect gift or unique memento of your visit!

Gallery Image

Scott Monument: Monday - Sunday 10am - 4pm

Adult £9 | Child/concession £7 | Family ticket £26 | Card only

Likened to a ‘gothic rocket ship’ by Bill Bryson, the Scott Monument is one of the world’s largest monument to a writer. The monument has dominated the New Town landscape since it’s completion in 1846. Constructed as a tribute to author Sir Walter Scott, the stunning sandstone monument is definitely one of Edinburgh’s most unique historical sites. Take a guided tour and be rewarded with some of the most breath-taking Edinburgh vistas across the city and not to mention the very finest Instagram content!

View from the bottom of the Scott Monument in Edinburgh. A marble statue of Sir Walter Scott is surrounded by tall stone pillars and a blue sky.

Makars' Court

Entry is free and is open access

Continue your exploration of Edinburgh’s rich literary history with a visit to one of its enchanting closes which run off the historic Royal Mile – Makars’ Court. Designed as an evolving national literary monument to celebrate the lives and works of Scottish writers, a walk through Makars’ Court offers the opportunity to see some of the famous words of great Scottish writers inscribed in the flagstones under your feet.

Inscribed flagstone on the ground at Makar's Court in Edinburgh featuring words by the writers James Boswell "I rattled down the High Street in high elevation of spirits"

The Writers' Museum: Monday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

Entry is free

You don’t have far to go to reach your next stop. The Writers’ Museum is located on Makars’ Close and celebrates the lives of three giants of Scottish Literature – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

The interior of the historic The Writers' Museum just off the Royal Mile in Edinburgh. The museum features a high ceiling, dark wooden balcony and objects on display

Museum of Edinburgh: Monday - Sunday 10am - 5pm

Entry is free

Once you’ve had your literary fill, enjoy a stroll down Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile and make your way to the Tardis-like Museum of Edinburgh on the Canongate.

The 16th century building, which is an attraction in itself is home to a huge collection of iconic items, beautiful objects that chart Centuries of Edinburgh’s history, from the romantic and fanciful to the utterly gruesome!

The Museum of Edinburgh, a bright yellow building dating back to the 16th century, on the historic Royal Mile.

Burns Monument

The monument can be viewed at any time, but it is not possible to enter directly.

What better way to end your journey of discovery through Edinburgh’s richly diverse history and heritage than with a magnificent view across our great city’s iconic landscape? Make your way up Jacob Ladder Steps (caution, there’s quite a few of them!) and as you reach the top on Regent Road you will be rewarded not only by a breath-taking city vista but also with beautiful Burns Monument. The 70 foot high Grecian-style temple was designed by Sir Thomas Hamilton and funded by public subscriptions in tribute to The Scottish Bard, Robert Burns. The Monument is surrounded by landscaped gardens with laurels, hollies and Ayrshire roses.

The Burns Monument on Calton Hill in Edinburgh - a large stone monument dedicated to Scotland's national poet Robert Burns, the inscription reads "1759 Robert Burns 1796"