101 places to go: Edinburgh

Now more widely observed than the official St Andrew’s Day, Burns Night is one of the highlights of Scotland’s cultural calendar. Taking place on 25 January, the celebration of the Scottish Bard coincides with Edinburgh being the third entry in our 101 places to go in the UK, Ireland and France.

Burns Night originated from the writer’s friends holding a memorial supper on his birth date, several years after his death. Tradition dictates that the supper begins with the receiving of the haggis, which sounds like a good way to start any meal!

Below are just a few ideas for things to see and do in the capital.

• With such a rich and varied history, there’s a lot to take in for even the most seasoned history buffs in Edinburgh. Real Edinburgh Tours will help you fix that. With tours of the city’s literary and spooky histories – not to mention the always-popular free tours – we think there’s truly something for everyone.

• Of course Edinburgh Castle is one of the most prominent reminders of the city’s rich history. Standing proud atop Castle Rock, the castle dominates the city’s skyline – not to mention its heritage.

• More recent regal history is on display at the Royal Yacht Britannia. Retired in 1997 and now berthed in Leith, ‘yacht’ seems quite a modest term for what is basically a floating palace! You can explore the vessel at your own pace but with so much to take in, we’d recommend saving a few hours of your schedule for this one.

Have you been to Edinburgh? We’d love to hear your tips and suggestions on things to see and do.

Looking for somewhere to stay? Search our fantastic featured holiday cottages in Edinburgh on cottages4you.