An Unforgettable Weekend in Edinburgh: Festivals, History, and Highland Adventures

If you’re planning a weekend in Edinburgh during August, you’re in for a treat. The city bursts with energy thanks to the iconic Edinburgh Tattoo and the vibrant Fringe Festival, making it the perfect time to explore this historic and cultural gem. Here’s how I spent an unforgettable weekend, with tips on what to see and do — from city tours to the Highlands.

Discovering the Heart of Edinburgh

I started my trip with the hop-on hop-off Edinburgh bus tour, which is a brilliant way to cover lots of ground. This option is especially great if you want to explore the city at your own pace. The buses stop at all the main attractions, including Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, and the Royal Mile. The commentary was insightful, helping me understand Edinburgh’s rich history and culture as I travelled.

A stroll down Princes Street offers stunning views of the castle alongside shops and cafés. Exploring the Old Town’s cobbled streets reveals free museums, quirky cafés, and landmarks like the famous dog statue and the Scottish Parliament building, which you can tour for free. These spots give you a feel for Edinburgh’s charm and history away from the crowds.

Unearthing the Edinburgh Vaults

One of the more fascinating things to do in Edinburgh is visit the Edinburgh Vaults beneath South Bridge. This maze of chambers was once used by merchants and craftsmen, and it even housed the city’s poorest residents. Today, guided tours reveal stories of Edinburgh’s darker past, filled with tales of crime, hauntings, and mystery. It’s spooky but captivating, offering a unique perspective on the city’s history.

The Edinburgh Tattoo: A Spectacle of Tradition

The Edinburgh Tattoo is a once-in-a-lifetime experience held every August on the historic Edinburgh Castle esplanade. The precision drills, pipe bands, and fireworks create an electric atmosphere that perfectly blends tradition and showmanship. If you’re visiting during Tattoo season, it’s truly the heartbeat of the city.

Day 2: Highland Day Tour with Stewart Coaches

A highlight of my weekend was a 12-hour Highland tour with Stewart Coaches. This tour showed just how easy it is to experience Scotland’s wild beauty on a day trip from Edinburgh. In one journey, you swap the city’s historic streets for sweeping glens, misty lochs, and mountains that seem to touch the clouds.

Our route took us through the hauntingly beautiful Glen Coe, its dramatic scenery shaped by volcanic eruptions and glacial movement, forever tied to the sombre history of the 1692 massacre.

We continued to Fort William, a bustling Highland town at the foot of Ben Nevis, the tallest mountain in the United Kingdom. Our next stop was the Glenfinnan Viaduct, made famous by the Harry Potter films as the track for the Hogwarts Express. On the return, we paused in the charming Victorian town of Pitlochry, the perfect place to stretch your legs, grab a coffee, and soak up small-town Scottish life.

Our guide, Keith, was a big part of what made the day so special. He brought Scotland’s history to life with humour, warmth, and personal stories. He blended tales of clan battles and royal drama with his own local recommendations.

One of Keith’s top suggestions was to try whisky tasting while in Scotland. Although I did not do this myself, Edinburgh is full of whisky tasting experiences. You can start by learning about Scotland’s different whisky regions, sample the unique styles from each, and then choose your favourite distillery. With over 4,000 whiskies across the country, there is truly something for every taste, even if you are not a whisky fan yet.

If you only have a weekend in Edinburgh, this kind of Highlands tour is the perfect way to balance city sightseeing with Scotland’s rugged, untamed landscapes. By the time we returned to Edinburgh in the evening, I felt like I had experienced two holidays in one.

Other Highlights & Recommendations

• Edinburgh Fringe Festival: If you visit in August, this is a must-see for comedy, theatre, and street performances around the city.

• Holyrood Palace: Tickets are around £21 and offer a fascinating look into Scotland’s royal history.

• Food and Drink: Try local cuisine at places like The Mash Shop for hearty Scottish dishes.

• Free Museums: The National Museum of Scotland is free and packed with exhibits ranging from natural history to Scottish culture.

  
  

How to Arrive and Get Around

• Getting to Edinburgh: The city is well connected via Edinburgh Airport, just 8 miles from the city centre. You can get into the city via tram, bus, taxi, or rideshare.

• Getting Around: The hop-on hop-off Edinburgh bus tours make navigating easy and flexible, starting around £18 per person (adult ticket) for a 24-hour ticket.

• Hotel Costs and Locations: I stayed at the Premier Inn Hub in Haymarket, which was a convenient base for both exploring the city and catching tours. At the time of my visit, mid-range hotels in central Edinburgh averaged around £100 to £150 per night. The Old Town and New Town areas are excellent choices if you want to be close to major attractions, restaurants, and public transport links.

  
  

Edinburgh truly offers a diverse weekend itinerary packed with culture, history, natural beauty, and unforgettable events like the Tattoo. Whether you’re after Edinburgh things to do in the city or scenic Highland adventures, it’s a destination that never disappoints.