Introduction
Hello, dear readers! We are delighted to share with you our complete travel guide for a RoadTrip to Edinburgh, and if possible by motorhome, a means we particularly like . This historic city, rich in culture and natural beauty, has captured our hearts, and we’re sure it will do the same for you. From its imposing castle to its cobbled streets and delicious cuisine, we’ll guide you through everything this town has to offer. So get ready to embark on this adventure with us!
What is Edinburgh, Scotland?
History of Edinburgh
Edinburgh, Scotland’s vibrant capital, was founded centuries ago. Its roots go back to the 7th century, when the foundations were laid for what was to become an imposing fortress in the 16th century. In the 11th century, the kings of Scotland took up residence here. In 1329, Edinburgh obtained its freedom and protected itself with walls in the 15th century. When the English defeated the Scots at Flodden in 1513, the citizens of Edinburgh decided to reinforce their defenses by building a second enclosure, known as the Flodden Wall. Despite the unification of the Parliaments of Scotland and England in 1707, Edinburgh has maintained its role as an important economic and cultural center.
Geographical location
Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is located in the south-east of the country, on the east coast of Great Britain. It’s nestled between the Pentland Hills and the North Sea, offering an impressive variety of landscapes. The city is known for its rich historical heritage, vibrant culture and stunning architecture, including the famous Edinburgh Castle.
How to get to Edinburgh
Climate: When to visit Edinburgh in a motorhome?
To make the most of your RoadTrip to Edinburgh, we recommend visiting the city between late spring and early autumn, from May to September. If you can choose the date of your stay, August is particularly recommended. Indeed, you’ll have the opportunity to attend the Edinburgh International Festival and the Fringe, adding a cultural dimension to your city break.
However, if you prefer the calm and invigorating atmosphere of winter, you can also visit the city between November and April. Enjoy the tranquility of the narrow streets of the medieval old town, and admire the superb neoclassical facades of the Georgian new town. December is a particularly popular month for Christmas market-goers.
Here’s a summary of the climate in Edinburgh throughout the year:
| Month | Average temp (°C) | Rainfall (mm) | Weather | Opinions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°/6° | 81mm | ❄️ | Very unfavorable |
| February | 3°/7° | 85mm | ❄️ | Very unfavorable |
| March | 4°/9° | 77mm | 🌦️ | Very unfavorable |
| April | 5°/11° | 62mm | 🌦️ | Very unfavorable |
| May | 9°/14° | 88mm | 🌤️ | Unfavorable |
| June | 12°/17° | 115mm | 🌤️ | Unfavorable |
| July | 13°/18° | 138mm | 🌤️ | Unfavorable |
| August | 12°/18° | 138mm | 🌤️ | Unfavorable |
| September | 10°/16° | 77mm | 🌤️ | Unfavorable |
| October | 9°/13° | 104mm | 🌦️ | Unfavorable |
| November | 6°/9° | 88mm | 🌧️ | Unfavorable |
| December | 4°/7° | 89mm | ❄️ | Very unfavorable |
All in all, the best time to visit Edinburgh depends on your personal preferences. If you love heat and festivals, summer will be ideal. If you prefer a calmer, wintry atmosphere, late autumn and winter might be more to your liking.
Sleeping spots and RV parks in Edinburgh
Edinburgh offers several options for motorhome parking.
- 📍🥇 4 Piersfield Terrace: A large Morrisons parking lot offering affordable overnight parking and access to a water tap at the nearby petrol station.
- 📍🥈 Duddingston Road West: Free parking next to a park, ideal for a relaxing break.
- 📍🥉 Duncan Place: Free parking in a quiet street, close to the sea.
- 📍 Marine Esplanade: Free parking with a beautiful sea view, perfect for a peaceful night.
- 📍 Cramond Foreshore: Free parking near the beach, ideal for a day at the seaside.
The parking lot isn’t the closest to the center and we had to take our bikes each time. It was a 20-minute drive with partially bikeable roads. But that’s the price you usually have to pay in big cities.
Another important point if you wish to stay several nights. oil changes are in short supply, so we had to drive a few kilometers out of town to a campsite for one night, in order to change the water.
Where and what to eat in Edinburgh?
Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh, offers a wide variety of dishes to suit all tastes. Scottish cuisine is generally very hearty, and it’s unlikely that you’ll be hungry after the endless breakfasts offered in most hotels. What’s more, the city offers a wide range of dining options, from kebabs and takeaway sandwiches for lunch, to more sophisticated restaurants for dinner.
Edinburgh’s restaurants
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- 🍽️ Martin Wishart: A Michelin-starred restaurant in the Leith district. Dishes are delicate and refined, with seasonal ingredients.
- 🍽️ Timberyard: Located in the heart of the old town, this restaurant offers original dishes using local seasonal produce.
- 🍽️ Aizle: Every month, this restaurant proposes a new menu in the form of a list of ingredients that will be used to create the various dishes.
- 🍽️ Cafe St Honoré: Located in a small alleyway parallel to Georges Street, this restaurant is a little Parisian capsule in the heart of Edinburgh.
- 🍽️ The Little Chartroom: Located on Leith Walk, this restaurant is a little treasure. Elegant, simple and offering delicious, refined cuisine.
Edinburgh specialities
Edinburgh is famous for its traditional Scottish dishes. Among the most famous is the “Haggis“, a highly seasoned dish whose main ingredients are the liver, heart and lungs of sheep or lamb, all enclosed in the stomach pouch and cooked for several hours. Although this dish has a very strong flavor, it is very popular in Edinburgh and is generally eaten at any time of day. Other specialties include “Cullen Skink”, a smoked fish, potato and onion soup, and “Scotch broth“, a lamb and vegetable soup. For dessert, don’t miss the “Cranachan”, a whipped cream with oatmeal and raspberry coulis.
No, Edinburgh is not the best place to eat in Scotland, as you’ll see in the video below.
Travel budget for a RoadTrip to Edinburgh
The currency used in Scotland is the pound sterling (GBP). The cost of living in Scotland is 7.5% lower than in France, and local purchasing power is 5.7% higher. When traveling, plan on a local budget of at least €108 per person per day.
– Meal in a mid-range restaurant: €29(+16% on 🇫🇷)
– Fast-food menu: €7(-23% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Local beer (50 cl draught): €4.5(-25% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Single public transport ticket: €2.9(+76% on 🇫🇷)
– Monthly public transport pass: €76(+51% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Unleaded petrol (1 liter): €1.65(+6% on 🇫🇷)
– Budget hotel (double room): €68(+18% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Mid-range hotel (double room): €104(+25% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Top-of-the-range hotel (double room): €173(-38% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Pair of jeans (Levis 501 or equivalent): €68(-16% compared with 🇫🇷)
– Summer dress in a major retailer (Zara, H&M…): €34(-3% compared to 🇫🇷)
– Pair of sports shoes: €73(-13% compared with 🇫🇷)
If you’re interested in buying alcohol, be aware that sales are prohibited at certain times of the day, early in the morning and late at night.
Video of our citytrip
What to do in Edinburgh
Here is a list of things to do in Edinburgh by theme
- Visit Edinburgh Castle, the country’s most visited monument, located at the top of Castle Rock hill.
- Discover the Palace of Holyrood, the official royal residence of the Queen of England when she is in Scotland.
- Explore St. Giles Cathedral, the most important and oldest religious building in Scotland’s capital.
- A visit to the National Museum of Scotland, a modern, fun place that has the advantage of being free to visit.
- Discover the Royal Yacht Britannia, one of the world’s most famous boats, now an exceptional museum ship.
- Shopping on Prince Street, the Scottish capital’s main shopping avenue.
- Visit the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, home to major collections of contemporary art.
- Stroll along the Royal Mile, Old Town’s main thoroughfare, from the castle down to Holyrood Palace.
- Relax in the Royal Botanical Gardens, a major biodiversity research center.
- Hike to Arthur’s Seat, an extinct volcano in Edinburgh city center, within the Royal Park of Holyrood Park.
- Participation in numerous Edinburgh festivals. No fewer than 12 major international festivals take place here every year, many of them in August.
- the Edinburgh International Festival, held every year from August 4 to 27. It’s a performing arts festival featuring a variety of performances, including music, theater, opera and dance, by companies and artists from around the world. The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is also a major event, running from August 4 to 26. This is a spectacular military performance that takes place every year on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle.
Conclusion: Why visit or return to Edinburgh?
This brings us to the end of our guide to Edinburgh. We hope you’ve enjoyed this trip as much as we have, and that you’re now ready to discover this city for yourself. Edinburgh has so much to offer, in terms of culture, history and landscape. But don’t forget, the journey doesn’t end here. There are always new destinations to discover, new experiences to enjoy. So, where will our next motorhome trip take us? Stay tuned to find out. Bon voyage to you, dear readers!