11 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Edinburgh

The building of the Writers Museum in Lady Stair's Close dates back to 1892 and was crafted to look like a medieval structure. It has an iconic facade that's both creepy and alluring. Within this museum, you'll find relics and artefacts from three famous Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson. 

Among the items included are Scott's printing press, Stevenson's riding boots and a cast of Burns' skull. One of the more interesting pieces is a Samoan ring that was gifted to Stevenson with the name 'Tusitala' engraved on it, which translates to 'teller of tales'.

Seeing the Burke & Hare Murder dolls simply counts as among the fun and different things to do in Edinburgh. In the early 19th century, there was a series of murders in Edinburgh committed by William Burke and William Hare known as the anatomy murders, because they killed people then sold their bodies to a local anatomy school. 

Several years after the murderers were apprehended, a set of dolls was found in Holyrood Park. While no evidence demonstrates exactly why these dolls were created, considering their likenesses to each of the murder victims, it is thought that they're funeral effigies meant to assuage Burke's guilt. Regardless of the truth, they present an unsettling sight that can be viewed at the National Museum of Scotland.

Enter the Witches' Well, a fragment of Edinburgh's dark yet intriguing past. At Edinburgh Castle, you'll find a wide array of history and lore, but nothing is quite as impactful as this site. It's a remnant from one of the darkest chapters in Scottish history, marking the site where hundreds of accused witches were burned at the stake.

The cast-iron fountain and plaque that currently stands at the site honour those who paid the ultimate price during the 15th- to 18th-century witch hunts. The plaque itself is an unsettling work of art featuring a snake entangling the heads of Aesculapius and Hygeia along with a foxglove plant. The plant is especially impactful imagery because it can be used for medicine or poison depending on the dosage.

Gilmerton Cove is home to a labyrinth of underground passages with a purpose that has been a mystery to archaeologists for more than 2 centuries. What could it have been used for? You can learn about some of the most popular theories with a tour of these underground passages and their 7 rooms. 

Hand-carved from sandstone, the cove's passages are notably impressive, yet they still give off a strange atmosphere that's only intensified when you learn about some theories for their use. Some say it was once a smugglers' lair, while others postulate that it was a hideout for the aristocratic order known as The Hellfire Club.

Remembering Dolly the Sheep, a scientific achievement was reached back in 1996, with the first successful clone of a mammal being born. While Dolly has since passed on, you can see her remains at the National Museum of Scotland. Dolly may look a bit out of place in the science and technology gallery of the museum, but knowing the scientific significance of her mere existence can contextualize its otherwise odd appearance. 

In reference to other sheep, however, Dolly looks exceedingly ordinary, further demonstrating the success of this artificial cloning.

The Heart of Midlothian represents Edinburgh's dark past with a simple yet impressive heart crafted within the street's brickwork. When you visit Edinburgh's High Street, you'll probably be enamoured with this extensive selection of restaurants and shops in the area. Unfortunately, the region wasn't always so bubbly and bustling. 

This heart on the street represented the point of no return for poor souls headed to Old Tolbooth, the most heinous prison in all of the United Kingdom. While the prison itself was torn down long ago, the Heart of Midlothian remains as a reminder of the atrocities committed there.

Within Princes Street Gardens, you can visit the famous Wojtek the Soldier Bear Memorial. This statue depicts a soldier standing alongside a brown bear, with an accompanying plaque offering context to this oddity. The bear featured is Wojtek, and he was a valiant soldier in the Second World War. 

A group of Polish soldiers adopted a bear cub in Iran, and over the years, it grew to be a valuable member of their team. The bear grew up with them and learned to carry equipment, drink beer and even salute. Because pets weren't allowed into theatres of war, Wojtek was enlisted as a private and served as a supply runner until he retired and moved to the Edinburgh Zoo.

If you're looking for quality craft chocolate, there's no better spot in the city than the Chocolatarium. When you visit this institution, you'll find some chocolates you're probably familiar with along with more obscure makes, with a total of 30 unique chocolate treats from more than 15 chocolate makers including Scottish and international crafters. 

Some of the more unique flavours include camel milk, whisky and even Scottish haggis chocolate. In addition to the tasting, you can also learn more about the chocolate harvesting process and discover different techniques that showcase how chocolate is made.

At Edinburgh Castle Dog Cemetery, you'll find a memorial and resting place dedicated to the loyal canine companions of soldiers. The cemetery itself dates back to 1837 and contains roughly 20 headstones. While you can't actually enter the cemetery area, you can see it clearly from above. It's located just off the main path near the top of the castle and is surrounded by a tranquil, well-kept garden space. 

Nothing shows the Scottish love for our furry friends among the aristocracy and working-class alike quite like a dedicated dog cemetery.

The Edinburgh Vaults offer a tour through 18th-century tunnels that are rumoured to be among the most haunted places in the city. As legend has it, the South Bridge over the Vaults was intended for the oldest resident of the city, who died just before opening, and her coffin was the first crossing. The legend says that, as a result, the bridge and vaults beneath are cursed to be haunted by restless spirits.

The Vaults today are home to historic structures, tunnels and a nightclub and bar, as well as being the target of dozens of ghost tour companies. For the most part, these tours, though spooky, are quite family friendly and are a fun and frightening way to spend a holiday in Edinburgh. Here, you can explore some of the city’s mysterious past and learn about the legendary ghosts that are said to inhabit its shadowy corridors.