7 Fun Things to do in Edinburgh on a Rainy Day
Edinburgh is a beautiful city, but grey and drizzly days aren’t a rare occurrence. However, bad weather needn’t dampen your spirits. In fact, it’s the perfect chance to make the most of the capital’s many free museums, spend a day exploring Edinburgh’s National Art Galleries or enjoy a leisurely stroll through tropical glasshouses. So whether you’re on your own or with your family, here are 7 fun things to do in Edinburgh on a rainy day!
1. The Writers’ Museum
- Where: Lady Stair’s Close
- Price: Free
- Fancy staying just off Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile: Old Tolbooth Wynd
Tucked away in Lady Stair’s Close, just off Edinburgh’s historic Royal Mile, lies The Writers’ Museum. The Museum celebrates the lives of three giants of Scottish Literature – Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Robert Louis Stevenson. As well as perusing rare books and personal objects – including Burns’ writing desk, the printing press on which Scott’s Waverley Novels were first produced and much more – it’s an utter pleasure to wander around this 1622 building.
Website: www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/writers-museum
2. Take a Tour of the Scottish National Art Galleries
- Where: Scottish National Gallery, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, Scottish National Portrait
- Price: Free
- Here’s a stylish home in a fantastic location: Frederick Street
Edinburgh has a range of wonderful art galleries of all sizes and specialities. If you’re looking for something to do when the weather is crummy, head along to the Scottish National Gallery for a browse then hop on their Gallery Bus which takes visitors to the Scottish National Portrait Gallery and Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (One and Two) for a voluntary donation of £1. All the art galleries have quality cafes so stop off along the way and enjoy a delicious lunch.
Website: www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/gallery-bus
Photo Credit: John R.
3. National Museum of Scotland
- Where: Chambers Street
- Price: Free
- Fancy staying in Edinburgh’s historic Old Town? King’s Stables Road
If there’s one place we could quite happily spend the entire day, it’s the National Museum of Scotland. Explore the diversity of the natural world, world cultures, art and design, science and technology and Scottish history, all in one amazing building. If you have little ones, the museum has a brilliant section to keep them entertained too. If the weather clears up, don’t miss out on visiting their roof terrace with fantastic views of the city!
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
4. Botanic Gardens’ Glasshouses
- Where: Arboretum Place
- Price: Free or £6.50
- Fancy staying near the Botanic Gardens, we think you’ll love Eildon Street.
If you’d like to escape the rain and wander through a tropical humid rainforest, head along to the Botanic Gardens to explore their glasshouses. Access to the gorgeous Temperate Palms glasshouse (built in 1858), the lower section of the Temperate Lands glasshouse and the Aquarium is free. However, if you’d like to explore all their glasshouses there is an entrance fee for adults of £6.50 but children go free!
Website: http://www.rbge.org.uk/the-glasshouses
5. Scottish Parliament
- Where: 375 High Street
- Price: Free
- Holyrood Road is a gorgeous and centrally located home, perfect for your visit to Edinburgh!
Did you know you can visit the Scottish Parliament? It’s open to the public from Monday to Saturday and free to enter. You can sit in on a debate in the Debating Chamber from the Public Gallery (free ticket required when Parliament is sitting; ticket not required when Parliament is not sitting), enjoy the artworks on display in the public areas of the building and stop for a snack in the Parliament café.
Website: www.parliament.scot/visit-and-learn
Photo Credit: Scottish Parliament
6. Dominion Cinema
- Where: Newbattle Terrace, Morningside
- Price: From £9.50
- Looking for a lovely holiday home near Morningside? We think you’ll love Leamington Terrace
If you’re looking to escape the weather and immerse yourself in the latest Hollywood blockbuster or independent flick, where better to go than the Art Deco Dominion Cinema in Morningside. Owned and operated by the same family for close to 80 years, the cinema offers a unique luxury experience for film lovers. With comfortable sofas, footstools and complimentary snacks, you’ll never be able to go back to the multiplex after a cosy experience here.
Website: www.dominioncinema.co.uk
Photo Credit: Dominion Cinema (Website)
7. Museum of Edinburgh
- Where: 240 Canongate
- Price: Free
- Another Edinburgh Old Town: Old Tolbooth Wynd
Lastly, it’s hard to miss this brightly painted late 16th-century building on Canongate, which houses the Museum of Edinburgh. The museum is home to a collection relating to Edinburgh’s origins, history, and legends. Despite its relatively small appearance, the building is a maze of rooms
Website: www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/museum-edinburgh
As the capital city of Scotland, it is no surprise Edinburgh has a lot of rainy day activities and these are just a few!
Featured Home: Stafford Street
This is a luxury one bed home which has been finished to a high specification, located on wonderful street in Edinburgh’s West End. There are many fabulous independent boutique shops in this attractive neighbourhood together with restaurants, cafes and bars and Princes Street is less than five minutes walk away too.
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