Interests
Sport
Edinburgh has a superb selection of sporting venues the nearest being the Olympic size Royal Commonwealth Pool
There are several top class golf courses within easy reach of Gladstone House, the nearest being Prestonfield Golf Course a mere 5 minute walk from our front door.
The city plays host to many sporting events such as marathons, triathlons, fun runs and fund raisers such as the Moon Walk.
Shopping
Princes Street, George Street and the New Town abound with stores such as Harvey Nichols, Blue, Jenners and John Lewis to cater for all tastes and pockets.
There is so much more to shopping in Edinburgh though, and we highly recommend you take a walk up the Royal Mile and the Grassmarket where there are many quaint antique and specialist shops waiting to be explored.
At Christmas time Princes Street Gardens also plays host to a wide range of speciality outlets from across Europe as well as an ice rink, fun fair and open air eateries.
Galleries and Museums
As the national capital, Edinburgh has a wide range of Museums and Art Galleries nearly all free of charge.
The Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery house much of the national collection of post 19th century art, while the galleries on the Mound house earlier works and temporary exhibitions.
There is a large choice of museums ranging from the Scottish National Museum, which is worth seeing just for the building alone, to museums dealing with particular aspects such as the Museum of Childhood or the People’s Story.
Entertainment
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo draws viewers from all over the world and features Scottish Regiments with their haunting Pipe Bands and a vast array of other military regiments, groups and troupes from around the world who come together to take part in this magnificent display set on the imposing Castle Esplanade.
Edinburgh is famous for its International Arts Festival, Film Festival, Fringe Festival, Book Festival, Television Festival and Jazz Festival each year during the months of July, August and September when the entire city fills to bursting point with the arts from around the world.
But Edinburgh is also well served for entertainment during the rest of the year. There are smaller concert halls such as the Queens Hall hosting solo artists, groups, The Scottish Chamber Orchestra and The Scottish Ensemble through to the large Usher Hall which is the Edinburgh home of the Scottish National Orchestra.
The Traverse Theatre is world famous for its ground breaking theatrical productions and is situated beside the Lyceum Theatre with its resident company and the Kings Theatre which hosts touring plays and productions.
At the other end of the scale there is the exquisite art deco Festival Theatre which is host to The Scottish Opera Company and Scottish Ballet as well as international touring opera and dance companies.
Finally there is the Playhouse Theatre which hosts large touring West End and Broadway Musical productions and popular music acts.
Restaurants and Pubs
Edinburgh is a truly cosmopolitan city and can offer a huge variety of foods from all over the world as well as our own local cuisine.
It also boasts literally hundreds of pubs throughout the city, but most pubs of interest are situated in the Grass Market and the Royal Mile in the Old Town part of the city and Rose Street in the New Town.
Two exceptions to this which are of particular interest are the Café Royal hidden off the beaten track beside Register House and Bennets Bar beside The Kings Theatre with their fine wood carving, tiles and mirrors and good selection of real beers.
Many of the pubs and cafes at the top of Leith Walk (near the Playhouse) and Broughton Street are favourites with the gay community.
Those in search of traditional Scottish and Irish folk music should seek out the Royal Oak and Sandy Bell’s.