Two days of local crafts - Edinburgh and the Lothians
- 48 hours in Edinburgh
- 72 Hours in Edinburgh
- A day exploring Edinburgh’s free attractions
- A day exploring historic houses in Edinburgh and the Lothians
- A day exploring museums and galleries in Edinburgh
- A day exploring the castles of Edinburgh and the Lothians
- A day in the Lothians
- A day shopping in Edinburgh and the Lothians
- A great family day out in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh’s Royal attractions in one day
- Mary Queen of Scots Trail - Edinburgh and the Lothians
- Two days of local crafts - Edinburgh and the Lothians
Spend two days finding out about the local crafts and industries in Edinburgh and the Lothians from whisky to tartan.
Trail Map
Skip over Google mapDay 1 - A Tour of Edinburgh
Begin the day in the Old Town with a tour of the whisky making process at the Scotch Whisky Experience situated at the top of the Royal Mile, close to Edinburgh Castle. The tour explains how whisky is made followed by a journey through the history of whisky in a barrel car. You will also see for yourself a real working distillery.
Visit Time - 1 Hour
Literally across the road, the Tartan Weaving Mill & Exhibition is certainly worth a visit. Visitors can try hand-weaving tartan at this working mill.
Visit Time - 1 Hour
Enjoy lunch in town in some of the varied pubs and restaurants of the West End.
Spend the afternoon browsing some of the speciality shops for antiques, books, arts, crafts and other souvenirs of your visit in areas such as Victoria Street, Causewayside and Stockbridge. For textiles and woollens peruse the Clan Tartan Centre at Leith Mills.
Visit Time - 45 Mins - Refreshments Available - Free Entry - Coach Parking
A short five minute journey west of the city centre is the Caledonian Brewery - enjoy a 45 minute tour of the brewing process which includes a complimentary tasting in the brewery's atmospheric sample cellar.
Visit Time - 1 Hour - Refreshments Available
Day 2 - Exploring the Lothians
Follow the A8 in the direction of Glasgow, at the Newbridge roundabout follow the M8 towards Livingston. This will take you to the Almond Valley Heritage Trust, where you can see a working watermill, farm animals and enjoy the nature trail.
Visit Time - 1.5 Hours
Head round the south of Edinburgh to Newtongrange and the Scottish Mining Museum. This is the best surviving example in Europe of a late 19th century colliery. Look out for its 'Black Diamonds' exhibition.
Visit Time - 1 Hour
Enjoy lunch in one of the Midlothian country inns - the Laird & Dog in Lasswade or the Royal Hotel in Penicuik.
Eastward bound, on the A6093, travel to the picturesque village of Pencaitland and the Glenkinchie Distillery. Set in a small valley, this is the only remaining malt whisky distillery close to Edinburgh and from which this classic malt takes its name. Enjoy a fascinating guided tour and tasting and discover some of the secrets of the distillers' craft.
Visit Time - 1.5 Hours
Follow the A6093 and the A1 to East Fortune and the Museum of Flight, Scotland's national museum of aviation, where Concorde will spend the remainder of its days. You can also enjoy the massive collection of aircraft in the hangers of a WWII airfield.
Visit Time - 1.5 Hours
Nearby, in the village of East Linton, is Preston Mill And Phantassie Doocot - one of the oldest mechanically intact water driven meal mills in Scotland.
Visit Time - 45 Mins
From here, it is a 45 minute drive back to Edinburgh.
To further your knowledge of the whisky making process, enjoy a whisky tasting before dinner at the Scotch Malt Whisky Society located in the historic port of Leith.
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Edinburgh and the Lothians sits on the eastern side of Scotland's central belt, in the heart of the country.
