There are some lovely neighborhoods in Edinburgh. Our wedding will be taking place in Old Town and the Groom’s dinner in New Town see below for a quick list of all the relevant neighborhoods.

Old Town

This is where Edinburgh began. Its spine is the Royal Mile, a medieval thoroughfare stretching for about a few kilometers from Edinburgh Castle downhill to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. The Royal Mile is one boulevard with four segments bearing different names: Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, and Canongate. "This is perhaps the largest, longest, and finest street for buildings and number of inhabitants in the world," wrote English author Daniel Defoe. Old Town also includes the Grassmarket and Cowgate. We recommend walking the entire length of the Royal Mile from the castle down to Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park (don’t forget to climb up!) Don’t forget to go to the National Museum of Scotland (take the elevator to the roof), and visit Greyfriar’s Kirkyard and Greyfriar’s Bobby.

New Town

Situated north of Old Town, the first New Town was built to get away from Old Town and bloomed between 1766 and 1840. It is one of the largest Georgian developments in the world and also the largest historic conservation area in Britain. New Town is made up of a network of squares, streets, terraces, and circuses (circular open spaces where several streets meet), reaching from Haymarket in the west almost to Leith Walk in the east. New Town also extends from Canonmills in the north to Princes Street, its most famous artery, on the south. Make sure you visit the National Galleries of Scotland while in town.

Marchmont/Bruntsfield/Morningside

Marchmont: A kilometer or two south of High Street, this suburb was constructed between 1869 and 1914, offering new housing for people who could no longer afford to live in New Town. Its northern border is the Meadows. Visit for the quaint shops, and À la Carte, a café that’s perfect for picking up picnic food. Hunter Claire lived in Marchmont her first year in Edinburgh.

Bruntsfield: This suburb to the west of the Meadows is named after Bruntsfield Links. Now a residential district, it is where James IV gathered the Scottish army he marched to its defeat at Flodden in 1513. Also known for its cafés and shops, we recommend hitting up Halibut and Herring.

Morningside: South of Bruntsfield, Morningside is probably the poshest old suburb in the city, with leafy streets. If you venture this far, be sure and visit the historic pub Canny Man’s.

Tollcross/West End

Edinburgh's theater district and conference center are located in the area west of the castle. Where Hunter Claire lived in Tollcross just opposite the Meadows (make a point to walk here) and go to her old local, Cloisters.

Calton

Encompassing Calton Hill, with its Regent and Royal terraces, Calton skirts the so-called Pink Triangle, Edinburgh’s LGBTQIA2S+ neighborhood that runs from Leith Walk to Broughton Street. CC Blooms is the main club in the neighborhood.

Leith/Leith Walk

Leith Walk: Not precisely a neighborhood, but the main artery that connects Edinburgh's city center to Leith. Off it are Easter Road (home of Hibernian Football Club) and the districts of Pilrig and South Leith. An honest cross-section of Edinburgh can be seen during a walk down Leith Walk and it’s a beautiful one too.

Leith: The Port of Leith lies only a couple of kilometers north of Princes Street and is the city's major harbor, opening onto the Firth of Forth. Traditionally a working class neighborhood, it has gentrified over the years and boasts some of Edinburgh’s best restaurants like The Kitchin, Heron and Little Chartroom.

Stockbridge

Part of New Town today, northwest of the castle, Stockbridge was once a village, and it still rather feels like a small town near the heart of the city, with its own tight-knit community. Straddling the Water of Leith, it is a good place for visitors to the city to relax, with some friendly cafes, pubs, restaurants, and shops. If you’re there do some shopping and grab a pint at St. Bernard’s.

Dean Village

Situated five minutes away from Princes Street Dean Village is a beautiful oasis right by the Water of Leith, a true hidden gem don’t miss visiting. To the West of Dean Village you will find two amazing modern art museums, Modern One and Modern Two.

Duddingston Village

Dating back to the 1100s, Duddingston is said to come from the Norman Knight Dodin de Dodinestun who settled in the area. Duddingston Loch is a nature reserve with swans, geese,ducks and otters. If you visit, make sure you go to the Sheep Heid Inn, the oldest pub in Scotland for a pint, a game of skittles or a Sunday Roast.

Portobello Beach

Portobello Beach, a few miles from Edinburgh city centre, is a charming seaside suburb, with two miles of sand if you’re so inclined.

The Pentland Hills

A range of hills southwest of Edinburgh, around twenty miles in length which runs southwest from Edinburgh towards Biggar and the upper Clydesdale. It’s the perfect place for hiking near the city, for trails, see here.

Jupiter Artland

Not a neighborhood but Hunter Claire’s favorite museum. A contemporary sculpture park and art gallery outside the city, Jupiter Artland is only open to general visits between May and September.