15 Unique Things to Do in Edinburgh, Scotland (That Aren’t the Castle, the Royal Mile, or Arthur’s Seat)

Alternative Things to Do in Edinburgh

A lot of my recommended Edinburgh activities happen indoors or somewhere sheltered, so they’re perfect for those moody, rainy days.

From getting lost in medieval underground alleyways and hunting for Harry Potter references to whisky tastings, quirky bookshops, and spotting Highland coos, these are some of the more unusual things to do in Edinburgh beyond the city’s classic sights like Arthur’s Seat or The Royal Mile.

1. Get Lost in Edinburgh’s Medieval Closes

The Royal Mile is super busy, but once you start wandering off the main street and into one of the 80-odd closes branching off it, it becomes suspiciously quiet (and dark!). It literally feels like you’ve travelled back in time, minus the plague.

These narrow, medieval passageways were once gated shut at night, hence the name “close.” Many are named after former residents or trades, so keep an eye out for old signs.

The most famous is The Real Mary King’s Close, the only preserved 17th-century street in Edinburgh. The 1-hour immersive tour takes you beneath the city’s Old Town for a fascinating glimpse into more than 400 years of Edinburgh’s history.

2. Spend the Night in a Haunted Hotel Next to Edinburgh Castle

The Witchery by the Castle sits in a 16th-century building on Castlehill, right next to Edinburgh Castle, where hundreds of women were burned at the stake for witchcraft. No wonder it’s one of Edinburgh’s most haunted hotels.

Each of its 9 suites is decorated in a theatrical, gothic romance style: four-poster beds, suits of armour, hidden doors, velvet-lined walls, and roll-top baths built for two. Spending the night here isn’t cheap, but it’s no doubt a once-in-a-lifetime stay!

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3. Find the Witches’ Well

A stone’s throw away, the Witches’ Well marks the spot where hundreds of accused “witches” were burned at the stake.

It’s easy to walk straight past this tiny cast-iron fountain, especially with the amount of tourists gathering around Castlehill, but it’s a quietly haunting reminder of the horrors that unfolded here between the 16th and 18th centuries. It’s estimated that more women were executed for witchcraft here than almost anywhere else in Scotland.

4. Get Spooked on a Ghost Tour

I’m a sucker for a good ghost tour! And with Edinburgh being one of the most haunted cities on the planet, it would’ve been a shame not to join one. So if you love getting spooked while also learning weirdly fascinating bits of Edinburgh history, wandering the city at night, one of Edinburgh’s ghost tours is worth booking.

We decided to do the Double Dead Tour with City of the Dead Tours, where we got to go inside the South Bridge Vaults, walk around Greyfriars Kirkyard (Mackenzie Poltergeist included), and enter Covenanter’s Prison at night. It was terrifyingly brilliant!

6. Try Haggis at Makar’s Mash Bar

Admittedly, Scotland’s national dish sounds pretty off-putting when you read what it actually is: sheep’s heart, liver, and lungs. Stuff I wouldn’t get anywhere near in my normal life. But “Travel Natalie” is curious, brave, and happy to ignore the ingredient list and give it a go.

And… It’s surprisingly tasty, especially in a whisky-based sauce! Makar’s Mash Bar’s homemade haggis comes with heather honey and turnip puree, and you get to choose your mash potato flavour for the base (I went for Stornoway Black Pudding, because at that point, I was going all in).

One tip if you visit Makar’s Mash Bar: they have two separate doors, one for bookings and one for walk-ins, but I’d recommend booking a table ahead of time; they’re very popular!

7. Wander Harry Potter’s Footsteps

Since Edinburgh is the city where J.K. Rowling wrote her Harry Potter books, you’ll find inspiration all over town:

Wander the colourful shops on Victoria Street (the real-life Diagon Alley!), look for familiar names at Greyfriars Kirkyard (Sirius Black, McGonagall, etc.), or walk past George Heriot’s School, which could’ve been the inspiration for Hogwarts with all its turrets and towers.

For Wizarding World souvenirs, head to Museum Context on Victoria Street, which sells all sorts of Harry Potter merch. I’d highly recommend joining a magical Harry Potter walking tour to see the Edinburgh that inspired J.K. Rowling to write the books.

8. Drink Butterbeer at The Dog House

The Dog House is hands down the most bizarre bar I’ve ever been to, and a cool stop on a rainy day in Edinburgh, or if you just fancy trying the famous butterbeer from Harry Potter (a small one cost £3 at the time of our visit).

Even if you’re not keen on the butterbeer, it’s definitely worth checking out just for its quirky interior and live music.

If you prefer your creamy butterbeer somewhere with more Harry Potter history, you can go to The Elephant House, which is supposed to be the birthplace of Harry Potter.

9. Go Traditional Ceilidh Dancing at Stramash 

We had such a fun evening out at Stramash! The two-level pub is located inside a restored church, and that alone is a reason to come here. We got ourselves a couple of ciders, sat down at the top, and looked down at the dance floor.

Every Wednesday, they’re hosting a Ceilidh dance party: a traditional Scottish gathering with live folk music and group dancing.

People of all ages were dancing in different formations to the live music a Ceilidh band was playing on stage, and the energy was incredible. Give it a try; no one will judge you here!

11. Visit the Surgeons’ Hall Museum

Not for the faint of heart: Edinburgh’s Surgeons’ Hall Museum is a really fascinating (and kinda gruesome) glimpse into over 500 years of medical history and the city’s body-snatching past.

Their official website even has a content warning for visitors: “Please note that the Museum contains displays of human remains, which some people may find distressing.”😱 Definitely an unusual way to spend a rainy afternoon in Edinburgh (especially once you’ve had enough whisky tastings and ticked off all the main sights).

12. Take a Stroll Along the Water of Leith

This is one of my favourite walks in Edinburgh, and it feels so local in most parts (apart from the bridge in Dean Village, which became one of the city’s most photographed corners).

Start your walk at Ross Fountain in Princes Street Gardens and walk for around 17 minutes to reach Dean Village, an old grain-milling village that looks straight out of a fairy tale.

Keep going along the tranquil Water of Leith Walkway for another 15 minutes or so until you reach the neighbourhood of Stockbridge.

Here, you’ll find lots of beautiful Georgian architecture, independent coffee shops like Fortitude Coffee, the viral Lannan Bakery (not sure if it’s worth the hype; I personally haven’t tried it yet – let me know if you’ve been!), and the picturesque, cobbled Circus Lane.

Tip: Come on a Sunday between 10 AM and 4 PM for Stockbridge Market.

13. Browse The Gently Mad Book Shop

Here’s one for the book lovers: if you’re already in Stockbridge, it’s worth walking a bit further to The Gently Mad Book Shop, right next to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. It’s a quirky, family-run bookshop and bindery specialising in beautiful used and antiquarian books. I could literally spend a whole rainy day in Edinburgh in this magical little shop, just browsing the shelves and dreaming away…

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14. Tour The Royal Yacht Britannia

Did you know you can walk around The Royal Yacht Britannia in Edinburgh? If you’ve watched The Crown on Netflix, the name might ring a bell. The former royal yacht of the British monarchy was in service from 1954 to 1997 and is now berthed at Ocean Terminal in Leith.

You can either turn your visit to the Royal Yacht into a whole morning or afternoon exploring the historic port district Leith, or combine it with the walk from Edinburgh city centre along the Water of Leith Walkway. From Ross Fountain to the yacht, it should take you around one hour (without any extra stops).

15. Visit the Hairy Highland Coos at Swanston Farm

Did you know you don’t need to travel all the way to the Scottish Highlands to see the cute highland coos?

From Haymarket, hop on bus 4 and get off near Swanston Road 25-30 minutes later (or check the bus connections on Google Maps depending on where you’re staying). From there, it’s another 10- to 15-minute walk to Swanston Farm.

It’s free to visit (apart from your bus ticket, obviously), and you can walk the orange-marked paths through the Pentland Hills until you spot the cows. Since the herd roams freely across the farm’s land, you’re not guaranteed to see them, so don’t be too upset if you don’t. You’ve also got stunning views over Edinburgh and Arthur’s Seat from up there!

I know the cows are super adorable, but please don’t try to touch them and always keep a respectful distance.