10 Things to do in West End That You Shouldn't Miss

Your host/guide on the Edinburgh Guided Tour will be Stuart Usher or his son Richard Usher or professional historian Dr Alison Duncan. They meet walkers outside Usher Hall, Scotland's premier concert hall and an Edinburgh Landmark. Usher Hall was donated to Edinburgh by Stuart's family which has been associated with Scotland, and Edinburgh in particular, for centuries. Stuart was the subject of a Channel Four Cutting Edge Documentary in 2002 which is viewable on youtube. See (externally) the huge Castle sitting on the plug of an ancient volcano, its Palace a mile from the Castle and connected by the Royal Mile, and its ancient Public and Coffee houses some of which date back to the 1400's. Also sites associated with the many incredible people which Edinburgh produced such as the world famous Robert Burns, David Hume, Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Alexander Graham Bell, and Adam Smith, the Father of Modern Economics. You can see a video of the tour amongst the photos.

Escape is a simple, fun, challenging game in Edinburgh City Centre designed for groups of 2 - 6. We lock you up in a mysterious room, and give you exactly 60 minutes to get out. In order to escape you and your team must solve many puzzles, riddles, brain teasers and identify clues. Using your powers of observation and problem solving.

Advance booking is essential as we are unable to offer walk in tours. Located in the beating heart of Scotland's capital, the Edinburgh Gin Distillery is a destination quite unlike any other. It's here that we produce small batches of gin, inspired by the majesty, marvel and mischief of Edinburgh and its inhabitants. The Edinburgh Gin Visitor Centre is a space in the capital where you can indulge both the mind and the palate in all things gin. From taking a tour or a guided tasting, to trying your hand at making your own, our goal is the educate, excite and libate; all in equal measure.

Escape Reality is an immersive escape room experience where teams of 2-6 players must solve a series of challenging puzzles to escape in 60 minutes! Escape Reality can accommodate large groups of up to 36 people inside the rooms every hour. Located in the heart of Edinburgh, Escape Reality has an exclusive bar and social area making the experience perfect for any kind of event. Open 7 days a week!

Enjoy a visit to the past and experience what life was like for the Lamonts family in 18th and 19th century New Town. The Georgian era produced some of Scotland’s most distinctive architecture. In the late 1700s, this grand townhouse was at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town development. The house was designed by acclaimed architect Robert Adam and was a true statement of luxury in an era of enlightenment, for those who could afford it. The house has been magnificently restored to show a typical Edinburgh New Town house of the late 18th and early 19th century. The fine collections of period furniture, porcelain, silver and glass reflect the Lamonts’ lifestyle and the social and economic context of the time. The kitchen and servants’ room give a glimpse of the arduous ‘below stairs’ life of the servants, who made the Lamonts’ elegant lifestyle possible.

The Traverse is Scotland’s new writing theatre. Formed in 1963 by a group of passionate theatre enthusiasts, the Traverse was founded to extend the spirit of the Edinburgh festivals throughout the year. Today, under Artistic Director Orla O’Loughlin, the Traverse nurtures emerging talent, produces award-winning new plays and offers a curated programme of the best work from the UK and beyond, spanning theatre, dance, performance, music and spoken word. The Traverse has launched the careers of some of the UK’s most celebrated writers – David Greig, David Harrower and Zinnie Harris – and continues to discover and support new voices – Stef Smith, Morna Pearson, Gary McNair and Rob Drummond. With two custom-built and versatile theatre spaces, the Traverse’s home in Edinburgh’s city centre is a powerhouse of vibrant new work for, and of, our time. Every August, it holds an iconic status as the theatrical heart of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Outside the theatre walls, it runs an extensive engagement programme, offering audiences of all ages and backgrounds the opportunity to explore, create and develop. Further afield, the Traverse frequently tours internationally and engages in exchanges and partnerships – most recently in Quebec, New Zealand and South Korea.