Hidden gems in Edinburgh

Beyond the crowded Royal Mile, Edinburgh holds secluded sites like the hand-carved sandstone chambers of Gilmerton Cove and the Victorian interiors of Bennets Bar. This collection features the Royal Observatory on Blackford Hill and contemporary installations at Jupiter Artland. Nature seekers can explore the Water of Leith Walkway or Dr Neil’s Garden by Duddingston Loch, while history enthusiasts can find the William Henry Miller Monument and Muschat’s cairn, a landmark immortalized in Sir Walter Scott’s literature.

Edinburgh's Hidden Gems — Map

Karora / Public domain

A

Royal Observatory, Edinburgh

The Royal Observatory, Edinburgh is an astronomical institution located on Blackford Hill in Edinburgh.

Lis Burke / CC BY-SA 2.0

B

Water of Leith Walkway

The Water of Leith Walkway is a public footpath and cycleway that runs alongside the river of the same name through Edinburgh, Scotland,…

John Dale / CC BY-SA 2.0

C

Gilmerton Cove

Gilmerton Cove is a series of underground passageways and chambers hand-carved from sandstone located beneath the streets of Gilmerton, an…

"Do that which is Right" / CC BY-SA 3.0

D

Jupiter Artland

Jupiter Artland is a contemporary sculpture park and art gallery outside the city of Edinburgh, Scotland.

Chabe01 / CC BY-SA 4.0

E

Inverleith House

Inverleith House is a historic house, now within the Royal Botanic Garden, in the suburb of Inverleith, in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Catkop / CC BY-SA 4.0

F

William Henry Miller Monument

William Henry Miller was a Scottish book collector and parliamentarian. He sat in the House of Commons from 1830 to 1837.

Ajsinclair / CC0

G

Muschat's cairn

Located in Holyrood Park, this stone monument marks the site of a 1723 crime and was famously featured in Sir Walter Scott's novel, The Heart of Midlothian.

M J Richardson / CC BY-SA 2.0

H

Dr Neil's Garden

A secluded garden on the banks of Duddingston Loch featuring diverse plant species and the 19th-century Thomson's Tower, built for the Edinburgh Skating Club.

Kim Traynor / CC BY-SA 3.0

I

Bennets Bar

A Victorian pub established in 1839 that retains original features including etched mirrors, ornate wood carvings, and a traditional 'jug and bottle' hatch.

Other Lists

Edinburgh Essentials Editor's Choice Edinburgh Castles and Palaces Edinburgh Heritage Sites Historic Religious Sites Edinburgh Viewpoints & Peaks Iconic Bridges and Aqueducts Parks and Gardens