Edinburgh

Edinburgh is one of those cities that feels wildly romantic before you’ve even done anything. A skyline of castle turrets, spires and volcanic hills; cobbled closes disappearing off the Royal Mile; Georgian townhouses, tiny pubs and excellent independent shops. You can climb Arthur’s Seat before breakfast, lose an afternoon among the galleries and bookshops. And while August brings the famous festivals and general glorious chaos, we actually prefer Edinburgh in the quieter months, when there’s mist over the Old Town and the pubs have their woodburners lit.

You don’t need to stay in the city to make the most of it, either. Some of our favourite Scottish hideaways are within easy reach of Edinburgh, so you can head into town for a day’s hit of culture, food and people-watching, then retreat back to the countryside to wake up somewhere green the nexy day. It’s a particularly good combination if you can’t quite decide between a city break and staying somewhere peaceful and remote. See our recommended places to stay below.