Edinburgh After Hours
After Hours is the Planned vs Rogue series where Katie brings you their favourite things the team did when the cameras weren’t rolling.
Walk Over to Dean Village
Just a short walk out of the Edinburgh CBD you will come to Dean Village. In a country as picturesque as Scotland, it's difficult to stand out. Dean Village somehow manages to do so, combining beautiful old homes, trickling waterways and lush greenery to create an oasis within the city. I recommend caring 2 hours out of your day to stroll around this gorgeous area - and make sure you factor in time to take some photos will you're there!
Have a Sunday Roast in Leith
Leith is a cute suburb of Edinburgh that was a 30 minute walk from our apartment, so it made for a perfect relaxing day trip for us. Cafes, craft beer bars, and swanky restaurants on old cruise ships can be found in this area and there really is something for everyone. We happened to wander over on a Sunday, and as we were in the UK, my radar was up for a nice nourishing roast.
The King’s Wark was the perfect venue to satiate my cravings. Beautiful interiors, delicious local brews on tap, and friendly staff that seated us without a booking were the icing on the top of our Sunday lunch. While they offer a few meats (and non-meats) to choose from, including traditional beef or chicken, we both opted for venison since we’d never had a venison roast before. It was a truly outstanding meal paired with a fabulous amber ale. As a self-proclaimed Yorkshire pudding snob, I wholeheartedly recommend this to anyone in Edinburgh on a Sunday.
Grab a Hot Chocolate & Stroll the Meadows
Uplands Roast is a coffee van located on the edge of the Meadows which was attracting a lot of attention when we were in Edinburgh for their luscious hot chocolate. With a few free days for us to enjoy before leaving Scotland, we decided to give it a go - and we were not disappointed! You can observe Benny’s pleasure on our TikTok, pairing the hot choccie with a sausage roll from Max Bakes next door.
Once you’ve got the hot beverage of your choice, head off in any direction to soak up Edinburgh’s undeniable charm! We happened to be there on the university’s orientation week, so the whole area was buzzing with young students meeting and reuniting in the Meadows ahead of the new year. It isn’t hard to feel like you’re a part of something in Edinburgh - just set out on foot and the city will sweep you up!
Sample Haggis, Neeps & Tatties while Looking at Greyfriars Bobby
Yes, yes, yes. These are two of the most stereotypical Scottish things I could have put on the list. But I can’t deny it - this was a nice way to spend an evening! As a dog lover, a statue of a loyal pup guarding his owner’s grave for 14 years until his own death makes me want to collapse into a pool of tears while holding my own dog tightly until she inevitably struggles her way out and runs away.
If you’ve ever been to Edinburgh, you would probably have noticed the city’s love for our canine companions. From Greyfriar’s Bobby to Edinburgh Castle’s Dog Cemetery to the Statue of Bum the Dog in St Cuthbert’s Kirkyard (look it up), the local reverence for dogs even extends to dog-dedicated walking tours. Amongst all of this, Greyfriar’s Bobby remains the most famous of the local pups, and his statue sits out the front of the pub named in his honour. Here you can sit out on the street, admiring his monument, and sampling some haggis, neeps and tatties. It sits on the ‘Starters and Sharers Menu’, so it is the perfect size if you’re just dipping your toes in. Honestly, this was the best haggis I’ve tried - give this place a go, if you can get over all the tourists!
Finally Give in to a Munchy Box
Have you ever heard of a munchy box? It is basically anything your imagination might come up for something with that name. It is basically a pizza box filled with fried and deep fried goodies. What goodies specifically? Well, that depends on which takeaway you go to. Some have a Chinese takeaway influence, with items such as ‘chicken balls’ inside. In any case, it was one thing that Benny could not get off his mind until we finally ordered one on our last evening in Scotland.
Ours seemed to be influenced by Lebanese-style food as we got it from a kebab shop. Doner meat and fries filled much of the box, amongst other items such as fried chicken and onion rings. Obviously, it is one of the worst things you could subject your body to. BUT. When you’re on holiday, or travelling, or just WHEN YOU WANT A LITTLE TREAT, this can be a very comforting, soul-nourishing feast to share with a loved one. I can’t handle too much deep fried food, but I certainly ate more than my fare share of the doner meat - it was so tasty! There is no right or wrong munchy box. Just go and find one.
Watch the Buskers on the Royal Mile
Before we went to Edinburgh, I had a vision in my head of how the city would look - in particular, the Royal Mile. As the main street of the city that connects Edinburgh Castle on one end to Holyrood House on the other, it is a landmark in and of itself. My perception of Edinburgh was based on aesthetic, rainy Tiktoks set to peaceful music with inspirational captions. Needless to say, it was nothing like that.
The Royal Mile is one of the most bustling places I’ve been to in Europe. It was summer, and the Edinburgh Fringe Festival had only just wrapped up, so the city was still heaving with activity. One thing Europe always goes hard with is buskers and street performers, and Edinburgh was no different. From bagpipers to dancers to men dressed as puppets and sitting perfectly still for what seemed like hours (I was not a fan of those ones), they contribute to the lively atmosphere that the city is known for. If Edinburgh is your first stop in Scotland and your not feeling the Scottish vibes yet, just set foot on the Mile. I guarantee you will hear a bagpiping busker within moments.
