Hello, friends! Welcome to my updated Edinburgh bucket list. To call it a bucket list is a bit dramatic as a bucket list is technically "a number of experiences or achievements that a person hopes to have or accomplish during their lifetime" but mine is just a fun list of things I'd like to do in Edinburgh which I like to update annually. If you'd like to read my first Edinburgh bucket list blog post, I'll link it here. Since then, I've been fortunate enough to tick off a few things and have subsequently added a few more. This blog post you're reading was started over a year ago and has sat neglected and forgotten in my drafts so when I rediscovered it recently, I thought it was high time I finish it.
Edinburgh Bucket List (2023)
1. Visiting The Scotsman Picturehouse - Done!
I've decided to include The Scotsman Picturehouse on this list as it was part of my Edinburgh Bucket List in 2021. I've since been fortunate enough to tick it off my list as I was invited to attend a press screening of "The Road Dance" (which was brilliant!). I've always enjoyed an occasional trip to the cinema but I've generally been motivated by the movie rather than the cinema's surroundings whereas I would happily watch anything at The Scotsman Picturehouse. The cinema offers an intimate and opulent viewing experience with only 48 sumptuous leather armchair seats separated by individual tables adorned with classic empire lamps. I can't wait for my next visit!
2. Attending a Concert at St Cecilia's Hall
I recently visited St Cecilia's Hall for the first time and was blown away by the small museum. It's tucked away on the Cowgate and is the only place in the world where it is possible to hear 18th-century music in an 18th-century concert hall played on 18th-century instruments. St Cecilia’s Hall opened in 1763 with an elegant elliptical concert hall at the heart of the Georgian building which to this day hosts regular concerts. As soon as I stepped inside the hall, I knew I wanted attend a concert there.
If you took a look at my 2018 Edinburgh bucket list, you may have noticed that I still haven't crossed Gladstone's Land off my list. Gladstone's Land is one of the oldest buildings on the Royal Mile which has been lovingly restored and furnished by the National Trust for Scotland. The building allows you to explore 400 years of Edinburgh's Lawnmarket history on three floors. I'm still a NTS member so hopefully, it won't be long till I tick this off!
4. Afternoon Tea Aboard the Fingal - Done!
Afternoon tea has always been a favourite treat of mine. There's something so decadent about pausing for a few hours to enjoy copious amounts of tea, indulge in cakes and savouries and finish with fluffy scones stuffed full of clotted cream and jam. I've also always had a bit of a fascination with boats so naturally, I was very interested in afternoon tea aboard the Fingal. This is something I've managed to tick off my list last year. The Fingal kindly invited me aboard and my mum and I enjoyed a scrumptious afternoon tea with Art Deco-inspired surroundings. I shared a reel at the time documenting our outing so click here if you'd like to watch it.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is a grand floating palace that served the Royal Family for 44 years. The impressive ship has travelled more than a million nautical miles and is considered one of the most well-known ships in the world. Despite living in Edinburgh for almost ten years, for some bizarre reason, it'd never occurred to me to visit the Royal Yacht Britannia. It was only after hearing glowing reviews from my lovely friend Tasha, that I added it to my Edinburgh bucket list. Coincidentally, I had a job shortly after which took me aboard but it was a bit of a whistle-stop tour as we were there to work but the little I did see has made me very eager to return for a proper tour and possibly afternoon tea aboard.
I've walked past the Old Chain Pier on countless occasions but have yet to venture in. Admittedly, I'm not the biggest seafood eater (the reviews look very promising) but the wonderful views over the Firth of Forth and the restaurant's ambience have piqued my interest. I'm looking forward to popping in one day to enjoy an I.J. MELLIS cheese board, fish & chips or macaroni cheese!
7. Granton Castle Walled Garden
I've been slowly working my way through Edinburgh's beautiful private and public gardens (note to self: I should really share a blog post about them as there are so many wonderful ones!) and I have my friend Emma to thank for letting me know about Granton Castle Walled Garden. I've been keen to visit ever since. The garden has stood on the coast of north Edinburgh since the turn of the 16th century and is maintained by local volunteers.
8. Afternoon Tea at Prestonfield
Since I've ticked one afternoon tea destination off my list, let's add another. Prestonfield House was built by Sir William Bruce in 1687 on his completion of the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the building remained a private home until 1958 when it became a hotel. It is now run by the creator of The Witchery by the Castle and from the photos I've seen it has a familiar decadent style. This year, their afternoon tea has been designed to celebrate the King’s Coronation.
This is another 'leftover' from my 2018 Edinburgh Bucket List and I'm not even certain if this is something they still offer but a few years ago, I heard from a couple of people that they'd joined one of St Giles' free daily tours and were lead up to the rooftop. I can only imagine that the views must be stunning!
10. Dine at The Caffè Bar in Valvona & Crolla
Opened in 1996, Valvona & Crolla's Caffè Bar uses recipes which have been handed down over the years from their families in central and southern Italy. Their dishes are also prepared using the produce sold in the shop. I've been in their store multiple times and keep meaning to stop in for lunch.
A few years ago, while taking photos of Mansfield Traquair, someone stopped to ask me if I'd been inside to see the stunning murals by Phoebe Anna Traquair. I hadn't and they strongly encouraged me to visit during an open day as they were very impressed by them. I've been curious ever since but haven't made it along to their open day yet.
Corstorphine Tower is a memorial to the well-known Scottish author Sir Walter Scott and was built in 1871. I've stood outside the impressive tower but, unfortunately, it's only open on certain days of the year like Doors Open Days Scotland so I'll need to keep an eye out.
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