Royal Attractions in Edinburgh

It is well known that Queen Elizabeth spends a week of August at her official residence of Holyroodhouse. This makes the capital of Scotland the perfect place to be for royal followers who might be staying at hostels in Edinburgh during this special month.

Indeed, the city has an enormous variety of exciting attractions and events for those who love the British monarchy, and they all make for a royal day out. From the palace of Holyroodhouse itself to Yacht Britannia, there are decades of noble – and not-so-noble – history in this stunning metropolis.

Edinburgh Castle
Scotland's most visited paid tourist attraction, Edinburgh Castle stands atop its own volcanic rock, offering unbeatable panoramic views across the city. A mighty fortification and favoured residence of many previous monarchs, there's plenty to see here for the enthusiastic cavalier.

Take a peek at the Scottish Crown Jewels and the Stone of Destiny, where previous monarchs were once crowned, and listen out at 13:00 local time for Mons Meg, one of Europe's oldest siege weapons, which is fired every day. Wander around the Royal House and see where Scotland's monarchs of old lived, breathed and – in Mary Queen of Scots' case – gave birth. Castlehill, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH1 2NG, 0131 225 9846.

Holyroodhouse Palace
Perhaps the most royal attraction on our list today is Holyroodhouse itself. Grab a unique insight into the life of the royal family by visiting their official residence in Scotland, which is home to hundreds of years of fascinating history. Day visitors are welcome, but serious fanatics will want to arrange a more intimate evening tour of this beautiful attraction.

There are numerous highlights, but make sure that you visit the royal apartments and the throne room to get a taste of the royal splendour, before visiting the wonderful Queen's Gallery, an ever-changing space for exhibitions from the Royal Collections. The Great Gallery is also worth a peek if you're an arts enthusiast as well as a royal fanatic, with more than 80 portraits of Scottish monarchs on display. Canongate, Edinburgh, The Royal Mile, Midlothian, EH8 8DX, 0131 556 5100.

The Royal Yacht Britannia
Climb aboard, sailor, for what is sure to be a regal day out. Now berthed down in the historic port of Leith at Ocean Terminal, the Queen's floating palace has played host to some of the world's most famous politicians. Sir Winston Churchill, Mahatma Ghandi and Nelson Mandela have all stood on its deck and admired the view while sipping tea with Liz and Phil.

Though she may be berthed, the Britannia is anything but retired, and visitors will discover a range of fascinating royal artefacts on board. The baby grand piano in the state room has been played by both the honoured Noel Coward and Princess Diana herself, and you can also have a look inside the Queen's own bedroom – something that no other royal attraction permits. Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ, 0131 555 5566.

The Royal Botanic Garden
If you're favoured by the weather, then there is no better place to be than the Royal Botanic Garden in the summertime. Refresh your senses and reconnect with nature as you explore this extravagant green paradise, adored by both the Prince of Edinburgh and the Queen herself.

Take a journey through the glasshouses, where you'll encounter strange and exotic plant life from all over the world, and then discover contemporary art at Inverleith House after viewing the gardens themselves. Education and research are a major part of the experience, so you'll be sure to learn something whether you're a casual visitor or a botany student. 20A Iverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR, 0131 552 7171.

The National Museum of Scotland
In the prestigious National Museum of Scotland, you can follow the story of the Scottish monarchy, from Robert Bruce to James VI, the first ruler to reign over England and Scotland.

Discover how every king and queen left their mark on Britain and, as an added bonus, you can also find objects from the time of William Wallace – the legendary leader of the Scottish resistance against Edward I in 1290. Chambers Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1JF, 0300 123 6789.

The Cafe Royal
The best way to round off your regal day is definitely with a visit to the Cafe Royal in West Register Street. Somehow combining a classy Parisian cafe with a well-stocked bar and restaurant, you'll be able to find exactly what you want at this extraordinary eatery.

Their fresh oysters have been worshipped by food critics from all across the globe, but their menu also features Scottish classics such as Stornoway black pudding, Cullen Skink and haggis to enjoy. Just be sure to stay on the right side of the venue's ghost, which has been known to call out the name of an unwary diner, only to vanish when they turn around. 19 West Register Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2AA, 0131 556 1884.

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