It’s often considered a beautiful city, but most people visit at the wrong time of year.
Autumn is a brilliant time to travel as most holiday spots are significantly cheaper now that the kids are back in school, but you don’t need to jet off abroad to find somewhere worth visiting.
Edinburgh is frequently hailed as a stunning city, with travel publications such as Travel + Leisure and Time Out repeatedly naming it one of the top places to visit globally.
However, having lived in Edinburgh for the majority of her life, journalist Katherine McPhillips says she’s noticed that the biggest mistake tourists make is visiting at the wrong time of year. The best time to explore the city is during autumn, she says.
She said: “Most visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer thanks to the international festival that takes place in August, but by then it is absolutely packed, and this makes it difficult to see anything without tourists getting in the way.
“Wintertime can also be busy in Edinburgh thanks to the Christmas market, and Scotland tends to be freezing in spring so it is not enjoyable to walk around unless you are used to the weather.
“However, Edinburgh has no big events in autumn so it tends to be a lot less crowded which means you can see any attractions you want without being smothered by other visitors or paying ridiculous prices.”
In her view, the city looks “breathtaking” at this time of year, with all the tall gothic buildings contrasting beautifully against the colourful leaves falling on the ground, reports the Express.
This week, she embarked on a one-hour walk around Edinburgh to capture some photographs. “There is so much to see, proving you can enjoy Scotland’s capital without spending any money,” she said.
What are the must-see spots in Edinburgh?
Katherine said: “Despite the drizzle on the day of my walk, as a local, I’m accustomed to such weather. However, if you’re planning a visit during this season, don’t forget to pack a sturdy coat with a hood.
“It was a rainy day when I decided to have a walk around, but it was only drizzling. As a local, I am used to this type of weather but make sure to pack a good coat with a hood if you want to visit at this time of year.
“I first started my journey on The Royal Mile, which is at the heart of the city where it is easy to find most big attractions as they are only a short walk away. It is a gorgeous place with cobblestone pathways, a massive medieval cathedral and is only a mile away from Edinburgh Castle.
“One of my favourite things to do on The Royal Mile in autumn is visit Mary King Close, a historic street underground which goes into grisly detail about the plague and urban legends.
“I then walked about five minutes to enter Victoria Street, one of the most iconic places in the city that is known for its colourful buildings and array of interesting shops.
“I love visiting Victoria Street but be aware if you are trying to save money as one store sells some of the best cheeses, chutneys and other charcuterie board items you will ever taste.
“However, most visitors like Victoria Street because it is believed to have inspired Diagon Alley in J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series. The Elephant House, where Rowling wrote the first book, is also on Victoria Street.”
The Elephant House, where Rowling penned the first book, is also located on Victoria Street.
Katherine added: “I then kept walking down the hill until I got to The Grassmarket, which is one of my favourite places as Edinburgh castle looms over the area and you can get lots of great photographs.
“In autumn, I always make sure to get hot chocolate from Mary’s Milk Bar, an iconic dessert shop. I then sit on a bench at The Grassmarket to enjoy the sights.
“If you want a one of the best views of the castle, then you can climb the stairs next to Mary’s and you will be able to take a spectacular photo.
“Once I was done with my hot chocolate, I continued to walk down for roughly 10 minutes until I was at St Cuthbert’s Kirkyard, a graveyard often overlooked by tourists that offers stunning views of the castle.
“After walking through the graveyard, I was in Princes Street Gardens. I spent a little while walking around the Ross Fountain and enjoying the pretty natural sights as all the leaves were falling from the trees.
“I was then on the Princes Street, the main street, and had walked for roughly an hour. I had really enjoyed myself and seen a some of the most beautiful sights the city has to offer.”
Summing up her walk, Katherine said: “If you want to spend some time in one of the most atmospheric places in the UK, then I highly recommend Edinburgh, as no matter where I travel I find it the most captivating place to visit.”