Hidden gems

[Jack]

When I travel to far flung shores and engage in conversation with a local I always ask 'What is the hidden gem in xx xx that tourists never uncover.

Sam Wo's, China Town, San Francisco will be in my heart for ever as will the SF brewing company.

I was asked the same question by a South Korean tonight's and was a bit ... oh!

So what are the hidden gems in Edinburgh, and beyond?

What and where would you suggest a tourist hits as somewhere quite unique that has Edinburgh aura boot it? Somewhere a tourist can say 'I've been there and I've done it'

[Pretty Boy]

I went on the tour of Gilmerton Cove recently. I'd wager a hell of a lot of people that live in Gilmerton have never heard of it, let alone anyone in the rest of the world. Really interesting but creepy wee place.

http://www.gilmertoncove.org.uk

[HUTCHYHIBBY]

When you take them to Easter Road and are enjoying a half time beverage you can tell them that Bovril was created by a butcher in Canongate as I discovered in yesterdays EN. :-)

[Glory Lurker]

Not sure they count as "hidden", but a few walks that are away from the usual tourist areas: Hermitage of Braid, Water of Leith between Murrayfield and Stockbridge, and the River Almond from Cramond Brig down to Cramond.

[Future17]

Also not sure if they count as "hidden" but I still find myself appreciating certain views which could otherwise be passed by easily. The view from North Bridge of Arthur's Seat and down to Portobello is beautiful on a sunny day.

EDIT: Or the view of Arthur's Seat from past St Andrew's House on Waterloo Place.

[CropleyWasGod]

Whenever I'm doing the tourist bit with family and friends, I always nip into Ramsay Garden. The mainstream walk by the end of the street, and seldom venture in.

And a wander round the New Town, day or night, is always easy on the eye.

Clermiston Tower, with its history and stunning views, is worth a visit.

[grunt]

Whenever I'm doing the tourist bit with family and friends, I always nip into Ramsay Garden.

Where is this please?

[Phil D. Rolls]

Dick's drive in Seattle. A genuine, independent burger joint, notable for its 50s decor and ambience. It's the equivalent of places like Mason's bakery in Edinburgh.

The Tomahawk Grill in North Vancouver. It's straight out of Twin Peaks with it's wholesome pies, and belly busting breakfast grills. Been there since the 30s, and adorned with some amazing First Nations carvery (check it out on YouTube).

One that's really off the wall is the Albufeira bus station, 150 for a half litre of beer served in a quality tankard.

Mulder's Bar in Amsterdam - unremarkable brown cafe, but frequented by real Amsterdammers - great place to watch the world go by with a plate of cheese and a cold beer.

[CropleyWasGod]

Where is this please?
Come down from the castle. Turn left at Camera Obscura. Then first left.

[--------]

http://georgianedinburgh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/old-calton-cemetery-memorials-to.html

(http://georgianedinburgh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/old-calton-cemetery-memorials-to.html)The Old Calton Cemetery off Waterloo Place.

Americans particularly appreciate it - there's a memorial to Scottish-American soldiers killed in the American Civil War which has the first statue of an American president erected outside the States (Abe Lincoln), and the obelisk in memory of the Scottish Parliamentary Reformers.

The cemetery as a whole is a real piece o 18th/19th century Edinburgh and not greatly known about.


BTW - you now the wee statue of Greyfriars' Bobby at the top of Candlemakers' Row?

It's not widely known that the original plan wasn't to erect a statue at all.

The City Fathers originally intended to put up a memorial CAIRN. :devil:

[Pretty Boy]

http://georgianedinburgh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/old-calton-cemetery-memorials-to.html

(http://georgianedinburgh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/old-calton-cemetery-memorials-to.html)The Old Calton Cemetery off Waterloo Place.

Americans particularly appreciate it - there's a memorial to Scottish-American soldiers killed in the American Civil War which has the first statue of an American president erected outside the States (Abe Lincoln), and the obelisk in memory of the Scottish Parliamentary Reformers.

The cemetery as a whole is a real piece o 18th/19th century Edinburgh and not greatly known about.


BTW - you now the wee statue of Greyfriars' Bobby at the top of Candlemakers' Row?

It's not widely known that the original plan wasn't to erect a statue at all.

The City Fathers originally intended to put up a memorial CAIRN. :devil:

Similar theme, well not really but anyway, one of the most breathtaking places I visited recently is the American Monument and Kilchoman Cemetery on Islay. Really bleak, surrounded by miles and miles of bugger all and a rugged, wild Atlantic coastline with nothing between you and somewhere around Newfoundland.

http://www.islayinfo.com/american-monument.html

[hibsbollah]

Similar theme, well not really but anyway, one of the most breathtaking places I visited recently is the American Monument and Kilchoman Cemetery on Islay. Really bleak, surrounded by miles and miles of bugger all and a rugged, wild Atlantic coastline with nothing between you and somewhere around Newfoundland.

http://www.islayinfo.com/american-monument.html

We went to that monument last October. Great place to see Golden Eagles up on the cliffs of Oa. Islay definitely takes some beating.

[Viva_Palmeiras]

St Bernard's well (only accessible on Edinburgh's Open Doors) via the Dean Village water of Leith Walkway

The last opening on your left going down the Royal Mile (opposite the Parliament) has a bit of a surprise wee setting.

The secret garden next to the original Christmas Shop.

The statue in the garden next to the Dean Bridge (RHS as you come from town) as a kid was told it was in memory of someone who jumped off the bridge with an umbrella, went to retry on 2nd attempt and bit the dust (a bit of poetic license highly likely!)

Many of the hidden gems are found in the architecture - look up and you'll see on the odd building here and there ornate stonemasonry missed by many as folks walk past in the daily routine. You'll find in the colonies in Stockbridge an insignia with the emblem of the trade that was housed in the street. The scottish office sculptures of what looks like scholars is pretty remarkable (pity about the inhabitants ;)

Some of the closes down the royal mile are worth exploring mibbie just not on a Saturday night in the wee small hours!

[Geo_1875]

http://georgianedinburgh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/old-calton-cemetery-memorials-to.html

(http://georgianedinburgh.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/old-calton-cemetery-memorials-to.html)The Old Calton Cemetery off Waterloo Place.

Americans particularly appreciate it - there's a memorial to Scottish-American soldiers killed in the American Civil War which has the first statue of an American president erected outside the States (Abe Lincoln), and the obelisk in memory of the Scottish Parliamentary Reformers.

The cemetery as a whole is a real piece o 18th/19th century Edinburgh and not greatly known about.


BTW - you now the wee statue of Greyfriars' Bobby at the top of Candlemakers' Row?

It's not widely known that the original plan wasn't to erect a statue at all.

The City Fathers originally intended to put up a memorial CAIRN. :devil:

That's my favourite. I really did get asked by a tourist if only famous people got buried there. You'll know the answer but he really wasn't impressed.

The views from the top of Calton Hill are breathtaking, as is the climb.

[Pretty Boy]

We went to that monument last October. Great place to see Golden Eagles up on the cliffs of Oa. Islay definitely takes some beating.

Islay really is fantastic.

The road leading towards Bunnahabhain distillery looking over the Paps of Jura is one of my favourite places in the world. Also sitting at the shore in Portnahaven watching dozens of seals going about their business when a pod of dolphins interupted proceedings is one of the best things I have ever seen. That's before mentioning Finlaggan, Machir Bay, Sanaigmore, Saligo Bay, Kilchiaran Bay and of course 8 working distilleries.

It's not really a hidden gem but it's well worth a visit.