After several strolls down bustling Princes Street and the Royal Mile, ample amounts of Scotch whisky, a few bites of haggis, a visit to the National (formerly known as the National Gallery) to gawk at works by Botticelli, Bernini, Cézanne, Degas and El Greco, and a trudge up to Edinburgh Castle, you may be craving something different. Perhaps something unusual. Something weird. Something offbeat. Something you’ll only find in what we like to call “offbeat Edinburgh.”
Yes, Edinburgh has a lot of surprises for you. This city of just over a half a million denizens has a large handful of oddball things to do that will entertain and unthaw even the most hardened traveler.
The 8 Most Unusual Things to Do in Edinburgh
1. Surgeons’ Hall Museums
Housed in the Royal College of Surgeons, this museum is ground zero for anyone into the offbeat and the macabre. Scotland’s largest medical museum has been displaying curious artifacts since 1832.
Here you might come across a book bound with the flesh of a criminal, an elephant skull, abnormally shaped human skulls, the casts of huge face tumors, and 19th-century detailed illustrations of gunshot wounds, among many other odd things in this fascinating collection at the Surgeons’ Hall Museums.
2. The Real Mary King’s Close
In Edinburgh, a “close” is a narrow alleyway. In the 17th century when the Black Plague sprang up in Scotland, the city of Edinburgh was ravaged with sickness and death. As a result, the Scottish parliament closed many tight spaces. This included the lane known as Mary King’s Close.
But in 2003, the space was unearthed and reopened as an historical tourist attraction. Only the brave should enter, though, as the space has been known to be crammed with paranormal activity. Some people have seen the ghost of a little girl named Annie and some employees refuse to enter certain parts of the close because of a dreadful vibe and energy they feel.
Traveler’s tip: If you’re interested in mixing up the city’s most popular landmarks with the Edinburgh’s most offbeat things to see, consider taking a walking tour of the city. Our Edinburgh in a Day Tour lets you explore the Edinburgh castle while also giving you insight into the city’s spooky closes along the Royal Mile.
3. Tolbooth Pub
When in Scotland, particularly Edinburgh, you’re going to want to spend some time in an atmospheric old pub, sipping pints of beer and/or glasses of whisky. If so, do it at Tolbooth Pub, a drinking establishment with a long, macabre history.
Founded in 1591, the Tolbooth was literally just that: a stop over for travelers who had to pay a fee to enter the city. It also acted as a prison and a police station. Early on, it is said there was also an exorcism here for a man suspected of being a warlock. The prisoners were sometimes shipped off to the Caribbean to work hard labor. Almost everyone who served time here had an ear cut off or were branded with the name of their crimes on their faces.
The Tolbooth finally became an actual pub in 1820 and today you can sit back, a pint of beer in front of you, and think back at all the bad deeds that took place in this historic structure.
Insider’s tip: If you’d like to see the best of Edinburgh, but have limited time in the city, check out our Guide to Seeing the Best of Edinburgh in 2 Days. From the majestic castle to the National Museum of Scotland, this is the best way to see all of Edinburgh’s gems in a short period of time.
4. Edinburgh Castle Dog Cemetery
If it’s your first time or 21st time in Edinburgh, there’s a chance you’ll be visiting the city’s imposing fortress that sits atop the city like a stone crown. One of the oddest sites to be seen at Edinburgh Castle is the dog cemetery—and many people miss it.
The cemetery was founded in 1847, not coincidentally the first year of the reign of Queen Victoria, an avid dog aficionado. The first four-legged friend buried here was actually named Fido. All of the beloved canines buried here, including Fido, belonged to the regiment who worked at the castle. Today, the cemetery is off limits to the public but anyone can see the graves near the Argyle Battery Ledge.
5. The Thistle Chapel of St. Giles’ Cathedral
There is something distinctly Scottish about this small chapel inside St. Giles’ Cathedral in Edinburgh: look closely and you’ll see lovely wood carvings of three angles playing the bagpipes. If this is the Scottish idea of what heaven looks and sounds like, then point yourself here to get a preview.
6. Dolly the Sheep
The National Museum of Scotland isn’t really an oddball place. But there is one artifact on display that is truly odd: the remains of Dolly the Sheep, the first mammal ever cloned by an adult cell.
Named after Dolly Parton, the sheep was created from the mammary gland. The sheep was born in 1996 and, sadly, she died in 2003. Today you can see her stuffed remains in the National Museum.
7. Alien Rock
Located in the port area known as Leith, Alien Rock began life as a church. Construction of the church began in 1843. By the 1970s, though, the church was no longer in use. About two decades after that in the mid 1990s, it became Alien Rock, Scotland’s first indoor climbing gym.
You need not be a climber nor an alien to appreciate Alien Rock. Step inside for a second and appreciate the holy and rocky interior while in Leith, an atmospheric neighborhood that featured heavily in the sequel to the film “Trainspotting.”
8. Mansfield Traquair Centre
Head down to the northern end of Broughton Street and pop into the generic-looking building at 15 Mansfield Place. Here you’ll find something astonishing: colorful floor-to-ceiling paintings.
The art work was done by Irish-born Phoebe Anna Traquair who began work on the murals here in 1893. The Biblical scenes she painted are visual showstoppers. It’s not a surprise people call the interior of the Mansfield Traquair Centre the Sistine Chapel of Edinburgh.
The center is open to the public but check the website times before visiting as it only opens a few times per month.
As you can see, exploring offbeat Edinburgh means a very wide variety of strange places with extremely weird back stories. From cloned sheep and dog tombs to alien-like rock climbing and ear-lobbing bars, Edinburgh does not disappoint.
Offbeat or not, if you really want to see the best of Edinburgh, why not sign up for a walking tour? Our Edinburgh in a Day Tour not only takes you to discover the city’s hidden gems, but also comes with an early access ticket to Edinburgh Castle, letting you enjoy the castle and learn about its history without battling the typical crowds.
