21 – 28 July 2026
Here's hoping the sun finally shows up — a week of terrace dinners, hillside walks and a bit of a birthday treat.
Until Daddy lands in Edinburgh
Target: Tuesday 21 July 2026, 18:00 (BST), Southampton → Edinburgh.
Day by Day
Daddy lands at 6:00pm. Claire will meet him in town, close to Calton Hill, then it's up the hill with snacks and a blanket for a sunset violin performance to start the week off properly.
Claire's in work from 8:00am to 3:00pm. From 3pm, it's fake barbecue on the roof terrace — chicken kebabs, salad, whatever else Daddy fancies. She hasn't had a barbecue all year, and she knows this isn't really one, but she's going to pretend anyway. Then it's chilling out, a proper catch-up and a glass of wine.
Afterwards — a few options
Get the number 11 bus directly there — it takes about an hour and ten minutes — then a climb up for the views, since Arthur's Seat is closed off due to the fire. Nothing else locked in for the day yet.
A bit of history
Or, if the weather's right for it — it opens today
Neighbourgood Gardens opens at the Ross Bandstand in Princes Street Gardens today (23 July–31 August) — independent Scottish food and drink traders, Cold Town Brewery on tap, and live performances on the bandstand every day, 11am–10pm. Free to enter.
More on Neighbourgood GardensClaire's working until 4:00pm today (most of the team's off, so no getting out of it). After that, maybe a walk or a chill on the terrace and sorting some food. Claire and Amy will leave the flat around 6:00–6:15pm to make their 7:00pm booking at Belfield Brewery — Denise is meeting them there for 7pm.
Claire's birthday meal, since Daddy won't be around on the actual day — booked for 7:00pm at Tapas 3, a small family-run place she eats at loads and always enjoys. Flagging her intolerances with them in advance usually means she's fine to eat there. She's made the reservation and asked them to call if there's any issue.
Tapas 3Other options, if the menu doesn't suit Daddy
Eleanore, on Leith Walk — Saturday dinner served 5:00–8:30pm, two courses £38 or three courses £43. They're happy to try and accommodate dietary requirements if organised well in advance.
View Eleanore's sample menuChop House — steak, if Daddy fancies red meat instead.
View Chop House's menuA bit of chill time would be nice before Claire's back into a busy week at work. Weather permitting, there's the option of the Pentland Hills roller coaster, but it's a big journey out. There's also Mary King's Close — Claire's happy to go along if Daddy would really like to see it, but don't expect her to trail up and down the rest of the Royal Mile, she's had quite enough of it lately! Early evening otherwise, as it's Claire's last full week at work before things get hectic, and she wants to go in fresh.
Real Mary King's CloseOr: a drink on the Garden View Deck
The Botanic Garden's John Hope Gateway has a Garden View Deck & Bar looking out over the grounds — open today, Sunday, 12–5pm, last orders 4:30pm. No booking, strictly walk-in. It's the only day this week it's actually open (it only runs Fri, Sat & Sun), and free to enter the garden itself. Once the main East Gate on Inverleith Row locks at 5pm, get in via the West Gate instead.
Garden View Deck & BarClaire's back at work, aiming for another 8:00am–4:00pm day. They'll grab lunch together on her break — and if Daddy's up for it, he's welcome to go and explore the city on his own for the rest of the day.
Ideas, if he fancies exploring solo
All within easy walking distance of each other in the Old and New Town.
Daddy heads home — flight departs Edinburgh at 15:50.
Daddy leaves the day before Claire's own birthday, Wednesday 29 July — which she's got off work.
More Ideas
For whenever there's a gap — Daddy on his own while Claire's working, or together if the timing works out.
Exhibition
National Galleries Scotland: Portrait, 1 Queen St. Free, daily 10am–5pm.
Find out moreExhibition
City Art Centre — the biggest show yet of her Edinburgh photography.
Find out moreExhibition
Outdoor photography exhibition, St Andrew Square Garden. Free.
Find out moreFood & Drink
Ross Bandstand, Princes Street Gardens. Scottish food & drink traders, Cold Town Brewery, live music. 11am–10pm, free. Opens 23 July.
Find out moreFood & Drink
John Hope Gateway, Botanic Garden. Fri & Sat 12–8pm, Sun 12–5pm. Walk-in only.
Find out moreSight
Underground Royal Mile tour — the one bit of it Claire's still keen to see.
Find out moreLive Music
17–26 July, venues across the city. A show together, or Daddy solo.
Find out moreNeighbourhood
A leafy, villagey part of town right next to the Royal Botanic Garden — easy to combine into the same outing.
View on Google MapsWalk
A scenic stretch of the Water of Leith walkway through Dean Village — one of Edinburgh's most photogenic spots, and an easy one for Daddy to explore solo if he fancies a wander.
View on Google MapsRainy Day Backup
Only if the weather turns — the good days are for being outdoors, this one's saved for whenever it's miserable and wet.
A Sweet Mission
Because it's his favourite — the proper hunt for the best gelato Edinburgh's got.
A local neighbourhood favourite right along the Water of Leith in Canonmills, famous for huge scoops, ice cream sundaes, and late-night sweet treats.
17 Broughton Road, Canonmills, Edinburgh EH7 4EB
4:00pm–10:00pm daily
Classic Scottish-Italian gelateria located right at Leith Shore. Dense, velvety gelato, build-your-own sundaes, and warm dessert waffles.
1 The Shore, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6EF
3:00pm–10:00pm Sun–Wed · 3:00pm–11:00pm Thu–Sat
Award-winning luxury gelato crafted with local Scottish cream, organic herbs and fresh fruits, with daily rotating creative flavours.
Level 4, St James Quarter, Edinburgh EH1 3AE
12:00pm–9:30pm daily
Gold-award winning gelato made daily with fresh East Lothian dairy, complete with hot melted Belgian chocolate taps.
1 Forrest Road, Edinburgh EH1 2QN
10:00am–10:00pm daily
Live Forecast
Pulls a fresh forecast every time this page is opened. Forecasts only look about ten days ahead, so it'll gradually start covering the full trip as it gets closer.
Source: Open-Meteo, a free forecasting service blending several weather models. Different apps (Met Office, BBC Weather) pull from different models, so it's normal for rain chances a few days out to disagree — worth cross-checking closer to the day.
Scotland
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Trip Essentials
Tue 21 Jul, 18:00
Southampton → Edinburgh
Calton Hill
First meet-up spot
Fri 24 Jul, 19:00
Belfield Brewery w/ Denise & Amy
Sat 25 Jul, 19:00
Tapas 3 — birthday meal
Tue 28 Jul, 15:50
Edinburgh → Southampton