AT A GLANCE Scotlands capital is the perfect destination for a weekend break.

Boasting a status as a world heritage site, this historic city has so much to offer. Surrounded by verdant countryside and scenic lochs, Edinburgh is the gateway to the stunning Lothian region. In the city itself, visitors can explore unique tourist attractions that range from an ancient castle to a hidden underground city. WHEN TO GO The streets are alive with tourists and performers in August, all visiting for the famous Fringe Festival just be sure to plan in advance, as this is by far the busiest month to visit. Likewise Hogmanay is a great time to visit but youll need to book a hotel around September as accommodation during this world-famous event tends to go fast. Weather-wise, the city is warmest from May through to October. Weather Spring: Scottish weather is famously unpredictable, but spring sees the city at its most consistent. The weather is mild with average highs of 9C in April, rising to 14C Summer: Temperatures can reach up to 20C in the summer months. Edinburgh is known to have around the highest temperatures in Scotland. July is generally the warmest month to visit Autumn: Expect rain if visiting in autumn and pack a brolly so that youre well-prepared. The hours of sunshine in October are virtually the same as they are in July so expect warm, hazy evenings Winter: From December to February, visitors are advised to wrap up warm as temperatures reach an average of 1.5C. Snow can be expected and generally the winter months bring 20 days of snow and 30 days of rain
Images: Edinburgh Sun by Webminkette on Flickr

THINGS TO DO Edinburgh is the second most visited city in the United Kingdom after London, and offers a whole host of attractions from the historic museums and galleries to the child-friendly Edinburgh Zoo. The nightlife in the city is equally diverse, blending modern clubs with traditional taverns. Attractions Edinburgh Castle: The citys most popular tourist attraction is visited by more than one million people per year

 Edinburgh Zoo: Meet the pandas and over 1,000 other animals at the most exciting wildlife attraction in Scotland Edinburgh Dungeon: Discover the ghosts and ghouls of Edinburgh at this scary attraction, featuring live shows and thrilling rides Royal Yacht Britannia: A magnificent ship that was once home to her Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family Scott Monument: This Victorian Monument to Sir Walter Scott stands in Princes Gardens Real Mary Kings Close: Unearth a hidden city underneath Edinburghs streets, which has remained frozen in time since the 17th century Edinburgh Butterfly and Insect World: Hundreds of butterflies and exotic insects make their home in this tropical rainforest National Museum of Flight: Trace the story of modern flight from the Wright Brothers through to the launch of Concorde Nightlife Nightlife in Edinburgh is divided into three distinct areas: Cowgate, which is mostly frequented by students, up-market George Street and the flashy Lothian Road. You'll find pubs everywhere in the city, from traditional taverns to more modern establishments, all of which are a great place to spend an evening. If youre looking for something different, spend the evening in one of Edinburghs comedy clubs. You can expect a good line-up whether youre visiting inside or outside of the festival. Lola Lo: A Polynesian Tiki bar and nightclub in the heart of the city HMV Picture House: Catch live music or dance to Indie classics at this refurbished picture house The Stand Comedy Club: Edinburghs most famous comedy venue at St. Andrews Square Rose Street Brewery: A traditional pub and former brewery serving real ale Jekyll and Hyde: A horror themed bar celebrating Robert Louis Stevensons famous story Sheep Heid Inn: On the outskirts of town, this bar built in 1360 is famous for its whisky selection Cabaret Voltaire: A subterranean club in an intimate cave-like space Day Trips from Edinburgh Whether you want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a day or just explore the surrounding countryside, the excellent public transport links makes it easy. Alternatively you can find guided excursions online through online companies such as Viator. The Scottish Sea Bird Centre: Located on the base of an extinct volcano and home to a colony of rock gannets. This is the perfect day trip for nature-lovers and bird-watchers. Travel Time: 30 minutes

Loch Lomond: Explore the West Highlands and Trossachs National Park on a day trip to one of Scotlands most picturesque lochs. You can even take a boat trip and visit Casle Douane. Travel Time: 1 hour 45 minutes Gullane: Known for its golf courses, this small town is perfect for those seeking more relaxing pursuits. It also boasts an awardwinning beach flanked by dunes. Travel Time: 35 minutes

Glasgow: Scotlands largest city has a wealth of attractions. Dont miss Glencoyne Distillery, often described as Scotlands most beautiful distillery, and the Science Centre. Travel Time: 50 minutes
Images: Dungeon by Douglas Neiner on Flickr / / Mary Kings Close by Caspy2003 on Flickr // Gannet by F_Shields // Loch Lomond by Bonio // Gullane by Ewan-M// Glasgow Science Centre by Suborbital Pigeon.

SHOPPING Scotlands capital has everything that you need for a shopping extravaganza. All the British High Street favourites can be found in the city, but you can also find eclectic second-hand shops and designer fashions. Pick up some Scottish staples on your jaunt, such as Fair Isle jumpers, Arran cardigans, and that Scottish stalwart, the kilt. Shopping Areas: Princes Street: Home to High Street favourites, such as Topshop, H&M and Zara Multrees Walk: Armani, Louis Vuitton and Mulberry can all be found on this shopping street Stockbridge: For eclectic second-hand fashions and art galleries try this New Town area Shopping Centres: Harvey Nichols: Pick up designer goods in the Scottish outpost of the famous department store St James Shopping Centre: In the heart of the city boasting over 600 brands under one roof Princes Mall: Three levels of stores and eateries in the city centre outside Waverley Station Markets: Edinburgh Market: Takes place every Saturday at Broughton Square from 10am to 3pm Edinburgh Farmers Market: Fresh produce at Castle Terrace on the first Saturday of the month
Image: Harvey Nichols by Denna Jones on Flickr

FOOD & DRINK Haggis, Battered Mars Bars and Irn Bru, Scottish food and drink doesn't exactly get a good press, but try it and you might be pleasantly surprised yes, even by the haggis. Angus beef steaks and Scottish smoked salmon are two of the delicacies that you should seek out on restaurant menus and in the cold winters nothing hits the spot quite like a hot Scotch broth. Of course, we can't mention Scottish drink without mentioning whisky and many bars in town are justifiably proud of their home-sourced whisky collections.

Image: Haggis by Bernt Rostad on Flickr

Popular Edinburgh Hotspots: Old Town Atmospheric pubs and bistros feature in this traditional area Leith Top restaurants and Michelin starred establishments in a waterfront location City Centre A mix of brand name restaurants and fine-dining establishments Tollcross Edinburghs China Town features a number of Chinese restaurants CULTURE & ETIQUETTE Scotlands culture and traditions are largely similar to the rest of the United Kingdom. However, there are small quirks that set the principality apart from its neighbour, namely the fact that 1.4% of the population speak Scottish Gaelic. Even those that dont speak Scots will use a few choice phrases in everyday life. Useful Phrases Drookit soaked through (fitting for the Scottish weather) Hoachin Full up (literally bursting at the seams) Mucca Friend

Dos and Donts DONT ask for ice in your whisky, its frowned upon. The locals have it straight or with water DO seek out the tartan associated with your clan (surname) at Heritage of Scotland DONT refer to the people of Scotland as Scotch, they are Scots, Scotch is a whisky DO climb Arthurs Seat, the extinct volcano and highest of Edinburghs seven hills DONT confuse Scotland with England; the whole country is referred to as Great Britain, or the United Kingdom, Scots dislike being called English

Tipping Very few restaurants include a service charge on their bills. Where a service charge is not included and where the service has been good, it is customary to

leave a tip of 10-15% of the bill. It is not normal to leave a tip in a pub unless you have had a meal with good service.
Image: Scottish currency by Howard Lake

TRANSPORT Edinburgh is a compact city that can be easily explored by foot or by bike. However, there are local bus services that can take you across town and into the surrounding Lothians. Although Edinburgh is accessible by car it is recommended that visitors use the Park and Ride as this eases congestion and lets visitors avoid parking charges. Getting Around Lothians Buses: The main bus service in the city providing transport within the centre and surrounding Lothians area Black cabs can be found throughout Edinburgh and these are wheelchairaccessible Park and Ride sites can be found in Ingliston, Hermiston, Straiton, Sheriffhall and Wallyford Edinburgh airport is the main international airport and served by a number of carriers
Image: Black Cab by Rhys Aplundh

Fare Information The Lothians Buses DayTicket offers unlimited daily travel in Edinburgh Taxis: Always make sure youre in a fully licensed taxi and get the driver to turn the meter on so you dont end up paying more than you should do Parking at Park and Ride Sites is free apart from at Newcraighall where there is a charge of 50p per day HEALTH & SAFETY Emergency numbers: 999 and 112 The Foreign and Commonwealth Office provide information by phone on 0845 850 2829 EDINBURGH BLOGGERS TOP TIPS Karen Bryan Europe a la Carte "My tip for visitors to Edinburgh is to have a stroll along the Water of Leith Walkway. My favourite section is between Belford Bridge, close to the National Museum of Modern Art, to Stockbridge. You'll pass through Dean Village, where you can see the old grain millstones. Just before Stockbridge is St Bernard's Well, built in the shape of a Greek temple with a statue of the Hygeia, the Greek Goddess of health, in the centre."

Duncan Rhodes Urban Travel Blog Whilst the UNESCO-listed Old Town with its famed Royal Mile and Castle attract the hordes, slip away from the shops selling tartan kilts and miniature bagpipes and head over to the dock district of Leith. Understated and - dare we say it - "up-and-coming", this post-industrial area radiates charm, especially by the waterfront in the evening or morning light. Take a stroll, take some photos and then take-away a Stornoway black pudding roll from Mimi's Bakehouse. Check out these photos of the Leith docks for a preview of the district.

Nadine Pierce Eating Edinburgh

For most visitors to Edinburgh the sight of an extinct volcano rising up out of the city is fine temptation, whether you make the full ascent to the top of Arthurs Seat or a slightly less strenuous walk around Salisbury Crags youll be rewarded with outstanding views of the city and beyond. Duddingtson Village, just the other side of Arthurs Seat, lays claim to the Sheep Heid Inn, reportedly Edinburghs oldest pub and with a traditional feel, open fire in Winter, a beer garden for warmer months and a contemporary seasonal menu it makes the perfect post trek stop-off!

Roddy MacLeod Roddy MacLeod Edinburgh is blessed with so many entertainment venues, historic sites, festivals, galleries,
restaurants, bars and cafs that it can be a bit daunting for first time visitors to decide where to begin. Fortunately, there are also plenty of print and online guides. Copies of Artmag can be found in many Edinburgh cafs and bars. Their website lists local galleries and restaurants. i-on Edinburgh magazine is also available as a free pick up in many venues. The website has a Whats On, Food and Drink listings and a Style guide. Edinburgh Life Magazine can be purchased at city newsagents, or follow them on Twitter @EdLifeMagazine The Skinny magazine covers most aspects of culture all over Scotland, but you can limit searches of their website to locations in the capital city For Festival goers, theres Edinburgh Festival on Twitter @edfests and for a local perspective, Edinburgh Spotlight @EdinSpotlight