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Best Date Ideas In Edinburgh

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We are hookupcloud.com and we are packed with date ideas! We have Edinburgh's best date ideas from castle walks and cozy dinners to bars and whisky tasting! Navigate down through this page to find out which places you know and which you don't made it onto our list of places to take a date in historic Edinburgh, arguably one of the best places in Scotland! hookupcloud is 100% dedicated to sourcing outstanding date ideas so that YOU don't have to! Now you can get ready to go on the hottest date ever in Edinburgh, so keep reading on if you have tried everywhere else and still not found a place in Edinburgh to take your significant other TONIGHT!

Edinburgh is a city of ancient culture and great natural beauty. Less stuffy than the South of England, less expensive than London, more vibrant than Birmingham -- if you want to know what a magical, electrifying, truly romantic date feels like, it has to Scotland, and if it has to be Scotland, Edinburgh must be right up there in your top ten destinations without a doubt. There are amazing museums, castles, royal seats, bars a plenty, and we even review a truly exquisite hotel. It's a small city, but by gosh it packs a hard punch. With its hills and castles and stunning views, you might feel as though you were in a fairytale as you walk from one amazing destination to the next, and you know what? You just might be.

History Of The Edinburgh Dating Scene

You can literally walk through the history of Edinburgh's date scene, since this ancient town has expanded geographically, rather than simply redeveloping the same old plots of land as lesser cities have done. Life here began in Old Town, with its medieval roots; society was very different back when this part of town was still fresh faced and spry, though some of the old inns still stand if you feel like sampling a date from the heady and seductive Dark Ages... Then take a stroll through New Town, dripping in Georgian decadence; here, you will be reminded that once upon a time the dating scene was a raucous, dangerous place, full of lust and lewdness... Okay, perhaps not all that much has changed, but the point we are trying to make is that Edinburgh's dating scene has shifted across the centuries to become what it is today -- fairly sedate compared with the city's tumultuous past, but no less magical or intoxicating.

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Best Times To Go Out

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Edinburgh does not sleep. If you wanted, you could go out at any time, day or night, and crawl back home in daylight or in darkness -- take your pick. We have not reviewed any night clubs in this list, simply because there are so many better things to do in Edinburgh than spend your time drinking and dancing indoors, which, frankly, you could do anywhere. So, stay out all night if you want to, but we suggest that you pick a museum or castle and pair it with a bar and a meal. This will take you from a midday hang through to a mid evening schmooze, with plenty of strolling through the beautifully hilly streets of this classic Scottish city and capital along the way.

Date Ideas In Edinburgh: Directory

Edinburgh may well end up competing for your partner's affections as you wander through her pretty streets and take in the historic wonders of this world class city. Over here at hookupcloud.com, we have picked only the finest date spot suggestions to discover with your special person any time at all, be it next month, next week, or even TONIGHT. Now, pour yourself a wee dram and kick back as we journey to magnificent Edinburgh in pursuit of the finest date ideas.

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National Museum of Scotland

Type
Historic museum
Space
Huge museum with many exhibits
Crowd
College to middle aged
Address
Chambers St, Edinburgh EH1 1JF
Website
Any Notes
Parking nearby, open 10 AM - 5 PM
Brief Description
You and your date will marvel at ancient Egyptian burials, Viking era hoards of treasure, and Scottish history from the Jacobites to Bonnie Prince Charlie. You'll laugh, you'll cry... okay, you probably won't do either of those things, but you will say WOW quite a lot. Teaming up with the world famous Fringe Festival, the National Museum of Scotland often has events that tie in with the fun, such as Fringe Takeovers, in which patterns get to enjoy the museum after hours, and Free Fringe Music, which showcases spectacular Scottish music.
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Regent Bar

Type
Gay bar
Space
Comfy gay pub in the Scottish tradition
Crowd
Typically college to 30s to middle aged and over
Address
2 Montrose Terrace, Edinburgh EH7 5DL
Website
Any Notes
Paid on street parking close by
Brief Description
Not just one of the best gay pubs in town, but one of the best pubs in town full stop. the first drinking establishment on our list, and one at which any couple that falls somewhere on the LGBT spectrum will feel totally safe, welcomed, and at ease. It's old and it ain't super pretty, but it's one of Scotland's finest gay bars, and you can not argue with a statement like that. What this place does well is coziness, and it has that in spades. This is just the ticket for those dreary nights when the wind whips in off the sea and the world smells like snow. Where better to kick off your shoes by the fire and enjoy a warming dram with your loved one while the hours tick by in comfort than the well loved Regent Bar? Probably not that many places, we are fairly sure.
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Holyrood Palace

Type
Royal seat
Space
Sprawling royal property
Crowd
All ages!
Address
Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX
Website
Any Notes
Plenty of parking available for all visitors.
Brief Description
From the 16th century onwards, this truly breath taking architectural juggernaut has dominated the local skyline, with its many turrets and parapets and generally forbidding presence. You and your date can go on a tour of the Palace and check out its reception rooms, suits of armour, and other cool ancient stuff. The views are amazing, and there is a gift shop and restaurant close at hand should you feel the need to buy a key chain and a sandwich respectively. Plenty of photo opportunities, which means that you and your special someone will soon be lighting up Instagram with your shots of yourself ensconced with each other in this ancient seat of the once powerful but now totally moribund Stuarts. Imposing and beautiful, yet somehow terrifying, this place is the Ice Queen of Scottish architecture. Tours take somewhere from half an hour to two hours, so bring a spot of lunch with you and wear comfy shoes! A must see for history buff couples.
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Edinburgh Castle

Type
Famous castle
Space
Ancient fortress with astounding views
Crowd
All ages are welcome
Address
Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NG
Website
Any Notes
Wear something photogenic -- you will be taking a lot of pictures!
Brief Description
From a palace to a castle. The castle has simply stunning views of the city, so if you have already spent some time exploring the ancient streets and labyrinthine alleys now you and your special someone can spend time trying to work out where you were. Way up on Castle Rock, you will be able to see the surrounding world; why not try and aim for a sunset -- what better setting to watch the sun go down with your partner than from the parapet of an ancient fortress. King Malcolm III and his sons used the castle to turn Edinburgh into one of the most important royal seats in Scotland. With its prominent position on Castle Rock, overlooking the city and ruling its skyline, you can see how this amazing fortress would have struck fear and awe into the hearts of any who were summoned here. A deeply affecting sight that will form a romantic backdrop, as well as a focal point, to any Edinburgh date.
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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Type
Botanic garden
Space
Large green space with exhibits
Crowd
All ages
Address
Arboretum Pl, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ
Website
Any Notes
Wear walking shoes and prepare for 2 hours of wandering
Brief Description
Run by the Scottish Government, The RBGE is a sumptuous, lavish series of gardens that will make you wish you never had to leave; that said, you will probably max out at about 2 hours. Exotic foliage awaits, as well as public art, a coffee shop, and 70 acres of expertly tended park land. A palm house that is a must see, plus events and modern exhibitions round out the experience, which will be a treat to any nature lovers who want the sort of date that will give both of you plenty to talk about in a relaxed and heady atmosphere.
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Planet Bar

Type
Women's bar
Space
LGBT friendly bar
Crowd
College to middle aged
Address
6 Baxter's Pl, Edinburgh EH1 3AF
Website
Any Notes
Strictly women only. Open 1 PM - 1 AM
Brief Description
Now, we hope we don't have to explain to you what a women's bar is. Okay, we guess maybe we do, since most gay bars seem to be dedicated most exclusively to men -- this is a women's gay bar, which means no twinks, no bears, and no omnivorous dudes hanging around in the corners. Bring your partner along, whether it is the start, middle, or somewhere advanced along your relationship timeline, and just totally flop out. This is what you might call a pre club bar if you were feeling less than generous, but in reality, Planet Bar has an atmosphere (see what we did there?) all of its own. Live DJs and special entertainments on the Sunday afternoons add to the eclectic charm of this wonderful little place. This bar is a breath of fresh air, especially in a scene where men can still sometimes dominate, regardless of their sexual orientation.
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The Advocate

Type
Historic pub
Space
Pub and restaurant
Crowd
College age and up
Address
7 Hunter Square, Edinburgh EH1 1QW
Website
Any Notes
We advocate booking in advance to avoid disappointment
Brief Description
If you and your new special pal like sports but don't want the hassle of going to game just at the moment, thank you very much, you could do far worse than to check out The Advocate, where you will find big screens a plenty. The venue changes its character very quickly though, as it becomes a hot spot for live music on set nights. With a sprawling bar and a pub grub menu that ticks all the boxes, The Advocate is a snug, laid back place that does some really good cocktails. Was it always a pub? We do not know, but we DO know that this is one ancient building -- try finding a ninety degree angle anywhere in the vicinity. We all but guarantee you won't. Okay, we don't mean that, but seriously... try putting a marble on any surface inside The Advocate and watch it roll away from you. Alright, architecture aside, this is a great bar and it comes with a big thumbs for us.
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Angels with Bagpipes

Type
Top end resto
Space
Intimate and historic restaurant
Crowd
All ages
Address
343 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1PW
Website
Any Notes
Paid parking can be found nearby. Book ahead
Brief Description
This place looks amazing and that is always a good start on a date -- it just means that YOU will also have to look amazing (no pressure). A cosy and sophisticated place that is housed in a 16th century structure, Angels with Bagpipes has a truly mind blowing menu, and everything you pick from it will be served to you expertly by the friendly, but respectful staff. Will you actually hear bagpipes here? Sure, but you may have to bring your own. We should probably start talking abut the food, since this is a resto we are taking about. Steak, cheese balls, Salmon and ham, salads and Mascarpone for dessert. The nice thing about having somewhere as great as Angles with Bagpipes in a place like Edinburgh, is that you can pair it with a trip to somewhere the museum. Do some romantic and awe inspiring things, and then collapse in a comfy chair in a place like this for summer, unmitigated. A true delight among many in Scotland's capital.
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The Witchery by the Castle

Type
Boutique hotel
Space
Top end hotel worth staying at
Crowd
All ages
Address
352 Castlehill, Edinburgh EH1 2NF
Website
Any Notes
Free parking for all patrons
Brief Description
We don't often review hotels, and never before as a date idea, but this place is worth seeing in itself, and not just as somewhere to stay while you look at other things (that said, though the Castle is, as the name implies, nearby). Free brekkie, olde world suites that have to be sen to be believed, and TWO extremely well regarded restaurants help to make The Witchery not only the best hotel in the area, but one of the best places to take a date in the whole city. Recommended for couples who are already fairly far along the path of their relationship, (we would certainly not suggest this as an idea for a first date!) this is a top idea if you want to conjure up (pun intended) a night of seduction and serious chilling. Pick up some snacks en route and fire up a movie to spend the night watching together.

Find Even More Great Date Spots In The UK

And that was the last suggestion in our walk through of the very finest date ideas in Edinburgh! The date advice gnomes here at hookupcloud.com scoured the Highlands for the finest Scottish date ideas so that YOU could take it easy! We are pretty sure at least one or more of the spots we reviewed got on to YOUR date suggestions shortlist! Click on the wee star in the search box of your browser and bookmark this page from hookupcloud.com so you can find your way back for more delicious date ideas!

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Edinburgh's best date ideas - Hookupcloud.com

We are hookupcloud.com and we are packed with date ideas! We have Edinburgh's best date ideas from castle walks and cozy dinners to bars and whisky tasting.

Edinburgh's best date ideas - Hookupcloud.com