Edinburgh Tourist Attractions: Botanic Gardens, Zoo, Scotch Whisky Experience, Our Dynamic Earth

Loch Ness Discovery Centre, Edinburgh

Situated on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, the 3D Loch Ness Experience pulls in the crowds. The mystery, myth, hoaxes or truth of the Loch Ness monster continue to fascinate. The centre shows a 3D film (every 20 minutes), plus has a display of photos and eye witness accounts. The Loch Ness Experience film is presented in several languages. Check the Loch Ness Edinburgh weblink right for details, which also has details on the official Loch Ness Exhibition Centre up in Inverness-shire.

3D Loch Ness Experience, 1 Parliament Square, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1RE. Tel. 0131 225 2290. The Loch Ness Exhibition Centre, Drumnadrochit, Loch Ness, Inverness-shire, IV63 6TU. Tel. 01456 450573, International. 00 44 1456 450573.

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Our Dynamic Earth Best Attraction Edinburgh

An exciting and relatively new Edinburgh attraction, Our Dynamic Earth explores the state of the earth, its formation and everything from the Polar Extremes to the Tropical Rainforests. It's a family attraction particularly aimed at children who will be kept busy in here for hours. Lots of interactive exhibits combine with educational workshops, films and Scotland focused exhibits. Checkout the Oceans exhibition or how about a bit of timetravel? This modern attraction blends music, lighting, visuals, evocative smells and sound to great effect, bringing the geology and history of the earth's formation alive - particularly for children.

Events run throughout the year, and there are cafes, play areas and a gift shop on-site. See the 'Our Dynamic Earth' website right for more details. Our Dynamic Earth is completely accessible to wheelchairs.

Our Dynamic Earth, 112 Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS. Tel. 0131 550 7800. (weblink right for details)

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Edinburgh Zoo

Set on the outskirts of Edinburgh in parkland, Edinburgh Zoo is world renowned as a centre for conservation and environmental education. Thousands of animals are here, including particular highlights the Penguins, the Highland Wildlife Park and numerous species which have been endangered. See the Edinburgh Zoo website right for a full list of all animals species here. Second to Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh Zoo is Scotland's number two most visited attraction.

Edinburgh Zoo is well equipped with facilities, including gift shops, picnic areas, play areas and cafes. To get there from Edinburgh City Centre, buses run regularly from Both Edinburgh's Waverley Station and Edinburgh Haymarket Station. You can also hop on a Lothian bus from Princes Street (Lothian Bus numbers 12, 26 and 31).

The Royal Zoologicial Society of Scotland, Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh, EH12 6TS. Tel. 0131 3349171.

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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Just to the North of Edinburgh city centre, Edinburgh's Royal Botanic Garden is not to be missed. Free to enter, and open daily from 10am, Edinburgh's Botanic Gardens offers a host of attractions within including a Scottish Heath Garden, a Woodland Garden, the Chinese Hillside with a fascinating collection of Chinese plants plus there's the world famous rock garden and events, exhibitions and activities running throughout the year (children are well catered for here, and the Botanic Gardens is a superb family day out!).

Gardens change through the season (check the seasonal hightlights link on the website). Take time to pop into the on-site Inverleith House, recently refurbished and now displaying art with a particular botanical leaning. On-site is the Botanics shop with gifts and more and the Terrace Cafe. The Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden has a long history. Originally established in 1670 it started life at Holyrood, then moved to Leith, finally finding its home here in its current location in 1820. Over 6 percent of all known plants can be found here - a garderner's inspiration heaven! Thematically informative, plants are exhibited under headings such as Plants & People which shows economically important plants such as rubber and bananas, whilst some of the world's oldest plants sit in the Orchid & Cycad House.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR. Tel: 0131 552 7171.

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Greyfriars Bobby Statue Edinburgh

Back in Edinburgh City Centre, the statue of Greyfriars Bobby, Edinburgh's famous Skye terrior dog, sits on Candlemakers Row in Edinburgh and Greyfriars Bobby's grave is in Greyfriars Kirkyard alongside. Bobby is buried close to his master John Gray's grave also in Greyfriars Kirkyard.

The Greyfriars Bobby story continues to tug at the heartstrings, and the statue of this famous Skye Terrior is a popular attraction in Edinburgh, and a favourite with children. The story of Greyfriars Bobby is a touching one. Afteer the death of his master John Gray in 1858, Bobby stood watch on the grave for 14 years until his own death in 1872, only leaving it to receive food from William Ramsey the local Coffee House owner.

The statue monument of Greyfriars Bobby you see today isn't the original, which is housed in the Edinburgh Museum along with his feeding bowl. For more information on Greyfriars Bobby see the website right, and visit the online shop for Greyfriars Bobby arts, crafts, the Greyfriars Bobby magazine and Tartan dog collars of course! A number of children's books have been written about the story of Greyfriars Bobby, for example those by Eleanor Atkinson. You can buy these via the online shop or in various outlets in Edinburgh.

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The Scotch Whisky Experience, Royal Mile

Situated on Edinburgh's Royal Mile, The Scotch Whisky Experience is an very popular Edinburgh attraction. You're guided through the process of single malt whisky making and distilling via exhibitions. The centre takes a close look at Scotland's whisky heritage stretching back centuries, which still sees it to day as one of the world's top whisky producers (whisky is one of Scotland's main exports still). Watch out for Blender's Ghost who has all the secrets on whisky blending!

Whisky tasting is of course on offer (soft drinks are available for under 18s), plus the Amber Restaurant serving traditional Scottish food is on-site. This Scotch Whisky heritage centre also offers whisky courses, and there's a Whisky Shop on-site offering a huge range of whiskies (over 300 malts!).

The Scotch Whisky Experience, 354 Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, Telephone: 0131 220 0441. (weblink right for details).

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