Why not join the almost half a million-strong population, and move to Edinburgh?
Scotland’s capital is home to the world’s largest arts festival (The Edinburgh Fringe), was the inspiration for Harry Potter, and has more listed buildings than anywhere else in the world.
The other exciting statistic? It’s one of the fastest growing cities in the UK for all business sectors.
So, why not join the almost half a million-strong population, and move to Edinburgh, where you can thrive in your digital career, whilst enjoying all of the creative events the city has to offer?!
With a thriving digital and tech scene, Edinburgh is a great city to live in if you want to start your digital marketing career.
Whether you’re looking to work in-house for the likes of RBS and JP Morgan, or would prefer to specialise in SEO, PR, content, social media, PPC or any other strand of digital marketing at a digital agency; there are so many opportunities for you to carve out a fantastic career.
From digital marketing meet-ups to conferences, and training academies; if you’re looking to meet like-minded digital marketers while building your knowledge and expertise; check out these Edinburgh-based events you can attend.
The British Interactive Media Association (BIMA)
Digi Futures Digital Transformation Conference
Content Marketing Academy
Sure, as a capital city, Edinburgh isn’t the cheapest place on this list – but it’s a staggering 122% cheaper than London; which we think is worth the price considering how amazing the city is!
Average cost of a one bed flat (monthly rent)
£761.96 (city centre)
£593.57 (outside city centre)
Average monthly commuting costs
£55
Monthly gym membership
£32.38
Average cost of a meal at an inexpensive restaurant
£13
Average cost of a cappuccino
£2.64
Average cost of 0.5l beer
£4
*stats from Numbeo
Queens Drive, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH8 8HG
Arthur’s Seat is located within Holyrood Park, which is a dormant volcano, set 251m above sea level so you can see almost all of Edinburgh from it.
The 640 acre Royal Park is also full to the brim with unique geological formations and plants which make it a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI). There is also a historic interest in the park as it contains an impressive fort dating around 2000 years old.
St. Anthony’s Chapel, a 15th century medieval chapel and Duddingston Loch are also situated within the park, so you can take the scenic route to the top before you finally reach Arthur’s Seat.
Where? Queens Drive, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH8 8HG
Cost: Free
Website: visitscotland.com
Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND
One of Edinburgh’s oldest tourist attractions, dating back to 1853, these five floors of interactive exhibits will keep you entertained for hours.
The camera obscura has been fascinating people since Victorian times, bringing the streets of Edinburgh into one room in the old fashioned version of virtual reality. The views from the rooftop are well worth the five floors of stairs, and you can use the binoculars for free.
Enjoy the magic of over 100 different illusions and be amazed as you find yourself inside the vortex tunnel or shrinking like you are in Alice in Wonderland.
Where? Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND
Cost: £16
Website: camera-obscura.co.uk
Dobbies Garden World, Melville Nursery, Lasswade, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH18 1AZ
Walk through the world’s longest running indoor butterfly house where you will be surrounded by free roaming exotic butterflies in an enclosed tropical rainforest.
If you don’t mind creepy crawlies, you can also check out the bugs and beasties exhibition.
There’s an infrared area for you to see the nocturnal animals, as well as a reptile zone where each day you can take part in daily animal handling sessions and animal feeding shows.
Get a little fluffy version of your favourite creature to take home from the Jungle Gift Shop. There is no excuse not to go as it is open every day of the week all year!
Where? Dobbies Garden World, Melville Nursery, Lasswade, Edinburgh, Midlothian, EH18 1AZ
Cost: £7.95
Website: edinburghbutterflyworld.com
Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
A beautiful fortess set high in the centre of the city, you can’t miss this feature of Edinburgh!
Take a guided tour round to see features such as the oldest crown jewels in the British Isles or the very room where James VI was born.
Visit the replicated vaults below Crown Square where prisoners of war were kept in the 1800s and witness the firing of the gun dating back to 1861.
Look ahead at some of their impressive displays and you may even catch the annual military tattoo – an incredible performance of culture by some of the top musicians in Edinburgh. The sound of the bagpipes will make your trip truly Scottish!
Where? Edinburgh Castle, Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG
Cost: £17.50
Website: edinburghcastle.scot
124 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS, UK
Test your bravery during this terrifying tour through the subterranean tunnel system, usually closed off to the innocent public.
Discover stories of petrifying poltergeists, serial killers and body snatchers along the way.
Make your way around St Giles Cathedral to see the jail and be transported back in time to what the Old Town was like back in the 17th and 18th centuries. Then, if you aren’t scared away, the tour takes you to Greyfriars Kirkyard – a 450 year old cemetery.
An experience mixed with mystery and fascinating history, you will get a chance to walk through some of the most haunted places in the UK and see architecture from the 1700s. Definitely give it a go if you think you are brave enough!
Where? 124 High St, Edinburgh EH1 1QS, UK
Cost: £12
Website: cityofedinburghtours.com
1 St Colme St, Edinburgh, EH3 6AA
Take on the challenge of escaping one of Edinburgh’s eight escape rooms in less than 60 minutes.
Each room is filled with puzzles and riddles so it won’t be an easy task, but you can recruit a team of your friends to work it out.
With different themed rooms, varying from a Houdini special to a casino heist or a carnival to a deadly infected lab, there will be a room to suit everyone.
Escape Edinburgh has three different venues across the city, so make sure you know which one has the room that you want to escape out of!
Where? 1 St Colme St, Edinburgh, EH3 6AA
Cost: £12-£24pp (depending on number of players)
Website: escapeteambuilding.co.uk
Greyfriars Bobby Statue
Take this magical walking tour of Edinburgh and see where J.K. Rowling got her inspiration from for all the characters.
You can even have a coffee in the exact same cafe she wrote the first Harry Potter novel.
Have a chance to walk down the real life Diagon Alley and see where Voldemort (we mean, he who must not be named) is buried. Plus, on some of the dates, a real magician will accompany you on your tour to make it extra magical!
The best bit is that it is all for free and you are guaranteed a spot – just turn up at the right place at the right time.
Where? Greyfriars Bobby Statue
Cost: Free – donations welcome
Website: pottertrail.com
Kirkgate, Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH49 7AL
Located 15 miles west of Edinburgh, this palace was the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots.
Live like a royal for the day as you explore this stunning place – you could even spectate a jousting tournament in the summer!
The loch is the perfect place to have a picnic on the grounds, as it is rich with wildlife and greenery. Containing some rare species, it is now considered a Special Site of Scientific Interest (SSSI).
Admire the intricate architecture of the palace which although has changed over the years, it’s a fantastic renaissance residence.
Where? Kirkgate, Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH49 7AL
Cost: £7.20
Website: historicenvironment.scot
Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS
Embark on a four dimensional adventure from the beginning of time, starting with the big bang.
From touching an iceberg to feeling the ground move beneath you from a volcanic eruption, it truly is a hands-on experience.
Watch a film in the 360͒ ShowDome Cinema and experience classics like never before. Or try the new augmented reality challenge mission earth, where you travel through time to gather evidence from planet Earth throughout past, present and future.
Look out for what events they have on such as theatrical performances and talks from special guest lecturers.
Where? Holyrood Rd, Edinburgh, EH8 8AS
Cost: £14.50
Website: dynamicearth.co.uk
Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX
Situated at the end of Edinburgh’s iconic Royal Mile, the Palace of Holyroodhouse is home to many royals past and present – from the Queen of England, who stays there when she visits Scotland, to Mary Queen of Scots.
Take a tour of the magnificent palace rooms that are where history happened – you can even visit the room where Mary’s private secretary was murdered by her husband. The whole house is literally laced with fascinating stories of the royals!
Don’t forget to take a look round the beautiful palace gardens and the Holyrood Abbey next to the palace while you are there. Try and catch a recital on your visit as there are frequent performances of some of the finest classical music.
Where? Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX
Cost: £15
Website: rct.uk
79 Queen St, Edinburgh, EH2 4NF
This vintage speakeasy is well and truly hidden behind a Barber Shop front in real prohibition fashion.
It may be hard to find, but it’s worth it as this bar has been internationally recognised as one of the top 100 bars in the world.
They offer a wide range of cocktails, from the classics to brand new concoctions, including Milky Bar Hero. Alongside this they have an extensive wine, lager and ale list to suit all your tastes.
Delve into a cheeseboard or some pork crackling to compliment your alcohol (or soak it up!) with Panda and Sons’ selection of food.
Where? 79 Queen St, Edinburgh, EH2 4NF
Cost: Free entry
Website: pandaandsons.com
The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ
A site fit for royals, the Britannia is where kings and queens have dined, and celebrities including Frank Sinatra to Nelson Mandela have cruised.
Explore the five decks of the ship for yourself, from the fancy reception rooms to the engine room, see every nook and cranny of the ship. Why not try some afternoon tea complete with bubbly at the Royal Deck Tea Room? You may end up sitting where Prince William himself sat!
Britannia’s predecessor was built for Queen Victoria, although she never stepped on-board. However, this boat has a lot of history that you can discover with the free audio tour.
Where? The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Drive, Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6JJ
Cost: £16.50
Website: royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR
Made up of two galleries and a sculpture park, there is plenty to discover at the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art.
See works from famous artists such as Roy Lichtenstein, Andy Warhol and many more. Make sure to visit Pig Rock Brothy while you are there for a dynamic set of performances and workshops by different resident artists.
They also have some permanent collections including a world class Surrealism collection and other famous movements that shaped the history of art.
Where? 75 Belford Rd, Edinburgh, EH4 3DR
Cost: Free
Website: nationalgalleries.org
St Giles' Cathedral High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1RE
Dating back to 1124, St. Giles is full of history and yet still functions as an actively working church to this day.
They host a range of concerts, lectures and exhibitions, so we recommend going to one of their events.
Take a guided tour of the Cathedral and visit the ornate Thistle Chapel, or if you want to see some panoramic views of Edinburgh Old Town then climb the clock tower via the rooftop tour.
Beneath the Cathedral is a cafe, where you can sample delicious home-made bakes and speciality coffees, as well as browsing the gift shop.
Where? St Giles’ Cathedral High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1RE
Cost: Free entry (£6 to climb the clock tower)
Website: stgilescathedral.org.uk
9 Advocate's Cl, Edinburgh, EH1 1ND
This recent addition to Edinburgh’s lively bar scene is a must-visit.
Located in the Old Town of Edinburgh, it has a historic feel to it, as it’s set inside an old Victorian pump house with much of the old architecture still visible.
Functioning as both a bar and a restaurant, you can dine in the mezzanine area or on the terrace; sampling traditional Scottish food or delicious seasonal produce.
With over 400 different types of whisky to choose from you will be spoilt for choice – that’s not even including their amazing range of cocktails!
Where? 9 Advocate’s Cl, Edinburgh, EH1 1ND
Cost: Free entry
Website: devilsadvocateedinburgh.co.uk