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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith

Companionship careEdinburgh

Days out in Edinburgh for an older parent

Eight places in Edinburgh that make a good day out for an older parent, from Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to Scottish National Gallery. For each one: what its own access information confirms, what it costs, how long to allow, and the carers nearby who drive and could take them.

Researched by PrimeCarers from each place’s own website and access information  ·  Updated October 2026

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. Photo: Ham, CC BY-SA 3.0

Eight days out across seven towns

The best places to take an older parent in Edinburgh

Six of them are free to visit or to walk around. The access information for one describes a step-free route, and four confirm an accessible toilet. Where a place does not publish its access, we say so.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith

Photo: Ham, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Garden · Inverleith

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden covers 70 acres in Inverleith, north of the city centre, with a rock garden, a Chinese hillside, a long herbaceous border and views of the castle skyline. The John Hope Gateway at the West Gate has a shop, information desk and restaurant.

Most paths are tarmac with marked accessible routes, wheelchairs and mobility scooters can be borrowed free, and there are Blue Badge spaces by the West Gate and accessible toilets in the Gateway and the garden.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free outside, paid inside

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Inverleith

National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh

Photo: No machine-readable author provided. Maccoinnich~commonswiki assumed (based on c, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Museum · Edinburgh

National Museum of Scotland

The National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street covers Scottish history, world cultures, natural history, science and design across a Victorian Grand Gallery and a modern wing. Entry is free and there is a rooftop terrace with views across the Old Town.

Lifts reach every floor, there are accessible toilets on all floors, seating throughout with portable stools to borrow, and free wheelchairs at the information desks.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Free

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Edinburgh

The Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith

Photo: Graham van der Wielen from Rotterdam, The Netherlands, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Leith

The Royal Yacht Britannia

The Royal Yacht Britannia, the royal family's floating residence for more than 40 years, is moored at Ocean Terminal in Leith. An audio tour takes visitors through the state apartments, crew quarters, engine room and the Royal Deck Tearoom.

Britannia's five decks are reached by a central lift, wheelchairs are lent free at the ticket desk, and Ocean Terminal's car park has free parking with disabled spaces on the same level as the visitor centre.

Time to allow
Half a day
Cost
Paid entry

What their access information confirms

  • Step-free route
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Leith

Scottish Parliament, Holyrood

Photo: dun_deagh, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Day out · Holyrood

Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament building at the foot of the Royal Mile is known for its unusual modern architecture, and visitors can walk into the main hall, see exhibitions, take a free guided tour or watch a debate from the public gallery. There is a café in the main hall.

All visits are free, the building has accessible toilets in the public area, and a few Blue Badge bays are on Horse Wynd, so a carer can plan an indoor outing with a café stop.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
All visits free

What their access information confirms

  • Accessible toilet
  • Blue Badge parking
  • Café

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Holyrood

Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine

Photo: billfromesm, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Animals · Corstorphine

Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo on Corstorphine Hill is home to more than a thousand animals, including penguins, chimpanzees, koalas and big cats, spread across a large hillside site. The daily penguin walk and the Budongo chimpanzee house are favourites.

The site is hilly, but a free mobility vehicle runs all year for visitors with access needs, wheelchairs can be hired for a returnable deposit, there is Blue Badge parking, and one carer goes free.

Time to allow
A full day
Cost
Paid entry, one carer free

What their access information confirms

  • Partly step-free
  • Accessible toilet
  • Wheelchairs to borrow
  • Blue Badge parking

Their websiteAccess information

Carers who drive, based near Corstorphine

Lauriston Castle and gardens, Cramond

Photo: User:Supergolden, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Historic house · Cramond

Lauriston Castle and gardens

Lauriston Castle is a 16th century tower house with Victorian extensions and Edwardian interiors, set in gardens near Cramond with views across the Firth of Forth. The castle is seen on guided tours, and the grounds include a Japanese garden.

The gardens are free to enter all year and the castle tours are booked for set times, so a carer can plan a short garden stroll and add a tour only if their parent is up to it.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Gardens free all year

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Cramond

Portobello Promenade, Portobello

Photo: Graeme Yuill, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Coast · Portobello

Portobello Promenade

Portobello is Edinburgh's seaside, with a long sandy beach and a promenade running from Kings Place to Joppa lined with cafés and old swimming baths. It is a favourite place for a walk by the sea and an ice cream.

The promenade is long and level beside the sand, so a carer can pick a short stretch near a café and turn back when their parent is ready.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Portobello

Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

Photo: 瑞丽江的河水, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Gallery · Edinburgh

Scottish National Gallery

The Scottish National Gallery on The Mound holds Scotland's national collection of fine art, from Renaissance masters to Raeburn, Ramsay and the Scottish Colourists. Entry to the main collection is free and it sits beside Princes Street Gardens.

It sits in the centre of the city beside Princes Street Gardens, so a carer can combine a short look at a few rooms with a rest on a garden bench, and should check the gallery's access page about the entrance and lifts before going.

Time to allow
An hour or two
Cost
Free

Access

Their website does not set out its access in detail, so ring ahead about parking, paths and toilets.

Their website

Carers who drive, based near Edinburgh

Regular groups and events in Edinburgh

Something to go back to every week or every year, from our research into what older people enjoy doing in Edinburgh.

  • Cooking & Baking · EdinburghSaturday farmers' market under the CastleA weekly Saturday market of Scottish growers, bakers and butchers on Castle Terrace. A carer can push a trolley, carry bags and help choose ingredients for something cooked together at home that afternoon.Details
  • Dancing · EdinburghScottish country dance classes and social dancesThe city branch of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society runs classes at various levels plus social dances through the winter season. A carer can get someone to the hall, sit with them between dances, and help them join in walked-through sets rather than the fast ones.Details
  • Dancing · EdinburghDance classes aimed at the over sixtiesScotland's national centre for dance in the Grassmarket runs course-based classes including sessions specifically for people aged 60 and over. A carer could handle booking and travel and stay for the class, which makes a first term much less daunting.Details
  • Photography · EdinburghA camera club going back to 1861Edinburgh Photographic Society, founded in 1861, runs lectures, competitions and outings for members of all standards. A carer can help with transport to evening meetings and with carrying and setting up kit.Details
  • Sports · EdinburghAgeing Well activity sessionsEdinburgh Leisure's Ageing Well programme runs led activity sessions for older adults across city venues, supported by trained volunteers. A carer can get someone to a first session and stay nearby until the group feels familiar.Details
  • Volunteering · EdinburghVolunteering at the BotanicsThe garden takes volunteers for roles including visitor welcome, herbarium and horticultural work, with training given. A carer can help with the application, the first shifts and the journey until it becomes routine.Details

Hobbies and carers who share them in Edinburgh

At a glance

The eight places side by side

What each place’s own access information confirms. “Ask” means it does not say, not that it is missing.

PlaceTimeCostStep-freeToiletCafé
Royal Botanic Garden EdinburghInverleithhalf a dayFree outside, paid insidePartlyYesYes
National Museum of ScotlandEdinburghhalf a dayFreeAskYesAsk
The Royal Yacht BritanniaLeithhalf a dayPaid entryYesAskYes
Scottish ParliamentHolyroodan hour or twoFreeAskYesYes
Edinburgh ZooCorstorphinea full dayPaid entryPartlyYesAsk
Lauriston Castle and gardensCramondan hour or twoFree outside, paid insideAskAskAsk
Portobello PromenadePortobelloan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk
Scottish National GalleryEdinburghan hour or twoFreeAskAskAsk

Where the places are in Edinburgh

The county’s boundary, numbered as on this page, with the main towns for reference.

QueensferryVauxhall12345678
  1. 1Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Inverleith
  2. 2National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
  3. 3The Royal Yacht Britannia, Leith
  4. 4Scottish Parliament, Holyrood
  5. 5Edinburgh Zoo, Corstorphine
  6. 6Lauriston Castle and gardens, Cramond
  7. 7Portobello Promenade, Portobello
  8. 8Scottish National Gallery, Edinburgh

What it costs

What a day out with a carer costs in Edinburgh

Carers in Edinburgh charge £19 to £20 an hour through PrimeCarers, typically £19, with our fee included. A four-hour outing is about £76 for the carer’s time. Entry, food and parking are extra, and travel costs are only payable if you agree them with the carer in advance, in writing. The cost of home care in Edinburgh has the full figures.

Photographs on this page are from Wikimedia Commons, credited under each one.

Questions

Questions families ask about days out in Edinburgh

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in Inverleith, National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh, The Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith, Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh Zoo in Corstorphine, Lauriston Castle and gardens in Cramond, Portobello Promenade in Portobello and Scottish National Gallery in Edinburgh. Each has its own section on this page with what its access information confirms, the cost and how long to allow.

The access information for The Royal Yacht Britannia describes a step-free route. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Parliament and Edinburgh Zoo have an accessible toilet. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, National Museum of Scotland, The Royal Yacht Britannia and Edinburgh Zoo lend wheelchairs. Access changes, so ring ahead about anything your parent depends on.

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (outside free, inside paid), National Museum of Scotland, Scottish Parliament, Lauriston Castle and gardens (outside free, inside paid), Portobello Promenade and Scottish National Gallery. Parking is often charged even where entry is free.

Yes. A companion carer can drive your parent there, walk at their pace, help with the toilet and meals, and bring them home. 13 of the carers with a rate near Edinburgh drive. Visits are booked by the hour, typically £19 an hour here with our fee included. Companionship care in Edinburgh shows who is available.

Often. Many attractions let a carer or companion in free, or at a reduced price, with a disabled visitor, and some ask for proof such as a letter or a benefit award. It varies, so check each place’s access or prices page before you go.

Where the nearest carers live

From the profiles of the carers based within about 45 minutes of Edinburgh

Where the nearest carers live. A carer close to home can manage a longer day out.

Companionship care in the counties around Edinburgh

Days out in the areas around Edinburgh

Companionship care by town in Edinburgh

Each town page shows the carers who list it as home, with their rates and reviews.

Find a carer who could take them out in Edinburgh

See carers near Edinburgh who drive, with their photos, interests, rates and reviews. Talking to them is free and nothing is booked until you say so.

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