Things to do in Edinburgh – June

Visiting Edinburgh this June?

Here’s our round up of exciting things to keep you busy in the city this month!

 

Edinburgh International Film Festival – 19th-30th June

Film Fest in the City outdoor screenings at St Andrew’s Square

According to Artistic Director, Mark Adams the festival offers “The chance for our audiences who come along to Festival screenings and get to see and sometimes meet some of the film talent involved is always a highpoint of the EIFF experience. We love to have guests at our screenings and to involve them in post-screening Q&A sessions and I think the guests themselves also get a kick out of the experience.”

See a variety of films at the International Film Festival. From ‘The Best of British’, to ‘World Perspective’ and ‘Phenomenal Women’ to ‘CineCuisine’, there’s really something for everyone this. Have a look at the official digital program now to build your perfect weekend.

Excitingly this weekend welcomes the start of the ‘In Person: Special Events’, hosted by Danny Boyle, shall offer an exclusive opportunity to hear from key big names in the film industry about their careers.

 

Royal Highland Show – 20th-23rd of June

From wellies to watches, feather hats to fabulous frocks and a stunning selection of bespoke jewellery, designer knits and country wear, the Royal Highland Show has many independent designers showcasing the best in contemporary fashions. Make sure to keep an eye out for the Highland Coos.

You can enjoy free talks and tastings in Scotland’s Larder Live! and the Cookery Theatre. A popular place for little ones is the RHET Discovery Centre, located on Avenue Q. There they can take part in cooking classes and learn more about where their food comes from.
There’s live music, great entertainment and lots to enjoy!

 

Find out more about what could get up to at the Highland show by looking at their website. 

 

 

Pride Edinburgh – 22nd of June

Pride Edinburgh, 2019

2019 is a huge year for the LGBTQI+ community as it marks the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising in New York, which played as the global starting point for the pride movement. Many brave people from the transgender and drag queen community banded together and made a stand so that generations to could feel safe, loved and accepted.

Join the march on Saturday 22nd June for our 24th Edinburgh Pride Event to time celebrate diversity, what makes us all unique so be proud to say #ThisIsMe.

An Extra Tip from the locals! Make sure to head over to CC Blooms Bar after the march to catch Edinburgh’s biggest and brightest Drag scene, see their facebook for a round up of their event and show times.

 

 

The March is set to follow this route;

11:30: Pride Marchers to assemble at Scottish Parliament on Parliament Green by Horse Wynd.12:00: Speeches will commence from invited guest speakers a top a Lothian Double Decker Bus.

12:30: Pride Scotia March moves off, heading North and turning left into the Canongate, proceeding ahead into the Canongate, then the High Street. Continuing west up the High Street, turning left at Lawnmarket Junction into George IV Bridge, continuing along George IV Bridge, a slight left into Bristo Place, Turning Right into Potterrow, ahead into Potterrow. Turning Right in Crichton Street.

13:15: Turning right into Charles Field, The Pride Scotia March arrives at the EUSA Campus the Site of the Pride Edinburgh 2019’s This Is Me Festival

 

To find out more details about how to get involved with Edinburgh’s Pride on their website or the Edinburgh’s Pride official facebook page.

 

Race for life 5k – 23rd of June

Edinburgh’s Race for Life 5K

The race for life 5k is thousands of people uniting with one purpose – to raise valuable funds for life-saving research.

The race is happening at 11am on Sunday the 23rd of June and it’s not too late to take part. Bring your dogs, your pushchairs, your friends and family and join a city that’s ready to make a difference!

The Edinburgh Holyrood course is set in the amazing grounds of the Royal Park in the centre of Edinburgh. The route starts and finishes on the field adjacent to Holyrood Palace and runs around Arthur’s Seat, taking in the beautiful views across Edinburgh. This event is mainly on footpaths and has one large incline.

Register to take part in the run here.

 

Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland Exhibit – 26th of June- 10th of November

An exciting new exhibition, ‘Wild and Majestic: Romantic Visions of Scotland’ is being launched at the National Museum of Scotland. Even today the defining images of Scotland are made up of the dramatic highland landscapes, heroic histories, bagpipes and tartan. This exhibition considers the origins of these ideas and explores how they were used to represent Scotland around the world. Explore an alternative truth for Scotland from propaganda, military regimes, music, literature and costume that birthed Scotland’s journey into the global imagination.

The exhibit is free for Museum Members, £10 for Adults or £7.50 for Concessions

Watch the full launch video for the exhibition here.

 

 

For more inspiration on what to do in Edinburgh this June check out Edinburgh Tourists Guide .

 

 

Remember, keep us updated with your Edinburgh Adventure using @destinationedinburgh and @glorydays.edinburgh on Instagram and Facebook for the chance to feature on our social media feeds.

 

 

Why is it best to book with an Official Tour Supplier?

Glory Days are proud to be the Official Governing Body Partner for many major events, and we want to highlight the huge benefits this brings to our customers.

Security

Along with being ABTOT and ATOL bonded, booking with an Official partner means you can book assured that your package is fully covered from the moment you book.

Tickets

You will be guaranteed the best category tickets, quite often exclusive to those with official status.  Tickets are direct from the Governing Body and as such they are 100% official.

Hotels

Being an Official Tour Supplier gives access to the very best hotels at the very best rates.

Exclusive Experiences

The best part of travelling with the Official Tour Supplier is the exclusive event related experiences that no other Operator can offer.  This is quite simply the highlight of booking this way and will give you a trip of a lifetime! Glory Days work hard with all Governing bodies to give our customers fantastic trips whilst keeping what matters most to them in mind.   Some examples of the experiences we can offer for our Rugby League Tours are:

  • Private training sessions
  • Q&A sessions with past and present RL players
  • Player Appearances
  • BBQ’s with players.

This adds exceptional value for money and memories that will last a lifetime.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo – Sydney – October 2019

The superb Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo will be staged in Sydney in 2019 as part of a move to more overseas events as the sell out event in August continues to take advantage of increasing global demand.

The ANZ Stadium in Sydney’s Olympic Park will play host to the event between 17-19 October 2019.

The ANZ Stadium is approximately 16km from central Sydney and can be easily accessed by train (but a cruise is ideal as well!). It was the main stadium for the 2000 Olympics and since then has held many great events including Rugby Union Internationals, Rugby League Grand Final as well as a huge array of International

It is expected around 166,000 spectators will see the cast of several hundreds musicians and dancers perform against a backdrop of a full-size replica of Edinburgh Castle.

Brigadier David Allfrey MBE, chief executive of the Tattoo, said (in a press release for the launch of the event) : “The relationship between The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Australia runs broad and deep.

“We’re linked institutionally through the Commonwealth, the Scottish Diaspora, military bonds, shared history and experiences and so many individual friendships and family connections.

“It is a huge privilege for us to be invited to stage a Tattoo that stands to be bigger and more extraordinary than ever before.”

If your looking at heading to Sydney some useful tips

1. Base yourself at the heart of the City where the major attractions are (Circular Quay and Darling Harbour especially). Its still easy to access the stadium.

2. Get good tickets – well worth it if you are making the effort to attend.

3. Look at other parts of NSW – make the effort to go to the Blue Mountains, further on the waterways and explore the region.

4. Do the iconic attractions – Climb the Sydney Harbour Bridge, Visit the Opera House, Cruise the Harbour, Walk the Botanic Gardens, wander through the Rocks and feel the atmosphere around Darling Harbour!

Full Press Release
https://www.destinationnsw.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/20181121-nsw-secures-royal-edinburgh-military-tattoo.pdf?x15361

Visit NSW
https://www.visitnsw.com/

Top 10 Tips for Your Stay in Edinburgh

No one knows Edinburgh quite like the locals do, so take it from us, we’ve got the best tips for making the most of your stay in the capital.

 

  1. Jump on a Lothian bus

Edinburgh has a fantastic bus network spanning the city so definitely make use of them when exploring the capital.  It’s just £1.70 for an adult flat fayre and £4 for a day ticket which gives you unlimited access all day.  Keep in mind that the buses don’t give change, and if you’re staying for longer it might be worthwhile downloading the app (the minimum top up for the app is £10).  Check out timetables and routes here

  1. Go high for the best views

Whilst the view of Edinburgh from the castle is great, a view with the castle in it is even better.  For the most energetic among you, a climb up Arthur’s Seat in Holyrood Park will undoubtedly give you spectacular views.  Alternatively a climb up Calton Hill will give you brilliant views of the castle along Princes Street.  If you’re not feeling quite so energetic then make your way to the National Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street and head to the rooftop garden where you can almost reach out and touch the castle!

  1. Breathe in the fresh air in one of the many city centre parks and gardens

Edinburgh is the UK’s greenest city so make the most of the wonderful parks on offer.  Not to be missed are the Princes Street Gardens.  Sitting in the old moat of the castle, the gardens offer an escape from busy Princes Street as well as a spectacular view of the castle.  The gardens even feature their own bear!

  1. Watch out for the One O’Clock Gun

Keep your wits about you if you’re anywhere near the castle at 1pm Monday to Saturday.  In a tradition spanning over 150 years, a canon is fired to mark 1pm, frightening many unsuspecting tourists.  Originally fired to alert docked ships in Leith and on the Firth of Forth of the time, it’s now just a lovely attraction to the castle

  1. Planning in advance is key

To make the most of your time in the city, our best advice is to plan ahead.  If checking off the top tourist attractions is your priority then buying a Royal Edinburgh ticket in advance is a must.  Included in the ticket is entry to the Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Yacht Britannia, Palace of Holyrood House and Edinburgh Bus Tours.  We can sort one out for you, just let our team know and we’ll have the tickets ready for you on arrival.

  1. Be prepared for glorious sunshine, thunderous rain and then more sunshine …

Scotland is typically known for its weather, not exactly the warmest of places but it is known for surprising its residents with all seasons in one day.  So be prepared and follow our advice: bring your rain jacket or buy yourself a poncho!

 

 

  1. Go off the beaten track

Some of the best places and sights in Edinburgh are further away from the hustle and bustle of Princes Street and the old town.  We’d recommend a walk along the Water of Leith, where you can take photos of Dean Village, then wander along to Stockbridge Market for lunch, or continue further down to Leith for a fantastic selection of award-winning restaurants including The Kitchin

  1. Get your bearings and map it out

Edinburgh is a very pedestrian friendly city but it can be easy to get lost.  Make yourself familiar with where your hotel or apartment is and the bus routes nearby so that you will always find your way home.  All our apartments with our sister company, Destination Edinburgh Apartments have maps available for guests so make sure to take one with you when you go exploring.

  1. Do as the locals do and eat brunch

There is no shortage of delightful places to have brunch in the city, take advantage of Southpour, next door to our Southside apartments and receive 20% off when you show your apartment key or a Destination Edinburgh Apartments business card.

 

 

  1. Book your trip through Glory Days !

If you weren’t convinced already, then get booked in with us to explore Edinburgh, see the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and stay in our sister apartments with Destination Edinburgh Apartments in either our Rodney Street, Southside or York Place apartments.  All are self-catering apartments, they give you the freedom to make your stay your own.  Our Rodney Street apartments come with a free parking space and the views from our York Place apartments are not to be missed.  AND if you book directly with us then you’ll receive a free gift!  We look forward to welcoming you soon.

 

 

Certificate of Excellence

We are delighted to announce the news that our sister company Destination Edinburgh Apartments has been awarded a Certificate of Excellence by Trip Advisor.

Print_Logo_COE2016_en_UK

This is the highest honour for any business which is on Trip Advisor. Signifying the high standard and quality of service provided for our customers.

If you are planning a visit to Edinburgh why not stay at our apartments, book direct for best price guaranteed and a free gift!

Glory Days Wish The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo All The Best Down Under

As a travel trade partner of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, we wish them a fun and successful visit down under.

Our sister company in Australia have clients at the Melbourne event which we are sure will be spectacular.
We know many of our contacts at the Tattoo office in Edinburgh are heading down under as well and we wish them a safe and enjoyable journey. Good luck for your shows in both Australia and New Zealand. For those of you that are attending this event, you are definitely in for a treat!

Remember if you have any queries regarding our Tattoo Packages please do not hesitate to contact us.
We are more than happy to help.

Our sister company Glory Days UK are proud sponsors of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival Survey!

https://www.glorydays.uk.com/ (Destination Edinburgh) run “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Travel Office” and this year welcomed record numbers into the city. We are proud to sponsor the “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival Survey” so that the event can continue to build on its fantastic reputation. Those that complete the survey will be entered into a prize-draw. They will have a chance to win our sponsored 1st prize for Hogmanay which includes 3 night accommodation in one of our one bed apartments. This is accompanied with VIP Passes for The Street Party. You’ve got to in it to win it!
All businesses involved within the Glory Days Group are coordinated to ensure clients from all over the World enjoy Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland. Glory Days (Destination Edinburgh) create, sell and manage the travel programme.
Glory Days Australia brings Australian and New Zealand clients to the event. http://destinationedinburghapartments.co.uk/ provides self-catering apartments for travel programme and donated the survey prize.
http://www.glorydaysmotorhomes.com/ allows clients to explore Scotland further. It is very much a team effort!
We hope to see you here for Hogmanay 2016/17!

Glory Days proud to sponsor Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival Survey!

Glory Days (Destination Edinburgh) run “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Travel Office” and this year welcomed record numbers into the city. We are proud to sponsor the “Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival Survey” so that the event can continue to build on its fantastic reputation. Those that complete the survey will be entered into a prize-draw. They will have a chance to win our sponsored 1st prize for Hogmanay which includes 3 night accomodation in one of our one bed apartments. This is accompanied with VIP Passes for The Street Party. You’ve got to in it to win it!

All businesses involved within the Glory Days Group are coordinated to ensure clients from all over the World enjoy Edinburgh and the rest of Scotland. Glory Days (Destination Edinburgh) create, sell and manage the travel programme.
Glory Days Australia brings Australian and New Zealand clients to the event. Destination Edinburgh Apartments provides self-catering apartments for travel programme and donated the survey prize.
Glory Days Motorhomes allows clients to explore Scotland further. It is very much a team effort!

We hope to see you here for Hogmanay 2016/17!

UK Sister Company forms partnership with League Express for Rugby League World Cup 2017

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We are pleased to announce our UK sister company, Glory Days UK, has formed a partnership with the League Express for next year’s Rugby League World Cup. Both organisation will work together to provide high standard packages for fans from the Northern Hemisphere travelling to the event being held in Australia, Papua New Guinea and New Zealand.

“We are delighted to be in partnership with League Publications and look forward to what promises to be a superb event as well as a memorable experience for all involved.” said Managing Director, David Hardy. “Glory Days have a long established link with Rugby League, having run packages to the Challenge Cup Final, the Magic Weekend, State of Origin and NRL Grand Final since 2001″ .

This an exciting new venture for our UK counterparts and we wish both organisation the very best for their future partnership.

Glory Days forms Partnership with League Express for Rugby League World Cup 2017

We are pleased to announce we have formed a world travel partnership with the League Express for next year’s Rugby League World Cup 2017. “We are delighted to be in partnership with League Publications and look forward to what promises to be a superb event as well as a memorable experience for all involved.” said Managing Director, David Hardy. “Glory Days have a long established link with Rugby League, having run packages to the Challenge Cup Final, the Magic Weekend, State of Origin and NRL Grand Final since 2001” .

Everyone at Glory Days is excited to be part of this invaluable partnership and look forward to providing quality packages that ensure everyone has a brilliant time.

If you are interested in booking a package for this prestigious event please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to help with any queries.