Edinburgh is the most popular tourist destination in Scotland. You can spend many days there but if you are forced to do a "whistle-stop-tour" instead, here's how.

• Take an hour-long open-top bus tour from Waverley Bridge (opposite Waverley railway station). Hop off and on along the route.
• Go to Princes Street Gardens see the Scott Monument and the floral clock. Avoid the shops, if you can!
• If you are fit, climb the path to Edinburgh Castle, otherwise use the roadway past the Royal Scottish Academy and the Scottish Parliament.
• From the castle, walk down the Royal Mile (it's one mile 107 yards).
• Stop at the Scottish Whisky Centre, Camera Obscura, public entrance to the Parliament, Ramsay Gardens, Writers' Museum in Lady Stair's House and Gladstone's Land.
• Turn right down George IV Bridge to the Museum of Scotland. Greyfriar's Churchyard and Greyfriar's Bobby statue are nearby.
• Return to the Royal Mile, continue past St Giles Cathedral, John Knox's House, Museum of Childhood, Canongate Tolbooth and Church
• Continue to Jenny Ha's Tavern, Dynamic Earth, site of Scottish Parliament and finally the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
• If you have time, walk in Holyrood Park and up Arthur's Seat - the views from higher up are great!
• Take a taxi to Princes Street - now you can go shopping (unique Jenners Store is a must). Shops close at 5.30pm but many are open till 7pm on Thursdays.
• In the evening wander along Rose Street (parallel to Princes Street), have a meal and relax in one of the many pubs there or in elegant George Street (parallel again).
• Browse the "Places to Visit" and the Tourism subject pages on this site.
• Buy a good guide book before you leave home - the Insight Guide to Edinburgh is pricey but full of advice and good colour illustrations.