University of Edinburgh
University of Edinburgh
4.5
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Neighbourhood: Old Town
Few Edinburghers live in the Old Town, but its labyrinth of dank alleys and steep streets suggests this was not always the case. Today, it’s mostly visitors, tartan-flavoured souvenir shops, and pipers that you’ll find on its cobbled streets. This is the place to get a feel for Auld Reekie (Old Smelly), as the town was once nicknamed, and stroll the Royal Mile, the thoroughfare that links the castle with the royal palace – two of Edinburgh’s great set-piece attractions. But there’s lots more exploring to do here down dozens of little alleys, or wynds, while at night the city’s busiest clubs erupt along the Cowgate which is closed to traffic for this purpose.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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4.5
112 reviews
Excellent
66
Very good
34
Average
9
Poor
3
Terrible
0
kdriver1
Jersey, UK142 contributions
Jul 2018 • Family
We started our Uni Tour Extravaganza here in Edinburgh and though in the throes on a concluding “heatwave” we still needed an extra layer (having arrived from Hong Kong). Our family of 6 was scouting units for our soon-to-be-applying-to-University eldest with mixed feeling (Mum and I anxious and other children resisting having to spend our holiday looking at universities instead of seeing friends and generally doing holiday things!). Edinburgh was a great place to start: beautiful city, lovely core campus, rich history, good people and great food.
We started our self tour by collecting a map and some advice from the visitor center just along Potters Row (named for the prior resident pot-making tradesmen and not the infamous wizard that finds his way into many a feature throughout the city and its narrative!). The first stop was the library and then along the row of buildings including the first building to be fully fitted with electric lighting (and coincidentally home to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, from 1876-1880). Then along we went to Old College (wonderful square and courtyard) home to the Law Faculty, financial support department and art gallery.
Because “we” seem to be on the fence between law and engineering we walked to the engineering campus (I highly recommend the cheap buses which only takes exact change - or get a online travel app Transport for Edinburgh and it’s counterpart Transport for Edinburgh M-Tickets for a “strip” of rides or the handy family pass for a day or more [minimum spend us £10]). We walked in the rain from old college and near Black Medicine Coffee Co - great coffee and smoothies, owned by JK Rowling’s brother-in-law who also owns “Spoons” just above it where his certain relative-by-marriage wrote a certain first book in a rather popular series starring a mash-up of many sights, characters and setting from this peculiar corner of the planet. But enough - for now - on that...
The engineering campus (along with other sciences and zoology and a particularly helpful library and staff) was less stunning but came across as effectively outfitted and self contained - for the second and later years of one’s degree. All first year core courses are taught at the main campus where there is a bit more life and Co-mingling with the natives and the culture.
All in all the University was filled with activities, interesting facilities and lovely settings while still presenting a professional demeanor. It was our first stop but it was a good stop over several days and genuinely enjoyable. We did retain a lingering notion that if the receding heatwave was a bit chilly what might that mean for what actual winter might be like... but, as if by magic, we were transfixed by the lovely city, pretty setting and so much that was in offer from cat cafes to sooo much Harry Potter (in a truly good way) that we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and UoE stays in the running... though probably behind Glasgow... which surprised most of us(!).
We started our self tour by collecting a map and some advice from the visitor center just along Potters Row (named for the prior resident pot-making tradesmen and not the infamous wizard that finds his way into many a feature throughout the city and its narrative!). The first stop was the library and then along the row of buildings including the first building to be fully fitted with electric lighting (and coincidentally home to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, from 1876-1880). Then along we went to Old College (wonderful square and courtyard) home to the Law Faculty, financial support department and art gallery.
Because “we” seem to be on the fence between law and engineering we walked to the engineering campus (I highly recommend the cheap buses which only takes exact change - or get a online travel app Transport for Edinburgh and it’s counterpart Transport for Edinburgh M-Tickets for a “strip” of rides or the handy family pass for a day or more [minimum spend us £10]). We walked in the rain from old college and near Black Medicine Coffee Co - great coffee and smoothies, owned by JK Rowling’s brother-in-law who also owns “Spoons” just above it where his certain relative-by-marriage wrote a certain first book in a rather popular series starring a mash-up of many sights, characters and setting from this peculiar corner of the planet. But enough - for now - on that...
The engineering campus (along with other sciences and zoology and a particularly helpful library and staff) was less stunning but came across as effectively outfitted and self contained - for the second and later years of one’s degree. All first year core courses are taught at the main campus where there is a bit more life and Co-mingling with the natives and the culture.
All in all the University was filled with activities, interesting facilities and lovely settings while still presenting a professional demeanor. It was our first stop but it was a good stop over several days and genuinely enjoyable. We did retain a lingering notion that if the receding heatwave was a bit chilly what might that mean for what actual winter might be like... but, as if by magic, we were transfixed by the lovely city, pretty setting and so much that was in offer from cat cafes to sooo much Harry Potter (in a truly good way) that we thoroughly enjoyed our visit and UoE stays in the running... though probably behind Glasgow... which surprised most of us(!).
Written 21 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bob T
San Francisco, CA55 contributions
Jul 2018
In the top 50 of global universities, the University of Edinburgh is very old and very beautiful. The graduation ceremony has been the same since 1783
Written 18 July 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michael M
2 contributions
Oct 2014 • Solo
I have been going to Edinburgh University (Studying Sociology) for a year now and its a great university which has some very notable alumni such as Charles Darwin or alexander bell or fairly recently former prime minister Gordon Brown. Overall a 5 star university.
Written 28 September 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Scott L
Scotland, UK15 contributions
Having spent 4 years pounding the corridors of the horrendous Appleton Tower and James Clerk Maxwell Building it is quite amusing to see this listed as an 'attraction'. The University is actually spread out throughout the south side of the city and I guess if you have seen everything else there is to see in town, or are passing, then Old College, McEwan Hall, Teviot, etc are worth a look. Try to avoid 95% of the mostly over-privileged students though!
Written 20 August 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IAN D
Wigan, UK25,955 contributions
Jan 2020 • Solo
The university is blessed with some truly outstanding pieces of architecture. Dotted around the old town and a joy to find.
Written 27 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Liam
4 contributions
Nov 2019
Whilst Edinburgh has its charms, and bits of it are stunning, for instance, McEwan Hall, New and Old College, the city is stagnating, and is a tacky tourist trap. Transport in Edinburgh is some of the worst I have ever seen - but Scotland, in general, is poor when it comes to rail and cycling. The city is full of clutter and litter, and nothing seems to be done on the homeless front, which is a major issue here. The University has a few gems, but much of it is poorly maintained, or have been wrecked by the lack of thought that characterised the UK in the 60s until recently. You would think that the point of a University was to help change the city and country to the better, but if we use this as a criteria to measure the University of Edinburgh, it hits rock bottom.
Written 22 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vanessa P
Calgary, Canada1,462 contributions
Jul 2019
A must to stop! Centuries of history. The architecture and the windows are something. It is not possible to access it all as there are some areas, so old and historical that only academic doing research are allowed or visitors with credentials. Still, we spend 2 hours walking around the place.
Written 20 October 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Stephen T
Preston, UK20,059 contributions
Aug 2019
...... in and around the George Square area - during the Fringe as ever. We did get chance to go into the library where students worked away so utterly quietly that you couldn't even afford to be out of breath less you drew attention to yourself. This was a venue in particular that really did make you want to learn and I can give it no higher praise than that.
I won't even mention course fees.
I won't even mention course fees.
Written 28 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bogín de Praga
Prague, Czech Republic107 contributions
Aug 2019 • Solo
The old building is definitelly nice to see. No entrance fee. Nice from the architectural point of view.
Written 4 August 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Colleen K
Larkspur, CA200 contributions
May 2016
The University of Edinburgh will always remain close to my heart. It is an incredible University that is world renoun but my brother-in-law was one of the founding professors of the Sociology Department here at the University. He spent nearly 45 years as a founding member of the department, as a lecturer, researcher and fundraiser for the Department of Sociology. He was enormously committed to his students and the University. This is not just a review of my brother-in-law but also to let folks visiting Scotland or those interested in studying at the U of E that it is a fascinating University with beautiful artichitecture, incredible history ad excellence in academic achievement. Take time to walk through this incredible campus if you are visiting Edinburgh. You will thoroughly enjoy your visit.
Written 14 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can the public just go in for a drink and to the club nights at the weekends? Thank you
Written 27 September 2019
Can I tour the dining hall that looks like the Harry Potter set? What's the name?
Written 18 March 2018
svk1972
Province of Brindisi, Italy
buongiorno,
vorrei tanto studiare qui e diventare designer ...c'è la facoltà?
Written 15 March 2016
ciao potrei sapere se questa università è adatta alla specialistica dopo la triennale di scienze biologiche?
Written 15 September 2015
Can you pay to stay in the dormitories during summer months Aug 12 - 19???
Written 20 February 2015
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