10 Things to Do in Edinburgh in September
If you're planning a trip to Edinburgh in September, congratulations! You'll be visiting the city in a season with plenty of outdoor activities and nature at its best!
Edinburgh, Scotland | ©Katie Johnstone
While there's always plenty to see and do in Edinburgh, no matter what time of year you visit, the truth is that September is one of the ideal months to explore the city.
What's special about September in Scotland's capital is that it's a great time to experience the changing nature of autumn without the hustle and bustle of tourists. You can also enjoy food festivals, obstacle courses and traditional horse rides. Here's everything you need to know and more.
1. Discover Scotland's nature, history and culture
Yes, I know I'm suggesting you get out of Edinburgh, but if you spend enough days in the Scottish capital there are a few places you can't miss and September is the perfect month to do it, as the cold is not yet biting and it's by no means the rainiest month of the year.
There are three tours I suggest, all packed with history, culture and nature.
- Book a trip to the Highlands: just 50km from Edinburgh are the Arrochar Alps, home of the Scottish Highlands, a place with a magical, enveloping and enchanting atmosphere. Here you can visit some of Scotland's most famous castles such as Douane Castle, Inveraray Castle and Kilchurn Castle.
- Book a tour to Stirling, Loch Lomond and the Kelpies: on this tour you will also get to see Stirling Castle but you will also enjoy the beauty of Loch Lomond and the village of Balloch and have the opportunity to discover the historical role of famous people such as William Wallace, Robert the Bruce and Rob Roy.
- Book an Outlander tour: do the names Jamie Fraser or Claire Randall/Fraser ring a bell? If so, don't hesitate for a moment because this tour is for you. You will visit many of the places where the TV series was filmed, such as Doune Castle (Castle Leoch in the series), Blackness Castle (Fort William in the series) or the village of Culross (Cranesmuir in Outlander).
All three tours last between 9 and 10 hours, so you'll spend the whole day. Choose the one that suits you best and enjoy!
2. Make the most of the Open Doors weekend at the city's iconic buildings
At the end of September, Edinburgh hosts Open Doors Day, a festival celebrating the city 's historic heritage by offering free access to dozens of buildings.
It is well known that Edinburgh is a city rich in historical and cultural heritage, so if you happen to be in the city for these days don't miss the opportunity to enjoy iconic buildings that would otherwise be off-limits or by invitation only.
Where it takes place
Literally all over the city. Historically, the buildings that are usually included in the celebration are: Institut Francais D'Ecosse, King's Buildings, Liberton Kirk, National Museum of Scotland, Newhailes House villa, Observatory House,Quaker Meeting House, St Michael and All Saints Church, and many more. The best way to find out more about the programme is to visit the official Doors Open Days website.
How to buy tickets
No tickets are required, it is a free event and open to both locals and tourists.
3. Attend Stockbridge Market
A series of markets take place each week in different locations around Edinburgh: Stockbridge, Lieth Market and Grassmarket.
The idea is to bring together a group of small independent traders each week, so you can find products such as handmade pastries, homemade cakes with traditional recipes, smoked meat, organic chocolate, handmade soaps, art and costume jewellery.
It's a great place to relax on a Sunday afternoon and enjoy good local food in the centre of Edinburgh. The market also abounds with international street food stalls.
Where it takes place
Stockbridge Market takes place on Saunders Street from 10am until 4am. Every Sunday. You can get there by various means of transport. The nearest bus stations are Kerr Street and Hamilton Place.
How to buy tickets
You don't need tickets, it's an open market where most locals do their regular shopping.
4. Marvel at the Horse March Parade
On a Sunday in early to mid-September, the traditional Edinburgh Horse Marches take place in the city. It is one of the capital's biggest public events and one of the most eagerly awaited by the city's citizens, especially children, who are very excited about it.
If you happen to be in town on the day of the celebration, you can't miss it! In addition to the spectators, each year the event brings together some 300 of the best riders in the area; the celebration is joined by bagpipe orchestras and other entertainment.
Where it takes place
The ride starts on the outskirts of Edinburgh. Following the route along the Royal Mile (the main street in the Old Town), it winds through the city centre to finish on King Stables Road.
How to buy tickets
Tickets are not required, the event is free and open to the public. Arrive early to secure a good spot and find out the exact time and day by visiting the official Edinburgh Riding the Marches blog.
5. Pretty Muddy race for life takes place this month
The cancer charity Cancer Research UK is holding a series of fundraising events. Race of Life, Pretty Muddy is one of them. In Edinburgh it takes place in September, usually in the first half of the month.
The event consists of a fun obstacle course in a muddy terrain where participants have to jump over obstacles, climb ropes, crawl through a mud pit and much more to reach the finish line. Don't hesitate to attend! In addition to supporting a noble cause, fun and laughter are more than guaranteed.
Where it takes place
Traditionally the race takes place at the Royal Highland Centre on a 5km course.
How to buy tickets
Entry to the event costs approximately £20 for adults and £10 for children. Full details are available on the official Race For Life website months before the event.
6. Visit House of Binns on the outskirts of Edinburgh
Take a leisurely autumn stroll around a beautiful stately home on the outskirts of Edinburgh. The House of Binns is a historic National Trust Scotland building. Built by local merchant Thomas Dalyell in 1612, the charming palace served as his family home for at least 400 years.
During autumn, part of the Palace is covered with **Edinburgh'**s famous autumnal red ivy. Nearby you'll find a pretty loch with a promenade to explore, and there are plenty of cafes and restaurants for lunch on the main street on the way to the site.
House of Binns is a 40 minute drive from Edinburgh city centre. If you are travelling by public transport, I recommend the high speed train to Linlithgow, the journey will take just over an hour.
How to buy tickets
Adult admission is around €12.50 per person and if you want to tour the interior of the house you must request a private tour from the National Trust Scotland website. The parks and gardens are open to the public from 9am to 5pm.
7. Photo tour to capture autumn ivy on Edinburgh's landmarks
One of the best things about visiting the city in autumn is being able to watch the leaves turn from green to magical warm autumn colours; September is the perfect month for this.
Many of the city's buildings and beautiful castles are tucked away in the red autumn ivy and I encourage you to get to know some of them and take some amazing autumnal photos. Here are my favourites.
Carlowrie Castle
This Scottish baronial style building is one of the few domestic constructions made by David Rhind. Every autumn, the green ivy that covers the façade turns a fabulous deep red. Head to the castle on the outskirts of Edinburgh for a beautiful sight and some great photos.
Liberton Kirk
In a much more accessible but equally beautiful location, you'll find Liberton Kirk and the autumn ivy. It's a church located just south of the city of Edinburgh so if you decide to visit, be prepared for some great photos.
West End
The Georgian architecture of the West End is tinged with enchanting colours during the autumn season. The doors of houses are adorned with beautiful autumn wreaths, and the famous autumn wreaths are famously expensive to arrange.
8. Try chocolate with marshmallows or other seasonal hot drinks
As you'll soon realise, as soon as the summer heat of Edinburgh fades away and the temperatures start to drop, the city's cafes and food stalls fill up with delicious alternatives to help you warm up quickly. Here are some of the alternatives to consider on your strolls around the city.
The Marshmallow Lady
One of the favourite options enjoyed by Edinburghers of all ages is The Marshmallow Lady's giant marshmallows. The main attraction is the gigantic toasted gourmet marshmallow to garnish your drink. You can enjoy it on the premises or you can order it to go.
- Hours: Closed Monday to Thursday when they are dedicated to marshmallow making. Open Friday to Sunday from 11am to 6pm.
Have a Pumpkin Spice Latte
The pumpkin spice latte is without a doubt a classic of the autumn season. If you enjoy it too, my recommendation is to skip the Starbucks and opt for one of the traditional coffee shops during your walk around Edinburgh to try this delicious seasonal drink.
9. Visit the pumpkin patch at Craigie's Farm
If you're visiting Edinburgh with children, you can't miss the experience of visiting Craige Pumpkin Farm. Edinburgh's pumpkin season is only available from mid-September until Halloween, with the last few weeks of September being the best time to enjoy it without too many people around.
Book at least half a day of fun at the farm where you'll have the opportunity to explore pumpkin fields, pick your own and take part in fun games for kids. The farm also has an organic food shop and a café-restaurant where you can take a lunch break.
Craig's Farm is located on the outskirts of Edinburgh, about 30 minutes by car. You can get there by public transport by taking the 43 bus from St Andrew's House station in central Edinburgh.
How to buy tickets
Bookings for the various activities can be made directly on the officialCraigie's Farm website
10. September is the best month to take a ghost tour of Edinburgh
Everyone knows that Edinburgh is a haunted and mysterious city. Over the years, its streets have witnessed all manner of atrocities: murders, war crimes, witch burnings and much more. You can't leave the city without taking part in the spooky (and fun) ghost tours that take place in the city and unravel some of the town's most intriguing mysteries.
September is one of the best months for this kind of experience, as the pleasant temperatures mean you can walk the streets without getting too hot or too cold.
There are many different options in Edinburgh, such as tickets for a tour of haunted crypts and cemeteries or a place on the ghost bus,so I recommend you take a few minutes to choose the one that best suits your budget and level of bravery!
What's the weather like in Edinburgh in September?
In September the weather in Edinburgh starts to get cooler, although temperatures are still not too cold.
Highs can reach 17 degrees Celsius and lows rarely drop below 8 degrees Celsius. It is also becoming increasingly cloudy during this month, with more than half of the days being cloudy.
As for rainfall, although September is not the wettest month in Edinburgh, it is becoming more frequent. So thinking about plans to stay out of the rain, such as a visit to Edinburgh Castle, is an excellent idea for those times when the weather gets bad.
What to pack
My advice is to make room in your suitcase for several items of warm clothing. A smart option can be to dress in layers. So during the day you can pack a T-shirt and a coat, and as night falls, add a jumper in between.
Also, don't forget to include rain gear, such as an umbrella and a mackintosh, and comfortable shoes, as you'll be doing a lot of walking in Edinburgh. However, if you get tired of walking and still want to enjoy the city in comfort and warmth, a top option is to take a tour on the sightseeing bus - it never fails!
Are there a lot of tourists in Edinburgh in September?
Edinburgh is a city that is not characterised by overly seasonal tourism, although the highest peaks are in the summer months mainly due to the less extreme weather than during the winter and all the cultural activities that are organised in this beautiful city during the months of July and August.
Therefore, in September the number of tourists in Edinburgh drops a little compared to the previous month, although it is still a very interesting month to visit the city and you are likely to meet many other tourists.
Edinburgh prices in summer
As the peak season is during the summer months, prices in Edinburgh in September drop slightly, so you'll be able to find slightly cheaper flights and accommodation.
However, Edinburgh is not exactly a cheap city, especially when it comes to eating out, so you will need to budget well if you really want to enjoy your trip.