Start at the National Museum of Scotland (free, sprawling collections), wander through the Writers' Museum to trace Burns and Jekyll-Hyde roots, grab lunch in a close-hidden café, then climb to Edinburgh Castle or descend Greyfriars kirkyard at dusk. End with whisky at The Bow Bar on Victoria Street, watching the sunset over the Pentland Hills.

Start at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery (Queen Street), then meander Princes Street's Georgian facades toward Charlotte Square. Lunch at a New Town café, afternoon exploring the Georgian House museum on Charlotte Square, then walk Rose Street's hidden lanes and historic pubs. End at the Scott Monument viewpoint for sunset over the Old Town.

Start with coffee at Raeburn Place, then walk to Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art (30 mins downhill). Lunch at a neighbourhood bistro, afternoon browsing independent galleries like Open Eye Gallery. End with dinner at a local restaurant and evening stroll through the Georgian crescents catching architectural details in golden light.

Start with coffee at Brew Lab, then explore the Royal College of Surgeons (10 minutes walk) and its anatomical collections. Lunch at The Canny Man's pub for Victorian interiors steeped in medical student history, then spend the afternoon at the National Museum of Scotland (15-minute walk). Evening: wander Bruntsfield Links and backstreets, ending with dinner at a local bistro.

Start at Ocean Terminal browsing the Royal Yacht Britannia and Maritime Museum, then walk the Water of Leith Walkway south through industrial heritage. Lunch at The Shore, afternoon exploring Independent galleries on Leith Walk, evening drink at a converted warehouse bar near Constitution Street.