Nature near Edinburgh:

Pentland Hills

Arthur’s Seat

Water of Leith Walkway (enter at Murrayfield)

Queensferry

Calton Hill (lovely view)

Royal Botanical Gardens - Free, I think

Portobello Beach - Promenade with some great fries

Site Seeing:

Scott Monument

Royal Mile

Holyrood Palace

Edinburgh Castle

Royal Yacht Britannia

St. Giles Cathedral

National Museum of Scotland (Free)

Other places to go in Scotland:

Loch Ness

Loch Leven

Isle of Skye

Fife - Fife coastal path is 45 mins from Edinburgh

Elie (lovely beach town)

Pittenweem

St. Andrew’s - The Oldest Golf Course in the world