Auld but Gold: November’s Edinburgh Resident Rewards

Well, the nights are drawing in. While we can’t deny there are downsides to the constant drizzle and the sun going down in the middle of the afternoon, Edinburgh is uniquely placed to turn autumn and winter weather into something magical. It’s in the architecture, which reacts particularly well to cloudy days and long shadows. The city’s green spaces turn golden in the autumn and moody in the winter, and the hilly topography combined with a love for festive decoration gives each little climb or set of stairs a small sense of wonder.

On top of all that, there’s always loads to do in Edinburgh, regardless of the weather. That’s where Resident Rewards comes in – Forever Edinburgh’s programme of discounts and special deals for EH postcode residents allows locals to experience the very best of their city and save some money in the process. 

The Old Town is one of the most atmospheric and unique settings in Europe, with layers and layers of history and intrigue in its walls. The Edinburgh Witches & Haunted History Walking Tour peels back some of those layers, taking you on a walking tour of the heart of the city. The tour shares some of the city’s gnarliest historical moments as well as the tragic true stories of the accused witches of Edinburgh’s past; residents with an EH postcode receive a 15% discount on their booking.

For a walking tour with a difference, join Women Hidden in Plain Sight. Led by art historian and storyteller Anna Dowling-Clarke, this tour is designed to highlight the hidden stories of the women who shaped Edinburgh’s past. Born from a desire to highlight the women who shaped cultural life in the city over centuries, WHIPS is available as an in-person guided tour and a self-guided audio tour; a 20% discount on both options is available for Edinburgh residents as part of Resident Rewards.

For the days when it’s maybe a bit too blowy for a walking tour of the Old Town, Resident Rewards has plenty of options. Just yards from the Castle at the top of the Royal Mile, The Scotch Whisky Experience offers the chance to take a journey through the process and story of the national drink in some very nice surroundings. Their Silver Tour is an ideal starting point, with a guided tour of the Experience and a tasting at the end; the Gold Tour throws in a hosted tasting of four single malts from different whisky-producing regions. EH residents get a £5 discount on either tour. 

Over in the southside, the Summerhall Distillery at the beloved Summerhall arts complex is another great rainy day option. The tours and experiences, led by the fine folk at Pickering’s Gin, provide a range of options, from touring the distillery and getting a first-hand look at the gin-making process to cocktail sessions and food and drink pairings. EH residents receive a 20% discount when booking onto any of the Summerhall Distillery tours – and the Royal Dick pub next door gives you an ideal next activity if the weather won’t cooperate.

The Resident Rewards Legend of the Month deal is the month’s headline offer, and this November it’s a two-for-one deal from Mercat Tours. Keep spooky season going with one of their ghost tours, or stay out of the rain with their tours of the historic vaults of the Old Town; whichever you choose, EH residents can bring a pal for free this November. 

And November also sees the fourth of this year’s Resident Days, to mark World Children’s Day on 20 Nov. It’s a day of very child-friendly special deals for Edinburgh residents – kids go free with a paying adult at the legendary Camera Obscura and at the Edinburgh Dungeon, you can get 20% off an adult ticket on Edinburgh Bus Tours and take children for free, with further discounts on tours, food and experiences across the city. 

---

Grab your legendary offers, and find out more about World Children’s Day Resident Rewards at edinburgh.org/residentrewards