Edinburgh quirks: You're not from Edinburgh if you haven't done some of these 13 things – in pictures

By Gary Flockhart

Lifestyle Editor

Published 30th Sep 2023, 06:02 BST

Updated 30th Sep 2023, 07:30 BST

If you grew up in Edinburgh, or have lived in the city for a while, a lot of the entries on this list will be very familiar to you.

From moaning about the never-ending tram works to pitching up for a picnic at the Meadows, these are some of the things that have come to characterise Edinburgh life for many locals.

Just for fun, take a look through our photo gallery to see some stuff we reckon every true Edinburgher will have done.

Edinburgh natives love a good chippy - especially after a night on the town. And the locals like to enjoy their deep-fried delights with chippy sauce.

. Drowning your chips in a sea of chippy sauce

Edinburgh natives love a good chippy - especially after a night on the town. And the locals like to enjoy their deep-fried delights with chippy sauce. Photo: Third Party

This 22 mile waterway runs from the Pentland Hills down to the shore at Leith - with a path following it all the way down, including through Dean Village - and everyone in Edinburgh must gone for a stroll along at least part of it at some point in their lives.

. Taken a stroll along the Water of leith

This 22 mile waterway runs from the Pentland Hills down to the shore at Leith - with a path following it all the way down, including through Dean Village - and everyone in Edinburgh must gone for a stroll along at least part of it at some point in their lives. Photo: Third Party

Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl, The Southern Bar, December 1, 1991: an impromptu acoustic show that would become the stuff of legend. Only around 30 punters witnessed the fabled event, but thousands have since claimed: 'I was there'. If you're from Edinburgh, chances are you have had a conversation with someone claiming to have been there that night.

. Had a conversation with someone who claims to have see Nirvana play to 30 people at the Southern Bar

Kurt Cobain and Dave Grohl, The Southern Bar, December 1, 1991: an impromptu acoustic show that would become the stuff of legend. Only around 30 punters witnessed the fabled event, but thousands have since claimed: 'I was there'. If you're from Edinburgh, chances are you have had a conversation with someone claiming to have been there that night. Photo: Third Party

Edinburgh's two top-flight football teams have been rivals since for over 100 years, and many people in the Capital support one or the other. Of course, if you want to be neutral, you can always claim to be a supporter of Edinburgh City or even Spartans.

. Pledged allegiance to either Hibs or Hearts

Edinburgh's two top-flight football teams have been rivals since for over 100 years, and many people in the Capital support one or the other. Of course, if you want to be neutral, you can always claim to be a supporter of Edinburgh City or even Spartans. Photo: Third Party

Lucas is something of a local institution, and can't seriously claim to be from Edinburgh if you haven't enjoyed some of their delicious ice-creams. They have shops in Musselburgh and Bruntsfield, and during the summer the queues can stretch out onto the pavements.

. Go for a delicious ice-cream at S Lucas

Lucas is something of a local institution, and can't seriously claim to be from Edinburgh if you haven't enjoyed some of their delicious ice-creams. They have shops in Musselburgh and Bruntsfield, and during the summer the queues can stretch out onto the pavements. Photo: Third Party

Take a look through our gallery to see 13 things we reckon most Edinburgh locals will have done.

1. You're not from Edinburgh if you haven't done these 13 things

Take a look through our gallery to see 13 things we reckon most Edinburgh locals will have done. Photo: Third Party

At all times of the year, but especially during the summer months, Edinburgh's city centre is awash with map-wielding tourists on the hunt for the famous Castle. We've all been asked for directions to the iconic landmark, even while standing right in front of it on Princes Street.

2. Give a tourist directions to The Castle while standing on Princes Street

At all times of the year, but especially during the summer months, Edinburgh's city centre is awash with map-wielding tourists on the hunt for the famous Castle. We've all been asked for directions to the iconic landmark, even while standing right in front of it on Princes Street. Photo: Third Party

This 22 mile waterway runs from the Pentland Hills down to the shore at Leith - with a path following it all the way down, including through Dean Village - and everyone in Edinburgh must gone for a stroll along at least part of it at some point in their lives.

3. Taken a stroll along the Water of leith

This 22 mile waterway runs from the Pentland Hills down to the shore at Leith - with a path following it all the way down, including through Dean Village - and everyone in Edinburgh must gone for a stroll along at least part of it at some point in their lives. Photo: Third Party

Most locals will have gone a huge pub crawl in the city at some point - the most popular spots for this tend to be Rose Street, Cowgate/Grassmarket and Leith Walk, all of which are packed with bars.

4. Gone on a huge pub crawl

Most locals will have gone a huge pub crawl in the city at some point - the most popular spots for this tend to be Rose Street, Cowgate/Grassmarket and Leith Walk, all of which are packed with bars. Photo: Pixabay

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