Edinburgh Airport 38 min
Edinburgh Butterfly & Insect World (16 min)
Indoor tropical environment with habitats for creatures including snakes, insects and spiders. Newhailes Estate (18 min)
Palladian mansion from the 1700s with rococo interiors, woodland walks & an adventure play area. Gilmerton Cove (18 min)
Appointment-only exploration of mysterious, hand-carved tunnels and caverns, with a visitor centre. Vogrie Country Park (11 min)
Victorian baronial manor house in parkland estate with woodland walks, play area and golf course. Dalkeith Country Park (14 min)
Vast park on a historical estate featuring a kids' adventure park, a cafe & an upscale gift shop. Lammermuir Hills (41 min)
Range of hills offering scenic walks with views of countryside, birds & wildlife. Roslin Glen Country Park (25 min) Portobello Beach (20 min)
Traditional seaside pursuits on the prom with sandy stretches of beach overlooking the Forth. National Mining Museum Scotland (16 min)
Colliery museum with collection of machinery and hands-on exhibits, plus guided tours by ex-miners. Rosslyn Chapel (25 min)
Intricately carved chapel built in 1446, featured in The Da Vinci Code movie, with history talks. Crichton Castle (11 min)
14th-century castle with diamond-faceted facade and a pit prison, in an isolated riverside setting. Thirlestane Castle (16 min)
Restored country house with Victorian wings, formal gardens, a picnic area and border life museum. Craigmillar Castle (21 min)
Well-preserved medieval castle with a tower, a prison, extensive gardens and a car park. Rosslyn Castle (23 min)
Heavily fortified castle ruins located on a dramatic promontory overlooking the River Esk. Glenkinchie Distillery (14 min)
Malt whisky distillery with visitors centre on its malting floor, plus guided tours and a free dram. | 
