Emily Gray

With a variety of attractions, landmarks, eateries and bars, there's plenty to keep you occupied in the West End of Edinburgh. Here's a look at five places to visit to appeal to all tastes, whether you're after craft beer, delicious grub or a stroll by a stream.  Edinburgh Gin Distillery <img id="02a55847-593c-d811-95da-3b1d7db031e3" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="336731" loaded="336731" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102444741/image.jpg" alt="Edinburgh Gin Distillery" class="photo lazy inline"> Nestled beneath all the footsteps of the West End is Edinburgh Gin Distillery. You can see the wonderful small-batch gin being made, have a tour of the distillery and mooch around the gift shop. The day wouldn’t be complete without a sample or two either. Edinburgh Gin Distillery, 1A Rutland Place Affogato <img id="a41ec69d-729c-1dac-e770-1a49810a3587" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="256484" loaded="256484" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102444745/image.jpg" alt="Affogato Ice Cream" class="photo lazy inline"> If your palate needs cleansing after several straight gins, head to Affogato for arguably the best ice cream in Edinburgh. They serve authentic Italian gelato made in the New Town with an array of Scottish flavours including Irn Bru and cranachan. It's open until 10pm if you're after alternative scran on your way home. Affogato, 36 Queensferry Street Th

Inspired by the lofty ideals of the Scottish Enlightenment, the neat and ordered grid of the New Town provides an elegant contrast to the labyrinthine design of the Old Town. The Georgian grandeur is home to a healthy selection of Edinburgh’s independent retailers, pubs, cafes and restaurants. Here are five suggestions of where to go, what to eat and how to get a glimpse of how the city’s wealthiest once lived. The Georgian House National Trust for Scotland                               Walk straight into the 18th century and experience all things luxurious and lavish. Part of New Town architect Robert Adam’s grand urban design, Charlotte Square and The Georgian House date back to 1796 during a time when inhabitants were moving from the cramped conditions of the Old Town to the fashionable New Town. The Georgian House is open all year round from 10am-5pm.The Georgian House, 7 Charlotte Square. Oxford Bar <img id="61fd5765-465b-3525-0741-f28dc894ea52" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="32761" loaded="32761" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102443271/image.jpg" alt="Oxford Bar" class="photo lazy inline">                         Pubs have always provided the liquid inspiration for writers and the Oxford Bar is no exception. ‘The Ox’ was celebrated as the famous watering hole of Ian Rankin’s Inspector Rebus, and Rankin himself is known to frequent the joint. As well as the fabulous line up of cask ales on the bar, there

We'd challenge anyone who doubts Edinburgh’s claim to be one of the planet's literary capitals. Can you think of another city train station which is named after a novel, a capital football team which is christened by another and finally, the world's largest monument dedicated to a writer?Edinburgh has inspired an endless list of late and contemporary creatives: Robert Burns, Arthur Conan Doyle, JK Rowling and Irvine Welsh, just to name a few. Now comes the time for 2015’s writers to shine.This year is set to be yet another vintage year for Scottish novels, so here is a marvellous mix of books from both brand new and established writers.The Hourglass Factory by Lucy Ribchester <img id="2e42208a-c406-e787-9bef-9a64d9de7bdd" data-caption="" data-credit="" data-width-class="" type="image/jpeg" total="487311" loaded="487311" src="http://media.timeout.com/images/102375153/image.jpg" alt="The Hourglass Factory" class="photo lazy inline">   'The Hourglass Factory' is the first literary offering from Edinburgh-based Lucy Ribchester, and what a debut. Set in London during the 1912 suffragette movement, we witness trapeze artist Ebony Diamond’s mysterious disappearance. The novel features a world of tricks, society columnists, corset fetishists, suffragettes and circus freaks. How did Ebony vanish, who was she afraid of, and what goes on behind the doors of the mysterious Hourglass Factory? A short synopsis cannot possibly do this 500 page whopper of a novel justice.  A Go

A bike-and-solar-powered pop-up cinema is pedalling its way into Dr Neil’s Garden this Saturday. Situated on the edge of the Duddingston Loch, in the shadow of Arthur's Seat, the Secret Garden Cinema could not be situated in a more serene and green part of the city. Edinburgh’s latest cinema experience will aim to get the audience involved, quite literally, from the opening sequence to the finishing credits. The 40-seater mobile cinema, run by charity Take One Action, will encourage people to jump on a bike during the film to help keep the power levels up and the film running.  All three film sessions will showcase productions which relate to environmental issues and climate justice. The Wee Green Cinema serves to reinforce and highlight the way in which power is used and the decisions that humans make in its consumption. The Secret Garden Cinema takes place on Saturday March 14, with Session One between 1pm and 2.30pm, Session Two between 3pm and 4.45pm, and Session Three between 6pm and 8pm. The 6pm screening will include a screening of 'Growing Cities', the trailer for which you can take a look at below. Tickets are available online. See more things to do in Edinburgh from Time Out.

Launched in 2011 as a one-nighter at Edinburgh's Studio 24, The Wee Dub Festival returns once again with a disgustingly good line-up. It covers the vast spectrum of Jamaican musical heritage, from dub and roots reggae to front line dancehall sounds. Taking place across some of the capital's darkest, dingiest yet most exciting venues from Friday March 6-Sunday March 8, you can expect the atmosphere to be electric and the music to be infectious. Many a Red Stripe will be consumed, the air will be enjoyably sweaty and muscles will ache. Only one slight drawback could be choosing when, where and who. Hardly a negative per se, but just in case you're really stuck for a decision, here's three must-sees of the festival to guide you in the right direction. Mungo's Hi-FiNeeding little to no introduction, Glasgow heroes Mungo's Hi-Fi should not be missed. Playing at Studio 24 on Saturday March 7, the group will relentlessly blast out tune after tune. Mainstream enough for radio (just about), their reggae is completely approachable and their crowd-pleasers are impossible not to groove to. The juggernauts are known for inviting the crowd on stage and laughing at our dancing inabilities.  OnlyjoeThis 10-piece ensemble will bring a barrage of bass lines, blazing horns and vocals. Their masterful stage shows are full of energy and incredible sounds. Onlyjoe are playing live on Saturday March 7 in the Old Town's Liquid Rooms. For those who have read closely enough to realise there's a clash