Stepping off the train and into the city of Edinburgh is like walking into a Harry Potter set - J. K. Rowling did write the final chapters in the city.
Historic buildings around every corner, hidden alleys and shortcuts and the distinct sound of bagpipes - this is a city for explorers.
My husband, my son and I made the trip to the hilly capital of Scotland in the October half term and it was the perfect treat for mid-autumn.
The golden colours create the perfect backdrop for telling stories and tales of Celtic folklore at the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.
Spread across more than 15 days, families can discover tall tales, historic adventures, myths and legends for every age.
This year’s festival celebrates old traditions and new connections, showcasing how music, dance and story communicate shared experiences that are ‘Beyond Words’.
Events take place across the city, many of them free, with one of our favourites being the Armagh Rhymers whose perfect nonsense made for a wonderfully chaotic afternoon of traditional music and theatre at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and Museum.
With wicker animal masks and a mini-ceilidh, the children were transfixed with the drama of their stories, rooted in the works of Irish poets.
Or you can listen to Scottish stories at the Museum of Childhood , making sure to visit their room of dolls, which is the best (and most terrifying) room I have visited. We spend at least half an hour looking at the faces on the toys, some beautiful and intricate, others… well, less so.
If you are a little braver, you could also try out one of the many family-friendly ghost walks where your guide will tell you all the gory details of the city’s history - it’s like an interactive Horrible Histories.
We went walked cobbled streets with Mercat Tours who took us underneath the city to the vaults and caverns beneath the South Bridge.
Underground, you will discover how the enclaves were once used for parties and the black market - and spine-chilling accounts of how different tour groups have claimed to see the same ghosts lurking in corners.
If perhaps you are travelling with smaller children who may find the ghost tour a bit too scary, the Botanic Gardens are a must, especially at this time of year.
Multi-coloured leaves stretch as far as the eye can see in this diverse conservation centre and it is where we learnt about growing stories into the tallest of tales with instruments and trails the paths of the gardens with your storytelling guide in the autumnal sunlight.
My son is 10, so we found navigating the city quite easy, walking around looking for somewhere to eat (of which there are many and Italian restaurant Vittoria on the Bridge is highly recommended) is part of the picturesque fun, particularly along the Royal Mile.
We also took time out from the festival to soak up just some of the culture and history.
Like Camera Obscura where you can dive into the world of illusions with tricks of light and magical optical effects that will make you question what you are really looking at.
Or Edinburgh Castle which is an obvious place to tick off your list, and it does not disappoint. With stunning views, and it is where I completely fell in love with Edinburgh.
However you decide to see the city, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival is a wonderful way to bookend a city trip with your family, one that I fully recommend and can’t wait to relive again.
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