Save on a great family day out in Edinburgh using Boundless membership

“Mine own romantic town” is how Sir Walter Scott described Edinburgh in his poem Marmion – a fitting testament to a city that seeps charm and heritage from its every pore. 

For couples, Scotland’s capital is the perfect destination for a day out or a weekend away, with breathtaking vistas, fascinating history, world-class shopping and fine dining all within touching distance. 

If you’re a Boundless you can enjoy the best of what Edinburgh has to offer without spending a fortune. In this guide, we’ve put together an itinerary for couples visiting this UNESCO World Heritage Site. As well as giving you ideas on how to spend a day in the city, we’ve highlighted the amount of money you’ll save on each activity using your membership.

Already a Boundless member? Simply log in to gain full access to all the offers and benefits included in your membership. 

Not yet a member? If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus. Enjoy unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more.  

Here’s a snapshot of what a day out in Edinburgh could look like for a couple, and the savings you can make with Boundless:

So, put on your ghillie shirts and tartan trews, and we’ll show you how you and your significant other could save as much as £79.40* on a full day out in the city. 

Get some takeaway hot drinks and walk up Arthur’s Seat

Hike to the peak of Arthur's Seat for incredible cityscape views/Credit: Getty Images

If you’re feeling energetic, why not start your day with a walk up Arthur’s Seat, the extinct volcano whose peak provides spectacular views over Edinburgh and beyond. 

Before you go, grab some hot drinks to take with you. Boundless members get a free subscription to tastecard and Coffee Club, which will give you a 25% saving on barista-made drinks at Caffè Nero, Black Sheep Coffee,  and at various independent coffee shops across the city. Fancy trying something a bit different? The pistachio latte at Black Sheep Coffee is divine!

How much can I save with Boundless?

Boundless members can save £2.45 when buying two pistachio lattes at Black Sheep Coffee using their tastecard and Coffee Club subscription. 

How to claim the benefit

Log into Boundless, complete the tastecard including Coffee Club registration and download the app. Then it’s super-easy to claim – just search for Black Sheep Coffee via the app.

Read more about how to save using tastecard. 

Walk on the wild side with a visit to Edinburgh Zoo

Be amazed by the UK's largest penguin pool at Edinburgh Zoo/Credit: Getty Images

Home to more than 2,500 animals, there’s no shortage of incredible wildlife experiences waiting for you at Edinburgh Zoo. Start your tour at the most impressive penguin pool in the UK, where you can watch these aquatic birds dive, glide and waddle both above and below the surface. Spot Gentoo, King and Rockhopper penguin species.  

For the cute factor, no visit to Edinburgh Zoo would be complete without meeting Haggi, a tiny endangered pygmy hippo calf, born in the zoo last year to proud parents Otto and Gloria. 
Don’t forget to visit the lively troop of chimpanzees that live in the Budongo Trail too, an expertly designed habitat that mimics their life in the wild. 

Other must-see animals include rare sun bears and koalas – with Edinburgh Zoo being one of only two in the UK where you can see these Australian favourites. 

How much can I save with Boundless?

With up to 25% off admission through Kids Pass, Boundless members can enjoy a truly unforgettable day out for less. 

Two adults can save £13.50 when booking their ticket online via Kids Pass. A family of four (two adults and two children) could save £20. 

How to claim the benefit

Log into Boundless, complete the Kids Pass registration and download the app or log in to the website. Simply search for Edinburgh Zoo on the app or website and purchase your digital tickets.

Tuck into some scran

 Feast on Scottish 'scran' at one of nearly 800 restaurants/Credit: Getty Images

After a morning of exploration, you’ll have worked up quite an appetite. Being a major city, Edinburgh has copious options for enjoying some ‘scran’ – the Scottish slang for food. Indeed, at the time of publication, there are nearly 800 restaurants across the city, with no fewer than 34 mentioned in the Michelin Guide.

For an authentic Scottish experience, try Dulse in Edinburgh’s West End. Its two-course lunch menu includes such treats as peppered trout, Shetland mussels and Kirriemuir gingerbread, and since it’s one of the eateries that features on the tastecard and Coffee Club app, you can save money as a Boundless member.

How much can I save with Boundless?

The two-course lunch menu at Dulse normally costs £26 per person, but you’ll get 25% off your total bill with tastecard (available Sunday to Thursday), meaning you’ll save £13 in total – and more if you have drinks as well.

How to claim the benefit

Log into Boundless, complete the tastecard including Coffee Club registration and download the app. Then it’s super-easy to claim — just search for Dulse via the app.

Embark on an Underground Whiskey Tour & Tasting 

Sample some of Scotland's finest whiskey/Credit: Getty Images

No trip to Edinburgh would be complete without sampling the local whisky. There are various places where you can do this – attractions such as The Scotch Whisky Experience and the Whiski Rooms will give you some insight into how this beloved drink is made, and let you taste a dram or two while you’re there. Or you could just rock up at one of the numerous historic pubs across the city, and take your pick from the myriad casks on offer. 

If you want to save some money, why not book an Edinburgh Underground Whisky Tour and Tasting for two people through Virgin Experience Days. Boundless members get 20% off a wide range of activities on the website, from afternoon teas to driving days and much more.

How much can I save with Boundless?

The Underground Whisky Tour and Tasting for two ordinarily costs £71 on the Virgin Experience Days website, but with Boundless members able to get 20% off, you’ll save a healthy £14.20. 

How to claim the benefit

Log into Boundless to register with Virgin Experience Days to book tickets and claim your discount.

Have a leisurely dinner at Scott’s

In the heart of Edinburgh, Scott’s on Princes Street offers a relaxed Scottish dining experience with sweeping views of the city’s most iconic landmarks. After a busy day of sightseeing, feast on Scottish favourites like Scottish Grilled Salmon, the Chef’s Scotch Pie or the indulgent Princes Street Burger, all crafted with local ingredients. 

The interior is just as captivating – one wall pays homage to the poetry of Robert Burns, while the other opens up to stunning views of Edinburgh Castle. What better way to end a romantic day out in Edinburgh? 

How much can I save with Boundless?

Save up to £27.25 on 2 for 1 offer and enjoy a 3-course meal for two at Scott’s using tastecard. Offer available Sunday-Thursday only. 

How to claim the benefit

Log into Boundless, complete the tastecard including Coffee Club registration and download the app. Then simply search for Scott’s via the app.

Watch a movie on the big screen

Relax and watch a film after a busy day of sightseeing/Credit: Getty Images

Looking for something fun to do in the evening? There are lots of great pubs in Edinburgh, including Salt Horse, which boasts more than 250 bottled beers, and The Sheep Heid Inn, claimed on its website to be “a firm favourite among past monarchs and poets”.

If you’re not in the mood for supping ale, why not round off your day with a trip to the cinema. All the major chains are represented in the city, including Cineworld, Vue, ODEON and Everyman, so pick a movie, grab some tasty snacks and cosy up for some big-screen action.

Boundless membership comes with access to The Cinema Society, which will enable you to save up to 37% on tickets, snacks and drinks at a wide range of cinemas.

How much can I save with Boundless?

As an example, if you book two adult tickets for Cineworld Edinburgh through The Cinema Society, you’ll save £9 for two adults (Friday to Sunday) – but you can save money if you purchase drinks and snacks, too.

How to claim the benefit

Simply log on to Boundless and purchase your tickets via the website. Bookings may be required during busy periods.

Boundless membership savings caveat

* Calculations correct at time of publishing. Please check for any restrictions which may apply.

• Coffee saving is a rounded-up figure based on the standard cost of two pistachio lattes as stated on the Black Sheep Coffee website  
• Edinburgh Zoo saving is based on two adults as stated on Kids Pass. 
• Lunch saving is based on the standard cost of two, two-course lunches as stated on the Dulse website
• Underground Whiskey Tour & Tasting for 2 saving is based on the standard cost as stated on the Virgin Experience Days website 
• 3-course meal for two at Scott’s saving is based on 2 adults using 2 for 1 on meals with tastecard
• Cinema saving is based on the standard cost of 2 adult tickets as stated on the Cineworld website

Do more with Boundless

If you're working in or retired from the public sector or civil service, Boundless has two great membership options to choose from: Boundless and Boundless Plus.

With Boundless, you get unlimited access or discounted entry to many of the UK’s top attractions including Kew Gardens and Wakehurst and WWT centres across the UK, as well as year-round deals on restaurants, holidays, shopping and much more. With Boundless Plus, you can enjoy additional benefits including unlimited access to Historic Royal Palaces sites, National Trust for Scotland places, access to the Ramblers' extensive group walks and routes, and peace of mind with roadside assistance and local recovery by Britannia Rescue.