Quotes of the Day

Faith Liddell, 44, director, Festivals Edinburgh
I'd start my day with a hearty Scottish breakfast in the brasserie of the Scotsman hotel, tel: (44-131) 556 5565. Then I'd walk down the Royal Mile and climb Arthur's Seat, a little bit of highland landscape right in the center of the city. Afterward, I'd head to the National Museum of Scotland, tel: (44-131) 225 7534, not forgetting the museum's Tower Restaurant, tel: (44-131) 225 3003, where both the food and the views are fabulous. Next stop would be the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Dean Gallery, tel: (44-131) 624 6336, followed by the ultimate Edinburgh treat — afternoon tea in the Balmoral hotel, tel: (44-131) 556 2414. In the evening I'd watch a classical concert at Usher Hall, tel: (44-131) 228 1155, one of the city's great festival spaces. Finally I'd settle down to a late dinner and some live music at my fantastic local, the Shore Bar & Restaurant, tel: (44-131) 553 5080.

Tom Kitchin, 33, Michelin-starred chef
I'd kick-start the day at the Urban Angel café and deli, tel: (44-131) 225 6215, where they do a great breakfast and you can look through the papers. Afterward, I'd head across to Peter's Yard, tel: (44-131) 228 5876, a Swedish bakery where they bake everything on-site and the outdoor terrace is the perfect place to sit and relax. Then I'd take the car to Cramond, a picturesque former fishing village a 20-minute drive north of Edinburgh, for a long walk along the beach and seafront. There's also a direct bus. The afternoon would find me back in the city at Ondine, tel: (44-131) 226 1888, eating oysters at their horseshoe-shaped crustacean bar. I'd then make my way to meet friends for cocktails at the new Hotel Missoni, tel: (44-131) 220 6666, and after a stroll around the shops on George Street, it would be off to Bond No. 9, tel: (44-131) 555 5578, a great champagne bar in the trendy Leith district.

Andrew Noble, 25, Olympic skier
My day would start with coffee and fresh scones at the Forth Floor brasserie, tel: (44-131) 524 8350, in the Harvey Nichols department store. For a spot of sightseeing, I'd take a taxi to the Royal Mile to look at the spectacular Scottish Parliament building, tel: (44-131) 348 5000, and Holyrood Palace, the Queen's official residence in Scotland. I'd then grab some lunch at the Witchery, tel: (44-131) 225 5613, one of Edinburgh's best restaurants and, in the afternoon, walk over to Edinburgh Castle, tel: (44-131) 225 9846, the iconic fortress that dominates the city skyline. From there, I'd pay a visit to the New Town area to browse all the great shops and bars, stopping for a snack at Fishers in the City, tel: (44-131) 225 5109, where the mussels are superb. If I've got any energy left after all that, I'd round the evening off at the Opal Lounge, tel: (44-131) 226 2275, one of Edinburgh's coolest clubs.

—reported by Tina Walsh

• Visiting Scotland's capital? Let the locals tell you how to do it right