landmark
Edinburgh Zoo
Scotland's capital zoo home to the UK's only giant pandas and over 1,000 rare and endangered animals.
4 km · about 5 min drive
EuropeUnited KingdomScotland
Colinton
Scotland, United Kingdom · Europe
About Colinton
Colinton works well as a base: 10 minutes from Balerno, 6km from The Royal Mile.
Colinton is in Scotland, United Kingdom, with about 7,600 people. You drive on the left here. The nearest town is Balerno, about 6 km away.
Colinton is a suburb of Edinburgh, Scotland situated 3+1⁄2 miles (5.5 kilometres) southwest of the city centre. Up until the late 18th century it appears on maps as Collington. It is bordered by Dreghorn to the south and Craiglockhart to the north-east. To the north-west it extends to Lanark Road (the A70) and to theRead more
south-west to the City Bypass. Bonaly is a subsection of the area on its southern side.
Colinton is a designated conservation area.
Where to Stay in Colinton
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is there to see near Colinton?
Within an hour or so of Colinton: Edinburgh Zoo (4 km), National Museum of Scotland (6 km), Edinburgh Castle (6 km), The Royal Mile (6 km).
Are there any good drives near Colinton?
The nearest famous roads are The Royal Mile, A68 Jedburgh to Edinburgh (Carter Bar) and College Valley.
Where is Colinton?
Colinton is in Scotland, United Kingdom, about 6 km from Balerno.
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Quick Information
- Population
- 7,637
- Continent
- Europe
- Country
- United Kingdom
- Region
- Scotland
- Timezone
- Europe/London
- Coordinates
- 55.9074, -3.2561
Emergency & Services
Essential numbers in United Kingdom
112 also works. NHS non-emergency medical advice: 111. National Highways breakdown assistance on motorways: 0300 123 5000.
Full driving guide for United KingdomTags
Worth the detour from Colinton
8 notable places within an hour's drive.
museum
National Museum of Scotland
A stunning Victorian and modern building housing diverse collections from Scottish history to world cultures and natural science.
6 km · about 10 min drive
landmark
Edinburgh Castle
Dramatic fortress perched atop Castle Rock, dominating the Edinburgh skyline for over 900 years.
6 km · about 10 min drive
historic highway
The Royal Mile
Edinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
6 km · about 10 min drive
cathedral
St Giles' Cathedral
The High Kirk of Edinburgh with its distinctive crown spire, mother church of Presbyterianism on the Royal Mile.
6 km · about 10 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh
Ancient volcanic peak rising 251 metres in the heart of Edinburgh, offering panoramic city views from its dramatic summit.
7 km · about 15 min drive
scenic viewpoint
Calton Hill
An accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
7 km · about 15 min drive
cathedral
Rosslyn Chapel
A 15th-century chapel of astonishing carved stonework near Edinburgh, made famous by The Da Vinci Code.
8 km · about 15 min drive
Driving roads near Colinton
- Right hereThe Royal MileEdinburgh's historic spine of cobbled streets and closes linking the castle to Holyrood Palace, lined with landmarks.
- Right hereArthur's Seat, EdinburghAncient volcanic peak rising 251 metres in the heart of Edinburgh, offering panoramic city views from its dramatic summit.
- Right hereCalton HillAn accessible hilltop crowned with neoclassical monuments, giving the classic skyline view of Edinburgh at sunset.
- Right hereQueensferry CrossingThe world's longest three-tower cable-stayed bridge, opened in 2017, carrying the M90 high over the Firth of Forth alongside its famous Victorian and 1960s neighbours: three centuries of bridges in one view.
- 79 kmA68 Jedburgh to Edinburgh (Carter Bar)A rollercoaster of blind crests over the Cheviots crossing the border at Carter Bar, then across the Lammermuirs.
- 79 kmCollege ValleyA remote Cheviot valley reached by a permit-only single-track road, one of the quietest drives in England.
Driving in United Kingdom
- Drives on
- the left
- Petrol
- ~€1.73/litre
- Motorway tolls
- None
When to drive here
May to September
Far northern latitude: short daylight hours outside summer make long drives harder.
Nearby Destinations
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