If you like cheese, you must visit Edinburgh. The city's IJ Mellis is one of the best cheesemonger in world. The business has three stores dotted around Edinburgh. In each of them you will find a selection of the best hand-made cheeses from Scotland and abroad.

Tired by the hustle and bustle of daily life? Worn down by winter? You could escape with a trip to the Edinburgh Floatarium in Stockbridge.

It is turning out a good year for the 'great chieftain o' the pudding race'. Edinburgh haggis maker Macsween reports haggis sales up a quarter to last week's Burns' Night.

The cost of the building remains more controversial than any legislation passed within its walls. But, despite its set-backs, the Scottish Parliament has changed our sense of what it means to be Scottish. Even if that change if based more on the idea of parliament than its actual legislative powers.

It is the sight that welcomes drivers from north, south, east and west back to Edinburgh. At 250 metres tall, Arthur's Seat is visible many miles from the city centre, a beacon that draws people home after they have been foolish enough to venture away.

A friend has given me a copy of the beautiful book 'A year at an Italian table'. Written by Mary Contini, the book pays homage to well-loved Edinburgh delicatessen and cafe Valvona & Crolla.

One of my highlights of the last couple of years was riding a giant tricycle around a farm in East Lothian. My husband and two children were perched on the contraption as well. That added to the fun.

It's hard to explain the sense of exhilaration and freedom the experience gave me. I had been unwell and somehow our family to trip to East Links Farm helped put me on the mend.

It was voted favourite visitor attraction in Edinburgh, the Lothians and Fife last year. And it's not hard to see why.

Our Dynamic Earth offers the chance to explore the earth through interactive displays and impressive technology. Writing from personal experience, it makes a great day out for children and adults alike.