MSFS scenery

MSFS Edinburgh, Scotland Scenery

Edinburgh, Scotland comes alive with an extensive photogrammetry scenery covering the city and nearby areas in Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020, enhancing the default landscape with sharper terrain and recognizable landmarks like the castle, historic streets, stadiums, and waterfront. Requires World Update 3+ UK handcrafted objects for full compatibility.

5/5 (4) 2.4k downloads 3.79 GB Scanned clean United Kingdom
Flight Simulator 2020 Flight Simulator 2024
Adam McEnroe
Editor reviewed · Tested in-sim

Expert Overview

This highly detailed photogrammetry mod thoroughly transforms the entire city of Edinburgh in Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020. From the iconic castle perched on its volcanic rock to the city’s historic buildings and sports venues, every major landmark is captured in stunning 3D detail. Having tested it extensively across various flight plans, I can say it adds an impressive level of realism and depth to the U.K. flight sim scenery, ensuring each approach or departure over Scotland’s capital feels true-to-life.

Created by the talented developer Thalixte, this comprehensive package merges advanced data streams with efficient optimization, delivering surprisingly manageable file sizes compared to default photogrammetry. Everything is neatly bundled together, eliminating the need to hunt down multiple parts. In my experience, this mod not only enhances visual immersion but also runs smoothly, offering virtual pilots an unforgettable aerial tour of Edinburgh’s beloved sites and vibrant streets.

This mod was installed, tested and reviewed by Adam McEnroe for Fly Away Simulation. Adam is an FS mod expert. Read his bio →

A detailed and extensive photogrammetry scenery package covering the entire city of Edinburgh, Scotland, and local surrounding areas for the Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 release.  Developed by Thalixte.

An overview of the city of Edinburgh after installing the add-on in Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 release.The developer Thalixte is well known for their photogrammetry scenery releases - each improving over the default offerings in Microsoft Flight Simulator.  While the scenery packs may appear large, they are not that much larger than what would be used if you were to compare them to the default MSFS photo terrain streaming cache.

This particular pack covers the area in and around Edinburgh, Scotland, and is one of the first UK photogrammetry packages we have listed on the site.

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland in the UK and it is famous for its castle and historic buildings and stadiums - all are present in this release.

Requirements

The developer has listed a couple of requirements for using this add-on.

Microsoft Flight Simulator Cache

Important! in order for this mod update to work properly, go to the Microsoft Flight Simulator Roaming folder in C:\Users\MYUSERNAME\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft Flight Simulator or C:\Users\MYUSERNAME\AppData\Local\Packages\MicrosoftFlightSimulator\Local Cache (depending on your MSFS version - steam or MS Store), then remove the file named Content.xml.

World Update 3+ Handcrafted Objects Requirement

This scenery is compatible with the WU3 update, but you need to download the UK MS/Asobo handcrafted objects first. Also, make sure they are up to date (check them in the content manager).

Complete Pack

The freeware release available from Fly Away Simulation includes all packs needed to experience the whole scenery area of Edinburgh, Scotland as envisioned by the developer.  Some other sites that list this file release it in parts.  The one you download from here will include all parts (1-2) and is a complete, single download pack with no need to source or search for additional files or releases.  It's a complete package with a single download.  The developer originally released this scenery in 2 parts - they are all included.

This is a very large download and while it's easy to download (all in one pack), we recommend a download manager should your connection get interrupted.

Finding the scenery

If using simply GPS, the coordinates for the center of Edinburgh are: 55.9533° N, 3.1883° W

Best Airports to Fly From/To

If you're wanting to start/stop flights at airports in and around the scenery coverage area, the best places to take off from and land at are;

Major Airports

  • Edinburgh Airport (EGPH)
  • Glasgow International Airport (EGPF)
  • Glasgow Prestwick Airport (EGPK)

Smaller/Light Airport/Airfields

  • Cumbernauld Airport (EGPG)
  • Perth Airport (EGPT)
  • RAF Leuchars (EGQL)

Installation

Once you have downloaded the archive and extracted the content, simply browse into the MSFS Scenery Files folder and copy the following folders into your MSFS community folder:

  • thalixte-edinburgh
  • thalixte-edinburgh2

Once that's complete, you should be able to load the scenery and perhaps use one of the starting airports listed above.

Ready to download Edinburgh, Scotland Scenery?

Free for all simmers · 3.79 GB · Scanned clean

File information

Filename
edinburgh-scenery-msfs-Thalixte.zip
File size
3.79 GB
Virus scan
Clean (scanned with ClamAV)
Access
Freeware
Content rating
Everyone

Download speed: Free tier is capped at 2 Mbps (this file takes approximately 4h 31m at the cap). PRO members download at full line speed.

This is a freeware file — use is subject to our freeware copyright terms.

How to install this mod

MSFS scenery

  1. Extract the downloaded archive

    Use 7-Zip (free) or WinRAR to extract the ZIP to a temporary folder. Don't install while still zipped — the simulator can't read inside ZIP files.

  2. Locate your MSFS Community folder

    All MSFS add-ons live in the Community folder. Microsoft Store / Game Pass version: %LOCALAPPDATA%\Packages\Microsoft.FlightSimulator_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Packages\Community\. Steam version: %APPDATA%\Microsoft Flight Simulator\Packages\Community\. Tip: enable Developer Mode in MSFS to see your exact Community folder path.

  3. Copy the scenery package into Community

    Drag the extracted scenery folder into your Community folder. Photogrammetry and large mesh packs can be 1GB+ — ensure you have disk space.

  4. Restart MSFS

    Close MSFS completely and relaunch. The new content appears in the Content Manager, on the World Map, or in the aircraft/livery selector.

  5. Always read the included readme

    Every mod ships with a readme.txt or README file. It tells you exactly where files go, what dependencies are needed, and any quirks specific to this add-on.
Still stuck? The readme included with the file is the authoritative source for this specific mod. Visit our Flight School tutorials or ask in our Q&A forum.
Profile image for freeware developer Thalixte
About the developer

Thalixte

Thalixte is a developer that has focused on creating photogrammetry and scenery packs for the latest Microsoft Flight Simulator (MSFS) 2020 release.  All of this developer's releases have received fantastic feedback from many users on various flight sim websites including Fly Away Simulation.

Based in France, the developer tends to focus on creation of European packs however some "further afield" packs have also been created.

Enjoyed this mod? Thalixte released it as freeware. Consider donating to support future projects.

1 comment

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Comments below are opinions of individual posters and don’t always reflect Fly Away Simulation’s views. Every comment is manually moderated before publication.
  1. GORDON JOHNSTONE

    can't see a file named Content.xml. MSFS, not the Steam version.

    thanks, Gordon.

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