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Scotland Travel Search Engine: Scotland Travel and Tourism Directory

Scotland > Edinburgh & Lothians > Edinburgh

The Edinburgh Tourism Information Search Directory - Accommodation - Hotels, Apartments, Inns, Bed & Breakfast - Tours, Rental Car, Transfers, Attractions, History, Culture & what to see..

Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, is a beautiful city, open, green, and set on a series of volcanic hills. The city boasts history, culture, a wealth of tourist sites, and a charming personality that reflects the heart of the nation. From the first view of the dramatic castle you can feel the history, but it doesn't take long to discover a vibrant, cosmopolitan modern-day city. Edinburgh is a compact city, ideal for exploring on foot by you, or with one of the many guides. But to really feel the history you must take a haunted evening walk..

Edinburgh Castle, which stands on a rocky crag above the city, has been fortified for over 2000 years and houses the country's crown jewels, the Honours of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny on which Scottish monarchs were crowned (open all year). From the castle, the Royal Mile sweeps down through the medieval Old Town, a maze of tiny lanes and historic buildings, may of which house attractions like Gladstone's Land (a thumbnail of local 17th century life) and the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre.


The Palace of Holyroodhouse is at the end of the Royal Mile, which is Queen Elizabeth's official residence when she is in Scotland. To the north of the castle is the beginning of the Georgian New Town, which has shops and department stores in Princes Street, handsome buildings and broad avenues. The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Royal Botanic Garden are also in New Town. A little further north is the port of Leith where there are many fine restaurants and bars as well as the former yacht of Her Majesty the Queen, HMY Britannia. It's now open to visitors to imagine how it would feel to live like modern day royalty.


In the city centre, the National Gallery of Scotland has many rare and beautiful artefacts along with the complete history of the country.
In the suburbs are surprising treasures like the 15th century Craigmillar Castle and the Royal Observatory Centre. Mary, Queen of Scots fled to Craigmillar after the murder of Rizzio and it was here that the plot was hatched to murder her husband, Lord Darnley. The handsome structure was featured in the BBC production of Ivanhoe. The Edinburgh International Festival is one of the world's principal arts festivals. There's also the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Both are in full swing in late August along with the famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Film Festival, Book Festival and Jazz Festival also add to the summer atmosphere and at other times of the year there's the Science Festival, the Folk Festival and Hogmanay - the New Year celebration when the city becomes one big street party. You'll never experience Auld Lang Syne like it anywhere else! Edinburgh offers all styles of entertainment for all ages from West End shows to traditional Scottish ceilidhs to the frenetic nightlife of alternative bars.

There is something for everyone - the comforts of modern malls like Waverley Shopping Centre and Freeport Shopping and Leisure Village) - eclectic speciality stores in urban villages like Stockbridge and Bruntsfield - galleries and antique shops in towns and villages such as North Berwick and East Linton. For lovers of crystal there's the Edinburgh Crystal Visitors Centre (a working factory with crystal bargains) and Jenners is worth a visit - it's the world's oldest independent department store.
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