Edinburgh
"Coming back to Edinburgh is to me like coming home." - Charles Dickens
The official capital of Scotland since the 15th-century, Edinburgh is brimming with culture and history. There’s a reason why Edinburgh is known as the Athens of the North, as the city’s medieval buildings in the Old Town give it a friendly rustic charm. The huge castle dominates the city’s skyline and gives you the chance to explore Edinburgh’s political and military history. Calton Hill is a must-visit too- the hike up the steep slope is definitely worth it for the views at the top. Edinburgh is also home to the National Museum of Scotland, where you’ll be able to follow the footsteps of some of the greatest Scottish thinkers and inventors of all time such as Adam Smith, David Hume and John Dunlop. What the city lacks in good weather it more than makes up for in festivals and celebrations, and if you find yourself in the city in August don’t miss the Fringe Festival where you can see a variety of dance, comedy and theatre performances.
Activities
-
Castle Rock, Edinburgh
Edinburgh Castle perches on top of the appropriately-named Castle Rock in the very heart of the city.
-
Craigmillar Castle, Edinburgh
Just three miles south-east of Edinburgh’s city centre, this medieval castle really stands out in the modern suburb of Craigmillar.
-
Dugald Stewart Monument, Edinburgh
At the summit of Calton Hill overlooking the city of Edinburgh below, you’ll find this striking monument, dedicated to the Scottish philosopher, Dugald Stewart (best known for popularising the Scottish Enlightenment).
-
Edinburgh Zoo, Edinburgh
As one of the UK’s most famous zoos, the historic Edinburgh Zoo is well-worth a visit both for its legacy in animal conservation and the incredible range of wildlife it still cares for today.
-
Fruitmarket Gallery, Edinburgh
Originally built for Edinburgh’s fruit and vegetable market in 1938, today the building is now a renowned contemporary art gallery with a huge range of Scottish and International artists curated by Fruitmarket, as well as the array of cultural and educational events hosted by the gallery.
-
Holyrood Abbey, Edinburgh
Founded by King David I in 1128, today you’ll find the abbey lying in imposing ruins.
-
Holyrood Palace, Edinburgh
If you walk the length of the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle in the west, you’ll arrive at the foot of the equally-impressive Holyrood Palace, built between 1671 and 1678 for the coronation of Charles II.
-
Inverleith House, Edinburgh
Designed by David Henderson in 1773 and built in 1774 as the family home of Sir James Rocheid, today Inverleith House is a central part of the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh.
-
John Knox House, Edinburgh
Although his name became associated with the house, he appears to have lived in Warriston Close where a plaque indicates the approximate site of his actual residence. The house itself was built from 1490 onwards, featuring a fine wooden gallery and hand-painted ceiling.Read more
-
Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh
Set in the grounds of the 19th-century Bonnington House, it’s hard to believe this contemporary sculpture park with its whacky outdoor exhibits is just seven kilometres from Edinburgh’s city centre.
-
Lauriston Castle, Edinburgh
The castle is a 16th-century tower house with 19th-century extensions, the grounds of which operate as a park and boasts an award-winning Japanese Friendship garden.
-
Museum of Childhood, Edinburgh
As the first museum of its kind in the world, Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood is a huge collection of children’s toys from the 18th-century right up to the modern day.
-
Museum on the Mound, Edinburgh
On the descent from the Royal Mile down into Edinburgh’s New Town, you’ll walk past this early 19th-century domed, Baroque-revival building, home to the Museum on the Mound, a museum of money, coinage and economics.
-
National Library of Scotland, Edinburgh
About half way down George IV Bridge between the Old Town and the University of Edinburgh, you’ll find the National Library of Scotland, a category A-listed building.
-
National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
Just off the George IV Bridge in central Edinburgh, the two buildings that make up the National Museum of Scotland are a truly spectacular sight, from the Victorian façade of the old Royal Museum built in 1861, to the modern Museum of Scotland opened in 1998.
-
National War Museum, Edinburgh
In the grounds of Edinburgh Castle, this 18th-century ordnance storehouse was converted into the National War Museum in 1933. It covers today the history of Scotland at war from the 17th-century right up to the present day.
