EDINBURGH TOURIST ATTRACTIONS
The City of Edinburgh is one of the most vibrant, cosmopolitan cities in Europe and is regularly voted as one of the most desirable places to live in the world. Edinburgh Castle dominates the urban skyline, perched atop an ancient volcano right in the city centre! With its stunning Georgian and Victorian architecture, and winding medieval streets and closes, the city is blessed with a truly captivating setting. Edinburgh is bustling with arts, culture, sports and attractions and is famous for playing host to the world's largest arts festival, the Edinburgh International Festival.
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EDINBURGH CASTLE
Edinburgh Castle - Scotland's most-visited tourist attraction, Edinburgh Castle Scotland is an ancient fortress rising high above Edinburgh City on the sheer cliffs of Castle Rock.
Its lofty position dominates views of the city of Edinburgh. The esplanade of Edinburgh Castle is the site of the world-famous 'Edinburgh Tattoo'. Guided tours of Edinburgh Castle are available. The castle is managed by Historic Scotland.
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EDINBURGH ZOO
Edinburgh Zoo, is a non-profit zoological park located in Edinburgh, the capital city of Scotland.
The land lies on the Corstorphine Hill, from which it provides extensive views of the city. Built in 1913, it receives over 600,000 visitors a year. The Zoo is involved in many scientific pursuits, such as captive breeding of endangered animals, researching into animal behaviour, and active participation in various conservation programs around the world.
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SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
The Scottish Parliament Building is the home of the Scottish Parliament at Holyrood, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site in central Edinburgh. Construction of the building commenced in June 1999 and the Members of the Scottish Parliament held their first debate in the new building on 7 September 2004.
The opening by Queen Elizabeth took place on 9 October 2004. Enric Miralles, the Catalan architect designed the building.
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NATIONAL MUSEUM OF SCOTLAND
The National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, Scotland, was formed in 2006 with the merger of the Museum of Scotland, with collections relating to Scottish antiquities, culture and history, and the Royal Museum next door, with collections covering science and technology, natural history, and world cultures. The two connected buildings stand beside each other on Chambers Street, by the intersection with the George IV Bridge, in central Edinburgh. The museum is part of National Museums Scotland. Admission is free.
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NATIONAL GALLERIES
National Gallery of Scotland - Being a city with such a colourful past, Edinburgh boasts an immense variety of galleries and museums. The National Gallery of Scotland, stands in all its grandeur on The Mound between East and West Princes Street Gardens. Its collection contains over 20,000 paintings and drawings, and there are regular exhibitions of world-renowned collections. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queen Street is host to the national collection of portraits, all of those being of Scots, in addition to the Scottish National Photography Collection. The Museum of Scotland on Chambers Street is dedicated to the history, people and culture of Scotland through the ages. This modern museum is an unusual and striking structure in Edinburgh's historic Old Town. Peruse works and personal artifacts of the Scottish literary greats, including Robert Burns and Sir Walter Scott, at the Edinburgh Writer's Museum. Admission to many of the city's museums and galleries is free.
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THE ROYAL YACHT BRITANNIA
Berthed in Leith, Edinburgh, just 2 miles from the city centre, sits The Royal Yacht Britannia. For over forty years The Royal Yacht proudly served the Royal Family, sailing over one million miles to become the most famous ship in the world and playing a role in some defining moments of recent history. Britannia's Visitor Centre on the second floor of Ocean Terminal provides historical background, and photographs of the Royal Family. Visitors then collect an audio handset tour (available in many languages and for children), and step on board to discover Britannia's five decks. Highlights of the tour include the Sun Lounge, the State Dining and Drawing Rooms, The Queen's Bedroom, which contrasts with the working side of the ship, such as the Royal Marines' Barracks, the Sick Bay and the Engine Room. You can't go wrong with a trip out to this award-winning attraction rated "Five Star (Exceptional, World Class) Visitor Attraction" by the Scottish Tourist Board. Visit the official Royal Yacht Britannia.
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HOLYROOD PALACE (Holyrood House)
At the foot of the Royal Mile, Holyrood Palace, dating from the 15th century, is the official residence of Queen Elizabeth II when she visits Scotland. She is usually in residence for a few weeks in May and July each year. When the Queen is not present, areas of the palace are sometimes open to visitors with guided tours of several rooms in the State Apartments available. The palace is directly opposite the Scottish Parliament and Arthur's Seat. With our self-catering accommodation in Edinburgh's Regent Terrace you can stay only a short walk from Holyrood Palace and the Royal Mile! See our map of Edinburgh to see where we are.
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THEROYAL MILE
Edinburgh's Royal Mile in the Old Town - the city's most popular tourist street. The Mile runs from the Castle Esplanade to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, encompassing the Lawnmarket, the High Street, and Canongate. Don't forget the side streets of Victoria Street, the West Bow, Candlemaker Row, Grassmarket and the West Port. These delightful areas are rich in unusual shops, pubs, restaurants and cafes. During the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the High Street becomes crowded with tourists, entertainers and buskers.
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ROYAL BOTANIC GARDENS
The Edinburgh botanic garden was founded in 1670 at St. Anne's Yard, near Holyrood Palace, by Dr. Robert Sibbald and Dr. Andrew Balfour. It is the second oldest botanic garden in Britain after Oxford's. In 1763, the garden's collections were moved away from the city's pollution to a site on the road to Leith, and the garden moved to its present location at Inverleith in 1820. The Temperate Palm House, which remains the tallest in Britain to the present day, was built in 1858. The botanic garden at Benmore became the first Regional Garden of the RBGE in 1929. It was followed by the gardens at Logan and Dawyck in 1969 and 1978.
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EDINBURGH MILITARY TATTOO
Throughout August every year, the iconic Scottish spectacle that is the Edinburgh Tattoo enthrals audiences on the Edinburgh Castle esplanade. Join an audience of thousands perched high above Edinburgh city centre to watch at first hand a display which attracts an annual television audience of 100 million worldwide. 1000 or so performers conduct a dazzling show on the Castle Esplanade, an assortment of vibrant dance, music and display. From daredevil motorcycle stunts and battle re-enactments, or Russian Cossack dancers and Chinese dancers, or simply the best of Scottish - Highland marchers, dancers, and bandsmen, the programme assortment changes every year. Penultimately, a spotlight illuminates the Lone Piper on the Castle ramparts, who plays a hunting farewell before fireworks light the night sky. Visit the Edinburgh Tattoo official website where you can find out how and when to buy your Edinburgh Tattoo ticket.
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EDINBURGH FESTIVAL
Edinburgh Festival is a collective term for several simultaneous arts and cultural festivals that take place during August each year in Edinburgh, Scotland. These festivals are arranged by a number of formally unrelated organizations, meaning there is no single event officially termed the Edinburgh Festival
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THE SCOTT MONUMENT
Rising 200.5 feet into the sky in the East end of Princes Street Gardens, only a few minutes walk from our Calton Hill self-catering apartment, the Scott Monument is a Victorian era monument to Scottish author Sir Walter Scott. For a small fee, you can climb 287 narrow spiralling steps to the viewing deck near the top for a panoramic view of central Edinburgh. The monument lies opposite the Jenners department store on Princes Street and near to Waverley Station.
>> www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk |
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PRINCES STREET GARDENS
Take a stroll in this dramatically situated public park beneath the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle. The Gardens are a popular meeting place in Edinburgh, and play host to regular concerts at the Ross Bandstand, particularly at the city's Hogmanay celebrations. Pop over to take in the oldest floral clock in the world, which is seasonally replanted with around 35,000 colourful plants. Come Christmas time, Princes Street Gardens is also the site of one of Britain's largest outdoor ice rinks, Winter Wonderland. |
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EDINBURGH HOGMANAY STREET PARTY
One of the world's most spectacular New Year celebrations! The evening features performers from all over the world, and the Concert in the Gardens with a world-class fireworks display at midnight. Street party tickets are released at the beginning of October each year. New Year's Eve is preceded by the Torchlight procession from the Royal Mile and Night Afore International, a street arts carnival on George Street.
Edinburgh Hogmanay Street Party Fireworks
At midnight on 31st December every year, the Edinburgh Hogmanay fireworks, one of the world's most spectacular firework displays, sets the winter sky alight with colour. The display is also known as the 'Seven Hills Fireworks' as there are actually seven launch sites: Arthur's Seat, Blackford Hill, Braid Hill, Calton Hill, Castle Hill (Edinburgh Castle - the main display), Corstorphine Hill and Craigmillar Hill.
>> www.edinburghshogmanay.org |
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NATIONAL MONUMENT ON CALTON HILL EDINBURGH
Calton Hill at the East end of Princes Street, includes several buildings of interest, notable for their Greek-influenced architecture. Of course, the hill also offers superb views right over Edinburgh city centre, and is a popular vantage point for the Edinburgh Festival Fireworks and Edinburgh's Hogmanay Fireworks. On the summit of the hill, The National Monument, pictured above, is Scotland's memorial to those who lost their lives in the Napoleonic Wars. Calton Hill is perhaps most famous for The Beltane Fire Festival, which is held every year on the night of 30th April to mark the Summer Solstice. An audience of around 15 thousand people come to share in the fire festival and the intense and colourful procession of painted dancers and drummers. You can find out more at the Beltane Fire Society. |
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