Best of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a jewel in Scotland’s crown, with its streets steeped of history and a thriving cultural scene; it offers the perfect balance between the traditional and the contemporary. This beautiful and cosmopolitan city with its many wonderful attractions makes an immediate and favourable impression on all who visits this city.

The Chapel is located in Rosslyn, a small village just 7 miles from Edinburgh. The name means “point of the waterfall” in Scottish Gaelic according to some, or “ancient knowledge down the line” according to others.

An outstanding example of 15th century gothic architecture, it is famed for the beauty carvings and the aura of mystery and magic surround them. The famous Apprentice Pillar, “green men” and others make Rosslyn a must for any visitor.

Furthermore visitors would see the unique barrel vaulted roof elaborately carved with flowers and stars; the Dance of Death, the Dance Macabre and King Robert the Bruces Death Mask. It also has plants from the New World such as corn, cacti and aloe cactus and many more carvings to admire.

After being used as a setting in a book or movie, Rosslyn Chapel has become wildly popular. The movie “The Code Da Vinci” was partially filmed in this chapel. Now it attracts massive attention and visitor number, all of them come here for one thing, to find the Holy Grail as part of their Da Vinci Code tour.

Princess Street, the main shopping street, is a perfect place for walking around it. Start at the eat end of this street and walk along the entire mile of street. You wouldn’t be sucked immediately by the plethora of shops on your right hand side, but instead focus on the vista appearing on your left, the Princess Street Gardens with the famous floral clock which has been a popular tourist attraction for many years and people flock there to get a photograph of this stunning floral timepiece. There is no question it can be a perfect place to while away an hour or so with a picnic lunch. As you continue along Princess Street, the skyline on your left gets higher until at the top of it the Edinburgh Castle in all its glory is protected by high cliffs.

It is the top tourist attraction known throughout the world and one of the finest Scottish castles with a complex building history; the St Margaret’s Chapel – the oldest part – dates from the 12th century; The Great Hall was erected by James IV around 1510; the Half Moon Battery by the Regent Morton in the late 16th century; and the Scottish National War Memorial after the First World War.

Walk up the Royal Mile (High St) in order to get to soak up you of a history’s feeling while you approach to the castle. Non doubt the views from all round the castle across Edinburgh are spectacular. The panorama from the castle gives to visitors a chance to appreciate Edinburgh’s geological variety: hills, sea and extinct volcanoes as well as its man-made skyline.

The castle also houses the Honours (Crown Jewels) of Scotland, the Stone of Destiny, the famous 15th century cannon Mons Meg and of course the One o’clock gun. There is also a tiny room where Mary, Queen of Scotland gave birth to James the VI – the first king of unified Britain.

The castle’s stewards provide guides tours, furthermore there is an audio guide tour available in seven languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese and German) which explains its architecture, and tells its dramatic history.

On the streets of Edinburgh old town there have been dark and mysterious happenings for many years. The Edinburgh ghost tours are among the most popular walking city tours. Tightly packet ancient buildings closes and narrow streets which add to the sense that bits of the old town can be scary when the sun goes down.

Most guides doing Edinburgh ghost walks are masters of their craft. With training in history and storytelling, they set the right mood for the legends and horrific stories they have to tell.

Most historical facts are probably accurate maybe a little dramatised, but ghostly stories which are based on local folklore and legends. Some ghost tour companies keep a detailed hundreds record of independent sightings reported by tourists.

Edinburgh offers many historical tours throughout old town, which start at different positions along the Royal Mile. Non doubt continuing into the underworld, the gory, the ghoulish, the sinister and the haunted, creepy Underground Vaults; this tour can be one of the best thing to do for new visitors to Edinburgh.

Take a trip to South Queens ferry, board the Maid of the Forth and cruise under the Forth Bridge on you way out to Inchcolm Abbey. The boat drops you on the island for about 1.5 hours, giving you time to explore the abbey with the inscription in Latin. Best visited on a nice sunny day when you can laze on the island’s beach and admire the wildlife.

One of the things that make Edinburgh truly unique is the presence, right in centre city of a great volcano. It might have been extinct for several million years, but it doesn’t stop it being the most spectacular piece of open space within any city in the United Kingdom; maybe even the world.

Dwellers can to access to some quality walking space, if you go at the right times. Try climbing to submit (allow a good hour for the return trip) and appreciate the best views in the city. It cost nothing and will make you feel all virtuous and healthy.

The Royal Botanic Garden is located at just one mile of city centre; it displays plant treasures from around the globe in its seventy exquisitely landscaped acres of stunning scenery, featuring the magnificent glasshouse experience.

Founded in 1670, the Royal Botanic Garden is acknowledged to be one of the finest in the world, where unusual and beautiful plants can be found. Open all year with the admission completely free, the garden hosts a popular programme of events, exhibitions and guided tours.

Request more information:

Send to a friend

Your comments or questions: Price quote | Book now