Attractions
Sightseeing in Edinburgh reveals a score of attractions,
highlighting this ancient city's historical, cultural and visual
charm. Most Edinburgh attractions are quite centrally located and
best enjoyed during the summer, when the days are both longer and
warmer.
Located on the mound of an extinct volcano, Edinburgh Castle hosts
structures from as early as the 12th century, and the National
Gallery has displayed fine works of art to the public since 1859.
For Scottish opera and ballet performances, visit the Edinburgh
Festival Theatre, while the Museum of Edinburgh is another great
attraction.
The Scotch Whisky Experience shows visitors the art of brewing
Scotland's celebrated whiskies, locally referred to as 'the water
of life'. Speaking of water, the Royal Yacht Brittania is docked in
the port of Leith and has hosted the likes of Winston Churchill and
Nelson Mandela. A well-known Edinburgh attraction is the Royal
Botanic Garden, and the Royal Mile in Old Town is another must.
Edinburgh Castle
The imposing castle that stands on the craggy mound of an
extinct volcano in the heart of Edinburgh is the city's top
attraction, a proud symbol of the Scots nation. The castle rock has
been inhabited since 800 BC, but today most of...
see full detailsPalace of Holyrood House
The Palace of Holyrood was originally an abbey, built in the
12th century, and later the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, notorious
for her turbulent reign and dramatic life. Today the palace is the
official Scottish residence of Queen Elizabeth II, and...
see full detailsRoyal Botanic Garden
Not just any garden, the Edinburgh Botanic Garden is
acknowledged as one of the finest in the world, featuring six
percent of all the world's known plants, the most tender being
cosseted in glasshouses. Visitors can admire vegetation from 10
climate zones from tropical...
see full detailsNational Gallery of Scotland
The National Gallery of Scotland is situated in the heart of
Edinburgh and is home to Scotland's greatest collection of European
paintings and sculpture from the Renaissance to Post-Impressionism.
The museum opened to the public in 1859 and includes works by
Botticelli, Cézanne, Van...
see full detailsMuseum of Edinburgh
Get to grips with the mystery and magic of the ancient city of
Edinburgh at the museum dedicated to its history, from prehistoric
times to the present day. The Museum of Edinburgh contains
important collections all relevant to the city's history, from
pottery to...
see full detailsScotch Whisky Experience
Alongside Edinburgh Castle visitors can enjoy a 'wee dram' and
uncover the secrets of brewing Scotland's famed malt, grain and
blended whiskies, known to the locals as 'the water of life'. The
whisky tour includes a barrel ride through the history of whisky,...
see full detailsRosslyn Chapel
Made famous by the conclusion of the exciting novel (later
turned movie) 'The Da Vinci Code' by Dan Brown, this 15th-century
Gothic church has become a touristic place of pilgrimage, just six
miles (10km) south of Edinburgh's city centre. Known among the
clergy as...
see full detailsEdinburgh Festival Theatre
The Edinburgh Festival Theatre is used primarily for musical
events and touring groups and it is one of the main venues for the
annual summer Edinburgh International Festival, as well as being
the year-round venue for the Scottish Opera and the Scottish
Ballet. This...
see full detailsRoyal Mile
A 'must see' in Edinburgh is the Royal Mile, a succession of
streets forming the main thoroughfare of Edinburgh's Old Town.
Fittingly, the Royal Mile is approximately one Scottish mile long,
running between two historic attractions; Edinburgh Castle at the
top of the Castle...
see full detailsArthurs Seat
The tallest of the seven hills that form Holyrood Park at 822
feet (250m), Arthur's Seat is actually an extinct volcano that
overlooks the city of Edinburgh. There are the remains of an Iron
Age hillfort, with several grassy plateaus that make for...
see full detailsStirling Castle
One of the most impressive Scottish castles in the region,
Stirling Castle has a famous history of clashes between British
troops and Scottish revolutionaries. Its bridge is the site of one
of William Wallace's major victories, and the field of Bannockburn
was the venue...
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