A Bit of History
Edinburgh is one of Europe’s most beautiful and historically interesting cities, and is also Scotland’s capital. Edinburgh’s history dates back to Roman times (AD79) with the city growing in size and stature throughout the middle ages. Much of the stunning architecture dates back to Georgian and Victoria times. Thankfully many of the beautiful buildings situated throughout the old town were preserved and returned to their former glory, during a time when other British cities were pulling down their heritage and replacing it with concrete. Edinburgh is a visually stunning place to visit.
Festivals
Perhaps Edinburgh is currently best known for its festivals, and the best known of all is the Edinburgh International Festival and Fringe. The 2009 festival runs from August 14th to September 6th 2009.
The International festival presents a rich programme of classical music, theatre, opera and dance in 6 major theatres and concert halls, plus a number of other smaller venues.
The festival began in 1947 with the aim of “flowering of the human spirit”.
For current listings take a look at www.eif.co.uk.
Other festivals and events of note are:
*Military Tattoo. This is a 3 week military music spectacular that takes place during August. For more information call 0131 225 8616.
*Hogmanay. Perhaps the best New Year celebrations in the world? There are always plenty of official and unofficial events happening across Edinburgh during the Hogmanay celebrations.
Attractions in Edinburgh
The key to Edinburgh is to explore, you can walk to most places and in the main you will not be disappointed.
There is so much to see during your stay in Edinburgh. We would advise visitors to take one of the many bus tours that operate just near Waverley Station - this will give you a great orientation and you will also get to learn a little bit about Edinburgh.
The most obvious attraction is EdinburghCastle, situated in the heart of the city. You can take a guided tour of the castle. For group bookings call 0131 668 8831.
Another tour that will be of interest to Edinburgh’s visitor is a Mercat Tour. These guided walking tours operate along the Royal Mile. The tours take you around the old part of town telling stories of ghosts, witches and the darker side of Edinburghīs past. Well worth doing after dark.
There are a host of art galleries and museums such as the Scottish National Portrait Gallery on Queens Street, The National Museum of Scotland on Chalmers Street along with the Dean Gallery of Modern Art.
Contact numbers for other Edinburgh places of interest:
Palace of Holyroodhouse - 0131 556 5100
National Galleries of Scotland – 0131 624 6200
Royal Museum – 0131 247 4422
Princes StreetGardens – 0131 225 6844
Royal Yacht Britannia – 0131 555 5566
Going out in Edinburgh tends to revolve around two main areas. The Grassmarket in the OldTown and George Street in the New Town.
The Grassmarket tends to be popular with hen and stag parties. Finneganīs Wake on Victoria Street is great craic with live music on a Saturday nights with Espionage and the Liquid Rooms next door provide clubbing options with guest nights for various DJ / Bands. Coming down into the Grassmarket there are numerous pubs from the Last Drop to the Beehive which provide a fairly relaxed atmosphere for Stag and Hens to play. Just round the corner from the Grassmarket in the Cowgate is the famous Three Sisters pub. This is a firm favourite with a courtyard outside and late licence.
Coming back across the Royal Mile and running parallel with Princes Street you will find George Street. You can walk from St Andrew Square at the West end down to Charlotte Square. In between there are a variety of cool bars and restaurants to try. Starting with the Dome and Le Monde, down to All Bar One then onto Opal Lounge, CandyBar, TigerLily and Lulus. Opal Lounge and Lulu offer the late night options with opening through till 3 am. Guests should note that must pubs in Edinburgh have a 1 am licence so no need to rush!!
If you would like to try something authentic then there are a whole host of original type pubs dotted along Rose Street serving great ales and offering a pleasant ambience for a quiet drink. Rose Street runs parallel with George Street and is in between Princes Street and George Street.
For the more adventurous donīt be too scared to jump in a cab and head out of the city centre. Edinburgh is really a small place so areas such as Stockbridge and Morningside are only ten minutes away and each offer a host of unique pubs and restaurants away from the city centre. Hectors is Stockbridge is a cool bar with the Canny Mans in Morningside a real Edinburgh institution.
Restaurants are equally well represented with all cuisines here in abundance both in the city centre and in the areas mentioned above. Our favourite at the moment is The Magnum which is on Albany Street - a ten minute walk down the hill from St Andrew Square. This offers traditional cuisine with a Scottish twist. For traditional Haggis Neeps and Tatties guests should try Dirty Dicks at the East End of Rose Street. This is a traditional pub which serves a great helping of Scotlandīs national dish.
Edinburgh has a great centre for shopping with a Harvey Nichols in St Andrew Square, Louis Vuitton, Mulberry and Reiss just round the corner on Mulberry Walk. There is also Jenner of Princes Street with lots more upmarket shops on George Street in addition to the high street brands which are found the length of Princes Street.
Sport
Murrayfield stadium is the home of the Scottish Rugby Union team and is situated to the west side of Edinburgh. To arrange tickets call 0871 200 1511.
You can also book tours of the stadium which need to be booked at least 48 hours prior to arrival. Call 0131 346 5100.
Football – Edinburgh has 2 clubs that play in the Scottish Premier League: Hibernian and Heart of Midlothian (otherwise known as Hearts or the Jambo’s).
Queens Park play their home games at HampdenPark – the most famous of the football stadiums in Edinburgh, and indeed Scotland.
Golf has been played in Scotland since the 14th Century. East Lothian, situated to the East od Edinburgh is known as “The Cradle of Golf” and is home to many famous courses. Perhaps the most famous is Muirfield (01620 842 123) where the British Open has been played on more than a dozen occasions.
Other courses of note nearby are Dunbar (01368 862 317) and Gullane (01620 842 255)
St.Andrews is known as the home of Golf, and is where the games rulemasters - The Royal and Ancient – have their headquarters. There are a number of courses at St. Andrews, the most famous of all, and perhaps the most famous one in the world is “The Old Course”. You can register by ballot to play the course. Call 01334 466 666.
Shopping
Restaurants
Nightlife
