Edinburgh Tourist-Attractions

Edinburgh Tourist-Attractions information

The Royal Mile

Straddling the volcanic ridge that runs from Edinburgh Castle, at the top, to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, at the foot, is the cobblestoned Royal Mile. It is actually made up of four separate streets that seamlessly run into each other - Castle Hill, the Lawnmarket, High Street and the Canongate, but few people differentiate between them nowadays. Walking the full length of the Mile is an essential Edinburgh experience. It is one of Europe's most fascinating thoroughfares, lined with shops, pubs, restaurants and many historical buildings including Edinburgh's High Kirk and political buildings. Fanning off the Royal Mile are dozens of narrow lanes that lead to small courts and steps down to the Cowgate and the Grassmarket.

Edinburgh Castle

On a volcanic crag at the top of the Royal Mile, 12th-century Edinburgh Castle dominates the whole city. It is one of the UK's most distinctive sites, and one of the first things you see as you enter Edinburgh by rail from the south. The castle's courtyard is also the site of the world-famous Edinburgh Tattoo each year. Among the highlights of a visit are St Margaret's Chapel (the oldest part of the castle) and the palace, once a royal residence, and today a museum containing the Honours - the Scottish equivalent of the crown jewels. The Honours were recently joined by the return of the block of sandstone known as the Stone of Destiny (or Stone of Scone) upon which Scotland's kings through history were crowned. Edward I stole the stone 700 years ago to quell the "turbulent Scots" and installed it at Westminster. Some legends say that the monks of Scone tricked the king and substituted a plain piece of local sandstone for the true stone, which is now lost. Castle Hill. Open: daily 09h30-18h00 (Apr-Oct); 09h30-17h00 (Nov-Mar). Admission: GBP11.00, adults; GBP3.50, children.

The National Gallery of Scotland

Located on The Mound, just off Princes Street, the National Gallery houses Scotland's national art collection. Its rather gaudy red interior is a shock - as are the tartan trousers sported by the staff. On show are seminal works by artists such as Raphael, Titian, Rembrandt and Cezanne, as well as pieces by Scottish artists such as John Singer Sargent and Frederic Edwin Church. Although the paintings are the main draw there are also several interesting sculptures and artefacts in the gallery. The Mound. Open: daily 10h00-17h00; (until 19h00 Thu). Admission to permanent collection: free.

The Royal Yacht Britannia

For 44 years the Royal Yacht Britannia operated as the official vessel for the British Royal Family, sailing all over the world. Following decommissioning Britannia has been berthed permanently at Leith and now serves as a floating museum. As well as the sumptuous Royal Apartments, visitors can see the inner workings of the ship and the crew's quarters, which retain much of their original 1950s fixtures and fittings. Ocean Terminal, Leith. Open: daily 09h30-16h30 (Apr-Sep); 10h00-15h30 (Oct-Mar). Admission: GBP9, adults; GBP5, children.

Palace of Holyroodhouse

The Queen's official Scottish home has been a royal residence for more than 700 years. Highlights of a tour include the State Apartments, the Great Gallery and the Historical Apartments, chiefly of note for their connections with Mary, Queen of Scots. In the palace grounds are the ruins of 12th-century Holyrood Abbey. In summer, the very pleasant gardens are also open to the public. It's advisable to check that the palace is open before visiting as it closes for special events several times a year. Canongate, at the Eastern end of the Royal Mile (towards Arthur's Seat). Open: daily 09h30-18h00 (Apr-Oct); 09h30-16h30 (Nov-Mar). Admission: GBP8.80, adults; EUR4.80, children.

Museum of Scotland

This brilliantly designed new museum was opened in 1998 as an addition to the grand Victorian-style Royal Museum next door (also worth a look if you have time). The Museum of Scotland traces the history of Scotland from prehistoric times through to the modern era. Treasures include the silver and amber Hunterston brooch from AD800, 12th-century carved Lewis chesspieces and various Roman antiquities. The industrial section includes the steam locomotive Ellesmere, built in nearby Leith in 1861. The Discovery Centre is a hands-on exhibition especially designed for 11-14 year olds. Chambers St. Open: Mon, Wed-Sat 10h00-17h00; Tue 10h00-20h00; Sun 12h00-17h00. Admission to permanent exhibitions: free.

Arthur's Seat

A 250-metre high extinct volcano, Arthur's Seat dominates the southern end of the city and is a great place for a bracing walk or a summer picnic. Nobody knows where the name comes from, though some have linked it with the legendary King Arthur. The walk up is rewarded with spectacular views across the city and over to the Pentland Hills beyond. The path up from Dunsapie is an easy climb.

The High Kirk of St Giles

Crowned by a distinctive 15th-century tower and spire and often simply known as St Giles Cathedral, this was Edinburgh's parish church, from which the fiery John Knox launched the Scottish reformation in 1559. Later in the High Kirk's history, excitable Edinburgh housewives upheld Knox's principles by slinging their prayer stools at the Bishop of Scotland when Charles I sought to bring the Scots back under the Catholic banner with his new prayer book. Tough crowd... Situated on the Royal Mile. Open: Mon-Sat 09h00-17h00; Sun 13h00-17h00 (late opening Mayr-Sep until 19h00 Mon-Fri). Admission: voluntary donation.

Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre

Not too far from St Giles's is a temple to Scotland's alternative religion - whisky. Here you can trace the 1,000-year history and development of the Gaelic "Water of Life". In the centre's interactive experience visitors are whisked off on a train past tableaux with lifelike models, sounds and the not always palatable smells of the mash tuns, portraying the development of the whisky industry. Finally, you can interact a little bit more closely with the final product. 354 Castlehill, Royal Mile. Tours run: daily 10h00-17h00 (09h30-17h30 in summer). Tours: GBP8.50, adults; GBP6.40, children.

John Knox House

This three-storey building on the Royal Mile dates from the beginning of the 16th century and is believed to be the place where religious reformer John Knox lived. It includes a museum devoted to Knox's life, which was surprisingly colourful considering his unflinching austerity. Few people realise he served as a galley slave before launching his political career, and indirectly instigating physical assaults on senior members of the clergy - you couldn't make it up. 43-45 High St, midway down the Royal Mile. Open: Mon-Sat 10h00-18h00, Sun 12h00-18h00. Admission GBP3, adults; GBP1, children.

Calton Hill

At the Eastern end of Princes Street, Calton Hill is another volcanic outcrop littered with a striking collection of grand buildings and monuments. These include the Burns Monument, the 1817 Nelson Monument, which you can climb to get great views of the city, and the City Observatory. The National Monument was intended to replicate the Parthenon in Athens, but the money ran out long before it was finished - so you'll have to settle for the bronze model in the National Gallery instead. Calton Hill is also home to the pagan festival of Beltane. The City Observatory is generally closed to the public, but is sometimes open on the third Friday of the month from 20h00-22h00, weather permitting, for visitors to view the stars through the main telescope.