A landmark building and popular tourist attraction, Edinburgh castle offers beautiful views over the city.
The National Gallery of Scotland is home to the country's largest collection of European works of art. The paintings and sculptures on display reflect styles ranging from the Renaissance to the Post-Impressionist.
The National Museum of Antiquities of Scotland consists of three floors of exhibits and shares its location with the Portrait Gallery. The Museum showcases several artifacts from the Neolithic age.
Offering beautiful views of Edinburgh, Holyroodhouse Palace is the Queen's official residence in the city. The Palace is closed off to visitors in the Summers when the Queen is in residence.
Amongst the oldest gardens in the British Isles is Edinburgh's impressive, 70 acre Royal Botanical Garden. The Garden features an impressive diversity of flora.
The Royal Mile refers to the stretch between Edinburgh Castle and Holyroodhouse Palace. The road is lined with charming townhouses and quaint shops which attract tourists and locals alike.
A scenic site of volcanic origin, Calton Hill offers beautiful views over Edinburgh.
The Canongate Tolbooth museum, previously the town hall and prison, exhibits artifacts documenting the history of Edinburgh since the 18th century.
Charlotte Square is home to the famous Georgian House which depicts the life of an average family in the late 18th century.
The City Art Centre in Market Street (1-4) which runs parallel to Princes Street is an important municipal art gallery. As well as a permanent exhibition of about 3,000 paintings, drawings, prints and sculptures, mainly by Scottish artists from the 17th to the 20th C such as Hornel, Lorimer, Fergusson, Peploe and Elizabeth Blackadder, it is also a venue for major touring exhibitions.
Address:
City Art Centre, 2 Market Street, Edinburgh EH1 1DE, Scotland
Disability Access: Full facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service
Typical Visit: 3 hours
A charming part of the city, Dean Village is a quaint and picturesque village featuring classical landscaping.
Dating back to 1892, the splendidly decorated Empire Palace Theatre has hosted performances by such famous artists as Anna Pavlova, Charlie Chaplin and Charles Laughton.
Once the site of public executions, Grassmarket is now a lively square lined with pubs and quaint little shops.
Prints and writings about the famous reformer John Knox are displayed in the historical John Knox House which now serves as a museum.
On George IV Bridge stands one of the four largest libraries in the country. It grew out of the Advocate's Library that was founded in 1689 and now receives a copy of every book published in the United Kingdom. The seven figures in the entrance symbolize different teaching methods. As well as its permanent exhibition on Scottish history, the library also houses touring exhibitions on historical themes.
Address:
National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1EW, Scotland
Hours:
9:30am-8:30pm; Wed: 10am-8:30pm; Sat: 9:30am-1pm; Closed: Sun
Always closed on: New Year's Day (January 1), May Day / Labor Day (May 1), Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26), Christmas - Christian (December 25), Good Friday - Christian, Easter Monday - Christian
Facilities: Gift shop, Restaurant or food service
A prime street in the city lined with shops, markets and cafes, Princes Street is a bustling area that is popular with tourists and locals alike.
Nestled inside a Victorian style building dating back to 1861 is the Royal Museum of Scotland. Spread across two floors, the Museum exhibits artifacts ranging from Primitive art to the space age.
The Scottish National Portrait Gallery displays paintings of important personalities throughout Scottish history. Some historical landscape paintings can also be found in the Gallery.
A Gothic style church, St Giles Cathedral is the principal church of Edinburgh.
Known as General Kay's Monument, the Caiy Stone marks the site of an ancient battle between the Picts and the Romans. The monument is a 9ft tall prehistoric cup-marked stone.
At Camera Obscura visitors can experience a bird's eye view from inside a Victorian camera.
Address:
Camera Obscura, Castlehill
The Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH1 2LZ, Scotland
Hours:
April 1 to June 30: 9:30am-6pm
July 1 to October 31: 9:30am-7:30pm
November 1 to March 31: 10am-5pm
Always closed on: Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Tips: Holography exhibition. Last viewing 1 hour before closing.
Facilities: Gift shop
The Edinburgh Canal Center features a canal-side inn and cruising canalboat restaurants. Open all year.
Address:
Edinburgh Canal Center, The Bridge Inn
27 Baird Road
Ratho, Edinburgh EH28 8RA, Scotland
Disability Access: Partial facilities for persons with disabilities.
Facilities: On-site accomodations, Restaurant or food service
CLOSED.
Crafts Direct offers a wide selection of Tartan accessories, knitwear, jewelry and crafts made locally.
Address:
Crafts Direct, 11a James Court
Lawnmarket, Edinburgh EH1 2NT, Scotland
Several places of interest are within easy reach of the western side of Edinburgh to the south of the Firth of Forth. Cramond is a popular suburb with whitewashed houses which overlook the River Almond as it opens into the Firth of Forth. Excavations have provided evidence that a Roman camp was based here as early as 142. A Roman bath has been uncovered near Cramond Inn.
Typical Visit: 30 minutes
The recently renovated Playhouse is often used for musicals and rock concerts.
Address:
Edinburgh Playhouse, 18-22 Greenside Place, Edinburgh EH1 3AA, Scotland
The founder of this square, Gothic-Palladian complex was James IV's court jeweler George Heriot. William Wallace began work on the boys' school in 1627 and the task was finished by William Ayton in 1650. The clearly articulated facade with decorative gables is typical of the Renaissance period, while the corner towers are rather reminiscent of medieval fortifications.
Address:
George Heriot's School, Lauriston Place, Edinburgh EH3 9EQ, Scotland
Gilmerton Cove is an underground attraction located on the Southside of Edinburgh. Hewn from the bedrock sandstone, the Cove has seven different chambers with stone table and chairs, it truly is an archeological mysterythat has baffled investigators for over 300 years.
Address:
Gilmerton Cove, 16 Drum Street, Edinburgh EH17 8QH, Scotland
Tips: Tours must be booked call (845) 8945295.
The grand Edwardian King's Theatre is the usual stage for touring productions including opera, pantomime, and ballet.
Address:
Festival City Theatres, 13/29 Nicolson Street, Edinburgh EH8 9FT, Scotland
Lamb's House was originally built as the residence of a prosperous 16th or 17th C merchant. The building was restored in 1979.
Address:
Lamb's House, Burgess Street, Edinburgh EH6 6RD, Scotland
Tips: Visits only by prior arrangement.
The Malcolm Innes Gallery specializes in works by Scottish artists from the 19th and 20th centuries including Elisabeth Cameron, Brian Rawling and Louise Wood.
Typical Visit: 30 minutes
Maxwell, the scientist best known for his work in magnetics, was born here on India Road.
This was the home of the scientist Maxwell while he attended the Edinburgh Academy.
The residence of the Lairds of Scotland is now home to the Napier Technical College.
The new town between Princes Street and the Firth of Forth is still regarded as a masterpiece of Georgian town planning. The plans were proposed in 1767 by the 26-year-old James Craig. His checkerboard street pattern with Classical, three-story buildings arranged around grand crescents and squares was later realized by architects Robert Reid, Archibald Elliot, William Playfair and James Gillespie Graham.
Address:
New Town Conservation Centre, 13A Dundas Street, Edinburgh EH3 6QG, Scotland
Edinburgh's Old Town includes the Royal Mile, the Grassmarket and the University of Edinburgh.
The repertory theater in the Royal Lyceum is a Victorian gem.
Address:
Royal Lyceum Theatre, Grindlay Street, Edinburgh EH3 9AX, Scotland
At the foot of The Mound stands a Classical building which houses the Royal Scottish Academy. Designed by William Henry Playfair (1789-1857), it is used for touring exhibitions.
|
| View of Edinburgh with the Royal Scottish Academy in front. |
|
Address:
Royal Scottish Academy, The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL, Scotland
Housed within the Baronial style building on Lauriston Place are the surgical wards of the new Royal Infirmary. Numerous donors, dating back to the 18th C, have their names engraved in the walls.
The origins of Seton Collegiate Church go back to 1242, the year in which a parish church dedicated to St Mary & Holy Cross was consecrated here by the Bishop of St Andrews. In 1544 parts of the church were badly damaged by an English army. The grounds house the remains of a number of buildings thought to be priests' houses, and there is a display of stonework recovered from Seton Palace, destroyed in 1715 and later replaced by Seton House which now stands to the west of the church.
Hours:
April 1 to September 30: 9:30am-5:30pm
Parking: Free
Facilities: Restaurant or food service
The imposing Royal Bank of Scotland on the east side of the square was built in 1772 by William Chambers as a home for Sir Lawrence Dundas, the first Viscount of Melville. A memorial to the Viscount of Melville stands on the square as well as an equestrian statue of the Earl of Hopetoun.
Typical Visit: 10 minutes
Stenhouse Mansion in Edinburgh was the home of Patrick Ellis, a 17th C merchant. The house is currently let to the Secretary of State for the Environment as a conservation center.
Tips: Not open to visitors.
To the west and about halfway along Princes Street The Mound cuts through to Edinburgh's old town.
The Traverse has a reputation for staging innovative productions.
Address:
Traverse Theatre, 10 Cambridge Street, Edinburgh EH1 2ED, Scotland
Tips: Cafe opens at 8:30am daily.
Facilities: Restaurant or food service
The biggest theater in Edinburgh is Usher Hall which has space for 2,500 people.
Events, including rock, pop, jazz, world, blues, comedy, talks, school concerts, conferences, sponsorship events, ceremonies, lectures and recording sessions.
Address:
Usher Hall, Lothian Road, Edinburgh EH1 2EA, Scotland
Waverley market is spread out over three floors. A craft center and the usual variety of stores are found in the mall.
Edinburgh Surroundings
The village of South Queensferry has two noteworthy bridges, and two architectural highlights; the Tudor Gothic style Dalmeny House, and the Baroque Hopetoun House.
Dating back to the 14th Century, the Medieval Craigmillar Castle is a popular attraction with tourists and locals alike.
Reflecting Medieval and Renaissance architecture, Chricton Castle is situated on the banks of Tyne Water.
A cultural oasis nestled in Pentland Hills, Dunsyre Stonypath features impressive gardens, chapels, sundials and engraved stones.
The fine town of Haddington was founded in the 12th C and is a popular place for day-tripping tourists from Edinburgh.
A beautiful country mansion reflecting a typically Renaissance style, Lauriston Castle was first built by Sir Archibald Napier.
Leith is a port town displaying a fine collection of well preserved 17th C homes and commercial buildings.
Roslin, a mining village south of Edinburgh, is a popular spot with tourists and locals alike.
Spanning across an area of 80 acres, Edinburgh's zoological park is the largest in Scotland. The Zoo is home to the largest penguin colony in the world.
Read More
Edinburgh Castle
Read More
Read Less
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Palace of Holyrood House, Edinburgh
Royal Mile, Edinburgh
South Queensferry, Edinburgh
National Gallery of Scotland, Edinburgh
Sir Walter Scott Monument, Edinburgh
Princes Street, Edinburgh
