Major Attractions In Edinburgh

In Edinburgh, you can dive into the scintillating mix of the historic Old Town and the Georgian New City. Before the 18th century, the city’s limits didn’t have much to offer besides the Carlton Hill and the pre-Renaissance structure that stood above it. However, in 1767 the commission to redesign a new urban landscape for Edinburgh was won by an obscure architect named John Craig – who may now be called the father of New Edinburgh. The two quarters of the city , however, do not take away from each other’s ambience but instead constitute a kind of an allegorical journey through the town, chronicling Edinburgh’s illustrious history.

Dominating the old city’s horizon is the magnificent Edinburgh Castle, rising above the sheer cliffs of the Carlton Hills. The Edinburgh Castle is really where you should start your discovery of this dramatic city.  

An overwhelming sense of Scottish history and national consciousness becomes evident as you walk through its many exhibits and carefully preserved interiors. Once the seat of the royal family, the Edinburgh castle is today a symbol and tribute to the country’s bloody sacrifices for sovereignty.

Other major monuments such the Sir Walter Scott Monument and the National Gallery of Scotland add to the elegance of the New Town. The National Gallery is an excellent and eclectic collection of old artwork by French Renaissance artists and the later Impressionists as well as Scottish painters, this is one of Britain’s best exhibits. Also in the Castle, is displayed the regalia of Scotland in all of entire decadent splendor in the Crown Room.

For those of you warm-blooded explorers more interested in Scotland’s destructive capabilities than its art, go ahead and check out the military exhibits of the Scottish National War Memorial or the Scottish United Services Museum, also in the Castle’s complex.

 Another one of the Old Town’s attractions is the Holyroodhouse Palace, which is the Royal Family’s continuing residence. Constructed in 1128, it was originally the abode of the Abbey of Holyrood.

You can experience the ageing splendour of the Queens living room furnished with the most exotic carpets and rugs from India and also the Middle Eastern countries.

Immediately after you descend from the castle esplanade you hit the winding streets of The Royal Mile. It consists of a number of streets, the most colourful being the Lawn Market, the Cannongate and the Highstreet. Although the Mile isn’t home to any particular thoroughfare, a stroll through this ancient avenue should transport you back in time and infuse you with a sense of what this bustling area must once have been.

If you are interested in taking offbeat tours around the city, why not venture into the eerie Witchery Tour, a trip bound to give you goosepimples! The tour takes you around the city’s old underground quarters which were allegedly witch hunting grounds in the days of yore.....though a little corny and incredulous at times, they are fascinating journeys and give you a peek into aspects of Scottish history that aren’t always advertised.