Lying in the southeast of Scotland on the Forth estuary, Edinburgh is the capital of the country and features a bewildering array of architectural styles, both ancient and modern, with its famous castle acting as a phenomenal centerpiece. Both the old and new towns are listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, which underlines the city’s importance as one of the most historic and attractive cities in the British Isles.
Most visitors to the Scottish capital make a beeline for the castle before heading to the many other ancient structures within the city’s confines. Edinburgh Castle is an old fortress which is perched on top of Castle Rock, its chapel the oldest remaining structure from the 1100s. St Giles’ Cathedral is one of the more impressive buildings ion the old city, dating back more than 900 years and featuring stained-glass windows, some nearly 200 years old.
For some of the best views of the city, Arthur’s Seat is the best place to head for; it is one of the city’s small hills that takes in most of Edinburgh. The best time to get to the Scottish capital is without a doubt Hogmanay, the New Year’s Eve festival to beat all others in the whole of Europe. During this time, most of the city center is roped off for street parties. If you can’t get here for the end of the year, there are plenty of great bars to enjoy around the Glassmarket and George street the other 364 days.
Highlights
Edinburgh Castle: is one of the main attractions in the city, with fabulous views and plenty of buildings to see that date back centuries.
St Giles’ Cathedral: more than 800 years old, this is one of the city’s most famous ecclesiastical buildings.
Royal Mile: takes in most of the main historic sites from the castle to the Palace of Hollyroodhouse.
Arthur’s Seat: is the perfect place for some peace and quiet, as well as great views of the whole city.
Whisky Museum: is a place of pilgrimage for malt buffs and where you can sample Scotland’s finest.
Edinburgh Hogmanay: only held one day every year, on New Year’s Eve, this is one of Europe’s premier parties and should not be missed.