Guidebook for Edinburgh
Sightseeing
Beautiful Victorian building with serene open space inside, and an internationally renowned collection displayed in interactive galleries
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National Museum of Scotland
Beautiful Victorian building with serene open space inside, and an internationally renowned collection displayed in interactive galleries
You simply can't come to Edinburgh without visiting the Castle. It dominates the city, and stretches back 1,000 years. It is still the home to an army regiment, and once a day fires a blank canon to signal 1 o'clock. It houses the Scottish Crown jewels, and has a café with the most incredible view in the city.
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Castle Rock
You simply can't come to Edinburgh without visiting the Castle. It dominates the city, and stretches back 1,000 years. It is still the home to an army regiment, and once a day fires a blank canon to signal 1 o'clock. It houses the Scottish Crown jewels, and has a café with the most incredible view in the city.
In the lea of the Castle, the buildings age back 100's of years. There is often a market, sometimes food, sometimes vintage. There are loads of pubs and places to eat, and it gets lively in the evening.
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Grassmarket
10 GrassmarketIn the lea of the Castle, the buildings age back 100's of years. There is often a market, sometimes food, sometimes vintage. There are loads of pubs and places to eat, and it gets lively in the evening.
The New Town was so called because it was built all at the same time, and is younger than the Old Town which stretches down the Royal Mile. The New Town is Georgian, with beautiful buildings of classical proportions. There are many smart places to shop and eat, and this is the area in which the wealthy of Edinburgh live.
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Edinburgh Old Town
The New Town was so called because it was built all at the same time, and is younger than the Old Town which stretches down the Royal Mile. The New Town is Georgian, with beautiful buildings of classical proportions. There are many smart places to shop and eat, and this is the area in which the wealthy of Edinburgh live.
Arts & Culture
There are a lot of really significant galleries in Edinburgh, some representing great Scottish arts but also the best from history and around the world
Although in the city, this gallery is in a large palladian house which will make you feel that you're in the country.
It houses significant work from around the world, including a collection of Scottish Colourists. my personal favourites.
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Igaleriya yeScottish National Gallery of Modern Art
75 Belford RdAlthough in the city, this gallery is in a large palladian house which will make you feel that you're in the country.
It houses significant work from around the world, including a collection of Scottish Colourists. my personal favourites.
The National Gallery is slap bang in the centre of the city.
Although Scotland is a small country, this National gallery houses a significant collection which can genuinely compete on a world stage, thanks to the Director in the 90's who made it his mission to purchase significant pieces. You can also find out about the Scottish Colourists here, and in January you can see the Vaughan Bequest, a collection of early Turner watercolours which is only exhibited then so that the light does not damage them.
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Iziko Lokuhlalwa Kwamanye Amazwe weScotland
The MoundThe National Gallery is slap bang in the centre of the city.
Although Scotland is a small country, this National gallery houses a significant collection which can genuinely compete on a world stage, thanks to the Director in the 90's who made it his mission to purchase significant pieces. You can also find out about the Scottish Colourists here, and in January you can see the Vaughan Bequest, a collection of early Turner watercolours which is only exhibited then so that the light does not damage them.
Although small compared to the other galleries, this holds a wonderful collection including a statue of Robert Burns standing in the most remarkable gallery you'll ever see
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Igaleriya Yezokubanzi YaseScotland
1 Queen StAlthough small compared to the other galleries, this holds a wonderful collection including a statue of Robert Burns standing in the most remarkable gallery you'll ever see
Parks & Nature
The Meadows is at the bottom of our street. 200 years ago it was a marsh which was drained when Marchmont was built. It has stayed as the best park in the city ever since. It contains a couple of good playparks for children, and large open spaces where students hang out, people have barbecues, cricket teams meet, and every now and then there are festivals and fetes. The Meadows is like the lungs of our city in more ways than one.
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The Meadows
Melville DriveThe Meadows is at the bottom of our street. 200 years ago it was a marsh which was drained when Marchmont was built. It has stayed as the best park in the city ever since. It contains a couple of good playparks for children, and large open spaces where students hang out, people have barbecues, cricket teams meet, and every now and then there are festivals and fetes. The Meadows is like the lungs of our city in more ways than one.
The Botanic Gardens house a number of hot and temperate houses, as well as a large and diverse collection of habitats and plants. There is a Chinese garden, a very extensive rock garden with the largest water feature of any garden in the UK (i.e. a pumped waterfall). There is also a cafe on top of the hill which has a play area.
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Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Arboretum PlaceThe Botanic Gardens house a number of hot and temperate houses, as well as a large and diverse collection of habitats and plants. There is a Chinese garden, a very extensive rock garden with the largest water feature of any garden in the UK (i.e. a pumped waterfall). There is also a cafe on top of the hill which has a play area.
Owned by the Queen, this is the largest park in Edinburgh and includes our biggest hill, Arthur's Seat. The view from the top is spectacular, and can be easily climbed in an hour. There are a couple of ponds with swans, ducks and geese (at the right time of year), and although there are paths to follow, there is a lot of wildlife hiding in the gorse and the bracken.
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Ipharki ye-Holyrood
Queen's DriveOwned by the Queen, this is the largest park in Edinburgh and includes our biggest hill, Arthur's Seat. The view from the top is spectacular, and can be easily climbed in an hour. There are a couple of ponds with swans, ducks and geese (at the right time of year), and although there are paths to follow, there is a lot of wildlife hiding in the gorse and the bracken.
Essentials
The closest shop with a bit of everything. Open 7am till 11pm
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Sainsbury's Local
32-36 Shandwick PlThe closest shop with a bit of everything. Open 7am till 11pm
Food Scene
Redbox serves a fabulous Eggs Benedict, and also very lovely pancakes with maple syrup, Their coffee is roasted on the premises and is delicious. Ask them for a Mutiny Bar - it's pink and tastes divine!
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RedBox Marchmont
2-6 Spottiswoode RdRedbox serves a fabulous Eggs Benedict, and also very lovely pancakes with maple syrup, Their coffee is roasted on the premises and is delicious. Ask them for a Mutiny Bar - it's pink and tastes divine!
Great Italian restaurant. Very family friendly with attentive and friendly staff. And the food is great!
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Vittoria on the Bridge
19 George IV BridgeGreat Italian restaurant. Very family friendly with attentive and friendly staff. And the food is great!
Amacebiso ngesixeko
Ukuhamba-hamba
Walk!
Edinburgh is a compact city and you can walk nearly everywhere you might want to see. However, it is hilly, so pack your walking shoes and be prepared to get out of breath!