What is there to do in Edinburgh?

Best things to do in Edingburgh?

• Answer:

  Edinburgh has more attractions on City Centre square foot than any other European capital, which is what makes it easy to visit. Sightseeing the centre of Edinburgh in detail, however, can take a 2-3 days at least which is why many visitors go away saying 'there is too much to do and see in Edinburgh and too little time'. Edinburgh City Centre's is an attractions goodie bag. There are so many sights, monuments and things to see at its heart that you don't know where to look and go first. This guide to Edinburgh attractions I've prepared might help relieve some of the confusion. Historic attractions in Edinburgh Most of the attractions in Edinburgh are located in the Old Town, a medieval town at the heart of a modern Scottish city. Most places and things of interest in the Old Town of Edinburgh are historical in nature. They explore the city's turbulent past, its legends and mystery. First off, there's Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's number one visitor attraction, a must see for anyone sightseeing Edinburgh. Then there's the Royal Mile, Edinburgh's mile-long street linking the Castle with Holyrood Palace, the Queen's residence in the City. The Royal Mile acts as the backbone of the Old Town and some of the most popular attractions in Edinburgh can be found here. Sightseeing the Royal Mile should be done at a leisurely pace mainly because there are many sights to take pictures of and stories to learn about at every step but also because it's going uphill. One of Edinburgh's most famous attractions is the Scott Monument right on Princes Street, Scotland's Capital main street. This neogothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott is one of the most recognisable tall spires in the city. Museums and galleries Most museums and galleries are located in or close to the City Centre. The two central galleries in Edinburgh, the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery of Scotland are located halfway along Princes Street so you can easily include them in your sightseeing tour. Other attractions include the Museum of Scotland and the Royal Museum that are located in the Old Town as are the Museum of Childhood and the Writers' Museum on the Royal Mile. Another Edinburgh gallery is located a short walking distance from the City Centre in the New Town -- The Dean Gallery of Modern Art. Natural attractions and sights Edinburgh has two extinct volcanoes. One is the Castle Rock onto which Edinburgh Castle is built and the other one is Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park. Then there's Calton Hill at the heart of the city with stunning views over Princes Street, the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle. Visiting Edinburgh would not be the same without the unique perspective these vantage points give over the city. Five star royal attraction in Edinburgh's Leith The Royal Yacht Britannia is the most famous of Leith's local attractions and the most famous ship in the world. Tourists come in huge numbers every year to board the decks of this Royal Yacht where four Royal couples spent their honeymoons, including Prince Charles and Princess Diana. The Royal Yacht Britannia has sailed more than one million miles around the globe, taking the Royal Family on more than 900 official voyages and holidays all over the world, from places like Antarctica to the south seas. Britannia was finally decommissioned in 1997 after its last and longest voyage from England to Hong Kong. It marked the end of a Royal Yacht. The Queen decided that another Royal Yacht would not replace the Britannia. In 1998, Leith, in Edinburgh, won the bid against several other major UK cities to become the ship's permanent home. The Ocean Terminal shopping center, Leith harbour with its white liners and waterfront pubs and cafes make a stylish gateway to one of Edinburgh's most visited attractions. The Britannia was voted 'Best Visitor Attraction in the UK' in 1999 and runner-up in 2003, and is also Scotland’s leading visitor-friendly attraction. This means that a visit on the Royal Yacht Britannia does not get any better. The story of Greyfriars Bobby Greyfriars is one of Edinburgh's most famous kirkyards (cemetery). Many stories are linked to Greyfriars but the one known best is that of Greyfriars Bobby. The Skye terrier was a faithful dog who refused to leave the grave of his master, John Gray, a farmer from Midlothian, upon his death. John Gray took the dog to the market in Edinburgh every Wednesday. After the one o'clock gun sounded, he would have lunch in a restaurant near Greyfriars. After his death, Bobby would continue to come to the restaurant, but only when he was forced by hunger to leave his master's grave. For 14 years he watched over the grave, stirring the emotions of the people of Edinburgh. The gardener and keeper of Greyfriars tried on many occasions to evict Bobby but in the end they took pity on him. He was built a shelter nearby and was fed regularly. Bobby never spent a night away from his master's grave even in the most dismal weather conditions. The story of Greyfriars Bobby -- not Greyfriars Bobbie -- spread and soon, his story became one of Edinburgh's unique stories. When Bobby died, he was buried in Greyfriars. A bronze statue was sculpted for the small dog, which now stands just outside the kirk gates. Greyfriars Bobby is now one of the many Edinburgh attractions and a testament of a man's best friend. Travellers and visitors come to Greyfriars to learn his story and take pictures beside him. Greyfriars Bobby in films Over the years films and videos have been made about Greyfriars Bobby and recently, an Edinburgh toy company came up with the popular Greyfriars Bobby toy. The most popular film about Bobby was "Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog" made in 1961. An intriguing web of historic streets The Grassmarket and Victoria Streets are only two of the interesting streets that form the Old Town of Edinburgh. The area is tucked away behind Edinburgh Castle and this historic maze is, unfortunately, often missed by tourists. The area once knew decay and poverty as the New Town was built on the other side of Princes Street but today it's the most colourful and fashionable part of the Old Town. Grassmarket The buildings in this historic square were built in order to accommodate the weekly market, an important focal point in Edinburgh Old Town for nearly 500 years. The architecture of the Grassmarket is a most unusual mix with styles ranging from the 17th to the 21st century. Old Town buildings have been restored and turned into self-catering flats, fashionable pubs and specialist shops while new buildings such as the Apex Hotel have been built to breath new life into the area. Famous Grassmarket stories The area was also site for regular hangings, with many of the stories still being told on tours of the Old Town today. One of the most famous stories linked to the Grassmarket is the public hanging of the Captain of the Town Guards by an angry mob. During the public hanging of Andrew Wilson, a smuggler who had become something of a folk hero, John Porteous had ordered his men to fire their muskets to drive back the mob who would reach for the body. Six people were killed and a further 20 injured. John Porteous had been found guilty of the events that took place in the Grassmarket but his execution was cancelled by royal order. The people of Edinburgh, enraged, sought to do their own justice. A mob of 4,000 people broke in the Tolbooth on the Royal Mile where the captain was snatched out of, dragged to the Grassmarket and then brutally hanged. Another story linked to the this area of Edinburgh Old Town is that of Maggie Dickson, who was unsuccessfully hanged and literally rose from the dead while being carted for burial. A pub is now named after her in the Grassmarket. A plaque in the Grassmarket also commemorates the 17th century hangings of more than 100 Covenanters, many of whom are buried just a few yards south, in Greyfriars Kirkyard. The Grassmarket has retained its medieval feel but managed to shed its associations to horrific events of the past and has become one of the best places to eat and drink in Edinburgh Old Town. The north side of the market is lined up with colourful pubs, beautifully decorated with flowers and outdoor eateries and cafes, while the south side features hotels and shops. Victoria Street Victoria Street was built in the 18th century as an access route to the Royal Mile and the Old Town from the west of Edinburgh. It is in a shape of a steep Z connecting the Grassmarket to George IV bridge. The colourful shops on Victoria Street form one of the most distinguishable facades in Edinburgh. Above Victoria Street there's Victoria Terrace with a lovely mix of pubs and open-air cafes from where the Royal Mile can be accessed via a series of steps leading into the Upper Bow. Victoria Terrace is so picturesque as a backdrop that BBC Scotland uses it regularly for interviews. Shops in the Grassmarket and Victoria Street The shops in the Grassmarket and Victoria Street have a wide range of goods and simply going in the many boutiques in the area gives you the sense of being in the medieval part of Edinburgh. You can find second hand bookshops, jewelry, antiques, vintage clothing, costumes, specialist cheeses, Latin-American goods, brushes and many other types of handcrafted goods. Visiting the Grassmarket and Victoria Street Victoria Street is quite a steep street though that ads greatly to its charm. The best way to walk through this part of Edinburgh Old Town is to take a left turn from the Royal Mile onto George IV bridge and then walk down Victoria Street and into the Grassmarket. After walking around the Grassmarket and nearby streets you have the choice of going up Castle Wynd which climbs Castlehill and