Edinburgh Things to Do Tips by shivan

The Holyrood house Holyrood Review

This is a shining example of my luck when travelling. I made this £$%& Mile down from Castlehill to visit, or at least to see Holyrood, the residence of the kings her in Scotland but a long (in terms of time spent) parade prevented me to do it. All I saw is shown in this pic.
Some history, then...
The Palace of Holyroodhouse, today the official Scottish recidence of Britian's Royal Family, was built as a guest house for royal visitors. The Palace and the Abbey have survived numerous fires, repairs and restorations.

The guards Castle Review

The Castle guards still do their job at the castle entrance like many centuries ago.
There is a square at the entrance where many shows take place during the year. the most important is the Castle Esplanade
This event is the venue of the world-famous Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the annual occasion on which, over a period of three weeks in August, the Army presents a lively programme of music, marching and historical re-enactments under floodlights before large and appreciative audiences

Pay to see or stay away Castle Review

Tourists waiting to enter the castle. The admittance for asults is quite expensive, it will cost £ 8.50 per adult but within the confines of the Castle, there is much to see, so your money is not wasted.
The Castle was the seat (and regular refuge) of Scottish Kings, and the historical apartments include the Great Hall, which now houses an interesting collection of weapons and armour.

The Royal apartments include a tiny room in which Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to the boy who was to become King James VI of Scotland and James 1 of England upon the death of Queen Elizabeth in 1603. The ancient Honours of Scotland - the Crown, the Sceptre and the Sword of State - are on view in the Crown Room. Nearby is the Scottish National War Memorial, a building designed and created shortly after the First World War; many who enter find the experience a moving one.

The castle main square Castle Review

The castle main square shown here in all its misty splendor.
When you visit Edinburgh Castle you can see why the early inhabitants of the Edinburgh area made their first settlements here in Edinburgh. In troubled times past man always sought a safe refuge and the volcanic rock in Edinburgh afforded the ultimate defensive position in Edinburgh.

Another view from above Castle Review

This is not so good, I know, please forgive me, I was young...
I put it in, anyway, to give an idea of how wonderful is the Edinburgh landscape from above.
The hole I was taking the picture through was made for archers to defend the stronghold from the frequent assults brought here in the past centuries.
Edinburgh was and exceptionally important strategic position for the whole United Kingdom.

I was not flying... Castle Review

I really wasn't.
This picture is taken from the Castle, the day later, when there was a shining sun allowing me to make this.
Edinburgh Castle dominates the city of Edinburgh like no other castle in Scotland or for that matter the whole of the British Isles. Over one thousand years of history sit on top of the famous Edinburgh rock and it is easy to see why over a million visitors a year visit Edinburgh Castle.

The Edinburgh Castle Entrance Castle Review

Your visit to Edinburgh cannot be named complete until you pay a exhaustive visit to the Edinburgh Castle.
It is the largest monument in Edinburgh, incredibly well conserved and maintained. It really seems to me to be back in the Middle Ages. Only the enormous crowd of people hanging around flashing everywhere has brought me back to the 20th century.
Absolutely amazing

The Royal Mile Royal Mile Review

The Royal Mile is a wonderful corner in Edinburgh. A road descending from the Edinburgh Castle to the Kings of England's residence, about a mile (sic) in length.
It is a wonderful walk in a pleasant environment.
Monumental palaces and many shops and pubs accompany you in your trip down to the bottom.
There is a curious "Braveheart" shop towards the end where you may buy original imitations of weapons and clothes of the 12th century scotland, obviously at a ridiculously high price.