Edinburgh Things to Do Tips by leffe3

Holyrood Park III Arthur's Seat Review

But once you reach the top, (or at least as far as you are prepared to go!), the views across the city and distant Ochie Hills make it all worthwhile.

Directions: Next to Holyrood Palace.

Holyrood Park Arthur's Seat Review

An extraordinary natural wilderness in the middle of the city, with Arthur's Seat (the highest point) and another extinct volcano) a dominant landmark from many parts of the city. You can drive through parts of the park, but the real pleasure is to walk (although it can be tough going in parts). Walk up Salisbury Crags (the nearest point to the city) for sunset (or any other time of day!) over Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth and the distant Ochie Hills. If you have the energy (and time) continue on to ascend Arthur's Seat itself, But its not all arduous up-hill walking - some of the gentler paths are also worth while, including St Margaret's Loch and the ruins of St Anthony's Chapel (walk past Holyrood Palace and keep walking along the road for 20 minutes or so).

But once you have made the decision to ascend Arthur's Seat, remember this is no Sunday afternoon stroll in the park! The early part can be pretty tough!

Directions: Beyond Holyrood Palace

Holyrood Palace Holyrood Review

Holyrood is the official royal residence in Scotland (full title is the Palace of Holyroodhouse).

It was originally founded as a Monastery in 1128, but has served as the royal residence since the 15th century when an official residence was built to replace the Abbey guesthouse (which in itself was already an unofficial royal residence). Among others, Mary, Queen of Scots lived here between 1561 and 1567 (the famous murder of her lover Rizzio took place at Holyrood).

The oldest part of this royal residence is 15th century, but most of what we see is 17th century as a result of the rebuilding by Charles II.

Inside, the decor certainly avoids understatement with oak paneling, stucco ceilings, tapestries, portraits and other gilt-framed paintings. Within the grounds (actually adjoining the palace) are the fabulous ruins of the Early Gothic (12/13th century) Holyrood Abbey.

Today, the Palace is used primarily for state occasions, although the Queen spends one week per year in residence. The palace is closed to the public during royal residences (other members of the royal family stay here on state occasions, particularly during Scottish parliamentary sittings).

Opening times:
1 April - 31 October: Monday-Sunday, 9.30am - 6pm
1 November - 31 March: Monday-Sunday, 9.30am - 4.30pm

Entry Fees:
Palace
Adult £9.50, Under 17 £5.50, Under 5 Free, Family (2 adults, 3 under 17s) £24.50

Palace & Queen's Gallery:
Adult £13.00, Under 17 £7.50, Under 5 Free, Family (2 adults, 3 under 17s) £33.50

Address: The Royal Mile

Directions: The eastern end of HIgh St (The Royal Mile) - furthest point away from the Castle.

Festivals Festivals Review

August in Edinburgh means only with thing - the Festivals. In 4 short weeks, the separate Military Tattoo, International Festival, Fringe Festival, Film Festival and Book Festival offer fare for all tastes as hundreds of thousands of people flock to the city. The International Festival is the oldest in the world: the Fringe Festival the biggest in the world. Every theatre, church hall, community centre, room above a pub becomes a theatre venue as some 3000 productions vie for audiences, press coverage and awards. Even the streets become venues. Its an exhilarating if exhausting time to be in the city.

Address: throughout the city

Castle Castle Review

Standly proudly high above Princes St and the city, the Caste dominates the skyline, sitting atop an extinct volcanic rock.

The history of the castle is linked with the history of the city, the oldest part being the 12th century St Margaret's Chapel (although the history of the castle itself is much older), the newest as recent as the 1920s.

The Stone of Destiny and the Scottish Crown Jewels are all housed in the castle. The Jewels have been here since 1707 when the act uniting England and Scotland was passed and have been on display since 1818, the result of which began the next stage of the castle's history - the premier tourist attraction in Scotland. The castle now receives more than a million visitors a year.

During the Festival, the Military Tattoo takes place in the grounds of the castle, with thousands of people queueing nightly to watch the spectacle, The last night also sees the Castle at the centre of the traditional (and fantastic) fireworks display. Whilst the orchestra plays live below the ramparts in Princes St Gardens (Handel's Firework music) and thousands upon thuosands line Princes St and surrounds, so the skyline is lit up with the delights of an extensive firework display.

Opening times:
Open Monday-Sunday throughout the year except 25 & 26 December. 1 April - 31 October, 9.30am-6pm, 1 November - 31 March, 9.30am-5pm.

Entry fees:
Adults £11.00 Children £5.50 Concession £9.00

Directions: Western End of High St (The Royal Mile)

Phone: 0131 225 9846

Website: http://www.edinburghcastle.biz

North Bridge

Connecting the Old Town with New Town, and cutting across the railway lines and Princes Gardens is the North Bridge. Great views are to be had from North Bridge - as long as you are tall enough to see over the railings!

Graveyard - Greyfriar's Kirk Greyfriars Review

May sound morbid, but many of the graveyards in Edinburgh (at least around the older churches) are fascinating. Old catacombs, sarcophagi, plinths, simple headstones set among the trees are fascinating and deeply atmospheric.

The most interesting is Greyfriars Kirk ().

Greyfriars is said to be haunted - the restless spirit of 'Bloody' George Mackenzie, a 17th century lawyer. But this is not just any 'haunting'. Featured on TV's 'Scariest Places on Earth', there are more than 400 reported 'incidents' since 1990 alone of 'contact' with the restless spirit - including bodily attacks (mainly scratches) and the death of the exorcist a few weeks after carrying out the exorcism in the graveyard in the 1990s.

Address: Greyfriar Kirk

Directions: entrance on corner of Grassmarket & Candlemaker's Row

Victoria St Old Town Review

Connecting the Grassmarket with George VI Bridge (and High St) is Victoria St, an unusual two-tiered 'road' built in the 1840s, replacing the original warren of steep alleys and passages. The lower level is shops, bars and restaurants - the upper is a pedestrian thoroughfare, predominantly apartments.

Botanic Gardens Botanical Gardens Review

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Stockbridge

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