Edinburgh Sites

Edinburgh is considered one of Europe’s loveliest cities, even bearing the nickname, “Athens of the North.” It is Great Britain’s second-most visited city, after London. The city is divided into Old Town and New Town, and the Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare in Old Town, while Princes Street is New Town’s most famous and popular avenue.

 

The Royal Mile stretches from Edinburgh Castle all the way to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Edinburgh Castle is a majestic landmark, dominating the city’s skyline. It was supposedly built upon a dead volcano known as Castle Rock, and Malcolm III and his queen Margaret had castle on the property in the 11^th century. The only portion of that castle remaining is St. Margaret’s Chapel, which was built in the Norman style and is the oldest structure in the city. The castle tour includes the State Apartments, in which you will see the bedroom where Mary, Queen of Scots gave birth to James IV of Scotland (who also became James I of England in one of the nation’s most pivotal moments in history). Another focal point is the Great Hall, with its hammerbeam roof.

 

One of the tour highlights is the Crown Chamber where you can view the Honours of the Kingdom, also known as the Scottish Crown Jewels. One of the most interesting sites on the tour is the Stone of Scone, upon which all the Scottish royals sat at their coronations. Edward I of England took it in 1296, and it rested under the coronation chair at Westminster Abbey until is was finally returned to Scotland in November 1996. 

 

Also on the Royal Mile is the St. Giles’ Cathedral, just a short walk from Edinburgh Castle. It has been Edinburgh’s religious center for over 900 years, and it is regarded as the mother of Presbyterianism, after the Church of Scotland’s conversion to the denomination in the 17^th century. Many chapels have been added over the years, the Thistle Chapel being the most notable. It is small, but exquisitely decorated.

 

The Writers’ Museum is dedicated to the works of Robert Burns, Robert Louis Stevenson, and Sir Walter Scott. The museum is filled with letters, portraits, and manuscripts from these favored sons of Scotland.

 

If the Museum of Childhood sounds like it would be a great stop for kids, it is. The world’s first facility devoted entirely to the history of childhood, it is full of everything from antique toys and games, to pieces relating to history, education and costumes. There is a terrific activity area as well.

 

The Museum of Edinburgh is located in a restored 16^th century mansion and contains exhibits devoted to traditional industries such as glassmaking, pottery, and wool. The Canongate Tolbooth was once Edinburgh’s courthouse and prison and now contains The People’s Story, an exhibit about Edinburgh’s inhabitants over the years.

 

The Royal Mile finishes at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, which was built adjacent to an abbey established by David I. Though it is in ruins, the abbey’s nave still stands today. Charles II built the palace, and its most intriguing piece of history is that Mary, Queen of Scots’ husband, Lord Darnley, murdered her Italian secretary, David Rizzio, in the northern turret room. He stabbed him 56 times, in the presence of the Queen. His body was left for nine days, and the bloodstains can still be seen. Despite the soiled carpets, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip live at Holyroodhouse when they are in Scotland. The palace is open for visitors when they are not in residence.

 

Located farther down in Old Town are the National Museums of Scotland, a combination of two facilities, the National Museum of Antiquities and the Royal Museum of Scotland. There are exhibits in natural history, geology, archaeology, and the decorative arts. One of the galleries is dedicated to Scotland’s period as an independent nation, before their merge into the United Kingdom.

 

The Scott Monument is situated in the Princes Street Gardens, between Old Town and New Town. It is a Gothic-inspired memorial dedicated to Sir Walter Scott and is Edinburgh’s most recognizable landmark (you can climb it for a great view). Also located in the Gardens is the National Gallery of Scotland, which includes works from Titan, Raphael, and prominent Scottish artists.

 

New Town is generally the place to go for lodging, shopping, and dining. Princes Street, along with two parallel streets, George Street and Queen Street are particularly concentrated with the above. Nearby Rose Street has a large number of pubs, the place to go for the famed Scottish whisky (spelled without an “e”). Those particularly interested in the libation can check out the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre (back on the Old Town side). The admission price includes a sample of five different whiskies.