| Why
Travel to Edinburgh?
Stern, grey 15thC buildings sit
on an extinct volcano, lighting a fire under the colourful and sophisticated locals
and inspiring a dynamic arts scene that makes this city well worth a trip.
The weather can be dreadful and some areas are a no-no, but summer
time, with up to 18 hours of daylight is sensational, especially
during the Edinburgh Arts Festival.
Edinburgh
Travel Guide, climate:
Best: May-Sept, esp. August for the Festival, New Year's Eve for
Hogmanay.
Avoid: Winter time, when it's cold, grey and daylight is in short
supply, and August if your aim isn't the Festival - finding accommodation
will be a nightmare at that time.
Attractions:
This is a very walkable/bikeable city with terrific views all around,
such as Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile [a long, medieval street],
St. Giles Cathedral, John Knox House, The Palace of Holyroodhouse,
Holyrood Park and Scott's Monument.
Golfers should try the hilarious Brunswick links right in the centre
of the New Town, or one of many 'proper' courses nearby, or get
serious and head for St Andrews.
And finally the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre is there for those
that love a drop of the hard stuff.
Short
Trips:
12thC Haddington, Linlithgow, the Borders, Trossachs, and St.
Andrews for a game of golf.
Festivals:
Beginning early Aug for the whole month, International and 'Fringe'
Edinburgh Festival [formal arts events, music, theatre, opera etc],
and loony Fringe, a massive, world beating celebration of all aspects
of the arts, trad to mad, with acts from all over the world. Don't
miss it.
Dec 31st, Hogmanay, a time of live music and wild street parties
that few nations can equal.
Edinburgh
International Festival
| Edinburgh
Festival Fringe
For
some precise dates or more information see: European
Festivals or Arts
Festivals.
Arts/Culture:
Museums & Galleries: Royal Museum of Scotland, Royal
Scottish Academy, National Gallery of Scotland, Scottish National
Gallery of Modern Art, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, The Writer's
Museum(Lady Stair's House).
Classical Music: Queen's Hall, Reid Concert Hall, St. Cecilia's
Hall, Usher Hall.
Dance/Opera: Edinburgh Festival Theatre, Kings Theatre, Playhouse.
Theatre: Assembly Rooms, Festival Theatre, Traverse Theatre,
Gilded Balloon Theatre, Pleasance Theatre.
Live Music & Clubs: Café Graffiti, Canon's Gait,
Cas Rock, Kulu's Jaz Joint.
Check'The List' magazine or the 'Evening News' for event info/listings.
Tickets can be bought from the venues or Tourist office.
Cuisine:
For the best of traditional Scottish cooking, try Mertin's or The
Vintners Rooms. The Grassmarket area has great restaurants, bars
and clubs, as has the city's port, Leith.
The most stylish restaurant is the Atrium. But don't forget to try
the fish 'n' chips. Though you might want to give haggis a miss...
Shopping:
Classy: Princes Street, Waverley Market, Royal Mile.
Wacky: Victoria Sreet-Grassmarket (for antiques, arts and crafts),
St. Stephen Street.
Edinburgh Map
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