destinations | united kingdom
Victoria Street in the Old Town FIVE MINUTE GUIDE: EDINBURGH
ABOUT: Scotland’s capital city has been occupied since the Bronze Age. It grew from the site of the prominent Edinburgh Castle, which sits regally on top of an extinct volcano, and spread from there to the Old Town, which dates from 1130, to the affluent New Town created in 1726. Live music, museums, galleries, ancient streets and churches, the world-famous Edinburgh Fringe Festival and stories in every nook and cranny make it a great visit.
VIEW: Calton Hill gives the iconic (and easiest to walk to) view of Edinburgh’s Old Town. It is home to Nelson’s Monument, the National Monument and City Observatory. The city’s highest point is the peak of Arthur’s Seat, the 822ft hill on the site of an extinct 350 million-year-old
volcano. It’s within Holyrood Park, one of the largest city parks in Europe, and takes about an hour to walk up. Edinburgh Castle terrace affords views looking to the River Forth north of the city, and to the Pentland Hills to the south. The top of Scott Monument (up 287 steps) looks over Princes Street Gardens.
THE ROYAL MILE: Edinburgh’s Royal Mile runs from Edinburgh Castle down the mile-long volcanic tail to Holyrood Palace. It’s the heart of the city, full of cozy pubs with live music, tartan-filled souvenir stores and several free museums. It is divided into five sections: Castlehill, with the Scotch Whisky Experience; Lawnmarket, home to The Witchery, supposed ex-meeting place of witches, now upscale Scottish restaurant; High Street, with St Giles’ Cathedral;
Canongate, home to Canongate Kirk where the Queen worships; and Holyrood Palace at Abbey Strand. Every vennel (alley) has a story to tell and many have plaques with tales of distinguished residents.
EDINBURGH CASTLE AND HOLYROOD PALACE: Edinburgh Castle has been a vital form of defense for the city since the 12th century and at different times has been home to royalty, the chief seat of power and a military base. Today it includes the Crown Jewels, dungeons and canon Mons Meg. Holyrood Abbey was built in 1128 by order of King David I and Holyrood Palace started as lodging for visiting worshippers. It grew in importance to become the royal home in the 15th century and is now the official Scottish residence of the Queen. Mary Queen of
Scots’ chambers and the Great Gallery are highlights.
MUSEUMS AND GALLERIES: Most museums and galleries are free. The National Museum of Scotland is located in a fine Victorian building on Chambers Street, opened in 1866. Its exhibits cover natural history, ancient civilizations, natural disasters, technology and world culture. The Scottish National Gallery, in the center of Princes Street, showcases European masters including Van Gogh, Canaletto and Gauguin and Scottish artists including Henry Raeburn and Reverend Robert Walker. The Royal Mile houses free cultural museums: The Writers’ Museum, Museum of Childhood, The People’s Story and the Museum of Edinburgh.
430 | ASTA | Worldwide Destination Guide 2021/22
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