Beautiful places in Edinburgh. United Kingdom

Edinburgh is an ancient bastion, shrouded in fog and covered in legends. It has more than once become the site of grandiose historical events. The memory of the legendary independence fighter William Wallace – “braveheart” – is still preserved here; images of the beautiful chivalric novel “Ivanhoe” live in the harsh castles, and the stone-faced Walter Scott thoughtfully leafs through a book against the backdrop of Gothic domes.

The unbroken spirit of Edinburgh grows stronger in the piercing melodies of Scottish bagpipes and forces the traveler to plunge deeper into the layer of times. Through the centuries, prominent Scots look at tourists in the National Portrait Gallery, the ruins of Holyrood Abbey are mute witnesses to the former power of the church, and the walls Edinburgh Castle the last Scottish monarch is still remembered.

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What to see and where to go in Edinburgh?

The most interesting and beautiful places for walks. Photos and brief description.

Royal Mile– a collective name for several streets located in the center of the Scottish capital. Their total length is approximately 1800 meters, which corresponds to the size of a Scottish mile. A large number of attractions are concentrated here. The mile starts at Edinburgh Castle Square, runs through the High Street and Lawn Market and ends at Holyroodhouse Palace.

The ancient residence of Scottish monarchs, which is mentioned in documents from the 11th-12th centuries. As a result of the many years of war with England, the fortress was destroyed more than once, after which it was rebuilt again. In the 15th century, the residence was moved to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Edinburgh Castle began to be used as a prison. In the 17th century, by order of the English monarch Charles II, an arsenal was placed in the fortress. Since the 19th century it has been open to visitors.

Official residence British monarchs in Scotland. The palace was built in the 15th century under the Scottish rulers; it was later rebuilt under the English monarchs, since Scotland lost its independence. By the beginning of the 18th century, the building fell into disrepair, only under George IV they began to restore it. Since the 20s In the 20th century, the Palace of Holyroodhouse became a residence where official events were held.

The abbey was built in the 12th century under the monarch David I. Several Scottish rulers were crowned here. Also buried on the territory of the abbey are David II, James II and James V. In the 16th century, as a result of the spread of the ideas of the Reformation, the monastery stopped supporting the Catholic tradition and adopted a new teaching. In the 18th century, the façade of the main building collapsed and was not restored. The ruin complex is now a protected historical monument.

An early 15th century castle believed to have been built by one of the barons of Craigmillar. The fortress experienced several major expansions in the 16th century. Queen Mary Stuart stayed at the castle several times. During the 18th and 19th centuries. the building gradually fell into disrepair. In the middle of the 20th century, it went to the state, after which some of the premises were put in order and opened to tourists.

An underground street within the Royal Mile, surrounded by numerous legends. One of them says that during the plague epidemic all the infected were brought here, which is why a “ city ​​of the dead" In some house, a little girl with the plague was even walled up alive. Mary King's Dead End was underground due to the construction of a new building for the city government in the 18th century. In 2003, the street complex was excavated and opened to tourists.

The Scottish Parliament ceased to exist at the beginning of the 18th century, when the union of England and Scotland was announced. For nearly 300 years, local patriots have demanded the restoration of the national assembly. In 1997 a referendum was held and the Scottish Parliament was reconvened. The new building for the revived legislative body was erected according to the design of the Catalan E. Miralles.

Residential building of the 18th-19th centuries, located on Charlotte Square. The building was designed by architect J. Craig in best traditions Georgian architecture. From the middle of the 18th century, there was so little space in the capital of Scotland that it was decided to build a New Town next to old Edinburgh. The Georgian house is one of the first structures erected as a result of the expansion of the Scottish capital.

The cathedral is the main temple of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, it was named after the patron saint of lepers and the maimed - St. Giles (St. Egidius). The building was erected in the 14th century. The temple is distinguished by its massive and gloomy architecture, but the situation is saved by the elegant Victorian stained glass windows adorning the main facade. Inside the cathedral there is the Thistle Chapel, where initiation into members of the order of the same name takes place.

The temple is located within the Royal Mile. It was erected at the beginning of the 17th century on the site of a Franciscan monastery. Greyfriars Kirk was the first church in Edinburgh built after the triumph of the Reformation. There is a cemetery next to the temple, where the earliest burials began in the 16th century during the existence of the Catholic abbey. The church is the oldest building outside Old Edinburgh.

The collection was formed as a result of the merger of the Royal Museum and the Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. The exhibition is located on the territory of two buildings, one was built in 1998, the other is an example of Victorian architecture XIX century. The museum exhibits archaeological finds, objects belonging to the heritage of national and world culture, natural science exhibits and much more.

An art gallery where a collection of paintings, graphics and sculptures from the Renaissance to the beginning of the 20th century is stored and exhibited. The museum building is located near the Royal Academy of Sciences and was built in a classical style. In addition to the exhibition halls, on the territory of the National Gallery there is a library with archival documents and valuable books of the 13th-19th centuries.

The basis of the exhibition of the National Portrait Gallery was the private collection of Earl Buchan, who collected portraits of famous Scots. The museum was organized at the end of the 19th century with funds from local philanthropist J. Ritchie. The building for the gallery in the neo-Gothic style was erected according to the design of R. Anderson. The collection consists of portraits of kings, writers, scientists, statesmen and national heroes.

A museum dedicated to the most famous and revered national drink of Scotland - whiskey. The exhibition will tell you about the history of the drink and reveal some of the secrets of its preparation. Due to its incredible popularity, the museum is open during holidays and weekends. During the excursion, tourists will be able to see the process of making whiskey and learn to distinguish types of drink even without tasting.

The collection is housed in a historic building of the 19th century, built in a neoclassical style and originally served as a school. The gallery exhibits interesting and relevant works by contemporary artists. There are also paintings by recognized masters - Picasso, Bracca, Matisse, Warhol, Nicholson and other authors. There is a garden near the museum building where you can see several interesting sculptures.

A scientific and entertainment center and museum, whose exhibition is based on modern technologies. The excursion begins with boarding a “time machine”, which takes a person 14 billion years ago to the time of the Big Bang, as a result of which the Universe came into being. Gradually, the viewer passes by the entire history of the formation of stars, the solar system, our planet, the origin of life and evolution.

A 1953 yacht created for the current Queen of Britain, Elizabeth II. Since 1997, the Royal Family has not used the ship, so the Britannia has been moored at a pier in Edinburgh. Now the yacht is used as a museum. Visitors can explore the living quarters, dining room, and state rooms. Compared to modern luxury yachts, the ship looks quite modest from the inside, despite its status as a former royal residence.

A grandiose neo-Gothic monument dedicated to the writer Walter Scott, built in the 19th century according to the design of J. Kemp. The monument was built from sandstone, so over time its surface darkened. In the 1990s. there was a need for restoration. It was made using the same material that was used in construction. The monument resembles the shape of a hollow bell tower with a sharp spire. Inside it is a statue of the writer.

Railway bridge over the Firth of Forth, linking Edinburgh and Fife. The structure is more than 2.5 km long and is made entirely of steel. The bridge was built over the course of 7 years; several dozen people died during the work. The construction of the Forth Bridge required 10 times more metal than Eiffel Tower. The bridge is supported by three powerful pillars more than 100 meters high.

The zoo was founded at the beginning of the 20th century on the initiative of the Royal Zoological Society. From the very beginning, whenever possible, natural living conditions were created for the animals. Now in European zoos this is a common and mandatory practice, but almost 100 years ago it was a fairly progressive view of keeping animals. Penguins were one of the first inhabitants of Edinburgh Zoo.

A popular public park in the center of Edinburgh, home to many national festivals, concerts and other events. The gardens were created as a result of the expansion of the capital and the drainage of Lough Nor at the beginning of the 19th century. The park has a fountain, a concert venue, a flower clock, several monuments and the Edinburgh Eye, a 33-meter Ferris wheel.

The botanical garden was founded in 1670 by scientists R. Sibbald and E. Balfoer as a vegetable garden with medicinal plants. In the 18th and 19th centuries. he moved to a new place twice. The garden covers an area of ​​25 hectares and includes: a palm greenhouse, rock garden, heather garden, arboretum, palm greenhouse, Chinese garden, environmental and demonstration departments.

The beach area is located east of Edinburgh, a 20-minute drive from the city. At the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries, a popular seaside resort. The water temperature of the Firth of Fort is not conducive to comfortable swimming even in warm weather, however, many people come to Portobello Beach to sunbathe, have a picnic or drink a pint of beer in the many pubs.

The city hill, on which there is an observation deck and several historical buildings: a monument to Admiral Nelson, the Acropolis, a monument in honor of the philosopher D. Stuart and others. The hill was outside Edinburgh until the mid-19th century. First a prison was built here, then the Scottish Government building appeared. At the foot of Calton Hill is the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

A plateau on top of a mountain located within Holyrood Park. It offers great views of Edinburgh. The North Beach Bridge, the new Houses of Parliament, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Royal Mile and other attractions are visible. On observation deck can be reached using a stone staircase. Arthur's Seat is the highest point in the Scottish capital.

The majestic and ancient capital of Scotland is located on the territory of the Lowlands, on the southern coast of the Firth of Forth and along east coast British Isles. It is the second city in Scotland in terms of population, after Glasgow. In terms of popularity among tourists, it is second only to the capital of Great Britain - London. Edinburgh has every reason to belong to the category of the most beautiful and at the same time colorful places in the entire United Kingdom, and its unique history will make an indelible impression, no less than the city’s attractions. In communication between people, English is used, but its Scottish dialect is also found.

Edinburgh's population in 2016 was 488,100, according to the General Registrar's Office. Time in Edinburgh is common European time, which means Greenwich Mean Time UTC 0 in winter and UTC+1 in summer.

It is perhaps difficult to find a better place than Edinburgh for those who cannot imagine their life without literature and reading books. In 2004, the city received the title of “City of Literature”, awarded to it by UNESCO. In this stunning place, famous writers, both past and present, created their creations. You can come here not only on your own, but also take your children with you, or visit the capital of Scotland with a noisy and cheerful group. Edinburgh fits the bill perfectly as a “universal city”. Any person who comes here will definitely find something to do and have fun to their liking.

The castle, located on a granite rock and towering quite high above the streets of Edinburgh, gives the city a majestic appearance. However, hidden behind such historical surroundings is the very atmosphere of the Scottish capital. In the daytime, tourists can visit museums and city galleries, and in the evening, closer to night, relax with a glass of beer in a pub or visit theaters and restaurants with amazingly beautiful views of the harbor.

The city is very lucky with its location. Edinburgh is surrounded by volcanic hills. The architecture is simply superb. Here you can find both buildings dating back to the 16th century and monumental masterpieces typical of the Gothic and Victorian styles. Approximately 16,000 buildings are listed among the most important historical and architectural structures of the city, most of them are included in the World Cultural Heritage.

If you look at it from another perspective, Edinburgh is the least Scottish city in the country. This is influenced by various factors, such as developed tourism, proximity to neighboring England and, of course, the diversity of cultures of the local population. It is difficult to imagine the huge number of pubs and various drinking establishments available in this city. Countless students and a variety of festivals make Scotland's capital a vibrant place.

But is everything so healthy and beautiful among such beauty? Unfortunately, it also has a downside. Hidden behind all the splendor are gray and faceless houses located on the very outskirts of Edinburgh. For local residents life doesn't seem bright and amazing.

The capital of Scotland is considered a well-developed city in terms of its economy, the basis of which is the provision of services. The main pillars of business are tourism, modern technologies and banks. It was here that the headquarters of famous world banks Clydesdale Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland found their place.

The largest brewing companies bring Edinburgh no less fame. It's no surprise that Scotland's capital is leading the way on this issue.

In addition, this city quite often hosts various scientific, diplomatic and other world-class meetings.

Every year in August, Edinburgh hosts a traditional festival, within the framework of which several other thematic ones are held. At this time, the city population almost doubles due to visiting tourists. In general, about 13 million tourists visit Edinburgh every year, making it the second most popular city in the whole of Great Britain.

Founded: 7th century
Square: 118 km 2
Population: 488,100 people (2016)
Currency: pound sterling
Language: English
Official website: http://www.edinburgh.org

Current time in Edinburgh:
(UTC 0)

The picture of Edinburgh would be incomplete without mentioning the beauty of nature. And she's simply amazing here. Majestic mountains organically combined with picturesque green meadows, as well as a large number of flower plantings. As noted earlier, the city is located on two hills, which are connected by bridges, on the magnificent southern coast of the bay called the Firth of Forth.

How to get to Edinburgh

Most in a convenient way Getting to the capital of Scotland from the continent is by plane. Edinburgh Airport is located approximately 13 kilometers from the city center. There are no direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg, so the flight is only possible with a transfer in the British capital London or another European city. There is an option to get to Edinburgh by train from London. In time it will be about 5 hours. The train station is on Princess Street. Using the form below you can select a flight to Edinburgh according to your parameters.

How to get from London to Edinburgh

By bus

To get to Edinburgh from London by bus it will take about 9 hours. Although the price will be cheaper than using another type of transport. If you do not have children on your trip, you can take an overnight flight to save on hotel costs. Transportation is carried out by two companies Megabus and National Express. Buses depart from Victoria Station. There are several options for purchasing a travel ticket. This can be done in advance by purchasing a ticket on the website, in which case it will cost less, or just before departure, but in this case good places It will be difficult to calculate, since boarding is done on a first-come, first-served basis.

By train

The traditional and most convenient way to get to Edinburgh when traveling with children is by train. In addition to comfort, this option will allow you to perfectly explore not only English, but also Scottish landscapes. There are frequent trains to Edinburgh. There are both daytime flights, which are very convenient (on a weekday the journey takes 4.5 hours, and on weekends a little longer) and evening flights, but they are slower and more expensive. Trains to Edinburgh depart from London King's Cross station. The best option would be to buy a ticket in advance online using the Internet, which will be much cheaper than just before departure. The London - Edinburgh route is operated by East Coast.

By plane

If you want or need to reduce travel time, you should take a plane. Travel time will take 1 hour. The price of a flight is quite comparable to a train ticket, and sometimes it turns out even cheaper. However, taking into account the travel time from London to the airport, the total travel time will be comparable to that spent traveling by rail. So what is the “trick” then? It's very simple. This method of getting to the capital of Scotland is advantageous if, upon arrival at London Heathrow Airport, you immediately transfer to a plane to Edinburgh. Such transit routes are operated by the British airline British Airways. As a recommendation, provided that the ultimate goal tourist trip is Edinburgh, we can advise you to look at the option of a flight that would bypass London. Connecting flights via Amsterdam and Frankfurt are quite suitable for these purposes.

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How to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh

Glasgow Airport receives most international flights. The distance to Edinburgh is only 80 km. You can get to it from the airport by bus (the carrier is Scottish Citylink Coaches). Buses depart every half hour. They go to the St. bus station. Andrew Square located in Edinburgh. The journey takes 1 hour 10 minutes and costs £6.

Using a taxi you can get from the airport to the railway station in Glasgow in 15 minutes. From there you can take the train to Edinburgh at Waverley station. Such trains run every half hour, and after just 50 minutes tourists find themselves in the capital of Scotland. The approximate ticket price is 6.7 pounds.

There is also a budget way to get to Edinburgh from Glasgow. To do this, at Glasgow airport you need to take a bus going to Buchanan bus station and, after walking about five minutes to the railway station, take the train from Glasgow to Edinburgh.

You can also get to Edinburgh by taxi. It will take just over an hour and cost £70.

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Story

According to artifacts found during archaeological excavations, the first settlements on the territory of modern Edinburgh date back to the Bronze Age. The Romans, who came here in the 1st century BC, encountered the Celtic tribe that lived here, which called themselves “Votadini”. The power of the Scots was established in 950 AD. During this period, Germanic linguistic influence was very widespread, due to which the capital of Scotland received the name Edinburgh.

Towards the beginning of the 12th century, Edinburgh began to be not only a well-developed, but also a well-fortified city. The bulk of the local residents lived in the area of ​​the castle on Castle Hill, as well as around Holyrood Abbey. The further development and prosperity of this city lasted both in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

In the 17th century, Edinburgh marked its borders with a city wall. There was a catastrophic lack of land for development, which was the main reason for such a rapid development of multi-story construction. Thus, the city involuntarily revealed to the world houses ten and even fifteen floors high, which became a kind of prototype of modern skyscrapers. It is worth noting that some of them have been preserved in the Old Town. A hundred years later, in order to solve this problem, the construction of the New City began, which became a model of planning and construction of that time. To obtain a new site for development, Nor Loch, located in a valley north of the city, was drained. In accordance with the developed plan, two main avenues appeared in the New Town, which were connected by perpendicular streets. After its construction was completed, the rich part of the population moved into it. Currently, most of the buildings belonging to Georgian architecture have been preserved here. Such a rich history could not go unnoticed by our contemporaries, and in 1995 both parts of Edinburgh were included in the UNESCO list as World Heritage Sites.

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Districts

Old town

Old Town or as it is called “Old Town” is, first of all, medieval architecture and unique historical monuments. Here is the Royal Mile and the palace complex named Holyrood. Without a doubt, this area is the most interesting for tourists visiting the city.

New city

New Town or "New Town" is the second of Edinburgh's districts. It got its name due to the presence of buildings built in the 18th century and considered an example of medieval culture. Historically, it is no less interesting than the “Old Town”. In a way, this is the second historical center of Edinburgh. Some of the buildings are old, over three hundred years old. In addition, the area is the commercial center of the capital of Scotland. It is a must-visit for shopping lovers, as it has a huge number of quality shops, boutiques, and souvenir shops.

Canonmills and Stockbridge

From the “New City” you can get to two other areas. Canonmills and Stockbridge, which are famous not only for their stylish shops, but also for the pride of Edinburgh - the Royal Botanic Garden, the most beautiful place all over the city.

Edinburgh - East

Edinburgh - East will be attractive for those tourists who prefer beaches. The Portobello beach area is located here, as well as the historic village of Duddingston.

Edinburgh - South

The southern part of Edinburgh is devoted to students. There are many educational institutions here, so it is not surprising that the bulk of the population of the southern part are students. They have cheap eateries along with a huge number of pubs, and in the evening young people can relax in discos. Roslyn Church is the "heart" of the area.

Edinburgh - West

The western part of the city is attractive primarily for two objects: Edinburgh Zoo and the largest rugby stadium in the country, Murrayfield.

Edinburgh sights

Edinburgh is a very old city, and it is not surprising that quite a lot of attractions have accumulated in a relatively small area. Below we list the main places that are worth visiting in one way or another for tourists who find themselves in the capital of Scotland.

Using the links, you can go to a page with detailed information about the Edinburgh attraction that interests you, where, along with a description, you will find contact information, opening hours, travel methods and entrance fees, as well as the location of the object on the map. You can see the sights of Great Britain as a whole, without dividing them into cities, in our special section.

• St Andrew's Church and St George's West Church
• Dean Bridge
• Edinburgh Central Mosque
• Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
• Royal Scottish Academy building
• The Famous Grouse Experience Distillery

Where to go in Edinburgh

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Where to eat and drink

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Transport

Shops and markets

Private guides in Edinburgh

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Edinburgh in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

In addition to sightseeing and ancient architecture Edinburgh, the Scottish capital, also offers a wide variety of entertainment: from youth club parties to family holiday programs. You definitely won't be bored!

Festivals

The highlight of the city is the huge number of festivals of different themes, so everyone will certainly be able to find something for themselves. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest performing arts festival in the world. It takes place in August as part of the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Fringe Festival features tens of thousands of performances and shows spanning almost the entire summer across 279 festival grounds, street performances, children's shows, musical acts and much more.

Another interesting event, the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, takes place every year in October and brings together all lovers of the spoken genre. This festival features performances, master classes, discussions and simply fun entertainment for the whole family.

Leith Festival takes place in June and brings together different types of art (theater, music, dance, cinema, literature).

Food and drink

Edinburgh is one of those few cities where restaurants and cafes care about their reputation is not an empty phrase. Therefore, the Scottish capital offers only healthy food of excellent quality. Moreover, we must pay tribute, it is very tasty. Despite the spirit of romanticism, antiquity and the calm atmosphere that reigns in this extraordinary city, it can surprise tourists with modern, stylish entertainment venues that can satisfy any, even the most picky, taste.

When it comes to Scotland and its cuisine, it is first of all associated with whiskey. This is a kind of business card of the country. Edinburgh was no exception in this regard. Therefore, if you plan a visit to this city, you should definitely set aside a few hours to visit The Scotch Whiskey Heritage Center. It is located at the very top of the Royal Mile. An excursion program and a story about the history of the origin of this drink and the nuances of its production await you. And at the end of the whole event, the most pleasant part awaits tourists. What was said in words will take on real shape, and the whiskey can be tasted. The type of drink you like can be purchased at a very reasonable price as a souvenir; fortunately, the selection is very impressive and exceeds 200 types.

Oatmeal remains one of the most popular and favorite dishes among the local population. One gets the impression that they are ready to eat it not only for breakfast, but throughout the day. Interestingly, even dessert dishes include oatmeal and flour. The Scots bake magnificent flatbreads from these ingredients, which are sure to be served with various sauces. In addition, local chefs can turn ordinary oatmeal into a wonderful dish by adding a little fruit or whipped cream, whiskey or honey. The second place in popularity is occupied by herring along with boiled potatoes. No matter what restaurant of national cuisine the guests of the city go to, they will definitely be served this dish.

All lovers of something unusual and exotic should definitely try the national cuisine dish called “haggis”. It is prepared from chopped tripe and then seasoned with oatmeal. In addition, the ingredients of this dish include onions, peppers and lard, after which everything is boiled in lamb tripe. Today there are many variations of haggis. There is a recipe for preparing it for vegetarians. Therefore, even this category of people will be able to appreciate the taste of this masterpiece. Turnips or stuffed potatoes are served as a side dish. The local population traditionally prepares this dish for the Burns Night holiday, but you can order it at any time by going to a local restaurant.

In general, it’s not easy to recommend any specific restaurant or pub in Edinburgh, and it’s probably not worth it. Everywhere there is excellent quality food and, of course, beer, another national drink. A large number of traditional pubs are located in the area called Grassmarket. As a rule, local residents practically do not spend time here, but there are plenty of tourists.

If the romantic spirit of the Middle Ages has become a little boring, but there is still no beer, then feel free to go to the modern capital bars located on George IV Bridge and George Street.

If you wish, you can have an inexpensive meal on Rose Street, where a sufficient number of pubs are open. And in the Chippys chain, visitors will be able to taste hamburgers, black pudding and, of course, haggis.

Edinburgh Restaurants

Cafes and restaurants are one of the main components of the infrastructure of any city that claims to be a tourist center. Edinburgh offers its guests a wide range of establishments to suit every taste and budget. Here you can try both traditional Scottish dishes (for example, the famous haggis) and classic European cuisine. In the historical center, finding a place to eat is not at all difficult. There are plenty of cozy cafes along the famous Royal Mile, Princess Street or Rose Street.

If you plan to talk a lot, but at the same time want to save money, it is better to become the owner of a special tourist SIM card in Russia.

The red telephone booth has already become a textbook symbol of Great Britain. Such pay phones are located everywhere, and you can pay for a call in different ways, be it cash, plastic or a special telephone card, which is available for purchase in almost any store.

When calling from Edinburgh to Russia, dial 00, then 7 (Russian code) - the area code, then the phone number.

In order to call from Russia to Edinburgh from a landline phone, you need to dial the following combination of numbers: 810 - exit code, then 44 - country code, 131 - Edinburgh code and number.

Call from a mobile from Russia to Edinburgh: +44 - country code, then the city code (131) and the desired phone number.

The most profitable way to communicate is calling over the Internet via Skype.

There are many internet cafes in Edinburgh - you can easily find them in any area of ​​the city. The largest of them is the Mosco cafe. It is located near Haymarket railway station (18 West Maitland Street). In addition, many municipal libraries have computers with free access to the World Wide Web.

Free Wi-Fi in Edinburgh is quite common: it is available in almost all hotels, cafes, restaurants, and other public places. How self-respecting tourist center and the festival capital, the city does everything for the convenience of guests. However, when using the Internet in crowded places, you should be careful when entering personal or sensitive information. There is a risk that it will be used by scammers for personal gain.

• Apex International Hotel(31 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2HS Scotland)
• Baroque(39-41 Broughton Street, New Town, Edinburgh, EH1 3JU)
• Beanscene(2 Grosvenor Street, Edinburgh, EH12 5EG Scotland)
• Beanscene(76 Commercial Street Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6LX)
• Beanscene(99 Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9EW Scotland)
• Beanscene(10 Parkgate, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AU)
• Bert's Bar(29-31 William Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7NG)
• Bert's Bar(2-4 Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, EH4 1HN)
• (2 Nicolson Street, Southside, Edinburgh, EH8 9DH)
• Black Medicine Coffee Company(108 Marchmont Road, Southside, Edinburgh, EH9 1BG)
• Cargo(Edinburgh Quay, 129 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QA)
• Central Library(George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EG Scotland)
• Channings Restaurant(12-16 South LearJuly Gardens, Comely Bank, Edinburgh, EH4 1EZ)
• Edinburgh Thistle Hotel(59 Manor Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7EG)
• Filmhouse Cafe Bar(88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9BZ)
• Forest Cafe(3 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EY Scotland)
• The Forest(3 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EY)
• Hamiltons Bar Kitchen(18 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5AU)
• Iglu(2b Jamaica Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6HH)
• The Inverleith Hotel(5 Inverleith Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 4NS Scotland)
• The Jolly Judge(7 James Court, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2PB)
• The Outhouse(12a Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh, EH1 3LY)
• Restaurant at the Bonham(35 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN)
• Traverse Theater Bar(Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2ED Scotland)
• Underbelly(Victoria Street and Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JW Scotland)

Safety

Edinburgh is quite comfortable for tourists to stay, as it is one of the ten safest cities in the world. However, this does not mean that you can completely relax here. When staying in a foreign country, you should always be careful and be guided in your actions exclusively by common sense. The crime rate in the Scottish capital is quite low, however, one cannot be too careless, especially in crowded areas. While sightseeing, keep an eye on your personal belongings: handbags, wallets, mobile phones, photo and video equipment.

If you like to relax in a bar and have drunk too much, then it is better not to risk it and take a taxi, which is guaranteed to take you to the hotel without incident. A cheaper alternative to taxi is the night bus. It leaves from Waverley Bridge next to the railway station. The fare is £3. It's convenient and safe transport, but if you are “drunk”, it is better to stay on the lower tier of the bus.

Like many other cities, there are places in Edinburgh that tourists are not recommended to visit. There are not too many of them, but for safety reasons it is better to refrain from visiting them in the areas of Niddrie and Craigmillar, located in the south-eastern part of the city, Sighthill and Wester Hailes - in the west, Muirhouse and Pilton ( Muirhouse and Pilton) - in the north, as well as Oxgangs and Gracemount - in the south-east of the Scottish capital.

Useful phones

Hospital addresses:

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (R.I.E. - Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Cres, Old Dalkeith Rd. Telephone 131 536 1000).

This medical facility is located half an hour by taxi or bus from the city center. Open 24 hours a day.

Western General Hospital (Crewe Road South Edinburgh EH4 2XU, telephone 0131 537 1330) can be contacted if you have suffered any injury (cut, burn, dislocation, fracture, etc.). The hospital is open daily from 8 am to 9 pm. Here you will be promptly assisted without an appointment. They accept not only adult patients, but also children aged one year and older.

Edinburgh instantly evokes associations with castles on granite rocks, wrought iron bars, and ancient mirrors in heavy frames. This is partly true - castles are found in abundance in the Old Town, as well as various art galleries and museums. However, this city is truly alive. The day can be spent exploring the sights of Edinburgh, but the evening is better spent in a pub with a cheerful conversation or in a restaurant overlooking the harbour. After all, Edinburgh is multifaceted. Don't miss any of his appearances.

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The Royal Mile includes four streets, forming a vast and rather confusing quarter. It consists of an intricacy of smaller streets that weave around the Mile. The start of the Mile is believed to be at Edinburgh Castle. Here, around the twelfth century, a market appeared, around which wooden houses quickly appeared, which were also quickly burned by the British. Gradually, the purely commercial vector of the Royal Mile began to change its direction: it seemed that it had become a kind of New Babylon with a hundred or two professions, concessions and languages.

The Inquisition met here, its fires burned merrily, taverns and brothels opened their doors hospitably, the central court and the place where death sentences were carried out were nearby. Life on the Royal Mile was vibrant, as it is today. Parliament Square, Holyrood Bridge, Camera Obscura, St. Giles' Cathedral are attractions for every taste.

Holyroodhouse Palace

Almost at the very end of the Royal Mile there is a working royal residence where members of the royal family stay. As a rule, this happens in the summer - at this time the palace is closed to tourists. The history of the castle began in the twelfth century with the unsuccessful Sunday hunt of King David, who himself almost became a hunting trophy. The miraculous salvation of the monarch became the reason for the construction of first the abbey, and then Holyrood Castle.

Tourists can visit the royal dining room, the throne room, where ceremonies for knighting the Thistle are still held, the chambers of Mary Stuart with an authentic setting, as well as the royal gallery, which contains portraits of the royals who sat on the throne of Scotland throughout almost its entire history. . You can also stroll through the palace gardens and climb to Arthur's Seat. In winter, the palace is open to the public from 09:30 to 16:30, in summer - until 18:00. The price for an adult ticket is £11.30.

Holyrood Abbey

Adjacent to Holyroodhouse Palace is Holyrood Abbey. The once thriving church is now a deplorable – but no less magnificent – ​​spectacle. The gloomy ruins of once lush halls are now covered in moss. Electric lighting is unnecessary here - in some places there are not enough large areas of the roof. But in the Middle Ages, meetings of nobles were often held here and the most important political decisions were made!

Over the past three hundred years, many local and foreign architects have proposed projects for the reconstruction of this cultural heritage, but none of them were ever realized. You can enter the Abbey grounds with a ticket to visit Holyroodhouse Palace. Their visiting hours are also the same.

Edinburgh Castle

If you look at the castle from the city, you get the impression that it is floating in the air. It was originally created as a fortress and for many centuries was used for fortification purposes by various forces and political groups. Since the twelfth century, it became the official royal residence, and then the arena of the main actions in the confrontation between England and Scotland. The main royal relic, the Stone of Destiny, is also kept here.

Monarchs at all times laid their hands on him to solemnly take an oath before a high assembly. A tour of the castle will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of robberies, sieges, betrayals, political and love advances, prison everyday life and even magic - this is where some elements of the Harry Potter saga were filmed. Price entrance ticket is 16.5 lbs. In winter, the castle can be visited from 09:30 to 17:00, at summer period Visiting time is extended by an hour.

Scott Monument

One of the most crowded and noisy train stations in Edinburgh, Edinburgh Waverley, is located on Princes Street. It is not surprising that such a significant place received an equally significant name. The station was named after one of Walter Scott's characters, and not far from the giant building there is a magnificent monument. Its height exceeds sixty meters.

If you don’t know that this monument was erected in honor of the great Scottish writer, you might think that this is an unusual neo-Gothic church of the Victorian era - the composition of this monument is so large-scale and architecturally intricate. It offers perhaps the best views of central Edinburgh, although to admire it you will have to climb one of the spiral staircases, that is, overcome almost three hundred steps. The real architectural highlight of the monument is the sculpture of Walter Scott himself, sitting in a chair and stroking his dog.

Dead End Mary King

Just four hundred years ago, the quarter of Mary King, who was the daughter of a very successful lawyer, was perhaps the busiest in the capital. The King family owned most of the local buildings, and everything was going well until a plague outbreak occurred in the city. They began to round up those infected with the plague into Mary King's quarter, in order to then make them prisoners of these streets, simply walling up the dying people. The most famous of these sufferers was Little Annie, a girl who was put in the “basement of the dead” and is still searching for her parents. Oddly enough, there is still no powerful justification for such a heartbreaking story. All that is known for sure is that it was a quarantine zone.

Nothing can be said with complete certainty about “walling up”. One way or another, gradually they began to build a New City over the dead end, and soon it turned into a kind of catacombs, from which they ultimately turned it into a tourist attraction. It is better not to go down here without a guide and a powerful flashlight - you can get lost in no time. For an entrance ticket to the “city of the dead” you will have to pay 12.5 pounds. It is worth checking the opening hours on the official website, as they are constantly being adjusted.

Cathedral of Saint Egidio

This cathedral is better known as St. Giles' Cathedral. It is officially considered the main Presbyterian church in the country. Its construction began in the fourteenth century. Once upon a time, an ancient church stood on the site of the cathedral. Some of the pillars of the former building still support the vaults of the modern cathedral. Many people find the Cathedral of Sant'Egidio a bit gloomy with its Victorian stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings. As a rule, the most interesting place is the Thistle Chapel, where knightings still take place today.

The walls of this old chapel are painted with numerous coats of arms of aristocrats, members of eminent families and crowned persons who at different times were honored with becoming Knights of the Thistle. The cathedral grounds also contain the crypts of many famous Scottish personalities. During the summer, the cathedral can be visited from 09:00 to 19:00; special schedules apply on weekends. In winter it is open until 17:00. Entrance fee is £3, the opportunity to take a few photos will cost £2.

Craigmillar Castle

Once a whole village grew around Craigmillar Castle, but now there are only numerous buildings around the central part of Edinburgh. The specificity of the castle is that it is perhaps the only Scottish castle that has preserved its authentic appearance. The first mentions of it date back to the beginning of the thirteenth century.

The most ancient components of the castle appeared another hundred years later. Among the most famous dead to ever reside in Craigmillar is Mary Stuart. The castle is open to visitors all year round. An adult ticket costs £6.

Greyfriars Kirk Church

Once upon a time, on the site of the modern church there was an abbey of the Franciscan Order - “Abbey of the Gray Brothers”. It is considered one of the oldest buildings outside Edinburgh's Old Town. Its age is estimated at four centuries. For a long time it consisted of two buildings, the earlier of which dates back to the Reformation period. This church has long been a real stronghold of Presbyterianism.

Greyfriars Kirk was the first Presbyterian church to have a stained glass window and even an organ. No less famous than the church itself is the local cemetery. Among the local ghosts there is a Jack the Ripper and a Hachiko, about whom several novels have been written.

National Portrait Gallery

The Scots took the creation of a national collection of portraiture and photography very seriously. The very idea of ​​opening such a gallery caused a wide resonance in society, but the government was in no hurry to invest money in this project. The first sketches of the modern gallery appeared through the efforts of the then famous philanthropist John Findlay, who two centuries ago allocated funds for the creation of a special building to house the collections.

Red sandstone building in neo-Gothic style with stucco and numerous sculptural compositions on the eastern and northern facades still makes numerous passers-by gaze at it. You can visit the gallery from 10:00 to 17:00 on all days except Thursday. On Thursdays it closes two hours later. Admission to the National Treasury of Portraiture is free.

Scottish Whiskey Heritage Center

Scotch whiskey has been a brand for centuries. This is not just a brand of alcohol, but the history of the country and its character. The Whiskey Heritage Center today houses more than three thousand collectible bottles of this drink. This project is always relevant, since the government is happy to invest money in the development of the center and attract partners.

The center itself occupies a sprawling building on the Royal Mile. The excursion usually includes theoretical and practical parts. Moreover, the practical experience is striking in its variability - usually the guest is offered to taste more than a hundred varieties of whiskey, which are produced in different regions of the country. The center is open from 10:00 to 18:30. An entrance ticket will cost a minimum of 14.5 pounds.

Museum "Our Dynamic Earth"

The museum amazes you even before you get acquainted with its exhibitions. The roof of this building is made in the form of a giant membrane, which is stretched on metal cables. It was decided to celebrate the new millennium in such an unusual way. The museum maintains an ideal balance of scientific reliability and entertainment in the presentation of material.

Thus, museum guests will be able to get a holistic picture of the processes through which the Earth was formed, as well as the various stages of development of the animal and plant world. Another important milestone is scientific forecasting. Questions of alternative evolution are raised. Full ticket price is £12.50 children's ticket will cost £7.95. The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:30.

National Museum of Scotland

Modern national museum is a consequence of the merger of the Museum of Antiquities and the Royal Museum. It is noteworthy that we are talking not only about moving collections and drawing up new excursion programs, but also about combining two buildings - modern constructivist and old Victorian. The exhibitions relate to various fields of knowledge: history, geology, natural history, cultural studies.

Sometimes it seems that this entire flow of information has no system: next to the stuffed cloned sheep Dolly there is a hall of Elton John’s creativity, which goes into a hall with artifacts from Ancient Egypt. The most vivid impressions usually remain from the Great Hall - the largest room of the museum, richly decorated with sculptures of birds and filled with light. The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00. Entrance to the museum is free.

National Gallery of Modern Art

The gallery opened only at the end of the twentieth century. A huge building in the neo-Gothic style with a luxurious garden was chosen to house it, which today has been turned into a large-scale sculpture dedicated to Charles Jenkins. According to the creators, the idea is based on chaos theory. The gallery's holdings are so huge that temporary exhibitions have to be held frequently. Visitors can get acquainted with the works of Picasso, Matisse, Nicholson, Braque completely free of charge from 10:00 to 17:00.

Forth Bridge

This bridge has an extremely important function. Essentially, it connects the southeast and northeast of the country. It began to be built at the end of the nineteenth century. During three years of construction, more than sixty people died. The scale of the project is amazing: ten times more metal was spent on it than on the construction of the Eiffel Tower.

The visual effect created by this bridge was so strong that many modern directors, artists and photographers chose it as a backdrop for their works. Some art historians also say that the Forth Bridge is not only an expression of modern art, but also its spiritual inspiration. The duality of nature is fascinating.

Royal Yacht Britannia

This yacht once belonged to Elizabeth II herself. Before being moored at the port of Leith, she achieved the status of the vessel that had been in direct service the longest than any other. She bobbed on the waves for almost forty-four years, making more than a thousand voyages and covering more than a million nautical miles. Most rooms have retained their authentic furnishings. Some cabins and the dining room are used for events. Entry costs £12. Most of the year, visiting is possible from 10:00 to 15:30.

Princess Street Gardens

A huge area of ​​fifteen hectares between New and Old Edinburgh was given over to gardens, which residents and guests of the city still cannot get enough of. Back in the Middle Ages, on the territory of modern gardens, Lake Nor-Loch was created for fortification purposes, which, closer to the onset of the Modern Age, it was decided to drain to create a park area. Which was done brilliantly. Soon the two parts of Edinburgh were united by railway, and a huge number of statues and even fountains appeared in the park itself, which are still working.

Tourists come here not only for relaxation, but also to see the famous flower clock and rise above the city on a Ferris wheel. Of course, it is not the highest in the world, but even so it is worth pampering yourself and plunging into the world of the bright lights of the fair fun from a bird's eye view. In the summer months there is a huge fireworks festival, and in the winter there is a skating rink. Entrance to the park is free.

Royal Botanic Garden

This botanical garden has more than a long history. Over almost five centuries of existence, it has changed its location more than once. It is noteworthy that it was originally created for educational purposes, so that young doctors and biologists could study the properties of various medicinal plants. Gradually, the profile changed from teaching to research. Now it is more of a place for educational relaxation. The park is divided into independent thematic zones, some of which are located directly in the open air, while others are located in greenhouses. If entry to the garden itself is free, then you will have to pay 4.5 pounds to enter some greenhouses.

The workers themselves often call the rock garden the main pearl of the garden: a mountain river, waterfalls and lakes form a complex system. The Chinese garden is constantly growing and transports guests to the Asian landscape. The palm greenhouse with vines, bamboo and almost all types of palm trees is especially popular among visitors. The heather greenhouse and areas dedicated to local flora have incomparable charm. Entire sections of the garden are dedicated to environmental issues. It is best to visit the botanical garden in spring or summer, when all the plants are full of strength. During the warm season, the garden is open from 10:00 to 19:00; in the autumn-winter period it closes at 18:00.

Arthur's throne

The highest of Edinburgh's seven hills is Arthur's Seat, which is located in the park adjacent to Holyrood Castle. Once upon a time, this majestic hill was nothing more than a volcano, but today many call it the “lion’s head,” which is not far from the truth. At a certain angle, the shape of the hill really begins to resemble a formidable predator about to pounce. As for the official name of the hill, according to one version, the legendary Camelot Castle was once located here.

The only thing that can be said with complete confidence is that large-scale military battles actually took place on the territory of the hill. True, it is unknown whether King Arthur himself was somehow connected with them. Today, tourists enjoy climbing the hill to capture the colorful panoramas of Edinburgh.

Calton Hill

This hill is located east of the New Town and is another excellent viewing point, although the reputation of this place is not truly pure, rather the opposite. It was here that the city prison was located, and where death sentences were regularly carried out. Today, at the top there is a modern observatory, and three wide avenues diverge in different directions from the hill. A number of monuments adorn Calton Hill. The most unusual of them is the unfinished copy of the Parthenon, which attracts precisely because of its incompleteness.

Until 1603 Scotland was a separate state. After the death of Elizabeth I, the Scottish King James VI also became the English King James I, who ruled both countries. On May 1, 1707, Scotland was annexed to England by the Act of Union, thus forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The territory of Scotland includes many islands: Orkney, Hebrides and Shetland. In total there are approximately 790 islands, of which 130 are uninhabited. The capital is Edinburgh.

Scotland borders England in the south. The border between them is a low stone fence, and only in places.

Scotland is a country with an ancient and glorious history. On one of the Orkney Islands there is the site of Skara Brae - excavations of the oldest rural settlement in Great Britain from the Neolithic period. The estimated age of the buildings reaches 5 thousand years.

Skara Brae

Scotland has given the world many outstanding people - scientists, inventors, politicians and public figures. The prestigious Forbes magazine was launched in 1917 by Scottish-born journalist Bertie Forbes. People from Scotland often became prime ministers of Great Britain, including William Gladstone, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. World-famous writers - Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Byron, Conan Doyle and JK Rowling - come from Scotland. Famous Scottish actors include Sean Connery, Gerard Butler, Ben Affleck and Ewan McGregor. As many as 6 American presidents had Scottish roots: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Andrew Jackson, James Knox Polk, William McKinley and Woodrow Wilson.

Inventions and scientific discoveries originating from Scotland include the theory of logarithms (1614), asphalt (1820) and pneumatic tires (1887). The famous raincoat - "mackintosh" - owes its name to the Scotsman Charles Mackintosh. The modern look of the bicycle, with pedals and saddle, is the merit of Kirkpatrick MacMillan, also a native of Scotland.

A gloomy and stern fortress hangs over the capital of Scotland like a thundercloud. This is Edinburgh Castle. It was built many thousands of years ago on the top of an extinct volcano, and for many years it was a bone of contention - either the British or the Scots tried to take possession of the strategically important place. Now from here you can watch the life of Edinburgh from a height of 80 meters, and this, according to local residents, is the best view of the city that you can find.

Castle buildings

Edinburgh Castle is impregnable fortress, located on the top of a steep cliff. On its territory is the oldest building in the country - the Chapel of St. Margaret, named after Margaret of Scotland, who was the first Scottish saint.

Castle cannon

View of Mount "King Arthur's Seat"

Edinburgh Castle, which once served as a defense against enemies, has now turned into a stadium. Now the Royal Parade of Military Bands takes place here annually, recognized as perhaps the best in the world. The castle also houses several museums, dungeons for prisoners of war, a Victorian garrison prison and a treasury containing the oldest royal regalia: the crown, scepter and sword.

Edinburgh is a beautiful city surrounded by wooded hills and the Firth of Forth. He has ancient history, going back to the time immemorial of brave knights, castles and kings. Divided into two districts - the Old and New Town, which are included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Old Town - the historical center of Scotland

View of the old streets of the city

The most beautiful place in the Old Town is the Royal Mile - a wide street lined with stone buildings typical of the Middle Ages. This street starts from the famous Edinburgh Castle and ends with Holyrood Palace, which are the main attractions of the Old City. This is one of the most charming streets in the world (although in fact the distance from one point to another is not a mile, but a little more - 1 mile and 107 yards).

Royal Mile

St. Gilles Cathedral on the Royal Mile

Royal Mile

The Royal Mile is not only Edinburgh's tourist mecca, it is a place that contains the entire history of the city and Scotland. Daniel Defoe described it as "the largest, longest and most beautiful street in the whole world." There are a huge number of shops and souvenir shops where you can buy traditional Scottish souvenirs. The Royal Mile is also famous for its buildings, and the street is chock-full of unusual buildings, including tenement houses that date back to the 15th century.

As we already said, the Royal Mile leads to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Holyroodhouse Palace is the official residence of the British Queen in Scotland, where state ceremonies and official receptions are held. The palace is located in the center of the capital on the main street - the Royal Mile, at the other end of which is Edinburgh Castle.

Holyroodhouse Palace

Legend tells how King David was hunting in the forest when he was attacked by a deer. At that moment, a silver cloud appeared in the sky, from which a luminous cross emerged. The deer immediately ran away, and King David, in confirmation of this miracle, founded the Monastery of the Holy Cross in 1128. The monastery flourished and Edinburgh became the capital of Scotland. The royal family decided to move from the gloomy Edinburgh Castle on the rock to cozy Holyrood, surrounded by a beautiful park. In 1501, James IV built a palace next to Holyrood Priory. Only a fragment of the gatehouse from this building has survived to this day.

Palace of Holyroodhouse - abbey ruins

In Edinburgh you can see an extraordinary mixture of medieval architecture, with Victorian quarters, and sometimes with an admixture of neoclassical architecture. The new city is planned very strictly, in the spirit of the Scots: straight lines cut the city, alternating one-way streets. The original building plan, conceived by a young 26-year-old James Craig in the 18th century, contained a significant number of diagonal lines. If this plan had come true, Edinburgh would have looked like the flag of Britain from above. But it was abandoned in favor of simplicity.

View of the New Town

The New City, despite its name, is by no means modern high-rise buildings; most of the buildings in this area date back to the Renaissance. The most beautiful place in the New Town, deserving special attention, is the Princes Street City Park, which lies on the border of the Old and New Towns.

Princes Street

Edinburgh. Hotel "Scotlander"

Edinburgh. Grassmarket

National Gallery in Edinburgh

The National Gallery of Scotland, founded in Edinburgh in 1859, is located in the city center, on The Mound, in an ancient building designed by William Henry Playfair, an outstanding Scottish architect. Its halls display European paintings, unique sculptures, paintings by Rubens and Vermeer, Titian and Van Dyck, El Greco and Monet, Cezanne and Rembrandt; the collection itself contains antique furniture and unique interior items that complement the collection of paintings.

Edinburgh. Concert hall The Usher Hall

Museum of Childhood in Edinburgh

The Museum of Childhood, opened by Patrick Murray in 1955, was the first museum to display a complete collection of toys and souvenirs reminiscent of the distant world of childhood. Its exhibition includes teddy bears and a variety of dolls, old educational games, and original tricycles produced more than half a century ago. In the Museum of Childhood you can learn a detailed history of children's toys; tourists are shown educational films about children's games in the mid-twentieth century or a general view of school classes in the 30s of the twentieth century.

Edinburgh. Scottish Parliament.

Among the attractions of Scotland, the Scottish Whiskey Museum located in Edinburgh stands out for its unusualness, the first recipe for the production of which in extant sources dates back to 1494. The museum exhibition introduces visitors to the technology of production of Scotch whiskey, the name of which can be translated from the Celtic language as “water of life,” starting in 1700, when the producers of the strong drink no longer hid from the royal tax authorities.

What can be said about Scotch whiskey - scotch - this quintessence of everything Scottish? Alas, the drink was invented not in Scotland, but in... China. Monks in Ireland first learned to distill it back in the 15th century, and whiskey came to Scotland only 100 years later. Johnnie Walker brand scotch was first produced in Scotland in 1865 and quickly gained popularity throughout the world. At the moment this is the most famous and best-selling brand of blended whiskey. And the most popular brand of single malt scotch in the world is Glenfiddich, which is sold in more than 180 countries.

Now let's talk about Dean Village - this is the name of a quiet and very interesting area of ​​​​Edinburgh, located in the river valley. In the past it was a small village that was gradually absorbed into the city. When you are here, there is a strong feeling that Dean Village is as if lost in time.

Dean Village

Now in this area there is the famous Gallery of Modern Art, as well as beautiful preserved temples, small ancient bridges and other attractions of Edinburgh.

Dean Village

Dean Village

The feeling of a different passage of time in Dean Village is probably due to the geographical position of this former village - it is located much lower above sea level and it seems that it is really hidden from prying eyes. The first evidence of a settlement on this site dates back to the 12th century, and historical sources strongly associate it with grain production. This tradition dates back more than 800 years. Old mills have been preserved here for quite a long time.

Dean Village

View of Edinburgh's residential areas

Speaking about Scotland, one cannot help but talk about the Scottish men's national clothing - the kilt. A pleated plaid skirt is called a plaid skirt. Each clan has its own kilt color and pattern.

Heraldry of Scottish clans

In the old days, a kilt was made from a large amount of material so that when it was cold in the mountains you could wrap yourself in it. Very few people wear kilts every day today. Now they are mainly worn for family celebrations and important holidays.

You will be surprised, but some textbook symbols of Scotland migrated to it from outside: for example, Scotland adopted the men's skirt - kilt - from Ireland, and the tartan pattern was used in Central Europe in the Bronze Age. Bagpipes are believed to have come to Scotland from ancient Central Asia. And from there, presumably, the gene for red hair, so common among modern Scots, penetrated into Scotland.

It is better to buy Scottish cashmere in specialized stores; there are plenty of them, because, as you know, the Scots have a very great love of dressing up. Well, the “signature” print - tartan - can be seen in various variations - on a scarf, bag, clothes and even shoes.

The Elephant House Cafe in Edinburgh

The basis of Scottish cuisine is oats, although the world-famous expression “Oatmeal, sir” is attributed to the British. In Scotland, oats are eaten as regular porridge, as a side dish for cape or fish, as a dessert, with fruit and even with whiskey! The national dishes of the national Scottish cuisine are considered to be cullenskink fish soup with onions, potatoes and sour cream, and also “haggis” - a dish of lamb offal, chopped with onions, oatmeal, lard, salt and seasonings, boiled in a lamb stomach.

Another tradition that is worth paying tribute to while in Scotland is the tea ceremony. Despite the fact that Scotland is more associated with the famous alcoholic drink than with the tea beloved by the British, this tradition is also very strong here. However, they drink tea in Scotland in their own way: firstly, during dinner, and not at breakfast, as in many other countries, and secondly, with a generous “snack” of sweet jam.

Edinburgh Arts Festival

Stairway, Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the ancient capital - the heart of Scotland, the history of this city goes back to the distant past. It is impossible not to admire him, you fall in love with him at first sight, and there is an irresistible desire to stay in him forever! Edinburgh, a city built on a volcano, is amazing and fascinating.

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For the first time in history, Edinburgh was mentioned in the 6th century AD. The city was originally called “Din Edin” (Dunеideаnn) and was founded in the 10th-11th centuries. In 1130, David I (King of Scotland) awarded the city the status of “burgh” (i.e., fortress). Before the conquest of Scotland by the British, Edinburgh was one of the most important centers of social and political life in the country. For many centuries this was the residence of Scottish kings

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In the 11th century, Edinburgh Castle was built, which was completed and expanded until 1927. It was in this castle that Mary Stuart gave birth to the future King James I in 1566. The main districts of Edinburgh are the Old Town and the New Town. The city has many small shops selling souvenirs for tourists. Edinburgh is also full of cafes and restaurants, many of them decorated in the style of the Victorian era.

Edinburgh city center map:

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It is not for nothing that Edinburgh is considered one of the most beautiful and green cities in the UK. Every year the capital of Scotland is visited by a huge number of tourists, no less than London. This city has an interesting history, which the indigenous people are proud of, which they remember and are happy to tell to visiting people. A favorite place for tourists in the capital of Scotland is Edinburgh Castle, which rises majestically on a huge rock. At its gate there is a square that is intended for parades. It is here that the military band festival takes place every year at the end of August.

Edinburgh Castle The history of the appearance of the castle, and with them the city of Edinburgh itself, is so foggy and shrouded in mystery that it constantly gives rise to controversy among archaeologists

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“The embryo of the nest of Scottish kings” - Edinburgh Castle was the small Norman chapel of St. Margaret, built by order of Margaret, the wife of King Malcolm. The 11th century chapel is the oldest building in the castle. And Malcolm, by the way, shared power with Macbeth for a long time and with varying success

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The castle was built over centuries, the latest building is the War Memorial, which does not at all stand out from the general style. The castle was a palace, a fortification, a treasury, an armory, and a prison. Everything is as it should be, even there is its own never-fired Tsar Cannon :) And the room where the first Stuart was born, who wore two crowns - James VI in Scottish calculus and I in English

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You cannot photograph the crown, scepter and sword: these are the oldest royal regalia in Great Britain, because... the ancient attributes of power of the English kings were destroyed by decision of parliament (after the execution of Charles I). After the restoration of the monarchy, copies were made according to the model of the previous ones, and it is these copies that now lie in the treasury of the Tower

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The rich military past of the castle is reminiscent of powerful bastions and fortress walls, as well as an exhibition located in old barracks and casemates. Actually, just one tour of Edinburgh Castle is enough - and you can consider that you have studied the history of Scotland. In front of the main gate there is an esplanade - a small area intended for parades. In the last days of August, the international festival of military bands Tatu is held there annually. Translated from English tattoo means “drum roll”.

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The Royal Mile stretches through the entire old city all the way to Holyroodhouse Palace. This is one of the most charming streets in the world (although in fact the distance from one point to another is not a mile, but a little more - 1 mile and 107 yards). The street got its name because the queen walked along it every day exactly a mile to the cathedral for services. The queen considered such a walk a mandatory condition necessary for spiritual enlightenment in the temple.

The British claim that the Royal Mile is famous for its ghosts, watching the path from the palace to the cathedral. The Royal Mile is not only the tourist mecca of Edinburgh, it is a place where the entire history of the city and Scotland - connects two royal residences - in the castle and in the palace, and is simply a string of streets that turn into one another, changing their name at any intersection with the side ones. .

Daniel Defoe described it as "the largest, longest and most beautiful street in the whole world." To the east of Edinburgh Castle lies the picturesque Holyrood Park

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The Palace of Holyroodhouse, where the street ends, is a purely decorative structure, only stylized medieval castle. King James IV began building it at the very end of the 15th century. next to the ancient abbey, the ruins of which remain to this day. The glory of Holyrood is associated with the name of Queen Mary Stuart, who lived there most of her life. Now the castle houses a museum: among its exhibits are collections of antique furniture and jewelry, a portrait gallery of 80 Scottish kings

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The Grassmarket is one of the most charming streets in the Old Town. Once upon a time there was indeed a green market (as well as a city scaffold), today it is more like the kingdom of the green serpent. This is where the city's most famous pubs and restaurants are located. Needless to say, life in this area is vibrant "from dusk to dawn." Our Dynamic Earth is an ideal holiday destination for young families. Visitors embark on an exciting journey into the past, present and future of our planet. The excursion is interactive and rich in the latest achievements of science and new technologies.

Saint Jill:

It's nice to take a walk around the Royal Botanic Gardens. From the extinct volcano Arthur’s Seat there are incomparably beautiful views of the sea, hills and the city itself.

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Many literary figures were born in Edinburgh: Sir Walter Scott, Irwin Walsh and, of course, the author of the Harry Potter saga, JK Rowling.

It's worth taking time to watch the sunset from Arthur's Hill. It's an amazing sight. The highest point in the group of hills in this park offers stunning views of the city. There are many museums in Edinburgh that are worth visiting, such as the Writers' Museum, where you can learn about the life and work of Scottish creators, the National Gallery of Scotland, the oldest art gallery in the region, the Museum of Edinburgh and many others

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Edinburgh was recently chosen as the capital of Europe based on the criterion of having the best private hotels. Thus, only 11 European hotels were named the best, seven of which are located in Edinburgh, Scotland

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The city is very popular among tourists due to its rich historical heritage, outstanding natural beauty, and extensive cultural heritage. As a result of the growing tourist flow, more and more private hotels are opening here, each of which is trying to beat its competitors

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According to experts, Edinburgh currently has a large number of Georgian-style hotel properties, which can usually boast good locations and excellent rooms - such hotels are not found in either Milan or Paris. At the moment, small private hotels are already much more popular among tourists than large hotels owned by international chain operators.

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Firstly, the mountains against the backdrop of the pre-storm sky, endless in its blue and violet. Secondly, the atmosphere of the city is a combination of old castles and majestic buildings with complete youth recklessness - yes, there are just tons of men in kilts, the sounds of bagpipes persistently do not subside, and the girls seem to be just busy organizing crazy pre-wedding hen parties in such clothes that any role-playing games seem like a stupid attempt at originality. There is a group of flight attendants, and shepherdesses, and ladies in pink. Young people are walking around in a great way - there is roar, laughter and fun everywhere. There are crazy taxis here, more like multi-colored gramophones

In August, the city hosts the world's largest annual festival, the Edinburgh Fringe - the world's largest arts festival, attracting many actors, dancers and musicians from around the world to the city. The capital of Scotland has gained great fame due to its tradition of celebrating on a grand scale. New Year(Hogmanay). At this time, Princess Street is filled with celebrants, and more than 4.5 tons of fireworks soar into the sky. .

Edinburgh is also very changeable. In one hour, the weather can change dramatically several times - from soft sun to cold downpour with strong wind. However, the sun there is quite a rare occurrence even in the warm season (during that June day that I spent in Edinburgh it rained 3 times, 4 times there was dazzling sun and a couple of times there was a stormy wind, forcing me to even put on a warm hat!):

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The city also looks gloomy thanks to its architecture. Due to increased air humidity, the stone from which buildings are built darkens. This looks especially great on Gothic churches, making them look heavy and ominous.

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Palace of Holyroodhouse Edinburgh museums and a monument to Scotland's most famous Skye Terrier - a story in the spirit of the White Beam - see Edinburgh. Part 2----------->>>>>>>>>