Edinburgh’s streets, stags and spectacles
Edinburgh has been growing for 1400 years. Originally just a fortification, it’s expanded over time reaching down from the imposing rocky outcrop that dominates the landscape and into the 21st century.
Now one of the UK’s premiere tourist destinations, it’s the first ever UNESCO city of literature, home to the internationally acclaimed comedy festival, a favourite for stag weekends and has a vibe all of its own.
Edinburgh Old Town was a narrow series of alleys east of the Castle and is still known for its Royal Mile – which connects the Castle to the Palace of Holyrood. And it’s along this street you’ll find the traditional shops: quirky and quintessentially Scottish, you’ll spot tartan outfitters and shortbread sellers. For the latest threads, you’ll need to try the other side of Princess Street Gardens and along either Princess Street or nearby George Street.
Within the city there are a number of parks where you can idle away afternoons, and walks along the Union Canal to enjoy. While the castle dominates the skyline to the east, to the west is an extinct volcano. Yes, an extinct volcano! Get your walking shoes on and drag in fresh Scottish air on a walk up to Arthur’s Seat – the views back over Edinburgh make the mini-trek worthwhile.
Back into town and there’s no shortage of things to do. As a university town it’s full of life, and as an established stop on the tour routes it serves up every kind of entertainment imaginable. Especially oddball arts and comedy. Edinburgh International Festival brings in the famous and the downright ridiculous: three weeks of creative indulgences that wash off on the town, leaving it inspired for the rest of the year.
It’s not all fun and games mind: Edinburgh is a ghost town with a dark history. Dark and downright creepy. Back into the Old Town and there’s the underground city’s cannibals and grave robbers to reckon with… Back to life, and the spirits of the night are found flitting between the city’s colourful bars and clubs. Entertainment takes top billing here: Within a mile of the castle, you’ll find the Royal Lyceum and Bedlam Theatres, and on the other side of Carlton Hill the Edinburgh Play House.
Movie fans have a new multi-screen cinema and in keeping with the town’s character, the family–owned Edinburgh Film House Cinema in Lothian Road keeps reeling out the films in style.
Visitors should look wider than the obvious choices: Edinburgh is littered with independent venues, bars and bistros. With an eclectic nature all of its own, the city mixes a cultured European vibe with old brick British tourist charms.
Leaving Edinburgh behind for a moment, you’ll pass its Royal Botanical Gardens before heading out into the southern lowlands. Walks nearby will have you climbing up the Pentlands, a range of hills just south of the city, or wandering the woodlands of Rosslyn Glen.
On your return, dust off your boots and drop into one of the town’s spas, or relax in one of its cosmopolitan cafes before readying yourselves for another night out. It’s this variety that’s made an Edinburgh stag do such a popular choice for groups from all over UK – if you’re after a weekend break and have lots of people to cater for, Edinburgh has to take centre stage.
