“Beautiful city of Edinburgh! the truth to express,
Your beauties are matchless I must confess,
And which no one dare gainsay,
But that you are the, grandest city in Scotland at the present day!”
The city of Edinburgh may not be a sprawling metropolis but as these words by 18th century Scottish poet William McGonagall profess, Scotland’s capital is a sparkling gem that’s small but much perfectly formed. Whether you’re trekking the tourist trail in search of whisky, bagpipes and Braveheart, or yearning for a dose of culture and shopping with a twist of the eclectic, Edinburgh has everything you could possibly need – so read on for a whistle-stop tour of Auld Reekie’s best hotspots.
For history buffs, Edinburgh’s winding streets are steeped in intrigue and stories of murky times gone by. First stop must be Edinburgh Castle, poised majestically above the city on a volcanic rock that’s thousands of years old. The castle’s distinctive ramparts can be seen from many beauty spots across Edinburgh but it’s definitely worth a visit itself to check out Scotland’s crown jewels. Plus, if you’re lucky enough to visit Edinburgh in August, the castle also plays host to the world famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, an unforgettable spectacle of pipes, drums, military bands and traditional dancing from the four corners of the earth.
Next must be the newly refurbished National Museum of Scotland, featuring a host of cultural and historical treasures from around the world. With exhibitions on everything from the age of the dinosaurs to science and technology of past and present, plus touring collections of the iconic Lewis Chessmen and the Egyptian Mummies of the Leiden Museum, it’s Edinburgh’s latest must-see attraction.
If you’re happy to go a little further afield, follow the now-famous Rose Line out of the city centre and indulge your inner conspiracy theorist at Rosslyn Chapel, and have a go at cracking the Da Vinci code yourself. Or, if you fancy a good scare, then check out what lies beneath the cobbles of the Royal Mile at the Mary King’s Close, a subterranean maze of secret streets untouched since the 17th century – vistors have left quaking with the eerie presence of the plague victims walled up and left to die there…
Once you’ve had your fill of history, take a stroll down the Mound for a spot of retail therapy on Edinburgh’s Princes Street. Home to the world-renowned Hogmanay street party on December 31st, the rest of the year it’ a slice of shopping heaven that’s perfect for giving your credit card a little exercise. Head further east to Edinburgh’s very own Rodeo Drive – at Multrees Walk you can pick up designer goodies galore from fashion powerhouses like Armani, Louis Vuitton and Harvey Nichols. But even if designer price tags aren’t your bag, Edinburgh has more than enough to whet your sartorial appetite with vintage emporiums like the Grassmarket’s Armstrongs and Godiva, and indie shoppers will love the gorgeous gallery boutiques like the Red Door Gallery on the multi-coloured ribbon of the beautiful Victoria Street.
After a long day of sight-seeing, you’ll be in dire need of some liquid refreshment, and with more bars per square mile than any other European city, Edinburgh has plenty of drinking holes to fit the bill nicely. The city’s top cocktails can be found at Baroque speakeasy The Voodoo Rooms, or sip champagne in the plush surroundings of the seriously luxe Hotel Missoni. And once you’re sufficiently watered, there are top-notch eateries around every corner. Chop Chop delivers award-winning Chinese food with a difference, the Cambridge Bar serves teetering skyscraper burgers, or head down to Leith for some Michelin-starred dining at Restaurant Martin Wishart.
This article was written by Kate from the PadPod, which offers hundreds of holiday homes and self-catering accommodation options in Edinburgh, for all tastes and budgets. Image by kyz
