Basement Bob
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Edinburgh is best.
Edinburgh has more attractions on City Centre square foot than any other European capital, which is what makes it easy to visit. Sightseeing the centre of Edinburgh in detail, however, can take a 2-3 days at least which is why many visitors go away saying 'there is too much to do and see in Edinburgh and too little time'.
Edinburgh City Centre's is an attractions goodie bag. There are so many sights, monuments and things to see at its heart that you don't know where to look and go first. This guide to Edinburgh attractions I've prepared might help relieve some of the confusion.
Historic attractions in Edinburgh
Most of the attractions in Edinburgh are located in the Old Town, a medieval town at the heart of a modern Scottish city. Most places and things of interest in the Old Town of Edinburgh are historical in nature. They explore the city's turbulent past, its legends and mystery.
First off, there's Edinburgh Castle, Scotland's number one visitor attraction, a must see for anyone sightseeing Edinburgh. Then there's the Royal Mile, Edinburgh's mile-long street linking the Castle with Holyrood Palace, the Queen's residence in the City.
The Royal Mile acts as the backbone of the Old Town and some of the most popular attractions in Edinburgh can be found here. Sightseeing the Royal Mile should be done at a leisurely pace mainly because there are many sights to take pictures of and stories to learn about at every step but also because it's going uphill.
One of Edinburgh's most famous attractions is the Scott Monument right on Princes Street, Scotland's Capital main street. This neogothic monument dedicated to Sir Walter Scott is one of the most recognisable tall spires in the city.
Museums and galleries
Most museums and galleries are located in or close to the City Centre. The two central galleries in Edinburgh, the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery of Scotland are located halfway along Princes Street so you can easily include them in your sightseeing tour.
Other attractions include the Museum of Scotland and the Royal Museum that are located in the Old Town as are the Museum of Childhood and the Writers' Museum on the Royal Mile. Another Edinburgh gallery is located a short walking distance from the City Centre in the New Town -- The Dean Gallery of Modern Art.
Natural attractions and sights
Edinburgh has two extinct volcanoes. One is the Castle Rock onto which Edinburgh Castle is built and the other one is Arthur's Seat in Holyrood Park. Then there's Calton Hill at the heart of the city with stunning views over Princes Street, the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle.
Visiting Edinburgh would not be the same without the unique perspective these vantage points give over the city.
Five star royal attraction in Edinburgh's Leith
The Royal Yacht Britannia is the most famous of Leith's local attractions and the most famous ship in the world. Tourists come in huge numbers every year to board the decks of this Royal Yacht where four Royal couples spent their honeymoons, including Prince Charles and Princess Diana.
The Royal Yacht Britannia has sailed more than one million miles around the globe, taking the Royal Family on more than 900 official voyages and holidays all over the world, from places like Antarctica to the south seas.
Britannia was finally decommissioned in 1997 after its last and longest voyage from England to Hong Kong. It marked the end of a Royal Yacht.
The Queen decided that another Royal Yacht would not replace the Britannia. In 1998, Leith, in Edinburgh, won the bid against several other major UK cities to become the ship's permanent home.
The Ocean Terminal shopping center, Leith harbour with its white liners and waterfront pubs and cafes make a stylish gateway to one of Edinburgh's most visited attractions.
The Britannia was voted 'Best Visitor Attraction in the UK' in 1999 and runner-up in 2003, and is also Scotland’s leading visitor-friendly attraction. This means that a visit on the Royal Yacht Britannia does not get any better.
The story of Greyfriars Bobby
Greyfriars is one of Edinburgh's most famous kirkyards (cemetery). Many stories are linked to Greyfriars but the one known best is that of Greyfriars Bobby.
The Skye terrier was a faithful dog who refused to leave the grave of his master, John Gray, a farmer from Midlothian, upon his death. John Gray took the dog to the market in Edinburgh every Wednesday. After the one o'clock gun sounded, he would have lunch in a restaurant near Greyfriars.
After his death, Bobby would continue to come to the restaurant, but only when he was forced by hunger to leave his master's grave. For 14 years he watched over the grave, stirring the emotions of the people of Edinburgh.
The gardener and keeper of Greyfriars tried on many occasions to evict Bobby but in the end they took pity on him. He was built a shelter nearby and was fed regularly. Bobby never spent a night away from his master's grave even in the most dismal weather conditions.
The story of Greyfriars Bobby -- not Greyfriars Bobbie -- spread and soon, his story became one of Edinburgh's unique stories. When Bobby died, he was buried in Greyfriars. A bronze statue was sculpted for the small dog, which now stands just outside the kirk gates.
Greyfriars Bobby is now one of the many Edinburgh attractions and a testament of a man's best friend. Travellers and visitors come to Greyfriars to learn his story and take pictures beside him.
Greyfriars Bobby in films
Over the years films and videos have been made about Greyfriars Bobby and recently, an Edinburgh toy company came up with the popular Greyfriars Bobby toy. The most popular film about Bobby was "Greyfriars Bobby: The True Story of a Dog" made in 1961.
An intriguing web of historic streets
The Grassmarket and Victoria Streets are only two of the interesting streets that form the Old Town of Edinburgh. The area is tucked away behind Edinburgh Castle and this historic maze is, unfortunately, often missed by tourists.
The area once knew decay and poverty as the New Town was built on the other side of Princes Street but today it's the most colourful and fashionable part of the Old Town.
Grassmarket
The buildings in this historic square were built in order to accommodate the weekly market, an important focal point in Edinburgh Old Town for nearly 500 years. The architecture of the Grassmarket is a most unusual mix with styles ranging from the 17th to the 21st century.
Old Town buildings have been restored and turned into self-catering flats, fashionable pubs and specialist shops while new buildings such as the Apex Hotel have been built to breath new life into the area.
Famous Grassmarket stories
The area was also site for regular hangings, with many of the stories still being told on tours of the Old Town today. One of the most famous stories linked to the Grassmarket is the public hanging of the Captain of the Town Guards by an angry mob.
During the public hanging of Andrew Wilson, a smuggler who had become something of a folk hero, John Porteous had ordered his men to fire their muskets to drive back the mob who would reach for the body. Six people were killed and a further 20 injured.
John Porteous had been found guilty of the events that took place in the Grassmarket but his execution was cancelled by royal order. The people of Edinburgh, enraged, sought to do their own justice. A mob of 4,000 people broke in the Tolbooth on the Royal Mile where the captain was snatched out of, dragged to the Grassmarket and then brutally hanged.
Another story linked to the this area of Edinburgh Old Town is that of Maggie Dickson, who was unsuccessfully hanged and literally rose from the dead while being carted for burial. A pub is now named after her in the Grassmarket.
A plaque in the Grassmarket also commemorates the 17th century hangings of more than 100 Covenanters, many of whom are buried just a few yards south, in Greyfriars Kirkyard.
The Grassmarket has retained its medieval feel but managed to shed its associations to horrific events of the past and has become one of the best places to eat and drink in Edinburgh Old Town.
The north side of the market is lined up with colourful pubs, beautifully decorated with flowers and outdoor eateries and cafes, while the south side features hotels and shops.
Victoria Street
Victoria Street was built in the 18th century as an access route to the Royal Mile and the Old Town from the west of Edinburgh. It is in a shape of a steep Z connecting the Grassmarket to George IV bridge. The colourful shops on Victoria Street form one of the most distinguishable facades in Edinburgh.
Above Victoria Street there's Victoria Terrace with a lovely mix of pubs and open-air cafes from where the Royal Mile can be accessed via a series of steps leading into the Upper Bow. Victoria Terrace is so picturesque as a backdrop that BBC Scotland uses it regularly for interviews.
Shops in the Grassmarket and Victoria Street
The shops in the Grassmarket and Victoria Street have a wide range of goods and simply going in the many boutiques in the area gives you the sense of being in the medieval part of Edinburgh. You can find second hand bookshops, jewelry, antiques, vintage clothing, costumes, specialist cheeses, Latin-American goods, brushes and many other types of handcrafted goods.
Visiting the Grassmarket and Victoria Street
Victoria Street is quite a steep street though that ads greatly to its charm. The best way to walk through this part of Edinburgh Old Town is to take a left turn from the Royal Mile onto George IV bridge and then walk down Victoria Street and into the Grassmarket.
After walking around the Grassmarket and nearby streets you have the choice of going up Castle Wynd which climbs Castlehill and takes you to the Esplanade or walk along King Stable's Road and enter Princes Street Gardens from the west.
Haunted underground vaults in Edinburgh
In the 18th century, with the Old Town of Edinburgh becoming barely habitable due to overcrowding, the local council began development of the New Town. The access from the Old Town to the New Town was made possible with the building of the North Bridge and access to the city was then improved when the South Bridge was built.
The South Bridge consisted of 19 arches built over the Cowgate ravine, back in the late 18th century. At the time when the bridge was built the land under it had been excavated to make chambers and both large and small rooms -- The Edinburgh Vaults.
The vaults were used mostly by merchants and craftsmen that had businesses on South Bridge for storing wine, dairy and other products and were guarded by underground caretakers. Families also lived in some of the rooms of these vaults but with no sunlight or ventilation and with the issue of waste disposal, these vaults were barely habitable.
Some local legends suggest that the vaults could have been used for something else other than storing goods. Burke and Hare, the notorious body snatchers could have brought their victims underground before selling them to the nearby hospital but no evidence has been found.
The vaults in Old Town Edinburgh were not properly waterproofed and soon became uninhabitable. They were then filled and their existence erased from public records.
Two hundred years later they were discovered and excavations started to bring light to these long forgotten chambers. Soon after, the Edinburgh Vaults opened for tourists and many of today's local ghost tours companies regularly include them in their tours.
Explanations of ghost sightings in the Edinburgh Vaults
Tourist accountings of strange sightings and sensations while inside the vaults have become numerous and have sparked interest for paranormal investigations.
One scientific explanation for some of the underground experiences is linked to the fact that South Bridge is a heavy traffic route to the City. The traffic flow above creates vibrations which in turn create spectra that could be associated with sensations people experience while on ghost tours in these underground vaults.
Other investigations have reported unusual energy readings and photographs taken by tourists reveal orbs or white markings.
Haunted or not, the underground vaults reveal a fascinating account of life in an overcrowded 18th century Edinburgh before the major civic improvements transformed Scotland's capital in late 18th century.
A village at the heart of Edinburgh
Few tourists know that 15 minutes away from Princes Street lies the secluded Dean Village on the Water of Leith. Once a successful milling community, the area was once associated with poverty and decay but the buildings have been turned into designer flats and the village is now a popular residential area.
The name Dean means 'deep valley' as the village lies 30 meters below the rest of Edinburgh. This makes is quite unique and particularly tranquil considering it is virtually at the heart of Scotland's Capital.
There is a variety of architecture in Dean Village from the robust warehouses and mill buildings, the red sandstone cottage-style buildings to the more modern tenements of English influence. Each of them, even the Dean Village local school has something for visitors to see.
High above the Water of Leith and the village stands the four-arched Dean Bridge designed by Thomas Telford. The distinctive church at the end of the bridge is the Holy Trinity Church and makes an excellent backdrop for taking pictures from the village itself.
Dean Village and the surrounding area
Dean Gallery and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
There is more to this part of Edinburgh's New Town than Dean Village itself. A short walking distance from the village along Belford Road, is the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and Dean Gallery. The National Gallery of Modern Art features a beautiful water feature which won several awards and is definitely worth a visit.
Dean Cemetery
Adjacent to Dean Gallery is Dean Cemetery where many of Edinburgh's famous people -- such as Sir Thomas Bouch, who engineered the first Tay Bridge -- now rest.
Water of Leith Walkway
The walkway runs from Balerno to Leith via Dean Village and is one of Edinburgh's most popular walks. If time is of the essence, begin by exploring Dean Village then walk the short distance to the Gallery of Modern Art along the water of Leith to visit Dean Cemetery and see the water sculpture.
Historic street in Edinburgh filled with visitor attractions
The Royal Mile is Edinburgh's historic highway and synonymous with the Old Town. At 1 mile and 107 yards it connects two of Edinburgh's most important attractions -- Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of Holyrood House. Along the way there are countless specialized shops, pubs, restaurants, hotels and many places of historical and cultural interest.
The Royal Mile is actually made up of several streets though it is generally known as the 'High Street'. These are from top to bottom:
• The Esplanade
• Castlehill
• Lawnmarket
• High Street
• Netherbow
• Canongate
• Abbey Strand
The Royal Mile is the backbone of Edinburgh's Old Town and key moments in Scottish history have been played out in the area. Being such an intensely populated street, legends of ghosts and mystery have been around for hundreds of years. Today the Royal Mile is Edinburgh's hottest tourist spot.
When to visit the Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is far too extensive to explore in detail in a single day. However, if you're short on time you can just visit the highlights as presented below.
You can split your Royal Mile tour in 2 days as follows. On the first day start from the North Bridge and make you way up on the right hand side to Edinburgh Castle and then down on the left hand side to the Tron Kirk. You can have lunch and refreshments on the way.
Start your second day of the Royal Mile tour by walking down from North Bridge along the left hand side of the Royal Mile, visit Holyrood Palace and then start making your way up again until you reach to the Tron.
Princes Street
The most scenic and popular street in Edinburgh
Princes Street -- often misinterpreted by tourists as Princess Street or Prince Street -- is Edinburgh's busiest and most popular street. Princes Street is just about average in width with traffic islands running for the better part of it.
While the street divides the Old Town from the New Town, Princes Street is not really considered to be in the New Town. Its original name was St Giles Street but the name was changed after King George III's sons.
While not an attraction in itself, Princes Street is one of the most scenic streets in the world. The street is approx half a mile long and the numerous monuments, buildings and views all form the unmistakable panorama Edinburgh is famous for. Few streets have the fortunate setting Princes Street has in Edinburgh.
Attractions and shops on Princes Street
Shops run along the entire length of the north side of Princes Street while the south side with its Princes Street Gardens is an excellent vantage point for admiring the Old Town, Castle Rock and Edinburgh Castle.
Edinburgh's City Centre is quite unique in that respect. Few cities can give you an instant escape from the hustle and bustle of the city, and to a park with the view Princes Street Gardens have.
Princes Street was originally a residential area. The wealthy class of Edinburgh had chosen it for its panoramic view: the Old Town and Edinburgh Castle. One of the reasons the Old Town was preserved so well is because the rich didn't want their home views spoiled by shops, so the Old Town was never touched.
Princes Street gradually became a commercial centre becoming the busy shopping street it is today. Along with Scott Monument and the Castle, it's at the very heart of Edinburgh.
Princes Street tips for tourists
• If you intend to take the bus from Princes Street, get on the bus as near to either end as possible. Traffic on Princes Street can be quite bad and you want to avoid being stuck in a bus for too long.
• When you cross Princes Street spend a few seconds on the traffic island to admire the view towards the Balmoral Hotel. The further you are from the Scott Monument and hotel, the better you can see why Edinburgh is called 'The City of Spires'.
• If you are on a budget the cheapest food to find on Princes Street is from any of the 3 Greggs bakeries on Rose Street, the street that runs parallel with Princes Street or in Marks and Spencer. There are also many affordable pubs and cafes on this pedestrian Edinburgh Street.
• If you're mainly interested in sightseeing and taking pictures, walk along the south side of Princes Street -- the one with the gardens -- to avoid the shoppers.
Accommodation near Princes Street
Due to its central location, any hotel on Princes Street is quite expensive. The most affordable choice for accommodation would be the Princes Street East Backpackers Hostel -- very close to the St. Andrews Bus Station -- or the Caledonian Hostel at the West End.
Hotels on Princes Street itself are the Balmoral Hotel, Old Waverley Hotel, Royal British Hotel and at the West End, the Caledonian Hotel. You can also use the Tourist Information Center to ask for advice and help on accommodation on or very near to the City Centre.
Edinburgh Castle
What you must know about Edinburgh Castle before visiting
Edinburgh Castle is not the most beautiful of all Scottish castles but it is Scotland's most famous castle, its number one visitor attraction. The number of visitors to this medieval-like fortress reaches approximately one million people every year. This makes the castle quite crowded during Scottish summers but it's well worth a visit, nonetheless.
Few visitor destinations around the world can pride themselves with such an amazing historical attraction at the heart of the very compact Edinburgh City Centre but even fewer can say that their number one attraction sits on an extinct volcano.
Best time to visit the Castle
Ideally, you want to visit the castle and spend a few good hours to explore it in detail. You might also want to be there to witness the One O'Clock gun firing from the Castle's ramparts.
• If you are visiting Edinburgh in the summer go to the castle early, around 9:30-10:00 in the morning. Explore the castle in detail for a few hours and around 12:30 find a good vantage point for the One O'Clock gun. Edinburgh Castle gets quite crowded at other times of the day.
• If you are particularly interested in taking great photos, avoid visiting Edinburgh Castle at midday when the sunlight is at its strongest and shadows are harsh. Go first thing in the morning or last thing in the afternoon.
• During the autumn and winter the sun is quite low in the sky. This gives you the chance to take photos of Edinburgh from the Castle when the sun appears to have just risen or just set. This particular light makes pictures taken from Edinburgh Castle appear unique, indeed.
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What's so great about Edinburgh Castle?
Edinburgh Castle has lots to offer to tourists, whether you are in Edinburgh for a mini break or for a longer holiday. The Castle is an impressive fortress waiting to be explored, a hub of history and has splendid views of Edinburgh.
The Castle is also an ideal place for family days out. Children love to explore every inch of this massive fortress and ride the cannons in the Middle and Upper Ward.
The panorama from the castle gives visitors a chance to appreciate Edinburgh's geological variety: hills, sea and extinct volcanoes as well as its man-made skyline.
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