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Edinburgh

Sights

THE OLD TOWN & ROYAL MILE

The Old Town comprises the bulk of its tourist sights, most of which are located along the Royal Mile. The Royal Mile is the 1.7km long thoroughfare that connects Edinburgh Castle with the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It consists of five connected streets – Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate and Abbey Street. These streets and the lanes that run off them have a rich history and there are many walking tours that explore the Royal Mile's history in depth.

Arthur's Seat

This rocky outcrop in Holyrood Park offers a spectacular vantage point with great views of Edinburgh and as far a field as Fife and the Trossachs. Arthur's Seat is around a 45-minute walk from the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

Queens Drive, Edinburgh

Edinburgh Castle

Edinburgh's big attraction is the castle that dominates the city. Like many castles, it was built over many centuries. St Margaret's Chapel, the oldest part of Edinburgh Castle, dates from the 12th century, and the Great Hall and the Half Moon Battery were built in the 16th century. The castle features Scotland's crown jewels, the Stone of Destiny (also known as the Stone of Scone) and it is also home to the National War Museum of Scotland.

Castle Hill, Edinbugh

Bus 23, 27, 28, 35, 41, 42, 45

Tel (0131) 225 9846

Website www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Admission £9.50 (£7 students)

Open Jan-Mar 9.30am-5pm daily (last entry 4.15pm); Apr-Oct 9.30am-6pm daily (last entry 5.15pm); Nov-Dec 9.30am-5pm daily (last entry 4.15pm)

Edinburgh Dungeon

Edinburgh's version of London's Dungeon uses actors, rides and exhibits to portray Scotland's bloody past.

31 Market Street, Edinburgh

Bus 64

Tel (0131) 240 1000

Website www.thedungeons.com

Admission £9.95

Open Jan-Mar Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am-4.30pm; Apr-Jun 10am-5pm daily; Jul-Aug 10am-7pm daily; Sep-Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec Mon-Fri 11am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am-4.30pm

Gladstone's Land

The National Trust for Scotland has restored this 17th century merchant's house on the Royal Mile to show how Edinburgh's wealthy lived almost 400 years ago.

477B Lawnmarket, Edinburgh

Bus 23, 27, 28, 35, 41, 42, 45

Tel (0131) 226 4851

Website www.nts.org.uk

Admission £5 (£3.75 HI/SYHA)

Open Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm

Greyfriar's Churchyard

The 17th century Grey Friar's Kirk is famous for its cemetery, which is the final resting place for many notable Scots. Its claim to fame, however, is a loyal Skye terrier named Bobby whose life-size statue stands guard outside the churchyard.

This loyal dog belonged to a farmer named Jock Gray who is buried in the churchyard. For 14 years following his master's death in 1858 Bobby refused to leave his masters' grave except to be fed by locals at the Grassmarket Inn where Jock Gray regularly dined.

The story of Greyfriars' Bobby was immortalised by a children's book written by American author Eleanor Atkinson, which was later made into a 1961 Disney film.

Candlemakers' Row, Edinburgh

Bus 2

High Kirk of St Giles

This church was originally built in the 12th century but was burnt down by the English in 1385. It was subsequently rebuilt with the distinctive crowned steeple going up in 1495 and extensive additions were built in the 19th century. In 1911 the Knights of the Thistle built the most recent addition, a chapel honouring their Order. John Knox was a minister here during the Reformation and the church has played a central role in Scottish history.

Lawnmarket, Edinburgh

Bus 23, 27, 28, 35, 41, 42, 45

Tel (0131) 225 4363.

Museum of Edinburgh

This museum, housed in a 16th century mansion, has exhibits on local history and industries that have played an important role in the city's development. The more important exhibits include the original National Covenant dating from 1638 and the Greyfriars' Bobby's collar and bowl.

142 Canongate, Edinburgh

Bus 35

Tel (0131) 529 4143

Admission free

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; during Edinburgh Festival Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm.

Museum of Scotland & the Royal Museum

This striking new museum chronicles Scottish history with a rich collection of over 10,000 artefacts. The adjoining Royal Museum features exhibits of a more international nature including natural history displays.

Chambers Street, Edinburgh

Bus 3, 7, 8, 14, 21, 30, 31, 33, 36, 69, 87

Tel (0131) 220 4819

Website www.nms.ac.uk

Admission free

Open Mon 10am-5pm, Tue 10am-8pm, Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm.

National Gallery of Scotland

This gallery houses Scotland's best collection of European paintings with works that span from the Renaissance to Impressionism. It also boats the world's largest collection of Scottish paintings including the works of McTaggart, Raeburn, Ramsay and Wilkie.

The Mound, Edinburgh

Bus 23, 27, 28, 42, 45

Tel (0131) 624 6200

Website www.nationalgalleries.org

Admission free

Open Mon 10am-5pm, Tue 10am-8pm, Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm.

National Library of Scotland

Scotland's largest library is home to rare documents that include the Gutenburg Bible and Blind Harry's the Wallace, both dating from the 15th century as well as Mary, Queen of Scots' last letter.

George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Bus 23, 27, 35, 41, 42, 45

Tel (0131) 226 4531

Website www.nls.uk

Admission free

Exhibition hall open Jun-Oct Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm; during Edinburgh Festival Mon-Fri 10am-8pm, Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm.

Our Dynamic Earth

This new natural history museum features user-friendly exhibits that show the story of our planet focussing on how life, and the continents themselves, has evolved since the Big Bang. The museum also examines different environments such as the oceans, Polar Regions and the tropics.

Holyrood Road, Edinburgh

Bus 35, Mac 60

Tel (0131) 550 7800

Website www.dynamicearth.co.uk

Admission £8.95 (£6.50 students)

Open Jan-Mar Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (last entry 3.50pm); Apr-Oct 10am-5pm daily (last entry 3.50pm); Nov-Dec Wed-Sun 10am-5pm (last entry 3.50pm)

Palace of Holyroodhouse

Queen Elizabeth II's official Scottish residence is located at the end of the Royal Mile under the shadow of Arthur's Seat. This baroque palace has a rich history and many British and Scottish monarchs have lived here including Mary, Queen of Scots, whose secretary David Rizzio was murdered here in the 16th century. The palace remains the hub of Royal events in Scotland and the Queen is normally in residence from late June to early July when she carries out a variety of official engagements. For visitors, the palace's main attractions include the State Apartments; Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers; the Queen's Gallery and the palace's largest room, the Great Gallery.

Royal Mile, Edinburgh

Bus 35

Tel (0131) 557 5256

Website www.royal.gov.uk

Admission Palace £8.80 (£6.50 students); Queen's Gallery £4 (£3 students); Palace & Queen's Gallery £11 (£9 students)

Open Jan-Mar 9.30am-4.30pm daily (last entry 3.45pm); Apr-Oct 9.30am-6pm daily (last entry 5.15pm); Nov-Dec 9.30am-4.30pm daily (last entry 3.45pm)

The People's Story Museum

The 16th century Canongate Tolbooth houses a museum about the lives of ordinary people living in Edinburgh from the 18th to the 20th centuries.

163 Canongate, Canongate Tolbooth, Edinburgh

Bus 35

Tel (0131) 529 4057

Admission free

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; during Edinburgh Festival Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm

Scottish Parliament

The Scottish Parliament Visitors' Centre has displays on the history and current role of Scotland's parliament. You can also book tickets here to sit in on chamber sessions.

George IV Bridge, Edinburgh

Bus 35

Tel (0131) 348 5411

Website www.scottish.parliament.uk

Admission free

Open during parliamentary session Mon 10am-5pm, Tue-Thu 9am-5pm, Fri 10am-5pm; during parliamentary recess Mon-Fri 10am-5pm

The Writers' Museum

This museum focuses on the life and works of Scottish writers with an emphasis on the country's three leading literary figures: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stephenson.

Lady Stairs Close, Lawnmarket, Edinburgh

Bus 23, 27, 28, 35, 41, 42, 45

Tel (0131) 529 7868

Admission free

Open Mon-Sat 10am-5pm; during Edinburgh Festival Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 2pm-5pm

THE NEW TOWN

In contrast to the narrow medieval streets of the Old Town, Edinburgh's New Town features wide, carefully planned streets, which were popular with the city's well-heeled residents in Georgian times. Edinburgh's main shopping street – Princes Street – runs along the southern edge of the New Town.

Georgian House

This restored home in Edinburgh's New Town features furnishings from the 18th century showing how the well off lived during the late 18th century.

7 Charlotte Square, Edinburgh

Bus 13, 19, 36, 37, 37A, 41

Tel (0131) 226 3318

Admission £5

Open Mar 11am-3pm daily; Apr-Oct 10am-5pm daily; Nov 11am-3pm daily

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

This art gallery features portraits of Scottish historical figures that range from criminals to royalty. Although many of the paintings are by Scots, there are also works by Dalí, Gainsborough, Matisse and Picasso.

1 Queen Street, Edinburgh

Tel (0131) 623 7126

Website www.nationalgalleries.org

Admission free, charge for temporary exhibits

Open Mon-Wed 10am-5pm, Thu 10am-7pm, Fri-Sun 10am-5pm

Walter Scott Monument

This ornate Gothic monument in Princes Street Gardens offers superb views of the city. The monument features a statue of Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832), a prominent author who, among many other novels, wrote Rob Roy. He took a great interest in promoting Scottish culture and is responsible for rediscovering the Scottish crown and sceptre in Edinburgh Castle, for retaining Scotland's own banknotes and for promoting Highland clan tartans.

Princes Street, Edinburgh

Bus 1, 3, 3A, 4, 8, 10, 11, 12, 15, 15A, 16, 17, 19, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 33, 34, 37, 37A, 41 42 44, 44A, 45, X26, X31, X37, X47 and all Night Buses

Admission free

OTHER AREAS

Dean Gallery

Adjoining the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, the Dean Gallery features exhibits of Dada and Surrealist art and a large collection of Sir Eduardo Paolozzi's sculptures.

73 Belford Road, Edinburgh

Bus 3, 4, 13, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40, 41, 43, 44, 52, 69, 82

Tel (0131) 624 6200

Website www.nationalgalleries.org

Admission free

Open Mon 10am-5pm, Tue 10am-8pm, Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm

Edinburgh Zoo

The zoo is home to over 1000 animals and it has the world's largest penguin pool.

Murrayfield Road, Edinburgh

Bus 12, 26, 31

Tel (0131) 314 0320

Website www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

Admission £8.50 ($6.50 students)

Open Jan-Feb 9am-4.30pm daily; Mar 9am-5pm daily; Apr-Sep 9am-6pm daily; Oct 9am-5pm daily; Nov-Dec 9am-4.30pm daily

Royal Botanic Gardens

Edinburgh's botanic gardens feature plants from around the world and Britain's largest palm house.

20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh

Bus 8, 17, 23, 27

Tel (0131) 248 2901

Website www.rbge.org.uk

Admission free

Open Jan-Feb 10am-4pm daily; Mar 10am-6pm daily; Apr-Sep 10am-7pm daily; Oct 10am-6pm daily; Nov-Dec 10am-4pm daily

Royal Yacht Britannia

Located beside the Ocean Terminal shopping complex at Leith Docks, the Royal Yacht Britannia was used by the royal family between 1953 and 1997. During its service, the Royal Yacht Britannia travelled over 1½ million kilometres on official state visits and royal holidays before making itself home in Edinburgh.

Ocean Terminal, Leith, Edinburgh

Bus 1, 11, 22, 34, 35, 36

Tel (0131) 555 5566

Website www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk

Admission £8.50 (£4.50 students)

Open Jan-Mar 10am-3.30pm daily; Apr-Sep 9.30am-4.30pm daily; Oct-Dec 10am-3.30pm daily

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

This gallery features an extensive collection of 20th century art including works by Bacon, Hockney, Lichtenstein, Matisse, Picasso and Warhol.

75 Belford Road, Edinburgh

Bus 3, 4, 13, 30, 31, 32, 33, 36, 40, 41, 43, 44, 52, 69, 82

Tel (0131) 624 6200

Website www.nationalgalleries.org

Admission free

Open Mon 10am-5pm, Tue 10am-8pm, Wed-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun noon-5pm