Edinburgh: visit the capital of scotland

MohamedKhamis | Mar 9, 2011 |

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Edinburgh

Located on the east coast of Scotland in the UK, Edinburgh is Scotland's capital since 1437. It is the seat of the Scottish Parliament and Scotland's second largest city behind Glasgow in terms of population.

This city, young and lively, was listed by UNESCO as world heritage of humanity for its medieval and Georgian districts.

The Scottish capital offers indeed a double face : an old part "The Old Town" (which dates from the Middle Ages and the Renaissance) and some new neoclassical "The New Town" (built in the eighteenth century).

Edinburgh Castle

Landmark for the city, Edinburgh Castle is perched on a summit volcanism (Castle Hill) at the top of the Royal Mile. This impressive monument, which overlooks the city, offers a superb panorama of the Scottish capital. If the foundations of the castle date back to the seventh century. From the eleventh century, this royal residence was built, before becoming a formidable fortress in the sixteenth century. It now houses the dazzling Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, a huge cannon called Mons Meg and numerous accounts of the history of Scotland.

Other places to see

In addition to the Castle, Edinburgh has many places to visit, including:

St. Giles Cathedral: a magnificent fifteenth-century cathedral
Charlotte Square in New Town
Palace of Holyroodhouse: this former monastery built in 1128 is the official residence of the Queen of England when staying in Town
The historic port of Leith, which is now moored Royal Yacht Britannia. You can go shopping and buy a plaid or other traditional Scottish souvenirs there
Arthur's Seat: This impressive hill in Holyrood Park, is an extinct volcano which offers breathtaking views over the city.

Museums in Edinburgh

Edinburgh also has important museums:

National Gallery of Scotland where you can see the works of Gauguin, Cezanne, Monet, Velazquez ...
Royal Museum of Scotland specializing in geology, archeology, natural history, science, technology and art
The Museum of Scotland: a free museum dedicated to history, the people and culture of Scotland.

On another note, Scotch Whisky Heritage Center located just outside Edinburgh Castle invites you to discover the history of the whiskey!