About Edinburgh
Edinburgh is the capital, and second largest city, of Scotland with a population of 448,624 which covers the huge area of 100 square miles. Edinburgh is considered to be one of the most picturesque cities in Europe with its' Medieval and Georgian architecture and is also one of Europe's major tourist attractions with around 13 million visitors a year making it the second most visited tourist destination in the UK.Places of Interest
Scotland’s most visited attraction is Edinburgh Castle. Here you’ll see stunning views of Edinburgh from the castle embattlements and inside you can view the Scottish Crown Jewels, the stone of destiny, changing of the guard and a gun salute.
Taking you from the castle through the medieval Old Town is Edinburgh’s Royal Mile. It is divided into four separate streets; Castle Hill, Lawnmarket, High Street and Canongate where you’ll find a number of historic buildings and cobbled paths (known as wynds) as well as other centres and museums. The Royal Mile brings you to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official Scottish residence. Built as a monastery, the building has played host to a succession of kings and queens through Scotland’s turbulent past. At the southernmost edge of the Old Town you’ll find Greyfriars Kirk, the resting place of many notable Scots. The graveyard at Greyfriars, also known as the Covenanters Prison, is also home to the capital’s most notorious ghost.
A range of creatures can be found at one of Edinburgh’s animal attractions including Edinburgh Zoo for the penguin parade, Deep Sea World for shark dives in the world’s longest underwater safari and the Butterfly and Insect World. Edinburgh also remains true to its cultural past with the National Museum of Scotland, the National Gallery of Scotland and numerous other museums and galleries.
Nightlife
Edinburgh has a booming nightlife which consists of tourists and locals mixed up in the famous nightlife scene. Edinburgh has a large number of pubs, clubs and restaurants. The traditional areas are the Grassmarket, Lothian Road and surrounding streets, Rose Street and the Bridges. Stockbridge and the waterfront at Leith are also increasingly fashionable areas, with a number of pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Like many other cities in the UK, Edinburgh has numerous nightclubs that play popular, and chart, music. Berlin, Cabaret Voltaire, Ego, Studio 24, The Hive and The Liquid Room are the main nightclub venues in the city.
Featured Hotels
Edinburgh has many hotels very close to its centre as well as the quieter areas around the City. The Howard Hotel is a excellent 5 star Georgian hotel featuring immaculate attention detail. From your arrival onwards you will have a dedicated butler who will tend to your every need. As well living in one of 18 characterised rooms, you can dine in it too with meals prepared by a team of chefs.
For 4 star luxury apartments in the heart of the city, the Edinburgh Pearl Apartments will help satisfy your needs with apartments near to famous sites, shopping areas and public transport.
53 Frederick street is a 3 star guest house which provides a brilliant, city centre location next to Edinburgh castle for a fantastic price. With friendly and helpful staff and well run facilities to make your stay enjoyable.
Festivals
Edinburgh is famous for its' annual four week Edinburgh Festival. A collection of festivals held annually in August. The number of visitors attracted to Edinburgh for the Festival is roughly equal to the local population of the city. The most famous of these events are the Edinburgh Fringe which is the largest performing arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Edinburgh International Film Festival, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Other events over the year include the Hogmanay street party (31 December), Burns Night (25 January), St. Andrew's Day (November 30), and the Beltane Fire Festival (30 April).
Transport
Edinburgh is a major transport hub in Scotland, with road and rail routes that connect the city to the rest of Scotland and with England. It is connected to the north of Scotland by the famous Forth Bridge and the Forth Road Bridge.
Most public transport trips in Edinburgh are taken by bus, with Lothian Buses and First Bus operating an extensive system connecting most parts of the city, suburbs and surrounding city area.
Edinburgh Waverley is the main railway station for the city. It is on the East Coast Main Line and is a through-station as well as a terminus for many services to and from London Kings Cross and to London Euston, as well as services from within Scotland operated by First ScotRail. The rail network in the city has expanded in recent years with the opening of Crossrail, from Newcraighall and Musselburgh in the east, to Curriehill, Edinburgh Park and Dalmeny in the west. Edinburgh and the East of Scotland's rail network are controlled from Edinburgh Signalling Centre, which with 240 route miles (470 track miles)