Old Town and around
Edinburgh
Castle
(tel 0131 225
9846)
(open daily
year round)
One of the most famous castles in the world, symbolic of the heart
of Scotland and brimming with the country's colourful history. Entry
is across the Esplanade, used for the Tattoo every August, a splendid
military floodlit display. See the tiny 11th century St Margaret's
Chapel, the Crown Room containing the crown, sceptre and sword of
Scottish monarchs, the Great Hall and Queen Mary's apartments.
Dynamic
Earth, Holyroodhouse Road
(tel 0131 550 7800)
(open daily Apr - Oct, Wed-Sun Nov - Mar)
Superb state-of-the-art displays illustrating story of the planet
and evolution with a serious environmental message. Play area for
younger children.
Gladstone's
Land
(tel 0131 226 5868)
(open
Easter - Oct daily)
Six-storey tenement building built in 1620 with painted ceilings
and furnished in the style of a 17th century merchant's house. National
Trust for Scotland property.
Grassmarket
Originally an agricultural market, this is now a
centre for antiques, old prints, clothing and gifts.
Greyfriars
Kirk and Greyfriars Bobby
(tel 0131 225 1900)
(open Mon - Sat, Easter - Oct, Thursdays, Nov - Easter)
The National Covenant was signed here in 1638 giving independence
to the Presbyterian Church of Scotland. Nearby stands the famous
statue of Greyfriars Bobby, the Skye terrier who stayed beside his
master's grave for 14 years.
Huntly
House, Canongate
(0131 529 4143)
(open
Mon - Sat year round, Sun during festival)
An interesting city museum depicting life in the Old Town through
the ages.
John
Knox House, High Street
(tel 0131 556 9579)
(open Mon - Sat year round)
A typical 16th century house featuring an exhibition on the life
and times of religious former, John Knox.
Museum of
Childhood, High Street
(tel 0131 529 4142)
(open
Mon - Sat year round, Sun during festival)
A superb collection of toys, dolls, dollhouses and costumes.
Palace
of Holyroodhouse, Canongate
(tel 0131 556 1096)
(open daily year round, closed on Royal
and State visits)
Standing at the foot of the Royal Mile, the Palace was rebuilt under
Charles 11 when he assumed the throne in 1660 in the architectural
style of Louis X1V, and is the Queen's official Scottish residence.
Mary, Queen of Scots lived here for 6 years, and a bronze plaque
marks the spot where her secretary Rizzio was famously murdered.
Highlights include the 150ft long Great Picture Gallery displaying
111 portraits of Scottish monarchs commissioned by Charles 11, keen
to publicise his Scottish connection.
Royal Museum,
Chambers Street
(tel 0131 225 7534)
(open
daily year round)
The Royal Museum contains the national collections of decorative
arts from around the world, natural history, archaeology, science
and technology exhibits. In 1998 the Museum of Scotland opened in
a new adjoining building, with state-of-the-art displays of Scotland's
own heritage from the Bronze Age through to today.
Scotch Whisky
Heritage Centre, Castlehill
(tel 0131 220 0441)
(open
daily year round)
Find out how whisky is made, sample a wee dram, and discover its
history on a guided tour. Whisky and gift shop.
Writers'
Museum, Lady Stair's Close, off Lawnmarket
(tel 0131 529 4901)
(open Mon - Sat year round, Sun during Festival)
This 17th century building known as Lady Stair's House contains
displays associated with Scotland's literary heritage including
Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns.
New Town and
around
Calton
Hill
(tel 0131 556 2716)
(open
Mon - Sat year round)
This city centre hill offers magnificent views over Edinburgh and
the Firth of Forth. Its collection of monuments include an unfinished
copy of the Parthenon known as Edinburgh's Disgrace, and the Nelson
Monument completed in 1814.
Georgian
House, Charlotte Square
(tel 0131 225 2160)
(NTS,
open daily Apr - Oct)
This Georgian House has been furnished in period style by the National
Trust for Scotland and depicts domestic life in the 18th century.
It stands in Charlotte Square, noted for its Robert Adam palatial
façade.
National
Gallery of Scotland, The Mound
(tel 0131 624 6200)
(open
daily year round)
Home to the finest collection of Old Masters in Britain, aside from
London, together with impressionist and Scottish paintings, including
works by Raphael, Rembrandt, Constable, Degas, Monet and Van Gogh.
Royal Botanic
Garden, Inverleith Row
(tel 0131 552 7171)
(open
daily year round)
Seventy acres containing an incredible variety of plants in a lovely
setting. Highlights include the Chinese garden and largest collection
of azaleas and rhododendrons in Britain.
Scottish
National Gallery of Modern Art, Belford Road
(tel 0131 624 6200)
(open daily year round excl. Sun am)
Fine collection of modern art including works by Picasso, Barbara
Hepworth and Lichtensteain.
Scottish
National Portrait Gallery, Queen Street
(tel 0131 624 6200)
(open
daily year round)
Highlights include a splendid Gainsborough and portraits by the
Scottish artists Sir Henry Raeburn and Allan Ramsay.
Edinburgh
Zoo (Corstorphine Road, A8 W)
(tel 0131 334 9171)
(open
daily year round)
One of Britain's leading zoos, and famous for its penguin colony
with daily parades in summer. There are special areas where children
can touch the animals and a Darwin Evolutionary Maze.
Royal Yacht
Britannia
(tel 0131 555 5566)
(open
daily year round)
Now retired and moored at the port of Leith, visitors can board
the Royal Yacht to take a look at the Royal Apartments, officers
quarters, captain's cabin, engine room, the bridge and galleys.
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