Area Information

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and the second most popular tourist destination in the entire UK.

A remarkable combination of historical fact and architecture, vibrant festivals and culture and truly great hospitality make this a city worth visiting time and time again.

The Old Town and New Town of Edinburgh are UNESCO World Heritage Sites, contrasting wonderfully with each other to form this fantastic city.

The Old Town is still in its medieval town format with narrow roads, high rise buildings, spooky vaults and of course the majestic Edinburgh Castle dominating its skyline. Vibrant pubs and taverns and well preserved medieval structures are typical features of the Old Town.

Limited space led to the growth of Edinburgh in 18th century to form the New Town. Full of great shops and cafés and stunning Georgian architecture, it’s a relatively modern alternative to the Old Town.

Edinburgh Castle towers above the city, offering spectacular panoramic views of the city to its visitors. The castle began life as a volcanic rock formation and has been used as a castle as far back as 900 BC. Visitors today can take a tour of the castles and see Scotland’s Crown Jewels, The Stone of Destiny

With excellent tours of the city it is difficult to choose between a traditional city tour, a ghost tour, a whisky tour or a literary tour. Whichever you select, these tours are a fantastic way to get to know Scotland’s capital.

Edinburgh is a superb place to visit at any time of the year, but there are several world-famous festivals worth catching if you possibly can:

• Hogmanay – December 31st
• Bealtaine Fire Festival – April 30th
• Edinburgh International Festival, incorporating the Military Tattoo and Fringe Festivals – July – September