We began our exploration of Scotland with a walk through the capital of this region - Edinburgh. We also chose this city for accommodation, as it turned out to be the most convenient in terms of location, transport accessibility and the presence of a huge number of attractions. And evenings are much more fun in big city such as Edinburgh where full of people.
The second largest city in Scotland is Glasgow, but to me it seemed more impersonal and focused on youth and student life.
And Edinburgh is a real fairytale city; it seems that a carriage or a medieval knight is about to appear from around the corner. And people in national costumes - plaid kilts, knee-highs, hats, playing bagpipes - are not uncommon here.
Edinburgh, like Moscow, is located on the hills, but here they are visible from almost anywhere in the city. In the center of the Old Town stands the Castle Hill with an old royal fortress, and in the other part of the city you can see the real mountain range called the "Throne of Arthur". And the streets themselves go down and go up. Thanks to this relief, the city has a huge number of observation decks offering stunning views of Edinburgh. And the architecture and layout of the city are like nowhere else in Great Britain. Everything here is so harmonious that the eyes only rejoice and admire what they see.
Edinburgh is divided into Old and New town, both of them are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Old city- This is a rock with Edinburgh Castle, from which stretches the main thoroughfare of the city - several streets, united by the name "Royal Mile", leading to Holyrood Palace. This road appeared in the XII century, when craftsmen and merchants began to settle outside the castle walls, financial organizations, cattle yards, and pubs were also located here.
In the Old City of Edinburgh, apartment buildings appeared in the 15th century. Difficult urban terrain influenced the fact that Edinburgh initially grew only in height. Already in the 16th century, multi-storey buildings of six floors existed here, by the 18th century even fourteen-storey buildings appeared, which was a real miracle for other Europeans and foreigners in general. It was only with the emergence of the so-called New City in the 18th century that Edinburgh began to expand. The new quarters were more spacious, with smaller parks and squares. Houses were built here in the fashionable neoclassical style. Of course, going to Edinburgh, it is better to familiarize yourself with the history of Scotland in advance, but we had to fill in the knowledge gaps when we returned home.
On the way from our hotel to the city center, we see the Cathedral of Saints Paul and George, built in 1818, and nearby the Church of the Assumption of the Virgin, dating from about the same period.
Before walking around Edinburgh, we decided to climb Calton Hill, which was not far from our guest house... This volcanic hill is located almost in the center of the city and offers stunning views of different areas of Edinburgh. You can climb Calton Hill in eight minutes along a good road winding through the trees. There are a number of attractions at the top.
The oldest building is the City Observatory, which was built back in 1776 and then slightly rebuilt. But since Edinburgh was heated with coal for a long time, and there was a fireplace in every apartment, and there were quite a few of them here, by the end of the 19th century there was such a position in the city that it was no longer possible to observe the heavenly bodies from here, and the telescope was moved to south of the city. And in the building of the observatory there is a museum telling about Edinburgh. By the way, such a strong smoke in Edinburgh in the past led to the fact that the houses, made of sandstone, were covered with a black coating. The townspeople did not even think to remove it, and now it gives Edinburgh a special flavor.
The most notable structure on the hill is the Monument of Scotland in the form of antique columns. It began to be built in 1822 in memory of the soldiers who died in the battles with Napoleon's troops. However, soon the funds for the monument ran out and it was left unfinished. After all, it was conceived in imitation of the Athenian Parthenon, and only a few columns were rebuilt. Since then, this monument has been called the "Shame of Scotland".
Nearby is Nelson's Tower. Many monuments have been erected to this admiral in Great Britain. In honor of his victory in the Battle of Trafalgar, a monument appeared in Edinburgh. The lighthouse tower was erected in 1816. late XIX century established a clock ball connected with an electric wire to a clock cannon at Edinburgh Castle. Every day at one o'clock in the afternoon, a cannon shot was heard, during which the ball on Nelson's tower fell down. Thus, passing ships could synchronize their watches. We have already seen a similar setup at Greenwich.
Now inside the tower there is a small museum with excellent observation deck towering 30 meters above Calton Hill.
Nearby there is a monument to the Scottish philosopher Dugald Stuart, made in the form of an antique pavilion with columns. From this monument, perhaps the most best view to Edinburgh.
In the distance you can see the monument to Walter Scott and the clock of the Balmoral Hotel. It is said that this watch is always two minutes ahead. The fact is that there is a railway station next to the hotel, and so that people would not be late for the train, the clock on the turret was deliberately moved a little forward so that passengers would have a spare time.
On the other side of the hill we see Arthur's Throne and Salisbury Cliff, at the foot of which is an unusual building with a white roof, from which beams stick out. This is a museum created on the eve of the Millennium, which is called "Our Dynamic Earth". Inside, there are many interactive rooms and exhibits that tell how our planet has changed over the millennia and what the future holds.
In addition, from the hill you can see the Cannon Gate Church, built in an unusual Dutch style for Edinburgh, and the cemetery near it. The famous economist Adam Smith and poet Robert Fergusson, as well as many other famous Scots are buried here. On the other hand, there is another ancient cemetery - Kalton's.
Due to the sheer number of ancient graves in the city, they say it is full of ghosts. For tourists, they even created special excursions to crypts and other places associated with mystical stories.
From the opposite side of Calton Hill, we see the New City.
After enjoying the wonderful views, we went down to the Scottish Government building and the Calton Cemetery, opened at the beginning of the 18th century. Several Scots who fought on the side of the northerners during the American Civil War are buried here. At the place of their burial, a monument to the American President A. Lincoln is erected.
Then we went to Princess Street, which conventionally separates the Old and New Towns. This street is home to most of the shops and large shopping centers... Streets with cozy pubs and restaurants, in which we often had lunch or dinner, diverge into the alleys from it.
At the beginning of Princess Street is the train station and the five-star Balmoral Hotel, built in 1902. royal castle also located in Scotland.
Unfortunately, we never made it to Balmoral Castle.
On one side of this luxury hotel housed the National Archives in an old building, in front of which there is a monument to Wellington, and on the other the North Bridge leading to the Old City.
This was the end of our first walk, we went to dinner at one of the restaurants on Princess Street, where we sat until late in the evening.
The next day we had a long walk through the center of Edinburgh.
useful links
Hotels in Edinburgh: booking and reviews
Scotland hotels
In London, as in any other tourist town, visitors are offered a large selection of hop-on, hop-off bus tours. They cost over £ 20, although the only thing that sets them apart is the presence of an audio guide. For those who just want to explore London, there are more budget-friendly ways. The easiest one is to walk along the city streets. Most Popular hiking trails With full description interesting sights can be found on this site. But, of course, this option requires a lot of effort. It is unlikely that you will be able to wander all day. I suggest you combine your vacation with free sightseeing in London using some of the bus routes. London's famous double decker gives you the opportunity to see the capital from the top platform of the bus. To do this, you just need to have one of the options travel tickets. .
Cannoy Street For just a few pounds, you can see most of the sights without the annoying chatter of your guide. Just like on sightseeing buses, if you have enough strength, you can get off at any stop, explore the surroundings and continue along the route further.
Route 11
One of the most suitable bus routes for exploring the city is number 11. Start your tour at bus station Liverpool Street, go up to the second floor and try to settle in the front seat. The trip to Chelsea will last 40 minutes. The route starts in the heart of the City, runs along Threadneedle Street (past, and.
Ludgate hill Further to the left you will see - St Paul's Cathedral, and behind the Thames you will see the Tate Gallery of Contemporary Art. Then, driving along Fleet Street Fleet Street you will see the Royal Courts of Justice on your right.
Royal Courts Building Further, after driving along The Strand to Trafalgar Square, the bus will turn left to k, where, and will appear in front of you. Don't miss the Banqueting House, Horse Guards, etc. along the way. You may want to go out here to get a better view of all these sights. It is possible to continue driving past, through Pimlico at Chelsea Hospital and Sloane Square, along Kings Road and end the journey in Fulham.
Route RV1
Another noteworthy Route RV1 runs from via Southwark to Covent Garden's Covent Garden Piazza.
Covent Garden for Christmas Take the RV1 bus at Tower Bridge. Bus stop on the opposite side of the tower. You will pass by such attractions:
- Tower Bridge;
- Southwark Cathedral;
Southwark Cathedral Tate Gallery of Modern Art - Tate Gallery of Modern Art;
South Bank - South Bank;
- National Theater;
National Theater Royal - Waterloo Bridge;
Somerset House - Somerset House;
Somerset house Covent Gardens - Covent Gardens;
Heritage bus routes # 15 and # 9
Two routes (9 and 15) use the old-fashioned 'Routemaster' double-decker buses that Londoners love. Traditional red double-decker bus in the old style (with a conductor and an open platform at the back) was the most beloved symbol of London. So when they were replaced in 2005 with new style buses, many were disappointed. Fortunately, the mayor decided to keep some old buses from the 1960s for the two heritage routes. The Heritage Routes only operate between 9:30 and 19:00, the rest of the time there are regular city buses on the line. Therefore, if you want to ride a classic London bus, be careful: the heritage buses have an open platform and a ladder in the back.
Street strand In modern buses without conductors, you must enter through the front door and touch your card reader with your card or show the driver your paper one. On routes 9 and 15, the traditional Routemaster buses operate differently. You can just get on the bus, take a seat and wait for the conductor to check your ticket.
Video of the flight over the monuments of Edinburgh in HD format.
Use Full Screen mode.
This overview invites you to look at the main attractions of Edinburgh from an unexpected angle. Namely, from a bird's eye view. Use the video nearby to fly over architectural ensemble Edinburgh presented in 3D and see the most interesting objects separately - Edinburgh castle, St. Giles, Balmoral Hotel, St. Cuthberts Church, St. Andrew and St. George Church and many others. Below we offer the most interesting historical facts and vivid photographs of every famous monument in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
" Edinburgh castle - ancient fortress in the center of Edinburgh, which is the most important and attractive attraction of the Scottish capital.
»The castle was built on the Castle Rock, which used to be an active volcano.
»The castle was built in the early Middle Ages and was rebuilt several times. Ultimately, it was adapted for defense using fortress artillery.
»Three sides of the fortress are protected by sheer cliffs, and access to the castle is only possible through the road on the east side. The only way to get to the road is through the esplanade, a long and empty sloping stretch that is completely bombarded from the fortress, where the Royal Edinburgh Parade of Military Bands takes place every year.
»On the territory of the castle stands the oldest building in Edinburgh - St. Margaret's Chapel. The crown of Scotland is also kept in Edinburgh Castle.
»Edinburgh Castle is one of several ancient castles in Great Britain that still has its own military garrison, although it is used mainly for ceremonial and administrative purposes.
St. Giles, Edinburgh
»Cathedral of Saint Egidius - one of the most popular tourist places in Edinburgh.
»In addition to the interesting medieval architecture, the cathedral also attracts by the fact that it contains numerous relics.
»The cathedral is consecrated in honor of the saint who is the patron saint of cripples and lepers, and is also considered the patron saint of Edinburgh.
»Many famous and honorary citizens of Scotland are buried in the cathedral.
»For almost 3 centuries after the Reformation in 1560, the cathedral was not used for religious purposes at all. V different time there was a fire station, a police station, a coal shop and a school. The cathedral even housed a prison.
Balmoral Hotel, Edinburgh
»The Balmoral Hotel is a five star hotel located in the city center and one of the attractions of Edinburgh.
»The hotel is famous for its giant clock on the tower, which has become the symbol of the city. The height of the tower is 58 m.
»The hotel has 188 rooms, of which 20 are suites.
»The hotel was built right next to Waverley Station.
»In order for hotel visitors to arrive on time for the train departure, the clock on the hotel tower is traditionally two minutes ahead.
St Cuthberts Church, Edinburgh
»St. Cuthberts Church was built on the site of the ruins of six other churches that existed here at different times.
»The official opening of the church took place on May 31, 1896.
»The main attractions of the church are the beautiful stained glass windows and the magnificent marble pulpit.
»All interior decoration of the church is made in the style of the Italian Renaissance.
»The church is open to the public from Monday to Friday.
Church of Saints Andrew and George, Edinburgh
»The Church of Saints Andrew and George was built in 1784. The project of an unusual elliptical building was developed by military engineer Andrew Fraser.
»The interior of the church is decorated with a portico and ceiling rosettes, created according to ancient Roman patterns.
»In 1787, the bell tower of the temple was crowned with a 51 m high spire.
»You can visit the Church of St. Andrew and St. George on any day, admission is free.
»Concerts of organ, choral and symphonic music are constantly held in the premises of the church. There is a cafe on the territory of the church where you can have a snack and admire the exhibits of the next exhibition.
University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh
»The University of Edinburgh was founded in 1583. It is a public university and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
»The university is the third most popular in the UK and one of the most prestigious universities in the world.
"Such celebrities as David Hume, Charles Darwin, Robert Stephenson, Conan Doyle and others were educated at the University of Edinburgh.
»The University of Edinburgh has transformed the capital of Scotland into a cosmopolitan cosmopolitan city with a student population of about 60 thousand people annually.
National Monument of Scotland, Edinburgh
»During the construction of the National Monument of Scotland, the Parthenon in Athens was chosen as a model for a large-scale project.
» Most of the townspeople to this day call this monument "Scottish shame", "Edinburgh quirk" or "the pride and poverty of Scotland." The fact is that there were not enough funds to complete the construction, which began in 1822, and the construction of the monument was stopped already in 1829.
»The monument was supposed to perpetuate the memory of Scottish soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars. The catacombs for burials were to be located under the monument itself.
»The monument was repeatedly wanted to be completed and completely turned into a new parliament building or the National Gallery. However, today it is still an unfinished monument with 12 columns, which, however, offer beautiful panoramic views of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is a fairly compact city, which is convenient for tourists, because the main attractions of Scotland are located here (almost all of them are concentrated in the area of the Old Town and New Town). The distance between them is small - only some 15 minutes walk. But sometimes weary hiking tourists are forced to use public transport.
Bus
The public transport system in Edinburgh is not very developed, compared, for example, with London or other capitals of Old Europe. The main mode of transport is buses, the timetable of which can sometimes get confused due to congestion and heavy traffic.
Bus transportation in Edinburgh is handled by two transport companies: Lothian (owned by the municipality) and the private Fest. Bus stops common for both operators, but route numbers are not duplicated, fares are also different.
A large share of the traffic belongs to the Lothian company. Their buses are very recognizable. Thanks to their characteristic coloring (burgundy and cream stripes), they have become one of the symbols of Edinburgh.
The cost of a single trip on the Lothian bus is £ 1.70 (children - 80p). Keep in mind that the drivers do not give change, so if you don't want to overpay for the trip, prepare the required amount.
If you want to take a long tour of Edinburgh, it is better to purchase a day ticket for £ 4 for an adult and £ 2 for a child, a seed ticket will cost £ 8.50. It will provide an opportunity to use all types of transport during the day. This is a great way to save money and not overpay for sightseeing buses. There are also £ 3 night tickets and so-called “day & night tickets”, which are valid from 6:00 pm to 4:30 am on Lothian buses and trams. Cost £ 3.50. You can buy a day ticket and a night ticket from any bus driver or at the Lothian offices.
For the convenience of residents and visitors to Edinburgh, Lothian has launched the Bus Tracker service. It provides passengers with information about the movement of the bus in "real time". On the main routes, special electronic boards are installed that show the waiting time for the bus. On the Internet, the same information is available for all stops, including those that do not yet have a scoreboard. Each stop has a unique six-digit code. Website: mybustracker.co.uk. WITH mobile phone- mobile.mybustracker.co.uk. In addition, special applications have been developed for iPhone ("Edinbus") and Android ("My Bus Edinburgh").
The Lothian company also works in the field of tourist transportation: City Sightseeing Tour excursion buses are available to the guests of the city, each of which is assigned a specific route. The tourist ticket is valid for 24 hours, so that's enough convenient option for sightseeing. Adult ticket costs £ 15 (children £ 7.50). All sightseeing buses leave from Waverley Bridge on Princess Street, where the final destination of each route is also located.
The Fest company serves mainly routes remote from the center in the eastern and western parts of the city.
A train
This mode of transport is convenient for those wishing to visit the Edinburgh suburbs: Balerno, Curry, Westerhales, Wellford, Prestonpence and others. Please note that for travel around railroad you will not be able to purchase a reusable season ticket, you will have to buy tickets at the box office every time. Another caveat is that leaving your belongings in the locker directly at Waverley Station will cost a lot more than keeping your belongings in the locker at the nearby St. Andrews Square bus station.
It is convenient to buy tickets online at the two official sites ScotRail and Virgin Trains East Coast. Prices are, in fact, about the same everywhere.
Automobile
If you decide to travel around Edinburgh by car, then get ready for real challenges. Almost all history Center it is a continuous labyrinth of narrow medieval streets, many of which end in dead ends. In New Town, the situation is a little better, but you shouldn't relax either. The fact is that it will be quite difficult for you to find a parking space, which is practically not allowed in the central part of Edinburgh. Violators are vigilantly identified by a special service - "Blue Meanies". The fine for parking in the wrong place is rather big - 40 pounds. In addition, if an improperly parked car is taken to a penalty area, you will have to shell out another £ 150 to collect the car back. Even in the suburbs, there are not many permitted parking spaces. So, before going on a tour of the Scottish capital by car, you should think carefully, lest imaginary convenience turn into unnecessary trouble.
Taxi
Like others English cities Edinburgh offers two types of taxis: the so-called "Black Cabs" - they take passengers from parking lots or on the street - and "minicabs" - they must be booked in advance. An orange glowing signal on the windshield of a taxi indicates that the car is free. In general, it is not difficult to find an unoccupied taxi in the city center. In addition, there are several official parking areas: at the main entrances railway stations Haymarket and Waverley, opposite the hotels (Caledonian Housetel, Sheraton Housetel, George Housetel, Crown Plaza Hotel), in St. Patrick's Square, near Leith Bridge. Discounts for taxi services are available for people with disabilities.
Telephones of city taxi services:
- Central Radio Taxis +44 131 229 2468
- City Cabs +44 131 228 1211
- Edinburgh Taxi +44 131 610 1234
- Festival Cars +44 131 552 1777 (large cars, please indicate the number of people when ordering)
It's hard to find a better way to quickly see all the major attractions of the city than bus tour... As with most other large European cities(,), in Edinburgh there is tourist sightseeing bus, based on the principle of hop-on hop-off - entered and exited at any desired stop within the validity period of the existing ticket.
It is very convenient to explore the city on foot (), but there is a number of situations When to buy tickets for the sightseeing bus:
- you plan to be in Edinburgh for only a day or two, but want to see as much as possible - bus routes allow you to quickly get to know the city,
- the weather during your stay is not conducive to walking (especially with children) - you will not waste time looking around Edinburgh through the bus window.
- some attractions are not located in the center (for example, the yacht Britannia), a sightseeing bus will make it easier for you to get to them if you do not want to understand the intricacies of public transport.
Bus tickets, Royal Edinburgh ticket
Tourist bus tickets are available for 24 or 48 hours - choose the one that suits your stay.
In addition to buying traditional tickets, there is also “ Royal Edinburgh Ticket"(Royal Edinburgh Ticket). This is one of better ways get the most out of your visit.
In addition to the fact that you can use any bus for two days excursion routes, it also includes tickets for visiting three main attractions - Edinburgh Castle, The Royal Yacht Britannia and. Buying a Royal Edinburgh Ticket will cost you cheaper than a separate bus and entry tickets here.
Details - on the official website
Important! Please note if all attractions included in the Royal Pass are open during your visit to the city (Yacht Britannia may be closed in winter and Holyrood Palace in July). Otherwise, there will be no benefits from buying this ticket.
Purchase tickets in several ways:
- if you know exactly the dates of the trip, then in advance on the official website edinburghtour.com,
- directly on the bus with the driver,
- in the Edinburgh information center, located at the central railway station, on Princess Street (opening hours 10.00-17.00). The method is convenient if you come to the city, plan to use the Royal Edinburgh Ticket, but want start not on the bus(where you can buy a ticket), and for example from the Castle - go to it the next morning, immediately having a discounted ticket.
Tourist Bus Routes in Edinburgh
Edinburgh is a city that appreciates and loves its tourists; the British themselves prefer to go to rest here. And this is noticeable even in this detail: despite the fact that Edinburgh is smaller than Paris or London, there are as many as 6 excursion bus routes here.
1. Edinburgh Tour- green route. Small, mainly on the Royal Mile: Edinburgh Castle, Holyrood Palace, Our Dynamic Planet Museum, Parliament of Scotland.
2. City Sightseeing Edinburgh- red route. It runs through both the New and the Old Town.
3. Edinburgh World Heritage Official Tour- orange route. Its main goal is to link the main museums of Edinburgh, from national gallery to the Museum of Modern Art. He also captures Dean Village and the Water of Leith - parts of the city that other sightseeing buses do not pass.
4. MacTours City Tour
- red and white. Vintage style bus, live guide. Drives through both the old town and Princess Street, passing at the foot of Canton Hill.
5. Majestic tour- blue and yellow bus. The main goal is to deliver tourists to the Royal Botanical Garden and further to the yacht "Britannia".
6. Bus & Boat Tour... The bus will take you to the port, where you will transfer to a speedboat and cruise on the Firth of Forth.
The official website is edinburghtour.com/, it shows each route in detail (see the descriptions of the routes for the "Map" link), the timetable is indicated ("Timetable").
There is also a description of the possible types of tickets, indicated current prices on them.
