Edinburgh the ultimate travel guide

There is so much to see and do in the beautiful Scottish capital. Whether you fancy a hike up Arthur’s seat or walking along the royal mile. Or taking in a show or two. What about a visit to one of the many historic buildings or closes? Visit the graveyard to see the grave that inspired lord voldermorts name is this the grave of the real Tom riddle. Or visit the grave and statue of a little skye terrier that went by the name of Bobby. Whatever you chose to see and do in Edinburgh you are sure to find something you love.

ABOUT

Edinburgh is the Oldest city in Scotland and currently the Scottish Capital. Edinburgh is located in what is known as the central belt of Scotland. It sits at the southern end of the Firth of forth river.

Edinburgh is very hilly due to the three very distinct hills that are actually extinct volcanoes. Castle rock the rock on which the castle sits. Calton hill just to the south of Princess street. Then there is Arthur seat the most prominent of the three which is located in Holyrood park.

The volcanoes

Castle Rock

Castle Rock is a extinct volcano or volcano plug and its estimated to be over 350 million years old. It sits 130 meters above sea level. Its was on this site around 3000 years ago that what is now the city of Edinburgh began as people started to settle at this site.

Calton Hill

Calton hill is another site of previous volcanic activity and some believe it to be another inactive volcano. While others describe it as hill made by a previous volcanic eruption. Either way its only 103 meters high and its an easy climb/walk and your rewarded at the end by magnificent views across the city.

Arthurs Seat

Then there is the biggest of the three Arthurs seat. Another extinct volcano in the Holyrood park to the east of the city its stands at over 250 meters. I have never climbed it but I have heard that those that do are provided with magnificent views of the city. There are many legends and speculations around Arthurs seat especially around its name. One theory is that it got its name because its the location of the legendary King Arthur and the kingdom camelot. Some believe the Knights of the round table . However many others believe its more likely to be from the scots Gaelic and the name was originally ‘Àrd-na-Said’,. meaning ‘the height of the arrows’, indicating the highest altitude that an archer could attain with an arrow fired from his bow. I think this is probably the most likely but I love the King Arthur theory too.

According to legend the foot of Arthur seat which at the time was covered by the forest of Drumselch is where in the 12 Century King David I of Scotland fell off his horse while out hunting. The legend is that after he fell off his horse he encountered a Stag. It is said that the stag was about to gorge him when he saw a vision of a cross appear between the stags antlers. Without explanation the stag turned away leaving him unharmed. Believing this was a divine intervention and that his life had been spared he founded Holyrood Abbey on the spot.

This is believed to by why burgh arms of the Canongate features a stag head with a cross in the middle of its antlers. Holyrood Abbey still stands on the site although at the time of writing October 2022 it was closed to check the structural safety of the building. Normally your able to enter the abbey and grounds.

Old time and New Town

The royal mile

How long is the Royal mile? I know that a crazy question but is it really? You see the Royal mile is actually a Scots mile that differs from a traditional mile. I know the mind really does boggle I been visiting Edinburgh for years and only found this out on a recent visit. A Scots mile is 1.13 traditional miles or 1.81KM. I’m Scottish and I never knew there was such a thing as a Scots mile.

Anyway the Royal mile is in the old town area of the city and runs from the Castle all the way down to Holyrood Palace. This is the official Scottish residence of the British Monarch. There are many historic buildings, closes, and traditional buildings along the royal mile. Including the St Giles Cathedral that in June of this year hosted the royal family. I think the Queen was with them but im not certain. I know she was certainly in Edinburgh but not sure even although I was there if she actually attended the service in the church. Sadly most recently it was the Cathedral where Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II body was brought to when she died while on holiday in Balmoral castle.

There are lots of quaint little shops, pubs and restaurants along the mile. Its a great place to visit both day and night.

The new town

This is what I love about Edinburgh and Scotland as a whole how we describe things? The terms Old Town and New Town is used to describe to very distinct areas. The part of the city we are referring to as the New town starts off on Princess street. Even although we call it the new town of Edinburgh its actually really not that new. Its a Georgian new town built between 1766 and 1820 in stages. Many of the Georgian style buildings can still be seen.

Getting there

Edinburgh Airport

Edinburgh Airport is just over 8 miles outside the main city centre and takes around 35 minutes. There are various flights from all over Europe the UK. There are even flights from New york and Chicago in the USA. As well as from Canada that fly direct to Edinburgh. There are various ways to get from Edinburgh Airport into the city this includes car, taxi, bus and of course the Edinburgh trams. Trams where reinstated in Edinburgh largely for this purpose. Trams go from the airport all the way to St Andrews Square terminal. There are various stops along the route.

Buses and Trains

The bus station at St Andrews square has buses coming in from various locations all over Scotland including Glasgow, Aberdeen, Dundee and Aviemore to name just a small number of locations. As well as buses from other parts of UK including London, Manchester and Newcastle.

There are few train stations in and around the Edinburgh area. The two main ones are Edinburgh Waverly which is in the city centre just off of Princess Street and Haymarket which is just on the edge of the city near Murrayfield rugby stadium.

Getting around

Many of the main attractions are fairly walkable all be it there are a lots of hills as most are on or close to the royal mile. There is train that will take you to various areas in the wider city area see the Scotrail website for more details. Lothian buses run local buses in the area and run regular services to the Gile centre and out to Leith for the Royal boat Britania and the Ocean Terminal. You can find timetables and journey planners on their website Lothianbuses.com

Check out my 3 day in Edinburgh trip for some inspiration of things to see and do some of it breaking from the norm.

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