uk city guide - edinburgh

edinburgh

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, however is the second largest city in Scotland, Glasgow being the largest. It is also one of the UK's most visited cities - coming second in popularity to London - there is much to see and do in Edinburgh!

If you time it right you could be visiting Edinburgh during its yearly festival. The festival features classical music, theatre, opera and dance in six of Edinburgh's major theatres and concert halls. It normally happens in late summer. Find out more about that at the official site http://www.eif.co.uk/

As well as the festival Edinburgh is also famous for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which is another major event including dancing, marching, gymnastics and more from all kinds of different military departments, and normally includes appearances from the Coldstream Guards. See a video of Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Edinburgh Castle is probably one of the cities most striking attractions. As well as offering amazing views across the city it is also reaped with history and wondering round amongst its cannons can certainly make you feel as if you have gone back to another time! There is a gun there which is fired everyday at 1pm apart from Sundays.

Just outside Edinbugh in Leith you can visit the Royal Yacht Brittania. Cruises also start at Leith for Norway, Sweden, Denmark, Germany and the Netherlands. Getting to Leith from the centre of town involves a short bus journey. (Number 22)

The Forth Rail and Road Bridges at Queensferry are also nearby to Edinburgh and worth a visit. The Forth bridge is quite a structure. It is 8000ft long and was first opened in 1890!

Edinburgh is also famous for having excellent shopping - Princes Street, a short walk from Edinburgh Waverley station is a good place to start your shopping trip.

In Edinburgh you'll also find Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art. This features work from Vuillard, Bonnard, Matisse, and Picasso and is certainly worth your time if you are an art lover.

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