Enjoy a Weekend in Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and offers a variety of options for those seeking a weekend getaway. If you fancy a quiet and relaxing break then you can find just what you are looking for, whereas if an action packed adventure is what you are after there is plenty to keep you busy.

If you are interested in Edinburgh because of its history and architecture there are a few spots you will not want to miss. Edinburgh has been the Scottish capital since the 15th century and has two distinct areas: the Old Town, dominated by a medieval fortress, and the neoclassical New Town.

The fusion of these two contrasting historic areas, each with several important buildings and monuments, gives the city its unique character and rivals the architecture found in other European capital cities.

The Old Town stretches from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyrood. The street that connects these two Edinburgh icons is called The Royal Mile, or High Street.

Edinburgh Castle is a popular attraction and well worth a look for anyone with an interest in the history of the city. You can access the very heart of the castle itself and take a guided tour or wander around by yourself, marvelling at features such as the Great Hall which was completed in 1511.

At the other end of the Royal Mile stands Holyrood Palace, the official residence in Scotland for Her Majesty The Queen. The Palace is perhaps best known as the home of Mary, Queen of Scots, and is the location at which she was married. This fine baroque building is closely associated with Scotland’s rich history and offers you a glimpse into the past of the city.

Other highlights of the medieval Old Town, which located to the south of the main shopping thoroughfare Princes Street, include St Giles Cathedral and the labyrinth of closes and lanes leading off the Royal Mile.

Edinburgh has several impressive museums and art galleries to visit. From the National Gallery of Modern Art to the Scottish Portrait Gallery, there are genres to keep everyone happy. Museum hotspots include the Museum of Flight, Museum of Costume and National War Museum. The Museum of Childhood is loved by those of all ages and offers a nostalgic look at the toys and games of times gone by.

Many Edinburgh hotels offer spa treatments so if you feel in need of a little rest and rejuvenation then investigate the options available.

For a walk by the water’s edge then seek out the Water of Leith. One of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets, this city centre river flows for twenty four miles from its source in the Pentland Hills, winding through the city to its outflow into the Firth of Forth at Leith.

You can also make your way to Portobello, an Edinburgh area which is home to an old fashioned promenade where you can savour old-fashioned fish and chips whilst gazing out to sea.