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The City of Edinburgh Edinburgh is built on and around a number of hills. The view above from Blackford Hill is of the centre of the City with the Firth of Forth (an estuary) in the distance, and beyond it the Kingdom of Fife. The prominent building in the city centre is the castle.
The Castle
Princes Street Gardens
Arthur's Seat
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Military Tattoo
To the North
Loch Morlich
The Highlands |
General InformationFor general information about tourism in Scotland, see the Scottish Tourist Board Web site, Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board, and the City of Edinburgh Council's travel information.Dining OutThe conference venue and accommodation will be located close to the centre of the city allowing participants to easily get around and enjoy the night life and sights. Edinburgh offers almost every kind of cuisine imaginable at reasonable prices.Local AttractionsThe conference will take place immediately after the Edinburgh International Festival and its associated book and film festivals and the festival fringe. These combine to form an arts festival with tens of thousands of performances of thousands of different shows. It will be possible to arrive early and spend some time at the festival. Also on during the festival period is The Military Tattoo, a display of military bands, dancers, and more.Edinburgh offers lots to see and do all year round. Edinburgh Castle houses precious Scottish artefacts, war museums and memorials, and an ancient chapel. There is also much of historical interest to see at the Palace of Holyroodhouse as well as pleasant gardens to roam in. Between the Castle and the Palace is the Royal Mile, a street steeped in history. Explore the ancient side streets and closes or visit the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre near the Castle. The ghost tours and tours of parts of the medieval city that are now buried underground are very popular with tourists. There are also many interesting shops along the Royal Mile but be warned that the prices are inflated! It may also be possible to visit the new Scottish Parliament. Relax in Princes Street Gardens or visit the art galleries and museums. The Museum of Scotland provides a fascinating insight into Scotland from prehistoric times right up to the present day. Or take a look around the recently decommissioned Royal Yacht Britannia used by Britain's Royal Family on state visits and holidays around the world since the 1950s. It is now moored at the docks in Edinburgh. For plant enthusiasts there is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The shopping in Edinburgh is as good as you would expect from a capital city. Beyond Edinburgh there are many castles and stately homes to visit. One of the beauties of Scotland is that there is so much to do without travelling a long way. Glasgow, Stirling, the Borders, St Andrews, and much of the Highlands are accessible on a day trip from Edinburgh. Glasgow has a lively cultural scene while Stirling has more of historical interest. St Andrews too is full of history and has a much quieter pace than Edinburgh or Glasgow. It is famous for its university, the oldest in Scotland, and for Golf. For those who enjoy the great outdoors, Scotland offers fantastic opportunities for walking and climbing with breathtaking scenery throughout the Highlands and Islands. WeatherThe only thing predictable about the weather in Scotland is that it isn't! So, the visitor to Edinburgh should always come prepared for the possibility of some rain. |