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EDINBURGH AND THE LOTHIAN'S
Edinburgh is Scotland’s capital, a World Heritage City
and home of the world’s largest international arts
festival. From the city centre you can see the open
waters of the Firth of Forth, and within a few miles are
the Lothian's, an area of beautiful coast and countryside
with a rich history which offers the very best of
Scotland.
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EDINBURGH
The historic city of Edinburgh is set on a series of
volcanic hills which form fine viewpoints around the
city. The city is made up of two contrasting towns - old
town and new town. The old town is based around Castle
Rock and is dominated by the Castle - a royal residence
from the 11th century. The Esplanade was created in the
18th century as a military parade ground and is today
the site for the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the annual
Festival’s most popular event. The Royal Mile is a
succession of four streets - Castlehill, the Lawnmarket,
High Street and Canongate - which link the Castle with
the Palace of Holyroodhouse, the Queen’s official
residence in Scotland.
The ruined nave of the 12th century Abbey lies alongside
the Palace which is set in the extensive Holyrood Park
which rises to Arthur’s Seat - a viewpoint for the city.
The new town with its elegant streets and squares was
built between 1767 and 1830. As well as the residential
streets, some notable public buildings were built
including the Assembly Rooms, Physicians Hall, Register
House and Theatre Royal.
Princes Street, Edinburgh’s principal shopping street,
was once wholly residential made up of 1770’s town
houses. Commercial development followed the arrival of
the railway in 1846. Princes Street Gardens were once
the private gardens for residents of the other side of
the street, the open space being protected from further
development by Act of Parliament.
As the new millennium approaches, there's even more to
experience and enjoy in one of Europe's most exciting
cities. The new Scottish Parliament complements the
historic splendour of Edinburgh Castle and the Palace of
Holyroodhouse, HM The Queen's official residence in
Scotland. National art collections such as the National
Gallery of Scotland and the Scottish National Portrait
Gallery will be extended by the new Dean Gallery.
The medieval closes and lanes of the Old Town and the
broad Georgian terraces of the New Town will be enhanced
by spectacular new visitor attractions at the Museum of
Scotland and Dynamic Earth.
In the ancient port of Leith the Former Royal Yacht
Britannia will give unparalleled insights into the life
and work of the British Royal Family.
Throughout the city, restaurants and shops mix the best
elements of the traditional and the modern. State of the
art complexes like Waverley Shopping Centre and the
renowned department stores of Princes Street combine
with the designer labels of George Street. Every type of
restaurant is on offer from the only Hard Rock Café in
the UK outside of London to the trendy seafood bistros
of Leith. And over 700 bars will quench even the biggest
thirst.
But even with the many new developments, at heart
Edinburgh remains a city of small villages. A short trip
from the city centre brings you to coastal communities
such as Cramond and Portobello or the speciality shops
of urban villages like Stockbridge and Brunarth.
Located next to the Palace of Holyroodhouse near the
foot of the Royal Mile, Dynamic Earth is the only
attraction in the world to tell the story of how the
earth was created using special effects and advanced
technology. A fibre optic time machine takes you back
through time to witness the birth of our planet. You can
travel to the centre of the earth, experience a volcanic
eruption and jump from the polar ice cap to the tropical
rain forest. The whole world is literally at your
fingertips.
The Museum of Scotland is housed in a spectacular new
building on Chambers Street, a few hundred yards from
the Royal Mile. The museum tells the story of Scotland
and its people with over 12,000 artefacts, many of them
priceless treasures. Interactive computers give full
details on all the exhibits and a roof garden offers
breathtaking views across Edinburgh.
The former Royal Yacht, Her Majesty's Yacht Britannia,
is permanently berthed in Edinburgh's ancient port of
Leith, a short bus or taxi ride from the city centre.
Visitors can explore five decks to experience at first
hand the life of the Royal Family and the crew of the
magnificent vessel. All major areas of Britannia are
accessible from the engine room to the Royal Apartments
and a complementary on-shore exhibition outlines the
vessel's final year in service as the Royal Yacht.
The Edinburgh International Festival and the Festival
Fringe are known around the globe as the world's largest
annual arts festival. Each year the famous rub shoulders
with the hopeful stars of tomorrow in a month of round
the clock performances to suit every taste, no matter
how bizarre.
But the International Festival and the Fringe are only
the tip of a massive iceberg of festivals and events
which take place in Edinburgh and Lothian's throughout
the year. From the International Science Festival to the
Film Festival, the Folk Festival, the International Jazz
and Blues Festival, the Festival of Flight, the
Edinburgh Military Tattoo and back to the International
Children's Festival, there really is something for every
type of enthusiast as well as the more casual visitor.
Theatres too provide year round programmes with West End
shows like "Les Miserables" and "Oliver", regular
seasons by Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet and national
orchestras as well as challenging drama, family musicals
and rousing Christmas pantomimes.
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THE LOTHIAN'S
Within a few miles of the centre of Edinburgh are the
Lothian's, an area of beautiful coast and countryside
with a rich history which offers the very best of
Scotland. Here are historic towns such as Lithlingow,
the birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, and Haddington, a
Royal Burgh with over 250 listed buildings. Here too are
fascinating conservation villages like rural Gifford and
the colourful old mining community of Newton Grange. The
traditional seaside resorts of North Berwick and Dunbar
complete the picture.
History is waiting to be discovered at dozens of
castles, churches and country houses. The past is
brought to life at attractions like the Museum of
Flight, Almond Valley Heritage Centre and the Scottish
Mining Museum. Alternatively, raise your glass to
Edinburgh Crystal Visitor Centre, Freeport Shopping and
Leisure Village and Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery, the
home of the Edinburgh Malt.
But perhaps it's the great outdoors which make the
Lothian's so special. From the wide sandy beaches of the
east to the country parks of the west and the empty
hills in between, the Lothian's are ideal country for the
outdoor enthusiast. With sailing marinas, riding and
pony trekking centres, renowned bird watching reserves,
over 30 golf courses and countless miles of cycleways
and footpaths, no one day is long enough. The Scottish
countryside is famous the world over. Look to the
Lothian's to enjoy it at its very best
For a flavour of local traditions, visit the Linlithgow
Marches, Royal Highland Show or the highland games,
flower shows, village galas and sports events which take
place in all corners of the Lothian's.
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We are grateful to the Edinburgh & Lothian's Tourist
Board for their help and co-operation in the development
of this section of our web site and for their provision
of some of the editorial and photographic content which
will be available shortly.
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