"Edinburgh lays itself open like a secret solved;there’s no leaving Edinburgh,No shifting it around:it stays with you, always.”Alan Bold
Bold's quote pretty much summarises how it feels to go to Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland.
'A wee introduction aboot Edinburgh'
Edinburgh is located in the south-east part of Scotland, also know as the Central Belt, that is
the area of highest population density within Scotland.
As a matter of fact, it is the second most populous city in Scotland with almost half a million citizens.
As well as being the mother place of many well-known cultural figures such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Scott and Sean Connery (here is a more detailed list of popular names raised in Edinburgh: http://www.imdb.com/search/name?birth_place=Edinburgh,%20Scotland,%20UK&sort=starmeter,asc&start=51), it is a fascinating place filled with history, mysteries and tales that set shivers down everyone's spines and that in 1995 has been proclaimed a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Now that introductions have been made, let's deep dive into one of the most unbelievably beautiful cities in the world.
Edinburgh is a cultural hub not only because of the ethnic mix and match which is typical of a big city, but also because it hosts one college and four universities. One of them is the University of Edinburgh.
It is the biggest university in Scotland and has been ranked the 17th university in the World.
Many famous people, among them Charles Darwin and Neil Armstrong got a degree from the University of Edinburgh - if you ever go visit central campus, go give a look at Armstrong's academic dress exposed in the University gift shop!
- Sorry for the spam, but as a student of the University of Edinburgh I have to carry and keep high the name...
Going back to Edinburgh, it is divided into Old Town and New Town. New Town was built a couple of centuries ago to cope with the overflow of population. The most touristic attractive places in new town are Princess Street and George Street, where you can enjoy
In the old part of town, the Medieval atmosphere heightened by the ghost tours offered in the Royal Mile, the shops selling Kilts and shortbread and the bagpipers make you feel like you are in a dream. Or at least that it how I felt when I first set foot in Edinburgh.
The Royal Mile, towered by the Edinburgh castle, becomes even more fascinating in summer, when the Fringe Festival and the Tattoo make of Edinburgh the pole of touristic attraction.
Whoever is thinking 'What about green landscapes and breathtaking views?', well, I am happy to say that Edinburgh offers that, too. There are two places where you could sit and stare around you without getting tired: Calton Hill and Arthur's seat.
Arthur's seat is situated in Holyrood Park, right beside the University of Edinburgh students' hall, Pollock Halls.
It is an extinguished volcano. Climbing on top of it is a rewarding challenge because once you make it, although you might be freezing, Edinburgh will lay at your feet in all its splendour.
Calton Hill is not as challenging as Arthur's seat. It is located in New town right next to Princess Street and it is the topic of a nice story, that is in the 17th century a gateway leading to the fairy kingdom was reported on the hill, though only those with second sight could see and use the mythical entrance.
The view from Calton Hill will make your mouth drop open: New and Old Town, the castle, the Balmoral Hotel, Arthur's Seat and, when the sky is clear enough, the sea can be seen.
In conclusion, these are the main things to see when going to Edinburgh but there are many many more monuments and places.
The Christmas Fair, the local pubs and restaurants, the museums and incredibly nice locals with their lovely accent are there, just waiting for you to go and pamper your eyes and your heart.
Giubal
the area of highest population density within Scotland.
As a matter of fact, it is the second most populous city in Scotland with almost half a million citizens.
As well as being the mother place of many well-known cultural figures such as Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Scott and Sean Connery (here is a more detailed list of popular names raised in Edinburgh: http://www.imdb.com/search/name?birth_place=Edinburgh,%20Scotland,%20UK&sort=starmeter,asc&start=51), it is a fascinating place filled with history, mysteries and tales that set shivers down everyone's spines and that in 1995 has been proclaimed a World Heritage site by UNESCO.
Now that introductions have been made, let's deep dive into one of the most unbelievably beautiful cities in the world.
Edinburgh is a cultural hub not only because of the ethnic mix and match which is typical of a big city, but also because it hosts one college and four universities. One of them is the University of Edinburgh.
It is the biggest university in Scotland and has been ranked the 17th university in the World.
Many famous people, among them Charles Darwin and Neil Armstrong got a degree from the University of Edinburgh - if you ever go visit central campus, go give a look at Armstrong's academic dress exposed in the University gift shop!
- Sorry for the spam, but as a student of the University of Edinburgh I have to carry and keep high the name...
Going back to Edinburgh, it is divided into Old Town and New Town. New Town was built a couple of centuries ago to cope with the overflow of population. The most touristic attractive places in new town are Princess Street and George Street, where you can enjoy
- Some classic or modern art offered by the Scottish National Gallery
- Shopping
- A nap on the grass in Princess Gardens (when it's not raining...)
- Fancy restaurants and fancy clubs - treat local students love to give themselves almost weekly
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| Tiger Lily |
In the old part of town, the Medieval atmosphere heightened by the ghost tours offered in the Royal Mile, the shops selling Kilts and shortbread and the bagpipers make you feel like you are in a dream. Or at least that it how I felt when I first set foot in Edinburgh.
The Royal Mile, towered by the Edinburgh castle, becomes even more fascinating in summer, when the Fringe Festival and the Tattoo make of Edinburgh the pole of touristic attraction.
Whoever is thinking 'What about green landscapes and breathtaking views?', well, I am happy to say that Edinburgh offers that, too. There are two places where you could sit and stare around you without getting tired: Calton Hill and Arthur's seat.
Arthur's seat is situated in Holyrood Park, right beside the University of Edinburgh students' hall, Pollock Halls.
It is an extinguished volcano. Climbing on top of it is a rewarding challenge because once you make it, although you might be freezing, Edinburgh will lay at your feet in all its splendour.
Calton Hill is not as challenging as Arthur's seat. It is located in New town right next to Princess Street and it is the topic of a nice story, that is in the 17th century a gateway leading to the fairy kingdom was reported on the hill, though only those with second sight could see and use the mythical entrance.
The view from Calton Hill will make your mouth drop open: New and Old Town, the castle, the Balmoral Hotel, Arthur's Seat and, when the sky is clear enough, the sea can be seen.
In conclusion, these are the main things to see when going to Edinburgh but there are many many more monuments and places.
The Christmas Fair, the local pubs and restaurants, the museums and incredibly nice locals with their lovely accent are there, just waiting for you to go and pamper your eyes and your heart.
Giubal
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