edit Edinburgh Travel Guide

Edinburgh manages to combine both ancient and modern in a uniquely Scottish atmosphere. Watched over by the imposing Castle - the symbol of the city - Edinburgh combines medieval relics, Georgian grandeur and a powerful layer of modern life with contemporary avant-garde. In Edinburgh, medieval palaces rub shoulders with the best of modern architecture, Gothic churches with amazing museums and galleries. The throbbing night-life centre of the Scottish north, Edinburgh - "the Athens of the North" is also a feast for the mind and the senses, playing host to great restaurants, shops and an unequalled programme of city festivals throughout the year.

edit Highlights

Edinburgh Castle - Edinburgh's major landmark, a beautiful century-old castle that towers over the city
The Whiskey Museum - the best place to go if you want to sample whiskey. They have a very large selection (200+?) at reasonable rates.
Old and New Town - part of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites list; contain most of the sights and major tourist attractions

edit Background

Edinburgh has been the royal capital of Scotland since 1437. It has variously been the home and inspiration for such well-known modern writers as Muriel Spark (author of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie), Irvine Welsh (author of the 1993 novel Trainspotting, set in the gritty district of Leith), Ian Rankin (a crime writer best known for the Inspector Rebus series, set in Edinburgh), Alexander McCall Smith (The No. 1 Lady Detective's Agency and several novels set in the Scottish capital) and J.K Rowling of Harry Potter fame.

edit Getting Here

By plane

Edinburgh International Airport (EDI), is situated some 10 miles west of the city. The airport offers a wide range of domestic and international flights to Europe and North America. Many visitors to the city arrive via a connecting flight from London, the UK's main international hub. Edinburgh Airport does, however, have a daily flight to and from Newark (Continental Airlines), a short drive from New York City and also a daily flight to and from Atlanta, Georgia (Delta Air Lines). In comparison to most Scottish airports Edinburgh's European flight network is well developed, with frequent scheduled flights to destinations such as Amsterdam, Brussels, Copenhagen, Dublin, Frankfurt, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, Munich, Paris, Warsaw and Zurich.

By train

The main railway station in Edinburgh is called Waverley Railway Station and is an attraction in itself. Despite various refurbishments, the past still survives in the station's elaborate, domed ceiling where wreathed cherubs leap amid a wealth of scrolled ironwork.

By car

By bus

The city is served by the major inter-city bus companies from around Scotland and England. Most long distance services start and end in the Bus Station in St Andrew Square.

By boat

edit Getting Around

By Car

By Mass Transit

By Foot

edit Weather And Climate

edit Health And Safety

Police

Fire Department

Hospitals

Crime

In general Edinburgh can be considered a safe destination for visitors but like all major cities there are problems and areas best avoided.

Try not to get too drunk - if you have had too much, get a taxi home.
Night buses are an affordable and safe alternative to taxis

The city's suburbs are best avoided by tourists who are not familiar with the area. Crime and juvenile delinquency is a fairly common feature of many large cities in the UK and Edinburgh is no exception.

Smoking

edit Things To See And Do

edit Shopping

edit Nearby

Dunfermline, previously the capital of Scotland, makes an excellent day trip. It is easily accessed by car via the Forth Road Bridge. There is a half hourly service by train from Waverley station (also stopping at Haymarket).
Linlithgow is also a great little town for a day trip from Edinburgh. It is a short drive by car on the M9. There is also a frequent service by train from Waverley station (also stopping at Haymarket).
Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, is located 46 miles west of Edinburgh and is easily reached via train (see above), or via the M8 motorway.
North Berwick - another pretty town and harbor about 30 minutes east of Edinburgh, with webcams at the Scottish Seabird Center giving live pictures of thousands of birds on the Bass Rock.
South Queensferry - pretty town about 20 minutes outside Edinburgh, with great views of the Forth Rail and Road Bridges.
St Andrews - ancient university town, former ecclesiastical capital of Scotland, and home of the Royal and Ancient - the ruling body of Golf.
Museum of Flight in East Fortune is about 30 minutes drive along the A1. It also has British Airways Concorde G-BOAA. Remember to book in advance to see inside Concorde as these tickets are generally sold out on the day.