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Visiting Edinburgh

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Visiting Edinburgh

Edinburgh, built on seven hills, is the capital city of Scotland. The city lies along the Firth of Forth on the south east coast of Scotland. It is a historical, cultural, rugged and vibrant city. With its outstandingly rich heritage, Edinburgh is often considered one of the most picturesque cities in Europe. The city attracts one million overseas visitors each year, making it the second most visited tourist destination in the United Kingdom after London.

There is much to see and do in Edinburgh. Walk the historic Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle down to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Alternatively, browse the fashionable shops of George Street, take in one of the local museums, or simply relax in one of the city café's or bars. Eating out is a hobby in Edinburgh and most ethnic cuisines are represented.

The Scottish capital is also a great place to use as a base to explore other parts of the country. In less than an hour, you can travel to Glasgow; some of the world's best golf courses along the coast at Gullane and North Berwick; the beautiful unspoilt Scottish Borders with its abbeys and castles; Stirling Castle, the Wallace Monument and Perth and the gateway to the Scottish Highlands.

Edinburgh is the seat of the Scottish Parliament. The city was one of the major centres of the Enlightenment, led by the University of Edinburgh, earning it the nickname Athens of the North. The Old Town and New Town districts of Edinburgh were listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites in 1995. There are over 4,500 listed buildings within the city.

The city is famous for its annual Edinburgh Festival, a collection of official and independent festivals held annually over three to four weeks from early August. The number of visitors attracted to Edinburgh for the Festival is roughly equal to the settled population of the city (about 471,650). The most famous of these events are the Edinburgh Fringe (the largest performing arts festival in the world), the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Military Tattoo and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.

Other notable events include Burns Night (25 January), the Beltane Fire Festival (30 April), St Andrew's Day (30 November), and the Hogmanay Street Party (31 December).

Edinburgh is a city of endless variety, and our self catering holiday apartments offer an opportunity to enjoy city living in a way that hotels can't match.

You will find lots of links to interesting websites in our links section.