Local Area

Edinburgh is a must-see cultural capital. From stunning skylines to sandy beaches, festivals to fireworks – the city has something for everyone, day and night.

  • Victoria Street in Edinburgh
  • A photo of Edinburgh castle
  • A far view photo of the Scott Monument in Edinburgh
  • Photograph of Edinburgh during the day time

A UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

The city of Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, split between the medieval Old Town and the Georgian splendour of the New Town.

Edinburgh Castle

Widely considered one of the greatest castles in western Europe, Edinburgh Castle is the most popular tourist attraction in all of Scotland. First established in the Middle Ages, Edinburgh homes Scotland’s oldest castle with some fortresses even traced back to King David I in the twelfth century. Tour the five hundred year old Great Hall, visit the Scottish crown jewels and the legendary Stone of Destiny or even examine Mons Meg, Edinburgh’s notorious six-tonne siege cannon. Some visitors may even be so lucky as to see the firing of the One O’clock Gun every lunchtime (apart from Sundays and some bank holidays), a tradition preserved by the castle for 200 years.

Arthur's Seat

Arthur’s Seat can be found atop an ancient Volcano, believed to be formed over 350 million years ago as a result of volcanic eruption. Many visitors choose to climb Arthur’s Seat to enjoy its singular views of Edinburgh and to take in the scenery of Holyrood Park. There are several routes to the peak at varying levels of difficulty allowing people from assorted skillsets and fitness levels to experience the hike. To the south of the hills lies a nature reserve and a series of pubs for guests who wish to venture further into nature.

Dynamic Earth

Families may consider a visit to Dynamic Earth, an immersive Science Museum near city centre. Guests will travel back to the creation of the universe in the museum’s time machine and watch the big bang, before it rapidly returning you to the earth as you experience a volcanic eruption up close, finally guests will experience the Aurora Borealis and feel the artic wind on their faces. Guests are welcomed to complete their visit by walking through the Museums interactive ecosystems, visit a rainforest and even touch a glacier. The museum also hosts a variety of educational activities and lectures for families over school holidays .

Walter Scott Monument

The iconic Walter Scott Monument lies just minutes from our door. Created in tribute to much loved Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott, author of Ivanhoe, this gothic landmark remains the second largest monument to a writer in the world. If you would like to visit the monument and surrounding parks up close you may notice some of 64 figures adorning the spires, each figure representing one of Scott’s beloved characters. A marble statue of Walter Scott sits proudly at the centre of the structure, in his statue he is accompanied by his dog Maida.

Victoria Street

Buried in the heart of Edinburgh’s old town just beneath the castle, lies Victoria Street, a curved street of pastel victorian buildings filled with boutiques and museums. Victoria Street is widely considered the most photographed street in the city and attracts incredible footfall each year. Guests can visit one of the street’s many museums, browse the boutiques or even hear the 1’Oclock gun salute from the castle above. The street once famously inspired Harry Potter’s mystical Diagon Alley and today several shops pay tribute to the series and the city’s supernatural lore.

St Giles Cathedral

First established in 1124 by King David I of Scotland , the St Giles foundation is intrinsically connected to medieval Scottish history. However, it wasn’t until the 14th century that the cathedral we know today was erected, a grander facade replacing the simple church. The Cathedral was also the backdrop for Wars of the Three Kingdoms, when King Charles I imposed religious texts upon the church, Scotland and Ireland went to war with England. Today, St Giles Cathedral is considered the spritual headquarters of Scotland and the final Scottish resting place in the procession of Queen Elizabeth II.