Edinburgh: An Introduction for First-Time Visitors
Posted on March 31st, 2009 in General | No Comments »
To most people, Europe is nothing more than just quaint cobblestoned streets and castles on hilltops. And no other city reinforces this belief more than Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland. This city has existed since 1437 and is now a great tourist destination, famous for its highbrow and lowbrow culture.
Getting to Edinburgh is quite easy, due to its close proximity to England. Most airlines have direct flights to Edinburgh International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the United Kingdom. From there, the city centre is a mere 8 miles or 13 km away. There are bus and rail services that can get you there. The M9 and M90 motorway also can be used to reach the city.
Once there, finding a place to stay is almost effortless since many hotels have sprung up when Edinburgh became a popular visit for tourists worldwide. Standard rates are ₤75 for single rooms and ₤110 for double rooms. There are low-cost hotels which may charge as low as ₤35 per night. But be warned, they only offer a bed to bunk in and a roof over your head.
Edinburgh is famous for its festivals. Every year, it is the location for several simultaneous arts and music festival that has attracted tourists from all over the world. There is the Edinburgh Comedy Festival, where you can see your favorite comics on stage. There is also the Edinburgh International Festival, the original festival that started in 1947 that offers a multitude of arts performances, mostly classical such as theaters, operas and orchestras. For those who yearn for something more contemporary, there is always the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the world’s largest festival which has music, dance and children’s shows. Art lovers will also want to visit the Edinburgh Art Festival and the Edinburgh Annuale.
This city is situated on a geologist’s paradise. The Old Town of Edinburgh sits on a basalt volcanic plug, the cores of several volcanic vents which have cooled down 300 million years ago. This gave rise to quite a few interesting geological features that has been popular tourist haunts for years.
Castle Rock is one of them. Atop this rock is Edinburgh Castle, an ancient fortress which dates from early 12th century and is still used today by the Royal regiment of Scotland. It is host to a number of tourist attractions, namely the Queen Anne’s building, St. Margaret’s Chapel and a military garrison. It also has the 1 o’clock gun. This gun is fired every day (except for Sundays) at exactly 1 o’clock. The firing of the gun allows Edinburgh residents to check the time and set their timepieces. It is still used today, albeit not for its original purpose.
Another fascinating tourist favorite is Arthur’s Seat. It is the main peak formed by a group of hills in Hollyrood Park. It is located in the centre of the city and provides breathtaking views. Climbing it is not physically taxing since there are several routes which provide easy passage. The simplest ascent is from the East, where you can have a marvelous view of Dunsapie Loch.
The city of Edinburgh also has its fair share of nightlife. Like any other city in the UK, it has a pub around every corner and a nightclub on every street. Tourists usually go to Queen Street, Stockbridge and the Leith waterfront for clubbing and dining. There is also the Edinburgh Zoo, a non-profit zoological park in Corstorphine and is Scotland’s second most popular tourist attraction. Shopaholics will also feel at home in Edinburgh, since the West End and Stockbridge has quite a few upscale department stores, ranging from Calvin Klein to Emporio Armani. There is also Jenners, UK’s oldest department store.
Whether you’re a student going on a trip or a family on vacation, Edinburgh has much to offer you. It is the place where you can soak up centuries of arts and culture and still have a night out going clubbing.