Vivid remnants of the past are still present in the city that has served as Scotland’s political and cultural capital for nearly a thousand years. Medieval Old Town’s hilly and cobblestoned streets contrast with 18th-century New Town’s modern shops, Georgian architecture, and pleasant squares, which are at once both intimate and grand. From volcanic crags and charming narrow lanes (called "closes”) to the massive stone fortifications of Edinburgh Castle, the city maintains a decidedly ancient quality. It’s still evolving today, thanks to newly vibrant neighborhoods like Leith, the once-dingy port on the North Sea’s famed Firth of Forth, which is emerging as an exciting epicurean center.
Don't Miss
-
Taking a tour of the royal 16th-century residence Palace of Holyroodhouse, including the banquet hall, throne room, and Mary Queen of Scots’ former bedroom.
-
Ordering your own couture hat from Yvette Jelfs, where style mavens and royals alike shop.
-
Picking up a bottle of fine aged single-cask whiskey from Cadenhead’s Whiskey Shop, a bottler that has been dealing in rare quality liquors since 1842.
Related Trips
-
Drive through the Scottish Highlands
The dramatic mountain passes, craggy shorelines, and seaside villages ...
-
Christmas in Edinburgh
Don your kilt (or have one custom made) and ring in the holidays with fi...
