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Edinburgh
City Travel Guide

Editorial

Editorial

edinburgh the beauty in the north


Edinburgh. The small capital on the periphery of Europe is much
more than a gateway to the Scottish Highlands. Situated between
the Forth of Firth and volcanic hills, it is embedded in an idyllic
natural landscape. Climb King Arthur`s Seat to view the fantastic
scenery of the surroundings.
Discover buildings, streets and areas rich in history far beyond
the popular King`s Castle as the symbol of the city. Bad-weather
alternatives offer museums and galleries like the National Museum
of Scotland or the little Writers Museum. In many cases, the
entrance is free.
Experience the numerous pubs in the centre or join a traditional
Ceilidh dance evening. The charm of small shops, the cafes and
restaurants invite you to stroll around and stay. Pluck up courage
and try the traditional dish Haggis, for example. Or what about
joining a whisky tasting?
You should also take your time to discover the surrounding
of Edinburgh. Enjoy the gentle sea breeze in Portobello the
Brighton of the North. Let yourself be lost in the mystic
atmosphere of Rosslyn Chapel, which Dan Brown made famous in
the Da Vinci Code.

Enjoy discovering!

The team of city travel review, December 2014

Contents
editorial

page 3
sights

page 6

page 8

page 12

page 14

page 16

page 18

page 20
museums, galleries

page 22

page 24

page 26


page 28

page 30 a

page 32

page 34

page 36
areas, streets, places

page 38

page 40

page 42

page 44

page 46

page 48

page 50
nightlife, activities

page 52

page 54

page 56

page 58

page 60

page 62

page 64

page 66

page 68
sports

page 70

page 72

page 74

page 76

edinburgh the beauty in the north


the scottish parliament green from the roof to the loo
edinburgh castle - symbol of the city
holyroodhouse the queens official residence
discover edinburgh take a guided tour
notes from the parish a visit to greyfriars kirk gaelic service
calton hill a photographers place
the balmoral hotel eat the luxury
national museum of scotland following historical traces
scottish national gallery of modern art a colorful place
scottish national portrait gallery
meet sir walter scott and colin montgomerie
sir walters locks the writers museum
a study in crime novels arthur conan doyles edinburgh
plunge into history the peoples story
stills scotlands centre for photography
dovecot studios a world of old-fashioned craftworks
grassmarket edinburghs fun fair
one scots mile of edinburgh the royal mile
new town an elegant contrast to the old town
following harry through potterburgh
fancy the village? come to stockbridge!
leith on the traces of trainspotting
leith walk street of diversity
real scottish dance the ceilidh
the bohmians living room - the royal oak
the sandy bells
the jazz bar music, drinks and atmosphere
summerhall an antidote to commercial art
the stand comedy club eat, drink, laugh
festival theatre glitz and glamour
the cameo 100 years of cult cinema culture
the witchery tour ghostly edinburgh secrets
the golf tavern first golf pub in the world
the royal burgess golfing society
leith links where the golf rules were born
the commie first pool for everyone

contents

food, drink

page 78

page 80

page 82

page 84

page 86

page 88

page 90

page 92

page 94

page 96

page 98

page 100

page 102

page 104

page 106

page 108

page 110
shopping

page 112

page 114

page 116

page 118

page 120

page 122

page 124

page 126
nature

page 128

page 130

page 132

page 134

page 136
excursions

page 138

page 140

page 142
the team

page 144
imprint

page 148

the world of whisky global trends


cadenheads whisky shop
the diggers
the haggis experience
benes fish and chips in style
the scottish accent: how to order a salad and end up with a burger
slow food good, clean and fair
mosque kitchen traditional curries and chicken tikka pizza
10 to 10 in delhi indian restaurant
the spoon inspired by scottish nature
tugas amor grilled sardines and fado songs 98
fall in love with lovecrumbs
marys milk bar unique chocolate-creations
caf picante trying the deep-fried mars bar
the archipelago bakery a tasty secret
peters yard simple but tasty
caf nom de plume blue hour in new town
farmers market water buffalo, honey and bread
meet the music coda record store
kilberry bagpipes crafting a scottish symbol
21st century kilts the modern masculine skirt
w. armstrong & son time travel through fashion
every day is christmas
germany in edinburgh the german christmas market
the red door gallery edinburghs art
arthurs seat away from the urban world
salisbury crags building material for the streets of london
the royal botanic garden a winter walk through the green beauty
the water of leith walkway exploring the hidden natural asset
the meadows play, walk, relax
portobello brighton of the north
john muir way free your mind
roslin chapel visiting a most delicate stone masonry works

Sights

Sights

the scottish parliament



green from the roof to the loo
text sabrina wendling, photo werner gritzbach

Seen from above, the Scottish Parliament building looks like leaves from a tree. It is
surrounded by wild flower meadows, ponds, wild cherry and lime trees. Nature is the
omnipresent topic in its architecture. The building merges with the landscape. Or as
the architect Enric Miralles puts it: The parliament grows out of the land.
Even inside the building, you will find the shape of leaves almost everywhere.
Walking through the garden lobby feels like strolling through a forest as the roof is
covered with leaves - formed of glass and steel.
But theres also real nature inside the parliament: Rain gutters at the windows bring
rain water down to the lavatories - where it is used as toilet flush. A building green
from the roof to the loo.
Even in the debating chamber - where the 129 representatives discuss issues such
as agriculture, environment and health - you will feel close to nature. Through the
windows, the representatives have a spectacular view to the hills. A view that can
also be enjoyed by visitors. Better plan your visit early - the Scottish Parliament is a
hot spot for both tourists and Scots. In fact sometimes there are more visitors than
representatives in the chamber.

Scottish Parliament, Edinburgh EH99 1SP


Tickets: Ministers Question Time: Tickets can only be
booked by telephone on 0131 348 5200 or freephone
0800 092 7600. Textphone users can use 0800 092 7100
Tickets for other debates can be booked online:
www.scottish.parliament.co.uk
Guided tours are free. There is also an art, a history and a
literature tour.

Sights

edinburgh castle symbol of the city


text and photo michaela schneider, photo page 11 werner gritzbach

Sights

Sights

History-rich Edinburgh
Castle is one of the
symbols of the capital
and dominates the Old
Town on a volcanic rock.
Kings were born here,
prisoners imprisoned,
guests assassinated and
treasures stored. Visitors
pass through granite stone
gates, see heavy artillery
and enjoy the panoramic
views of the city. Entering
the castle, the two statues
of the freedom fighters
William Wallace and King
Robert the Bruce welcome
visitors.
The first castle was built
here in the Middle
Ages, but apart from St.
Margarets Chapel and
apart of Davids Tower
little has remained from
this era. Not far from there
Crown Square with the
Royal Palace, the Great
Hall and the Scottish
National War Memorial
represent the heart of the
kings castle. A must is the
visit of the museum with
the Honours of Scotland.
The beautiful crown, the

10

sceptre and the sword are


the oldest crown jewels
on the British Islands.
The legendary Stone of
Destiny has been part of
the crowning ceremonies
of the Kings of Scotland,
England and the United
Kingdom for more than
1000 years. It`s not only
the Honours of Scotland
itself, which makes the visit
of the museum worthwhile,
but also the modern and
descriptive exhibition of
Scottish Kings History
as well. Visitors meet the
figures of King Robert the
Bruce or Mary Stuart, for
example.
Also have a look into
the royal apartments
today also a setting for
official receptions. Quite
impressive and a place of
silence and thoughtfulness
is the National War
Memorial with the names
of all Scottish soldiers
fallen since World War I.
Those, who are interested
in the history of war, three
military museums are well
worth a visit in the castle

grounds.
A look at another main
attraction of the Castle:
Every day except Sunday
at one o`clock they fire
a gun. In 19th century
Edinburghs population set
their watches on the bang
and sailors compared the
chronometers. But why
at one o`clock and not at
noon? Common people
say, its because the Scots
are thrifty people. So why
fire twelve cannonballs,
when one will do?
It is recommended to
discover the Castle in a
guided tour or with an
audio guide minimum
time three hours.

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The Team

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