Edinburgh is the capital of proud Scotland. history of edinburgh

Edinburgh is the second largest city in Scotland and also its capital. Edinburgh is the oldest, majestic city that attracts more than 13 million tourists annually and is the most popular tourist destination in after.

Edinburgh Scotland, City of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland and the administrative center of the region of the same name, located on the south coast of the Worth of Forth. You can get to the city from almost any, as well as from many cities in Europe. There are no direct flights from Russia by plane, so you will have to make a transfer in London. Edinburgh Airport is located just 12 kilometers west of the city centre. It also accepts flights from Europe and North America. The railway station, which is located in the very center of the city, receives trains from all over the island. There is a bus station serving all destinations throughout the country.

A bit of history

The first settlements on the site of modern Edinburgh were founded in the Bronze Age, evidenced by traces of primitive stone settlements. At the beginning of the first millennium BC, the Romans lived in this area, and they discovered the first settlement here, which later became known as Votadinami. The rapid development of Edinburgh began here in the 12th century, when the royal court was transferred to Edinburgh Castle. And already in the XV century, Edinburgh was assigned the status of the capital of Scotland.

Sights of Edinburgh

Today Edinburgh is one of the main tourist destinations. The city is divided into several districts. Old city- This is the medieval part of Edinburgh, which leads from Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh Castle, the most visited part of the city by tourists. New City is the commercial center of the city, if you are a shopaholic, then this is the place for you. This area is famous for its abundance of various shops. Stockbridge and Canonmills are also famous for their shops and the best place recreation in Edinburgh - the Royal Botanic Gardens. Edinburgh is also divided into the eastern part - this is the beach area and the old village of Duddingston, and the southern part - beloved by students, here you can have a tasty and not expensive snack and drink.

Edinburgh is full of attractions. The symbol of the city is the Balmoral Hotel with a giant clock on the tower. Of course, Edinburgh Castle and the "Royal Mile" leading from the castle to the palace of Holyroodhouse - the former palace of Mary Stuart. Not far from the palace rises a rock - "King Arthur's Throne". In the city center - "Princess Street", where you will meet the famous Scottish Monument - a monument to the writer, which looks like a church and the National Art Gallery. Also in the city center is a 60-meter statue of Sir Walter Scott and his dog Maida.

It is worth paying attention to the Church of St. Margaret, Castle Rock Castle, St. Giles Church, the Scottish Parliament Building and the Royal Residence in Scotland. In addition, you can visit the Roslyn Chapel, which is richly decorated with sculptures and frescoes describing stories from the Bible, the times of the Knights Templar and the Masonic Society. And thanks to the film adaptation of the book The Da Vinci Code, this place has become even more popular with tourists.

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Located on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, Edinburgh is the capital and second most populous city in Scotland, as well as the largest Finance center UK after London.

Foundation of the city

The first settlements on the lands of today's Edinburgh existed in the Mesolithic era. During the excavations, the remains of settlements dating back to the Late Bronze and Iron Ages were also revealed.

In the 1st century AD, when in Lothian ( historical area in the south-east of Scotland) the Romans arrived, the Celtic tribe of the Britons lived here, to whom they gave the name Votadin. Already after the departure of the Romans in the 5th century AD. on the territory of modern Lothian and the regions adjacent to it (the exact borders are not known for certain), there was the British kingdom of Gododin, most likely founded by the descendants of those very Votadins. Around the 6th century, the Gododin people built the fortress "Din Eidyn" or "Etin", and although its exact location has not been identified (the fortress could very likely be on both Castle Rock and Mount Arthur, and possibly on Mount Calton) , historians suggest that it was around her that Edinburgh subsequently grew up. In 638, the fortress was besieged by the troops of King Oswald of Northumbria and as a result, for more than three centuries, it was under the control of the Anglo-Saxons, until it passed to Scotland in the middle of the 10th century. In the Chronicle of the Picts, the fortress is referred to as "oppidum Eden".

Middle Ages

At the beginning of the 12th century, cities as such did not yet exist in Scotland. After David I ascended the throne in 1124, he initiated the foundation of the so-called "royal burgh", which literally means " royal city with self-government” (which, of course, meant a number of special privileges). One of these "royal burgh" and became around 1130 Edinburgh.

Despite constant claims from England and, as a result, protracted wars for Scottish independence, the city gradually grew and developed. With the loss of Scotland's main trading port of Berwick, most of the lucrative export traffic was diverted through Edinburgh and its port of Leith. By the middle of the 15th century, the status of the "capital" was firmly established outside the city. In the same period, the construction of protective fortress walls began, clearly defining the boundaries of the city, which today corresponds to the "Old Town" area. Since the fenced area was relatively small, the Old Town is characterized by very narrow streets and high-rise buildings. In 1544, as a result of an attack by the British, the city suffered serious destruction, but quickly recovered.

In the 16th century, Edinburgh became the epicenter of the Scottish Reformation, and already in the 17th century - the center of the Covenant movement (by this time Scotland was already in the so-called "Union of Crowns" with England, although it still had its own parliament, located in Edinburgh) . By the first half of the 18th century, Edinburgh was known as a major banking center, as well as one of the most densely populated cities in Europe with terrifying unsanitary conditions, which was largely facilitated by excessive population growth in conditions of limited space (15th-century ramparts still strictly protect the borders cities).

new time

In the second half of the 18th century, large-scale construction of the "New City" began and Edinburgh significantly expanded its borders. Soon the city became the center of Scottish education, one of the brightest representatives of which was the world-famous economist and philosopher Adam Smith. The 19th century was the "age of industrialization" for Edinburgh, although its pace was much lower than in Glasgow. As a result, Glasgow became largest city Scotland and its industrial and shopping center. Edinburgh remained the administrative and cultural center ...

Today Edinburgh is popular tourist centre attracting millions of tourists from all over the world. The city is famous for its huge number of historical and architectural monuments, an abundance of entertaining museums and many cultural events. The famous Edinburgh Festival is the largest such annual event in the world.

majestic and ancient capital Scotland is located in the Lowlands, on the south coast of the Firth of Forth and along east coast British Isles. It is the second city in Scotland in terms of population, after Glasgow. In terms of popularity among tourists, it is second only to the capital of Great Britain - London. Edinburgh has every reason to be classified as the most beautiful and at the same time colorful places in the entire United Kingdom, and its unique history will make an indelible impression, and no less than the sights of the city. Used in communication between people English language, but its Scottish dialect is also found.

The population of Edinburgh in 2016 was 488,100, according to the Chief Vital Registry Department. Time in Edinburgh is common European, which means GMT UTC 0 in winter and UTC + 1 in summer.

Perhaps it is difficult to find a better place than Edinburgh for those who cannot imagine their life without literature and reading books. In 2004, the city received the title of "City of Literature" awarded to it by UNESCO. In this stunning place, the most famous writers, both past and present, created their creations. You can come here not only on your own, but also take your children with you, or visit the capital of Scotland with a noisy and cheerful company. Edinburgh fits perfectly into the definition of a "universal city". Anyone who comes here will definitely find something to do and entertainment to their liking.

The majestic view of the city gives the castle located on a granite rock and towering high enough above the streets of Edinburgh. However, behind such a historical setting, the very atmosphere of the Scottish capital is hidden. In the daytime, tourists can visit museums and city galleries, and in the evening, closer to night, relax with a glass of beer in a pub or visit theaters and restaurants with amazing views of the harbor.

The city is very lucky with its location. Edinburgh is surrounded by hills of volcanic origin. The architecture is simply excellent. Here you can find both buildings dating back to the 16th century, as well as monumental masterpieces characteristic of the Gothic and Victorian styles. Approximately 16,000 buildings are listed among the most important historical and architectural structures of the city, most of them are included in the World Cultural Heritage.

If you look at Edinburgh from the other side, then it is the least resembling a Scottish city of all in the country. This is influenced by various factors, such as developed tourism, proximity to neighboring England and, of course, the diversity of cultures of the local population. It's hard to imagine then great amount pubs and various drinking establishments available in this city. And countless students and various festivals held here turn the capital of Scotland into a lively place.

But is everything so great and beautiful among such beauty? Alas, she has back side. Hidden behind all the splendor are gray and featureless houses located on the very outskirts of Edinburgh. For local residents life does not seem bright and amazing.

The capital of Scotland is considered to be a well-developed city in terms of the economy, the basis of which is the provision of services. The main pillars of business are tourism, modern technologies and banks. It is here that the headquarters of the world famous banks Clydesdale Bank and the Royal Bank of Scotland found their place.

The largest brewing companies bring no less fame to Edinburgh. Not surprisingly, the capital of Scotland takes the lead in this matter.

In addition, various scientific, diplomatic and other world-class meetings are quite often held in this city.

Every year in August, Edinburgh hosts a traditional festival, within which several more thematic ones are held. At this time, the urban population due to visiting tourists almost doubles. In general, Edinburgh is visited by about 13 million tourists a year, making it the second most popular in the whole of the UK.

Founded: 7th century
Square: 118 km 2
Population: 488 100 people (2016)
Currency: GBP
Language: English
Off.site: http://www.edinburgh.org

Current time in Edinburgh:
(UTC 0)

The picture of Edinburgh would be incomplete without mentioning the beauties of nature. And she's just amazing here. Majestic mountains are organically combined with picturesque green meadows, as well as a large number of flower plantations. As noted earlier, the city is located on two hills, which are interconnected by bridges, near the magnificent south coast bay called the Firth of Forth.

How to get to Edinburgh

The most convenient way to get to the capital of Scotland from the continent is by plane. Edinburgh Airport is located about 13 kilometers from the city centre. There are no direct flights from Moscow and St. Petersburg here, so the flight is only possible with a transfer in the UK capital London or another European city. There is an option to get to Edinburgh by train from London. In time it will be about 5 hours. The train station is located on Princess Street. Using the form below you can choose a flight to Edinburgh according to your parameters.

How to get from London to Edinburgh

By bus

To get to Edinburgh from London by bus will take about 9 hours. Although at a price it will be cheaper than other means of transport. If children are not taking part in the trip, then you can use the night flight to save on the hotel. Transportation is carried out by two companies Megabus and National Express. Buses depart from Victoria Station. There are several options for purchasing a ticket. This can be done in advance by purchasing a ticket on the site, while it will cost less, or immediately before departure, but in this case good places it will be difficult to calculate, since boarding is done on a first-come, first-served basis.

By train

The traditional and most convenient way to get to Edinburgh when traveling with children is by train. In addition to comfort, this option will allow you to perfectly explore not only English, but also Scottish landscapes. There are frequent trains to Edinburgh. There are both daytime flights, very convenient (on a weekday, the journey will take 4.5 hours, and on weekends a little longer) and evening flights, but they are slower and more expensive. Trains depart for Edinburgh from London King's Cross railway station. The best option would be to buy a ticket in advance online using the Internet, which will be much cheaper than just before departure. The London to Edinburgh route is operated by East Coast.

By plane

If you want or need to reduce travel time, you should use the plane. Travel time will take 1 hour. The price of a flight is quite comparable to a train ticket, and it happens that it turns out even cheaper. True, taking into account the travel time from London to the airport, the total travel time will be comparable to the time spent on the trip railway. So what's the "feature" then? Everything is very simple. This way to get to the capital of Scotland is beneficial if, upon arrival at London Heathrow Airport, you immediately transfer to a plane to Edinburgh. Such transit routes are operated by the British airline British Airways. As a recommendation, provided that the ultimate goal tourist trip is Edinburgh, we can advise you to look at the option with a flight that would bypass London. Suitable for these purposes connecting flights via Amsterdam, Frankfurt.

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How to get from Glasgow to Edinburgh

Glasgow Airport receives most international flights. Distance to Edinburgh from here is only 80 km. You can get to it from the airport by bus (carrier is Scottish Citylink Coaches). Buses leave every half an hour. They go to the bus station St. Andrew Square located in Edinburgh. Travel time is 1 hour 10 minutes, and the trip costs 6 pounds.

Using a taxi, you can get from the airport to the railway station in Glasgow in 15 minutes. From there, you can already take the train to Edinburgh at Waverley Station. Such trains run every half an hour, and after only 50 minutes, tourists find themselves in the capital of Scotland. Approximately, the ticket price is 6.7 pounds.

There is also a budget way to get to Edinburgh from Glasgow. To do this, at Glasgow Airport you need to take a bus to the Buchanan bus station and, after walking about five minutes to the railway station, take the Glasgow-Edinburgh train.

You can also get to Edinburgh by taxi. In time, it will take a little over an hour, and will cost 70 pounds.

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Story

According to artifacts found during archaeological excavations, the first settlements on the territory of modern Edinburgh date back to the Bronze Age. The Romans, who got here back in the 1st century BC, encountered a Celtic tribe that lived here, who called themselves “Votadins”. The power of the Scots was established in 950 already AD. During this period, the German language influence was very widespread, thanks to which the capital of Scotland received the name Edinburgh.

Toward the beginning of the 12th century, Edinburgh began to represent not only a well-developed, but also a well-fortified city. The bulk of the locals lived in the castle area on Castle Hill, as well as around Holyrood Abbey. Further development and prosperity of this city lasted both in the Middle Ages and the Renaissance.

In the 17th century, Edinburgh marked its borders with a city wall. There was a catastrophic lack of land for development, which was the main reason for such a rapid development of multi-storey construction. So unwittingly, the city opened to the world houses ten and even fifteen stories high, which became a kind of prototype of modern skyscrapers. It is worth noting that some of them have been preserved in the Old Town. A hundred years later, in order to solve this problem, the construction of the New City began, which became a model of planning and construction of that time. In order to obtain a new place for development, Nor Loch Lake, located in a valley north of the city, was drained. In accordance with the developed plan, two main avenues appeared in the New City, which were connected with the help of perpendicular streets. After the completion of its construction, a rich part of the population moved into it. At present, most of the buildings belonging to Georgian architecture have been preserved here. Such rich story could not go unnoticed by our contemporaries, and in 1995 both parts of Edinburgh were included in the UNESCO list as World Heritage Sites.

Weather in Edinburgh

Photos of Edinburgh

Districts

Old city

Old Town or as it is called the "Old Town" is, first of all, medieval architecture and unique historical monuments. Here is the Royal Mile and the palace complex, bearing the name of Holyrood. Without a doubt, this area is the most interesting for tourists visiting the city.

New town

New Town or "New City" is the second of the districts of Edinburgh. It got its name because of the presence of buildings built in the 18th century and considered a model of the culture of the Middle Ages. In historical terms, it is no less interesting than the "Old Town". In a way, this is the second historical center of Edinburgh. Some of the buildings are over 300 years old. In addition, the area is the commercial center of the Scottish capital. It is a must-visit for shopping lovers, as a huge number of high-quality shops, boutiques, and souvenir shops have found their place in it.

Canonmills and Stockbridge

From the "New City" you can get to two other areas. Canonmills and Stockbridge, which are known not only for stylish shops, but also for the pride of Edinburgh - the Royal Botanic Gardens, the most beautiful place throughout the city.

Edinburgh - East

Edinburgh - East will be attractive for those tourists who prefer beaches. Here is the beach area of Portobello, as well as the historic village of Duddingston.

Edinburgh - South

The southern part of Edinburgh is given over to students. There are many here educational institutions, therefore, it is not surprising that the bulk of the population of the southern part are students. Cheap eateries work for them along with a huge number of pubs, and in the evening young people can relax in discos. Roslyn Church is the "heart" of the area.

Edinburgh - West

The western part of the city is attractive, first of all, for two objects: the Edinburgh Zoo and the largest stadium in the whole country for rugby matches, Murrayfield.

Sights of Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a very old city, and it is not surprising that a lot of attractions have accumulated in a relatively small area. Below we list the main places that one way or another is worth visiting for tourists who find themselves in the capital of Scotland.

Links can take you to the page detailed information about the sights of Edinburgh that interest you, where, along with a description, you will find contact details, opening hours, methods of travel and entrance fees, as well as the location of the object on the map. You can see the sights of Great Britain as a whole, without division into cities, in our special section.

Church of St. Andrew and West Church of St. George
Dean bridge
Edinburgh Central Mosque
Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
Royal Scottish Academy building
The Famous Grouse Experience Distillery

Where to go in Edinburgh

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Where to eat and drink

Entertainment

Parks and recreation areas

Transport

Shops and markets

Private guides in Edinburgh

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Edinburgh in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

In addition to sightseeing and the ancient architecture of Edinburgh, the Scottish capital also offers a wide variety of entertainment: from youth club parties to programs family vacation. You definitely won't be bored!

Festivals

The highlight of the city is a huge number of festivals of different thematic focus, so everyone will surely be able to find something for themselves. The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the largest performing arts festival in the world. It takes place in August as part of the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo. The Fringe Festival is tens of thousands of performances and shows that last almost the whole summer on 279 festival venues, street performances, children's shows, musical numbers and much more.

One more interesting event, Scottish International Storytelling Festival, takes place every year in October and gathers all lovers of the conversational genre. As part of this festival, there are performances, master classes, discussions and just fun entertainment for the whole family.

Leith Festival takes place in June and brings together different types arts (theater, music, dance, cinema, literature).

Food and drink

Edinburgh is one of those few cities where restaurants and cafes care about their reputation is not an empty phrase. Therefore, in the Scottish capital they offer only healthy food of excellent quality. And, we must pay tribute, very tasty. Despite the spirit of romanticism, antiquity and a calm atmosphere that prevails in this extraordinary city, it can surprise tourists with modern, stylish entertainment facilities that can satisfy any, even very picky taste.

When it comes to Scotland and its cuisine, it is primarily associated with whiskey. This is a kind of visiting card of the country. Edinburgh was no exception in this regard. Therefore, when planning a visit to this city, you should definitely set aside a few hours to visit The Scotch Whiskey Heritage Centre. It is located at the very top of the Royal Mile. Is waiting for you excursion program and a story about the history of the origin of this drink and the nuances of its production. And at the end of the whole event, the most pleasant part awaits tourists. What was said in words will take on real shape, and whiskey can be tasted. The type of drink you like can be purchased as a souvenir at a very reasonable price, fortunately, the choice is very impressive and exceeds 200 types.

One of the most popular and favorite dishes among the local population is oatmeal. One gets the impression that they are ready to eat it not only for breakfast, but throughout the day. Curiously, even dessert dishes include oatmeal and flour. From these components, the Scots bake magnificent cakes, which are sure to be served with various sauces. In addition, local chefs can turn ordinary oatmeal into a wonderful dish by adding a little fruit or whipped cream, whiskey or honey to it. The second place in popularity is occupied by herring along with boiled potatoes. Which restaurant national cuisine guests of the city did not come, they will definitely be served this dish.

All lovers of something unusual and exotic should definitely try the national cuisine dish called haggis. It is prepared from chopped offal and then seasoned with oatmeal. In addition, among the components of this dish are onions, peppers with bacon, after which everything is cooked in a lamb scar. To date, there are many variations of "haggis". There is also a recipe for vegetarians. Therefore, even this category of people will be able to appreciate the taste of this masterpiece. Turnips or stuffed potatoes are served as a side dish. The local population traditionally prepares this dish for the Burns Evening holiday, but you can order it at a local restaurant at any time.

In general, it is not easy to recommend any particular restaurant or pub in Edinburgh, and probably not worth it. Great quality food everywhere and, of course, beer, another national drink. A large number of traditional pubs are located on the square called Grassmarket. As a rule, locals practically do not spend time here, but there are enough tourists.

If the romantic spirit of the Middle Ages has become a bit annoying, but there is no beer yet, then feel free to go to the modern metropolitan bars located on George IV Bridge and George Street.

If you wish, you can have a cheap bite on Rose Street, where a sufficient number of pubs are open. And in the Chippys chain, visitors can taste hamburgers, black pudding and, of course, haggis.

Edinburgh Restaurants

Cafes and restaurants are one of the main components of the infrastructure of any city that claims to be a tourist center. Edinburgh offers its guests a wide range of establishments for every taste and budget. Here you can taste both traditional Scottish dishes (for example, the famous haggis) and classic European cuisine. Finding a place to eat in the historic center is not difficult at all. There are many cozy cafes on the famous Royal Mile, Princess Street or Rose Street.

If you plan to talk a lot, but at the same time want to save money, it is better to become the owner of a special tourist SIM card in Russia.

The red telephone box has already become a textbook symbol of the UK. Such pay phones are located everywhere, and you can pay for a call in various ways, whether it be cash, plastic or a special phone card, which is available for purchase in almost any store.

When calling from Edinburgh to Russia, dial 00, then 7 (Russian code) - the area code, then the phone number.

In order to call from Russia to Edinburgh from a landline phone, you need to dial the following combination of numbers: 810 is the exit code, then 44 is the country code, 131 is the Edinburgh code and the number.

A call from a mobile from Russia to Edinburgh: +44 - country code, then area code (131) and the desired phone number.

The most profitable way to communicate is via Internet calls via Skype.

There are plenty of Internet cafes in Edinburgh - you can easily find them in any part of the city. The largest of them is the cafe "Mosko". It is located near the Haymarket railway station (18 West Maitland Street). In addition, many municipal libraries have computers with free access to the World Wide Web.

Free Wi-Fi in Edinburgh is quite common: it is available in almost all hotels, cafes, restaurants, and other public places. As a self-respecting tourist center and festival capital, the city does everything for the convenience of guests. However, when using the Internet in crowded places, you should be careful when entering personal or sensitive information. There is a risk of using it by fraudsters for personal gain.

Apex International Hotel(31 Grassmarket, Edinburgh, EH1 2HS Scotland)
baroque(39-41 Broughton Street, New Town, Edinburgh, EH1 3JU)
Beanscene(2 Grosvenor Street, Edinburgh, EH12 5EG Scotland)
Beanscene(76 Commercial Street Leith, Edinburgh, EH6 6LX)
Beanscene(99 Nicholson Street, Edinburgh, EH8 9EW Scotland)
Beanscene(10 Parkgate, Holyrood Road, Edinburgh, EH8 8AU)
Bert's Bar(29-31 William Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7NG)
Bert's Bar(2-4 Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, EH4 1HN)
(2 Nicolson Street, Southside, Edinburgh, EH8 9DH)
Black Medicine Coffee Company(108 Marchmont Road, Southside, Edinburgh, EH9 1BG)
Cargo(Edinburgh Quay, 129 Fountainbridge, Edinburgh, EH3 9QA)
Central Library(George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EG Scotland)
Channing's Restaurant(12-16 South Learmonth Gardens, Comely Bank, Edinburgh, EH4 1EZ)
Edinburgh Thistle Hotel(59 Manor Place, Edinburgh, EH3 7EG)
Filmhouse Cafe Bar(88 Lothian Road, Edinburgh, EH3 9BZ)
Forest Cafe(3 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EY Scotland)
The Forest(3 Bristo Place, Edinburgh, EH1 1EY)
Hamiltons Bar Kitchen(18 Hamilton Place, Edinburgh, EH3 5AU)
Iglu(2b Jamaica Street, Edinburgh, EH3 6HH)
The Inverleith Hotel(5 Inverleith Terrace, Edinburgh, EH1 4NS Scotland)
The Jolly Judge(7 James Court, High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2PB)
The Outhouse(12a Broughton Street Lane, Edinburgh, EH1 3LY)
Restaurant at the Bonham(35 Drumsheugh Gardens, Edinburgh, EH3 7RN)
Traverse Theater Bar(Cambridge Street, Edinburgh, EH1 2ED Scotland)
Underbelly(Victoria Street and Cowgate, Edinburgh, EH1 1JW Scotland)

Security

Edinburgh is quite comfortable for tourists, as it is one of the ten safest cities in the world. However, this does not mean that you can completely relax here. Staying in a foreign country, you should always be careful and be guided only by common sense in your actions. The crime rate in the Scottish capital is quite low, however, one should not be too careless, especially in crowded places. While sightseeing, keep an eye on your personal belongings: handbags, wallets, mobile phones, photo and video equipment.

If you like to relax in a bar and have drunk too much, then it’s better not to risk it and take a taxi, which is guaranteed to take you to the hotel without incident. Cheaper alternative to taxis night bus. It departs from Waverley Bridge next to railway station. The fare is 3 pounds. It's comfortable and safe transport, but if you are "dizzy", it is better to stay on the lower tier of the bus.

Like many other cities, there are places in Edinburgh that tourists are not recommended to visit. There are not too many of them, but for safety reasons it is better to refrain from visiting the Niddrie and Craigmillar areas, located in the southeastern part of the city, Sighthill and Wester Hailes - in the west, Muirhouse and Pilton ( Muirhouse and Pilton) - in the north, as well as Oxgangs and Gracemount - in the south-east of the Scottish capital.

Useful Phones

Hospital addresses:

Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (R.I.E. - Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, 51 Little France Cres, Old Dalkeith Rd. Phone 131 536 1000).

This medical institution is located half an hour by taxi or bus from the city center. Open around the clock.

Western General Hospital (Crewe Road South Edinburgh EH4 2XU, phone 0131 537 1330) can be contacted if you have sustained any injury (cut, burn, dislocation, fracture, etc.). The hospital is open daily from 8 am to 9 pm. Here you will be promptly assisted without an appointment. They accept not only adult patients, but also children aged from one year.

The city of Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. And Scotland is a country that has old and deep ties with Russia. Suffice it to recall the Scottish roots of such famous Russians as the associate of Peter the Great, Jacob Bruce, the commander Barclay de Tolly and the great poet M. Yu. Lermontov.

So I decided to go to Edinburgh, see what it is like.

It turned out that Edinburgh is a city beyond praise. The 3 days that I planned for it turned out to be disastrously short. I did not see many sights, although I ran without rest.

In addition to the beauties created by man, Edinburgh is full of natural beauties. The city is built on steep hills, with sharp elevation changes. From the tops of the hills you can see the sea with islands. The sea, however, is not blue, but steel-gray, northern, but this goes well with the gray color of the stone from which the center of Edinburgh is mostly built. A very harmonious and integral city.

By the way, the name Edinburgh does not have a reliable and simple explanation. I naively thought that everything was simple here: King Edin founded the castle (burgh), and so Edinburgh turned out. It wasn't there. There are many explanations for the name, but all of them are controversial.

The list of attractions in Edinburgh is extensive. This is:

Edinburgh Castle with the National War Museum,
Royal Palace of Holyrood House with Holyrood Abbey,
National Gallery,
National Portrait Gallery,
National Museum of Scotland,
"Royal Mile", which represents several ancient streets passing from one to another. In general, the entire city center, the so-called "old" and "new" cities,
Cathedral of St. Egidius (or St. Giles)
Walter Scott Monument,
Melville column,
Museum of childhood
authors museum,
Museum "Our Dynamic Earth",
whiskey museum,
Pinhole camera,
Royal Yacht Britannia,
Scottish Parliament,
hill Calton,
Holyrood Park with Arthur's throne
Edinburgh zoo.

And many more attractions can be found in this city and its environs. To see all this, you need a lot of time, which I did not have. However, I looked at something.

Historical Center

The center of Edinburgh is distinguished by medieval or very well stylized buildings. Its axis is the so-called "Royal Mile", stretching from the Royal Palace of Holyrood to Edinburgh Castle. The history of these streets can be traced back to the 12th century, when King David I of Scotland granted trading privileges to the settlement near his castle.

Architecture

The streets and lanes branching off from the Royal Mile, bizarrely spread out on hills and slopes, are lovely. Every now and then come across architectural masterpieces. For the most part, the buildings in Edinburgh are built in the Gothic style or in the style of ancient Greek buildings.

Faculty of Medicine, University of Edinburgh

in the courtyard of the University of Edinburgh

the ideas of socialism are not alien to the Scots

The buildings on the central streets are representative. But it is worth stepping aside a little, as if you find yourself in the village outback.

Churches

There are many beautiful churches in Edinburgh. But often the churches are closed or used for other purposes.

One evening I went to a church. The church looks like a church, but inside there is a gym with a shower and toilet.

there is a gym in this church

And in another beautiful cathedral near Edinburgh Castle, the Edinburgh Festival Center is arranged.

and in this festival center

In another church, which looked like a Greek temple from the outside, it turned out to be a church inside, but very modest, without any frills, more like a concert hall.

This seems to be in the Protestant tradition. For the Scottish Presbyterian Church belongs to the people. As the citizens decide, the church building will be used.

By the way, the mosque in Edinburgh has a rather neglected appearance, and was also closed during the day.

The stone, darkened from time, from which the buildings of Edinburgh are built, gives the city a stern and noble look. They say that in London the stone of old buildings was cleaned, and as a result they acquired the appearance of replicas.

The National Gallery is located on The Mound. Open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, on Thursdays until 19:00. Free admission.

The museum was founded in 1859. The building that houses the gallery is itself an outstanding work of architecture. It was built in the form of an ancient Greek temple designed by the Scottish architect W. G. Playfair.

National Gallery of Scotland This is a very high level meeting. It features European art from the Renaissance to the early 20th century.

The gallery has paintings by Leonardo da Vinci, Raphael, Titian, Rubens, Rembrandt, El Greco, Gainsborough, Monet and many others. When I was in one of the halls there was an exhibition of the great master of color and light, W. Turner.

National Museum of Scotland

Located on Chambers Street. Opening hours daily from 10:00 to 17:00. Closed for Christmas. On the day after Christmas and January 1 - from 12:00 to 17:00. Free admission.

This is a huge museum, which houses collections in various fields of knowledge. In fact, this is not one, but several museums gathered under one roof. As if the collections of the historical, ethnographic, zoological, geological and polytechnical museums were brought together and mixed well. There was an impression that there is no system and chronology. What is to blame: the lack of exhibition space or the desire of the organizers of the exposition to be known as innovators of the museum business? Or maybe I did not have enough time for a systematic inspection of the exhibits? Don't know.

Individual exhibits are very interesting, some collections are impressive. And the whole picture is not obtained. Some kind of "mess instead of music."

Edinburgh castle

Located at the top ancient volcano, the so-called Castle Rock. The view of the castle is formidable and impregnable. From all sides it is protected by sheer cliffs, and you can approach it only along a narrow area, the so-called esplanade. Nowadays, parades are held on the esplanade, and in August, during the Fridge Festival, they set up a stage and rows for spectators.

In Edinburgh Castle there are relics of the Scottish people, namely: the regalia of the Scottish kings (Scottish crown, sword and scepter) and the "Stone of Destiny".

When power in Scotland passed to the British (after the adoption of the Act of Union in 1707), the regalia of the Scottish kings were hidden in a chest, and their whereabouts were forgotten. And only in 1818 V. Scott with like-minded people found them in the castle and returned them to his people.

"Stone of Destiny", or "Skoon Stone"(has nothing to do with the skunk animal, more correctly "Skun's stone") is a mystical object in British history. It is necessary to crown the kings of these lands on it. For 6 centuries he was in London, and in 1996 he was returned to Edinburgh on the condition that the British would take him for the duration of the coronations. Without a stone, apparently, the coronation cannot be considered complete.

Well, the stone is unremarkable in appearance, and the regalia shine with gold and jewelry. It's just that you can't take pictures of them.

The castle has preserved the chambers in which the Scottish Queen Mary Stuart lived. Here she gave birth to her son Jacob, the future king of England and Scotland.

The most grandiose hall of the castle - Great Hall - is decorated with carved wooden panels. Knightly armor is placed along its walls.

In general, the halls of the castle look very simple, without luxury.

The oldest surviving building on the grounds of Edinburgh Castle is St Margaret's Chapel dating from 1130.

Also on the castle grounds is National Military Memorial. It is dedicated to all the Scottish soldiers who died in the wars for the British Empire. Their names are carved on the walls of the memorial. Flags of units, weapons, sculptures are also hung there. A very solemn and at the same time sad place.

Nearby is National War Museum, which is dedicated to the glorious battle path of the Scottish units as part of the British army. And he, this way, was very long. Where only the Scots did not fight: from India to France and from South Africa to China!

Of course, I was most interested in the participation of the Scottish units in the Crimean War with Russia, there were a lot of materials on this issue.

"Thin Red Line". Scottish Riflemen (in skirts) reflect the attack of the Russian cavalry during the Crimean War

There was Edinburgh Castle and a prison, the last time - for German pilots of the 2nd World War. And before that, whoever was sitting here: the Americans, and the Russians, and the French. There was even a case of escape, when more than 40 captives escaped through a hole in the wall, descending from a cliff on a rope of sheets. Two or three crashed during the descent, the rest were caught already in the city.

An interesting exposition showing how the prisoners lived. The conditions, as explained by the audio guide, were very harsh, but there were showers and toilets in each cell.

Other exhibitions dedicated to the history of the castle are also interesting.

Scottish kings

People in medieval clothes walk around the castle grounds, with whom you can take pictures.

There are many cannons on the bastions of the castle, of which two stand out:

Mons Meg, a huge 15th century bombard (our Tsar Cannon looks more impressive)

and the modern "clock gun", which is fired at one o'clock in the afternoon. It would be more logical to shoot at noon, but then it would take 12 shots. And with such extravagance, the economical Scottish nature cannot agree in any way, so they came up with the idea of shooting an hour and making 1 shot.

Until recently, the castle was owned by the British army, and now it is a very popular museum.

Edinburgh Castle is open daily from 9:30 am, until 6:00 pm in summer, and 5:00 pm in winter. The last visitor starts one hour before closing. The castle is closed to visitors on December 25 and 26, on January 1 it is open from 11:00 to 17:00. The ticket is not cheap. For adults 17 pounds, for children from 5 to 15 years old - 10.20, for people over 60 years old - 13.60. There are excellent audio guides, including Russian ones, for the price of 3.50 pounds.

Royal Palace of Holyrood House and Holyrood Abbey

It is located at the opposite end of the Royal Mile from the castle, opposite the Scottish Parliament.

Holyrood Abbey (Abbey of the Holy Cross) was founded in 1128. It hosted coronations and royal weddings. It burned several times, but was restored. But after the collapse of the roof in the 18th century, they did not restore it, but left it in the form of ruins. These ruins adjoin the Royal Palace and in this form look very romantic.

ruins of Holyrood Abbey

At the abbey there was a hotel, which became the royal residence. At the end of the 15th century, a palace was built on the site of the hotel, which was rebuilt at the end of the 17th century.

It is noticeable that the left side of the palace from the entrance is much older than the right side, as the audio guide points out.

Now the Queen uses the palace as her residence during her visits to Scotland. The royal family usually spends some time there in the summer. In free time from the royal family, the castle is open to visitors.

Near the palace there is a park, accessible to visitors in the summer. Nearby is the building of the royal gallery.

Holyrood Palace is quite consistent with the status of the residence of the kings of Great Britain. Unfortunately, photography is not allowed inside.

In the absence of the royals, Holyrood is open to visitors:

from November 1 to March 29 from 9:30 to 16:30 (last visitor at 15:15),
from March 31 to October 31 from 9:30 to 18:00 (last visitor at 16:30).

Ticket price:

for adults 12.60 pounds (with the royal gallery 16.60),
for students and seniors over 60 11.40 (with the royal gallery 15.20),
for children under 17 7.30 (with the royal gallery 9.50).
Children under 5 years old - free of charge.

Cathedral of St. Egidius (or St. Giles)

When I found out to which saint the cathedral was dedicated, I remembered the old movie “Saint Jorgen's Feast”. It seemed to me that the name Jorgen was an evil mockery of the church. But no, the obscure names of the saints are real: in Edinburgh - Aegidius, in Glasgow - Mungo.

Strictly speaking, the church of St. Egidius is not a cathedral, since there is no episcopal chair there. But it doesn't get any worse than that.

Built in the early 12th century, the cathedral burned and was rebuilt many times. The last addition dates back to 1490. And after the victory in 1560 of the Protestant reformers, the temple was heavily rebuilt inside. Many small premises were arranged there, which at different times were used as a police station, a fire station, a school, shops. At one time, a prison for harlots was set up in the cathedral, and even a guillotine operated.

As a result, the cathedral fell into complete disrepair and began to spoil the view of Edinburgh. Therefore, in 1829, restoration work began. They were conducted in one form or another until the middle of the 20th century. And now everything looks quite pious and dignified, and nothing reminds of the revelry of the reformers, reminiscent of events from our recent history.

Particularly good in the church of St. Giles are the wooden carved choir stalls and vaults of the chapel of the Order of the Thistle.

carved choir stalls

Dome of the chapel

Entrance to the cathedral is free, and photography is not forbidden.

Walter Scott Monument

Located on Princess Street, open from April to September from 10:00 to 19:00, from October to March from 10:00 to 16:00, last visitor at 15:30. The ticket costs 5 pounds.

Everyone who gets to Edinburgh through Waverley Station (named, by the way, after the title of the novel by W. Scott) immediately pays attention to this monument, more than 61 meters high. It was built according to the project of J. Kemp in neo-Gothic style. Opened in 1846.

Money for the monument was collected by subscription, and bankers from our St. Petersburg were among the first to contribute.

At the bottom of the monument is a statue of a seated W. Scott, made by sculptor D. Steel from Carrara marble.

In addition, 64 sculptures of the heroes of Scott's works are installed on the monument.

You can climb the monument and look around the city from several viewing platforms (impressive views!), And then visit a small exhibition on the 1st floor dedicated to V. Scott and the creation of the monument. When I went upstairs, a very strong cold wind was blowing, and on observation decks there were big puddles. Well, at least the sun was shining. The rays of the sun, passing through the clouds, sometimes created a fantastic effect.

a column of light descends directly on the Cathedral of St. Egidio

The monument is built of sandstone, which actively absorbs soot and dirt, so it turned black and looks, well, very old.

Melville or Dundas Column

It stands on St. Andrew's Square. The height of the column is 42 meters, the weight is about 1500 tons. It was erected in 1823 in honor of the Lord of the Admiralty, the Scot Henry Dundas. For services to Great Britain, he received the title of Viscount Melville. Dundas's influence on Scottish affairs in the 18th century was so great that he was called " uncrowned king Scotland".

Hill Calton

Calton Hill is crowned with Admiral Nelson's monument, a tower that looks like an inverted spyglass. The height of the monument tower is 31 meters

When I saw this hill, I realized that I wanted to go up there.

I walked there past the outstanding monument of Robert Burns, past the building of the old royal high school, built in the likeness of an ancient Greek temple, and huge palace government of Scotland.

burns monument

Scottish government palace

In addition to the Nelson Monument, on Calton Hill are:

an obelisk to the victims of political repression (created from stones from different places, including from Auschwitz),

the memorial of Douglas Stewart, similar to an antique gazebo,

city observatory. Unfortunately, when I was there, she was in the scaffolding.

The most impressive piece of architecture on Calton Hill is Scotland National Monument, which was built under the direction of C. R. Cockerell and W. G. Playfair in memory of the Scots who fell in the Napoleonic Wars. This monument was supposed to look like the Parthenon, but there was only enough money for 12 columns. Construction was completed in 1829. It turned out more like a monument to the famous Scottish stinginess. However, it looks nice. It looks like a real ancient Greek ruins.

And what are the bronze cannons mounted on a hill worth! They are Portuguese and were captured by Scottish Riflemen in Burma. What geography!

The hill offers wonderful views of Edinburgh. But there are many viewpoints besides Calton Hill in Edinburgh: both thanks to its complex relief and thanks to the creations of human genius.

Edinburgh cemeteries

I don't really like going to memorial cemeteries. But Edinburgh is a special case. They are very old, with unusual tombstones and family crypts. Some obelisks, pyramids, even castles. Around the graves there is a well-groomed lawn. It is especially touching to see that a fresh bouquet of flowers lies on the grave of a man who died in 1873.

Holyrood Park and Arthur's Throne

Mount Arthur rises above Edinburgh with the steep cliffs of Salisbury. Its height is 251 meters. Millions of years ago there was the top of a volcano, hence such an unusual relief.

Now here is Holyrood Park, which belongs to the royal family. This park with trails along the slopes of the mountain and three lakes is a favorite place for walks of the inhabitants of Edinburgh.

It is mostly covered with herbaceous vegetation, but there are also bushes and trees. European gorse (or ulex) shrub, covered with yellow flowers in January, seemed like a real Scottish highlander, it is so prickly. You can only touch it with iron gloves.

The park is well-groomed: the grass was cut by a tractor in my presence, and two workers corrected the paths.

The trail to the top of the mountain attracts many tourists. When I was there, most of the tourists were Chinese and Japanese. And where do they get their interest in King Arthur, how do they even know about him?

I entered the park from the south side. Climbing the mountain with the throne is quite simple and not tiring, and from below the mountain seems almost impregnable.

At the very top there is a certain building, similar to a chimney, which is called the throne of Arthur.

How the legendary King Arthur could sit on it is completely incomprehensible to me (dexterous Chinese somehow sit down). There is another structure there, a concrete cylinder with a direction indicator.

After climbing to the top, I descended into a ravine overgrown with stunted pines, birches and gorse and gorse bushes, and then climbed the Salisbury cliffs.

Along the cliff, which offers a wonderful view of Edinburgh, I reached the descent to the royal palace of Holyrood from the north side of the park. The whole walk took me 2 hours.

Royal Yacht Britannia

Open for visits from November to March from 10:00 to 15:30, from April to September from 9:30 to 16:30, in October from 9:30 to 16:00. Closed December 25th and January 1st. A ticket costs 16 pounds, for children from 5 to 17 years old 8.50 pounds, for people over 60 years old and students 14.50 pounds; children under 5 years old - free of charge.

I could only see it from the outside, because in winter it closes early. It takes about 30 minutes to walk from the city center to the port, and the bus is very fast.

Weather in Edinburgh in winter. When is the best time to come

The weather in Edinburgh in January was erratic. They say she's always so fickle in Scotland. It will rain, then the sun will shine and a rainbow will appear.

I didn't have any heavy rain. Here the wind blows almost always. The temperature was kept in the region of 5 - 10 degrees Celsius. There was some snow when I arrived, but then it melted. The Scots complained that they were cold in winter, but they were not in Russia. Still, Scottish men did not go in their favorite skirts, but I saw them in shorts. There is a guy in a hat and a warm jacket, but in shorts. Tradition!

In general, in clothes suitable for the season and with an umbrella, I felt quite comfortable.

And if it really rains, you can go to the free museum. That's what the locals do, by the way.

Winter is not the season for a trip to Scotland. But there are few tourists. Even at Edinburgh Castle I was almost alone. The wife was here and suffered from the crowds of tourists. In addition, in August, the famous Fringe Theater Festival takes place in Edinburgh, which attracts a lot of people. During the festival, unusual characters appear on the streets of the city, performances are played on the squares, and the main stage is set in front of the castle. On the one hand, it is curious, on the other hand, it makes it difficult to calmly look at the city. By the way, the weather in August was also very changeable, with heavy rains, sun and wind.

The architecture of Edinburgh, strangely combining Gothic buildings with buildings in the ancient Greek style, and severe mountain nature, and a glorious history, and changeable weather, rushing from one extreme to another (now heavy rain, then bright sun) - all this makes Edinburgh very romantic. Having been there, you understand why Walter Scott, who wrote chivalric novels, lived here, despite the fact that the century of these novels had already passed by that time, and Cervantes had long laughed at the knights and their adventures. Edinburgh is a city of knights.
Travelata

Until 1603 Scotland was a separate state. After the death of Elizabeth I, the Scottish king James VI also became the English king James I, who ruled both countries. On May 1, 1707, Scotland was annexed to England by an Act of Union, thus forming the United Kingdom of Great Britain. The territory of Scotland includes many islands: Orkney, Hebrides and Shetland. There are approximately 790 islands in total, of which 130 are uninhabited. The capital is Edinburgh.

Scotland borders England to the south. The border between them is a low stone fence, and even then in some places.

Scotland is a country with an ancient and glorious history. On one of the Orkney Islands there is a place "Skara Brae" (Skara Brae) - excavations of the oldest rural settlement in Great Britain of the Neolithic period. The estimated age of the buildings reaches 5 thousand years.

Scara Bray

Scotland has given the world many outstanding people - scientists, inventors, politicians and public figures. The authoritative Forbes magazine was launched in 1917 by Scottish-born journalist Bertie Forbes. Natives of Scotland often became Prime Ministers of Great Britain, among them - William Gladstone, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown. World famous writers - Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Byron, Conan Doyle and JK Rowling - come from Scotland. Notable Scottish actors include Sean Connery, Gerard Butler, Ben Affleck and Ewan McGregor. As many as 6 American presidents had Scottish roots: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, Andrew Jackson, James Knox Polk, William McKinley and Woodrow Wilson.

Inventions and scientific discoveries from Scotland include the theory of logarithms (1614), asphalt (1820) and pneumatic tires (1887). The famous raincoat - "mackintosh" - owes its name to the Scotsman Charles Macintosh. The modern look of the bicycle, with pedals and a saddle, is the merit of Kirkpatrick Macmillan, also a native of Scotland.

A gloomy and harsh fortress hangs over the capital of Scotland like a thundercloud. This is Edinburgh Castle. It was built many millennia ago on top extinct volcano, for many years was a bone of contention - either the British or the Scots tried to take possession of a strategically important place. Now from here you can watch the life of Edinburgh from a height of 80 meters, and this, according to local residents, is the best view of the city that you can find.

castle buildings

Edinburgh Castle is impregnable fortress located at the top of a sheer cliff. On its territory is the oldest building in the country - St. Margaret's Chapel, named after Margaret of Scotland, who was the first Scottish saint.

castle cannon

View of King Arthur's Seat

Edinburgh Castle, which once served as a defense against enemies, has now become a stadium. Now, the Royal Parade of Military Bands takes place here every year, recognized as perhaps the best in the world. The castle also houses several museums, dungeons for prisoners of war, a Victorian-era garrison prison and a treasury containing the oldest royal regalia: a crown, a scepter and a sword.

Edinburgh - beautiful city surrounded by wooded hills and the Firth of Forth. He has ancient history, leaving in time immemorial brave knights, castles and kings. Divided into two districts - Old and New City, included in the number of objects world heritage UNESCO.

Old Town - the historical center of Scotland

View of the old streets of the city

The most beautiful place in the Old Town is the Royal Mile - a wide street with stone buildings typical of the Middle Ages. This street originates from the famous Edinburgh Castle and ends with Holyrood Palace, which are the main attractions of the Old City. This is one of the most charming streets in the world (although in fact the distance from one point to another is not a mile, but a little more - 1 mile and 107 yards).

royal mile

Cathedral of St. Giles on the Royal Mile

Royal Mile (Royal Mile)

Royal Mile - not only tourist mecca Edinburgh is the place in which the whole history of the city and Scotland. Daniel Defoe described it as "the biggest, longest and most beautiful street in the whole world". There is a huge number of shops and souvenir shops where you can buy traditional Scottish souvenirs. Royal Mile is also famous for its buildings, this street is literally "stuffed" with unusual buildings, including tenement houses for rent, which date back to the 15th century.

As we have said, the Royal Mile leads to Holyrood Palace. Holyrood Palace is the official residence of the British Queen in Scotland, where state ceremonies and official receptions take place. The palace is located in the center of the capital on the main street - the Royal Mile, at the other end of which is Edinburgh Castle.

Holyrood Palace

The legend tells how King David was hunting in the forest when he was attacked by a deer. At that moment, a silver cloud appeared in the sky, from which a luminous cross emerged. The deer immediately ran away, and King David, in confirmation of this miracle, founded the monastery of the Holy Cross in 1128. The monastery prospered and Edinburgh became the capital of Scotland. The royal family decided to move from the gloomy Edinburgh castle on the rock to the cozy Holyrood, surrounded by a beautiful park. In 1501, James IV built a palace next to Holyrood Priory. Only a fragment of the gatehouse from this building has survived to this day.

Holyrood Palace - abbey ruins

Edinburgh has an extraordinary mixture of medieval architecture, with Victorian quarters and sometimes neoclassical touches. The new city is planned very strictly, in the spirit of the Scots: straight lines cut the city, alternate streets with one-way traffic. The original building plan, conceived by a young 26-year-old James Craig in the 18th century, contained a significant number of diagonal lines. If this plan were carried out, Edinburgh from above would look like the flag of Britain. But it was abandoned in favor of simplicity.

View of the New City

The New City, despite the name, is by no means modern high-rise buildings; most of the buildings in this area date back to the Renaissance. The most beautiful place in the New City, which deserves special attention, is the city park Princes Street, which lies on the border of the Old and New City.

princes street

Edinburgh. Hotel "Scot"

Edinburgh. grass market

National Gallery in Edinburgh

The National Gallery of Scotland, founded in Edinburgh in 1859, is located in the city center, on The Mound Street, in an old building designed by William Henry Playfair, an outstanding Scottish architect. Its halls feature European paintings, unique sculptures, paintings by Rubens and Vermeer, Titian and Van Dyck, El Greco and Monet, Cezanne and Rembrandt, the collection itself contains antique furniture and unique interior items that complement the collection of paintings.

Edinburgh. Concert hall The Usher Hal

Childhood Museum Edinburgh

The Museum of Childhood, opened by Patrick Murray in 1955, was the first museum to display a complete collection of toys and souvenirs reminiscent of the distant world of childhood. Its exposition presents ivy bears and various dolls, old educational games, original tricycles released more than half a century ago. At the Museum of Childhood, you can find out detailed history children's toys, excursionists are shown educational films about children's games in the middle of the 20th century or a general view of school classes in the 30s of the 20th century.

Edinburgh. Scottish Parliament.

Among the sights of Scotland, the Museum of Scotch Whiskey, located in Edinburgh, stands out with its unusualness, the first recipe for which, in the sources that have come down to us, dates back to 1494. The museum exposition introduces visitors to the production technology of Scotch whiskey, the name of which can be translated from the Celtic language as “water of life”, since 1700, when the producers of the strong drink were no longer hiding from the royal tax authorities.

What can be said about Scotch whiskey - scotch - this quintessence of everything Scottish? Alas, the drink was not invented in Scotland, but in ... China. Monks in Ireland first learned how to distill it back in the 15th century, and whiskey came to Scotland only 100 years later. Scotch brand Johnnie Walker first began to be produced in Scotland in 1865 and quickly gained popularity around the world. On the this moment it is the best-known and best-selling brand of blended whiskey. And the most popular brand of single malt scotch in the world is Glenfiddich, which is sold in more than 180 countries.

And now let's talk about Dean Village - this is the name of a quiet and very interesting area of Edinburgh, located in the river valley. In the past, it was a small village, which was gradually absorbed by the city. When you are here, there is a persistent feeling that Dean Village seems to be lost in time.

Dean Village

Now the famous Gallery of Modern Art is located in this area, as well as preserved beautiful temples, small old bridges and other sights of Edinburgh.

Dean Village

The feeling of a different flow of time in Dean Village is probably due to geographic location this former village - it is located much lower above sea level and it seems that it really hid from prying eyes. The first information about the settlement on this site dates back to the 12th century, and in historical sources it is strongly associated with the production of grain. This tradition dates back over 800 years. For quite a long time, old mills were preserved here.

Dean Village

View of the sleeping areas of Edinburgh

Speaking of Scotland, it is impossible not to talk about the men's Scottish national dress - the kilt. A pleated plaid skirt is called a tartan. Each clan has its own color and kilt pattern.

Heraldry of the Scottish clans

In the old days, a kilt was sewn from a large amount of material, so that when it was cold in the mountains, one could wrap oneself in it. Today, very few people wear kilts every day. Now they are mainly worn for family celebrations and important holidays.

You will be surprised, but some textbook symbols of Scotland migrated to it from the outside: for example, Scotland adopted a men's skirt - a kilt - from Ireland, and a checkered tartan ornament was used in Central Europe in the Bronze Age. The bagpipe is believed to have come to Scotland from ancient Central Asia. And from there, presumably, the red hair gene, so common among modern Scots, entered Scotland.

It is better to buy Scottish cashmere in specialized stores, there are plenty of them, because, as you know, the Scots have a very great love for dressing up. Well, the "signature" print - tartan - can be seen in various variations - on a scarf, bag, clothes and even shoes.

The Elephant House cafe in Edinburgh

The basis of Scottish cuisine is oats, although the world-famous expression "Oatmeal, sir" is attributed to the British. Oats in Scotland are eaten in the form of regular oatmeal, as a side dish for cape or fish, as a dessert, with fruit and even with whiskey! The national dishes of national Scottish cuisine are cullenskink fish soup with onions, potatoes and sour cream, and haggis, a dish of lamb giblets chopped with onions, oatmeal, lard, salt and seasonings, cooked in a lamb's stomach.

Another tradition worth paying tribute to while in Scotland is the tea ceremony. Despite the fact that Scotland is more associated with the famous alcoholic drink, rather than with the English favorite tea, this tradition is also very strong here. However, they drink tea in Scotland in their own way: firstly, during dinner, and not at breakfast, as in many other countries, and secondly, generously “snacking” with sweet jam.

Edinburgh Arts Festival

Stairway, Edinburgh