Open the left menu edinburgh. Edinburgh is one of the oldest cities in the UK

Edinburgh instantly evokes associations with castles on granite rocks, wrought iron bars, antique mirrors in heavy frames. This is partly true - castles are found in abundance in the Old Town, as, indeed, are various art galleries and museums. However, this city is truly alive. The day can be spent on the sights of Edinburgh, but the evening is better spent in a pub for a cheerful conversation or in a restaurant overlooking the harbour. After all, Edinburgh is multifaceted. Do not miss any of his guises.

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The Royal Mile includes four streets, forming a vast and rather intricate quarter. It consists of intricacies of smaller streets that wrap around the Mile. It is believed that the beginning of the Mile is located at Edinburgh Castle. Here, around the twelfth century, a market appeared, around which wooden houses quickly appeared, just as quickly burned by the British. Gradually, the purely commercial vector of the Royal Mile began to change its direction: it seemed that it had become a kind of New Babylon with a hundred or two professions, concessions and languages.

Here the Inquisition met, its bonfires burned merrily, the doors of taverns and brothels were hospitably thrown open, the central court and the place of execution of death sentences were nearby. Life on the Royal Mile was seething, as it is seething today. Parliament Square, Holyrood Bridge, Camera Obscura, St. Giles Cathedral - sights for every taste.

Holyrood Palace

Almost at the very end of the Royal Mile is the current royal residence, where members of the royal family stay. As a rule, this happens in the summer - at this time the palace is closed to tourists. The history of the castle began in the twelfth century with an unsuccessful Sunday hunt by King David, who almost became a hunting trophy himself. The miraculous salvation of the monarch was the reason for the construction of the first abbey, and then Holyrood Castle.

Tourists can visit the royal dining room, the throne room, where ceremonies of consecration to the Knights of the Thistle are still held, the chambers of Mary Stuart with authentic furnishings, as well as the royal gallery, which contains portraits of royal persons who have sat on the throne of Scotland for almost all of its history. . You can also walk through the palace garden and climb the "Throne of Arthur". In winter, the palace is open to the public from 09:30 to 16:30, in summer - until 18:00. The price of an adult ticket is 11.3 pounds.

Holyrood Abbey

Adjacent to Holyrood Palace is Holyrood Abbey. The once flourishing church is now a deplorable—but no less majestic—spectacle. The gloomy ruins of once opulent halls are now covered in moss. There is no need for electric lighting here - in some places there are not enough large areas in the roof. But in the Middle Ages, meetings of nobles were often held here and the most important political decisions were made!

Over the past three hundred years, many local and foreign architects have proposed projects for the reconstruction of this cultural heritage, but none of them has been implemented. You can enter the territory of the abbey with a ticket to visit the Holyrood Palace. Their visiting hours also coincide.

Edinburgh castle

If you look at the castle from the city, it seems that it is floating in the air. Initially, it was created as a fortress and for many centuries was used for fortification purposes by various forces and political groups. From the twelfth century, it became the official royal residence, and then the arena of the main actions in the confrontation between England and Scotland. The main royal relic, the Stone of Destiny, is also kept here.

Monarchs at all times laid their hands on him to solemnly pronounce an oath before a high assembly. A tour of the castle will allow you to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of robberies, sieges, betrayals, political and love flirtations, prison everyday life and even magic - it was here that some elements of the Harry Potter saga were filmed. The price of the entrance ticket is 16.5 pounds. In winter, the castle can be visited from 09:30 to 17:00, in summer the visiting time is extended by an hour.

Scott Monument

One of the most crowded and noisy stations in Edinburgh - Edinburgh Waverley - is located on Princes Street. It is not surprising that such a significant place received an equally significant name. The station was named after one of the characters of Walter Scott, and not far from the giant building is a magnificent monument. Its height exceeds sixty meters.

If you do not know that this monument was erected in honor of the great Scottish writer, you can consider that this is an unusual neo-Gothic church of the Victorian era - the composition of this monument is so large-scale and architecturally intricate. It offers perhaps the best views of central Edinburgh, however, for the sake of admiring, you will have to climb one of the spiral staircases, that is, overcome almost three hundred steps. The real architectural culmination of the monument is the sculpture of Walter Scott himself, sitting in an armchair and stroking his dog.

Puffin Mary King

Only four hundred years ago, the Mary King quarter, who was the daughter of a highly successful lawyer, was perhaps the busiest in the capital. The King family owned most of the local buildings, and everything was going great until a plague broke out in the city. Plague-infected people began to be driven into the Mary King quarter, then to make them prisoners of these streets, simply by walling up the dying people. The most famous of these sufferers was Little Annie, a girl who was put in the "cellar of the dead" and who is still looking for her parents. Oddly enough, but under such a heartbreaking story there is still no powerful justification. What is known for sure is that it was a quarantine zone.

Nothing can be said with complete certainty about the “bricking up”. One way or another, but gradually they began to build over a dead end New town, and soon it turned into a kind of catacombs, of which, ultimately, they made a tourist attraction. It’s better not to go down here without a guide and a powerful lantern - you can get lost in no time. For an entrance ticket to the "city of the dead" will have to pay 12.5 pounds. The opening hours should be checked on the official website, as it is constantly being adjusted.

Cathedral of Saint Egidio

This cathedral is better known as St. Giles Cathedral. It is officially considered the main Presbyterian temple in the country. Its construction began in the fourteenth century. Once upon a time, an ancient church stood on the site of the cathedral. Some pillars of the former building still support the vaults of the modern cathedral. To many, the Cathedral of St. Egidius seems a little gloomy with its Victorian stained glass windows and intricate stone carvings. As a rule, the most interesting is the Chapel of the Thistle, in which knighthoods still take place today.

The walls of this old chapel are painted with numerous coats of arms of aristocrats, members of eminent families and crowned persons who at different times were honored to become knights of the Thistle. The cathedral also houses the crypts of many famous Scottish personalities. In summer, the cathedral can be visited from 09:00 to 19:00, a special schedule is valid on weekends. In winter, it is open until 17:00. Admission is £3, and multiple shots are £2.

Craigmillar Castle

Once upon a time, a whole village grew around Craigmillar Castle, but now there are only numerous buildings around the central part of Edinburgh. The specificity of the castle is that it is perhaps the only Scottish castle that has retained its authentic appearance. The first mention of it dates back to the beginning of the thirteenth century.

The most ancient components of the castle appeared a hundred years later. Among the most famous dead who ever lived in Craigmillar, Mary Stuart stands out in particular. The castle is open to the public all year round. An adult ticket will cost 6 pounds.

Greyfriars Kirk Church

Once on the site of the modern church was the abbey of the Franciscan order - "The Abbey of the Gray Brothers". It is considered one of the oldest buildings outside the Old Town of Edinburgh. Its age is estimated at four centuries. For a long time it consisted of two buildings, the earlier of which dates back to the Reformation period. This church has long been a true stronghold of Presbyterianism.

Greyfriars Kirk was the first Presbyterian church to have a stained glass window and even an organ. No less famous than the church itself is the local cemetery. Among the local ghosts there is their Jack the Ripper and their Hachiko, about whom several novels have been written.

National Portrait Gallery

The Scots took seriously the creation of a national collection of portraiture and photography. The very idea of ​​opening such a gallery caused a wide resonance in society, but the government was in no hurry to invest in this project. The first sketches of the modern gallery appeared through the efforts of the then-famous philanthropist John Findley, who two centuries ago provided funds for the creation of a special building to house the collections.

The neo-Gothic red sandstone building with stucco and numerous sculptural compositions on the east and north facades still makes many passers-by look at it. You can visit the gallery from 10:00 to 17:00 on all days except Thursday. On Thursdays it closes two hours late. Admission to the National Treasury of Portraiture is free.

Scottish Whiskey Heritage Center

Scotch whiskey has been a brand for more than one century. This is not just a brand of alcohol, but the history of the country and its character. The Whiskey Heritage Center now holds more three thousand collectible bottles of this drink. This project is always relevant, as the government is happy to invest in the development of the center and attract partners.

The center itself occupies a vast building on the Royal Mile. The tour usually includes theoretical and practical parts. Moreover, the practical one is striking in its variability - usually the guest is offered to taste more than a hundred varieties of whiskey, which are made in different regions of the country. The center is open from 10:00 to 18:30. The entrance ticket will cost at least 14.5 pounds.

Museum "Our Dynamic Earth"

The museum amazes even before getting acquainted with its expositions. The roof of this building is made in the form of a giant membrane, which is stretched on metal cables. In such an unusual way, it was decided to meet the new millennium. The museum maintains an ideal balance of scientific authenticity and entertainment presentation of the material.

Thus, museum guests will be able to get a holistic view of the processes by which the Earth was formed, as well as the various stages of animal and animal development. flora. Another important milestone is scientific forecasting. Questions of alternative evolution are raised. The full price of the ticket is 12.5 pounds, the children's ticket will cost 7.95 pounds. The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:30.

National Museum of Scotland

The modern National Museum is the result of a merger between the Museum of Antiquities and the Royal Museum. It is noteworthy that we are talking not only about moving collections and compiling new ones. excursion programs, but also about the combination of two buildings - a modern constructivist and an old Victorian. The expositions refer to various fields of knowledge: history, geology, natural history, culturologists.

Sometimes it seems that all this flow of information has no system: next to the stuffed doll of the cloned sheep Dolly, there is the Elton John Art Hall, which passes into the hall with artifacts from ancient egypt. Most vivid impressions usually remain from Great Hall- most large premises a museum richly decorated with bird sculptures and filled with light. The museum is open from 10:00 to 17:00. Entrance to the museum is free.

National Gallery of Modern Art

The gallery opened only at the end of the twentieth century. A huge neo-Gothic building with a luxurious garden was chosen to house it, which today has been turned into a large-scale sculpture dedicated to Charles Jenkins. According to the creators, the idea is based on chaos theory. The gallery's funds are so huge that temporary exhibitions often have to be held. Visitors can get acquainted with the work of Picasso, Matisse, Nicholson, Braque completely free of charge from 10:00 to 17:00.

Forth Bridge

This bridge has an extremely important function. In fact, it connects the southeast and northeast of the country. It began to be built at the end of the nineteenth century. More than sixty people died during the three years of construction. The scale of the project is amazing: ten times more metal was spent on it than on the construction of the Eiffel Tower.

The visual effect created by this bridge was so strong that many modern directors, artists and photographers chose it as a backdrop for their work. Some art historians also say that the Forth Bridge is not only an expression of modern art, but also its spiritual inspiration. The duality of nature is fascinating.

Royal Yacht Britannia

Once this yacht belonged to Elizabeth II herself. Before being moored in the port of Leith, she received the status of a ship that was in direct operation longer than any other. She rocked on the waves for almost forty-four years, having made more than a thousand voyages and traveled more than a million nautical miles. Most of the rooms have retained their original furnishings. Some cabins and dining area are used for events. The entrance ticket costs 12 pounds. Most of the year the visit is possible from 10:00 to 15:30.

Princess Street Gardens

A huge area of ​​fifteen hectares between New and Old Edinburgh was given over to gardens, which residents and guests of the city still cannot get enough of. Back in the Middle Ages, Nor-Loch Lake was created on the territory of modern gardens for fortification purposes, which, closer to the onset of the New Age, was decided to be drained to create a park area. Which was done with brilliance. Soon the two parts of Edinburgh were united by the railway, and in the park itself appeared great amount statues and even fountains that are still working.

Tourists come here not only for relaxation, but also to see the famous flower clock and rise above the city on a Ferris wheel. Of course, it is not the highest in the world, but even so it is worth pampering yourself and plunging into the world of bright lights of fairground fun from a bird's eye view. In the summer months, a large-scale fireworks festival is held here, and in the winter, an ice rink is flooded here. Entrance to the park is free.

Royal Botanic Garden

This Botanical Garden has more than a long history. For almost five centuries of existence, it has changed its location more than once. It is noteworthy that initially it was created for educational purposes, so that young doctors and biologists could study the properties of various medicinal plants. Gradually, the profile changed from teaching to research. Now it is more of a place of educational recreation. The park is divided into independent thematic zones, some of which are located directly under open sky, while others are located in greenhouses. If the entrance to the territory of the garden itself is free, then for the entrance to some greenhouses you will have to pay 4.5 pounds.

The workers themselves often call rockeries the main pearl of the garden: a mountain river, waterfalls and lakes form a complex system. The Chinese Garden is constantly growing and takes guests to the Asian landscape. The palm greenhouse with vines, bamboo and almost all types of palm trees enjoys special love of visitors. The heather greenhouse and the plots dedicated to the local flora have an incomparable charm. Entire sections of the garden are devoted to environmental issues. It is best to visit the botanical garden in spring or summer, when all the plants are filled with strength. During the warm season, the garden is open from 10:00 to 19:00, in the autumn-winter period it closes at 18:00.

Throne of Arthur

The highest of the seven hills of Edinburgh is Arthur's Seat, which is located in the park adjacent to Holyrood Castle. Once upon a time, this majestic hill was nothing more than a volcano, but today many people call it the "lion's head", which is not far from the truth. At a certain angle, the shape of the hill really begins to resemble a formidable predator, ready to jump. As for official name hill, according to one version, it was here that the legendary Camelot castle was once located.

The only thing that can be said with complete certainty is that large-scale military battles really took place on the territory of the hill. True, it is not known whether King Arthur himself was somehow connected with them. Today, tourists enjoy climbing the hill to capture the colorful panoramas of Edinburgh.

Calton Hill

This hill is located to the east of the New Town and is another excellent observation deck, however, the reputation of this place is not really clean, rather the opposite. It was here that the city prison was located, and death sentences were regularly carried out. Today, there is a modern observatory on the top, and three wide avenues diverge in different directions from the hill. A number of monuments grace Calton Hill. The most unusual of them is the unfinished copy of the Parthenon, which attracts precisely by its incompleteness.

In addition to London, another popular tourist destination represents the city of Edinburgh in the UK. Being the capital of Scotland, Edinburgh is rich in historical and architectural sights, numerous cultural objects, art galleries and museums, as well as, of course, a variety of opportunities for spending every evening leisure: pubs, bars, restaurants, clubs.

The sights of Scotland and Edinburgh regularly attract a lot of tourists, but a special influx of visitors begins at the end of summer. Three times more guests than usual, Edinburgh gathers in August, because it hosts the famous Edinburgh Festival, which is a joint holding of several festivals of various directions.

Therefore, at this time it is better to take care of the issue of accommodation here in advance and see the numerous hotels in Edinburgh, as well as book them, which can be easily done thanks to the Hotellok service. Another reason for mass folk festivals is New Year or Hogmanay when theatrical performances, fairs and other bright events are held.

Brief history

Scientists have found that the first settlements on the territory of modern Edinburgh belong to the Bronze Age. This is evidenced by the findings of historians and archaeologists: primitive painting, ancient tools.

The first tribe that settled here was the Wotadin tribe.. Even the ancient Romans in the 1st millennium BC. wanted to conquer this people, as evidenced by some of the surviving documents. The Wotadin built the fortress of Din Eidyn, which literally translates as "the fortress of Eidyn". This name went through several transformations until it came to the modern name - Edinburgh.

After numerous battles, in 638 AD. the fortress passed into the possession of the Northumbrian Angles, who had a huge impact on its development. During this period, the characteristic suffix "burg" was added to the name of the city.

Three centuries later, the fortress became part of Scotland. The fastest pace of development of the city can be attributed to the XII century. Then the Church of the Holy Crucifixion (Holyrood Abbey) was built., and the royal court moved to Edinburgh Castle.

Later, the parliament that arose in Edinburgh determined the development of Edinburgh as the capital of Scotland. When the political influence of the city decreased, cultural life continued to thrive: local philosophers, scientists, writers and artists still played a significant role in world culture.

In 1450, Edinburgh was surrounded by a fortress wall, now this area is called the Old Town.. It is characterized high buildings at 11 or even 14-15 floors, since Edinburgh could then only grow in height. In the 18th century, to the north of the city, new area- New town. Since 1995, these areas have been included in the list of objects world heritage.

Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1437.. In 1998, the British Parliament adopted the Scotland Act, which determined the creation of its own parliament and administration here. They can make their own laws in Scotland and regulate the system of taxation.

Local Attractions

Edinburgh is famous for its must-see places and sights when visiting Scotland.

One of the first must visit main symbol and landmarks of Edinburgh -. From the side it seems that the castle is hovering over the city. Here, from the observation deck, you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Edinburgh. For tourists, decorations are exhibited here, ancient weapons, historical values.

No less worthy of a visit is Holyroodhouse Palace, formerly an abbey. The ruins of the abbey have remained here until now, only now the palace itself functions as a royal residence. This is where official events and receptions are held when the Queen visits Scotland.

These two objects are connected by the so-called "Royal Mile". This is the name given to four roads in Edinburgh that are exactly one mile long. Moving down from Edinburgh Castle, on this street and its branches you can see some sights and buy souvenirs.

Along the way, you can stop by the Camera Obscura and the World of Illusion museum, as well as look into where you can taste this traditional Scottish drink and learn how it is made.

Almost in the center of the "Royal Mile" is the Cathedral of St. Giles - the center of religious life in Scotland.

The Royal Mile also has one secret street - Mary King's Dead End. In the XVIII century, it was walled up when the building of the city administration was being built, and in 2000 it was opened again. Now on the territory of the underground street there is a museum showing the life of the Scots of the 16th-19th centuries.

Edinburgh opens the doors of its art galleries to tourists, among which the most famous Scotland - the oldest of its kind in the region, the National Portrait Gallery and the Gallery of Modern Art on the grounds of the Royal Botanic Gardens. The botanical garden itself is also an attraction, as it is one of the oldest botanical gardens in the UK.

Learn more about the history of Edinburgh by visiting National Museum Scotland and the National War Museum. Also open to the public is the royal yacht Britannia, now turned into a museum on the water.

Edinburgh is famous for its zoo, or rather, its inhabitants. It is located near the city center and was created not so much for entertainment as for research work. However, this does not prevent the desire of crowds of tourists to visit it. The creators of the zoo were able to show not only the diversity of animals that inhabit our planet, but also convey the acute problem of endangered species of animals.

Arriving in Edinburgh, be sure to visit several unusual museums. Interested in geology, biology, geography and other natural sciences, You should definitely see the expositions of the museum "Our Dynamic Earth", where you can "visit" the epicenter of an earthquake or volcanic eruption, feel how the planet breathes, learn about other various processes and unusual phenomena on earth.

Those who are keen on literature should visit the Museum of Authors, which tells about the pride of Scotland in the field of poetry and prose: Walter Scott, Robert Burns, Robert Stevenson. By the way, visiting this museum is free, which is determined by the tradition of "what to take from a poet."

Edinburgh also pleases children and those who remain children in their hearts, opening up access to the Museum of Childhood, filled with souvenirs, books, entertainment, toys and other children's attributes. A joyful and cheerful atmosphere constantly reigns in the museum, which appeals to both young and adult visitors.

Important information for tourists

Tourists wishing to visit all the sights and interesting places Edinburgh and save money at the same time, it is better to purchase an Edinburgh Pass, through which you can visit about 30 museums and galleries of the city for free, get discounts in shops and restaurants, and travel around the city for free.

The price of a card for 1 day is 24 pounds, for 2 days - 36 pounds, and for 3 days - 48 pounds. You can buy it at the airport, train station or information offices in the city.

If we consider hotels in Edinburgh, then the historical center, of course, has the most expensive options. Relatively inexpensive hostels and hotels in Edinburgh are located in the lower part of the Royal Mile and its lanes, as well as in the southern part of the city and in Leith.

Being in different cities, each of us feels differently in them. Sometimes beloved Budapest evokes absolutely no emotions, and you want to return to some small town in northern Spain again and again. I like to explain these phenomena by saying that every city, regardless of size, has its own vibrations, and when you get into it, you either begin to vibrate in unison, or remain cool to each other. Sometimes there is a feeling that you are at home, even if you have never been in this place before. That's when "Love" happens. This is exactly what happened to me with Edinburgh, which is in the first place in my personal rating. And so far, none of the cities visited can oust him from there.

The first thing you see when you exit the airport

Arriving in Edinburgh, the first thing you will be surprised is that you do not understand English at all. Although the day before, it seems like they were fluent in it. And here we must remember about the jokes of the British over the Scottish language and give them their due, that this is not just for nothing. The Scots speak English with the addition of the Scottish dialect and an admixture of words from the ancient Gaelic language. Therefore, be patient with the fact that at first you will get used to a strange dialect local residents. And get used to the unusual left-hand traffic. Be especially careful when crossing the road: first look to the right, and then go.

From these booths you can call anywhere in the world

In 1437, Edinburgh became the capital of Scotland, which is part of the United Kingdom of Great Britain. During its existence, the city has experienced many troubled historical periods, which are reflected in its architecture, culture and mentality of the Scots. The population of Edinburgh is small - about 500 thousand people. One taxi driver told us that the industrialized city of Glasgow, which outnumbers all other cities in Scotland by several times, holds a grudge against Edinburgh for its status as the capital.

All the grass in Edinburgh looks perfect

Edinburgh will not surprise you with skyscrapers, as NY, here you will not find historical ruins, as in Rome, the weather will not please you with a warm sun, like Barcelona. There is a special medieval atmosphere here. ancient city which may not be to everyone's taste. You will especially feel it on the main street of Edinburgh - the Royal Mile (Royal Mile).

The most famous street in Edinburgh

First of all, you should visit the main street - the Royal Mile, which is a real tourist mecca, because there are all kinds of souvenir shops where you can buy absolutely everything, from kilts to small bottles of whiskey and magnets. But do not rush to spend your money here, because most of the goods are designed for tourists, which means that the quality will be quite low. If you want to buy a real Scottish kilt, then you should google the workshops that specialize in sewing them, and in this case, the quality will not disappoint you, and it will last forever.

Friendly Message to Americans

The length of the Royal Mile is 1.8 km. It starts from Edinburgh Castle and runs down to Holyrood Palace. Literally at every step, surprisingly beautiful and interesting places will be waiting for you.

royal mile
Taking a picture with a piper is a great thing
On the way to the Royal Mile

Visiting card of the city Edinburgh castle (Edinburgh Castle) like the Colosseum in Rome or the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona. It is located on top of a rock, which is actually an extinct volcano, the last eruption of which was dated about 300 million years ago. The castle has experienced a lot in its long history: the Scottish Parliament met within its walls, it was the residence of the Scottish kings, it served as a factory for the production and storage of weapons, its walls were a prison. And, finally, in 1811 the castle was given the status of a National Monument, and opened to tourists. Now you can easily go inside and get acquainted with rich history Scottish people, which has been preserved within its walls. In one of its many chambers is The stone of Destiny or the Skoon Stone, a sacred relic of Scotland. He is stone block weighing 152 kg and is believed by many to be of biblical origin. It was used for the coronation ceremony of all Scottish kings. But in 1292, the stone was taken by force and transported to Westminster Abbey in London, and since that time English monarchs have been crowned with it. In 1950, some desperate students stole it and threw it into a ruined Arbroath Abbey (Arbroath abbey), which is located in the North East of Edinburgh. The stone was returned back to London, but after some time it was returned to its rightful place - to Edinburgh Castle, and now it is located next to the crown of the Scottish king and other historical regalia. Among other things, the castle is haunted, which is not surprising for medieval buildings with such a gloomy history. A piper ghost settled here, who, during his lifetime, was let into the dungeons to explore them, and since then no one has seen him. Only in the evenings do people hear the sound of bagpipes coming from underground. Edinburgh Castle is considered one of the scariest castles in Europe.

Edinburgh Castle is clearly visible from Princess Street.
His Majesty Edinburgh Castle
Near the castle there are old houses in which people live.
The very beginning of the Royal Mile. Behind you now is Edinburgh Castle
From the top point, next to the castle, a beautiful view of the city opens up.

Walking along the Royal Mile, you will see Cathedral of Saint Giles (St Giles‘ Cathedral) belonging to the Presbyterian Church. Built in a sombre Gothic style, and named after Saint Giles, who was the patron saint of the crippled and lepers. The legend says that during the royal hunt, an arrow accidentally hit the hermit Giles, who lived in the forest, and severely injured him. Upon learning of the wounded monk, the king offered him the best court healers and healers, but Giles humbly refused these services. Believing in the sanctity of this man, the king ordered the construction of a monastery for him.

Beautiful Saint Giles Cathedral
Monument to Walter Francis Montagu Douglas Scott, Duke of Buccleuch

The unique architectural feature of this cathedral is that its upper spire is decorated in the form of a royal crown, which has no analogues anywhere in the world. Inside is the chapel of the ancient knightly order of the Thistle, and every year there are initiation rites for new members of the community. And within the walls of the Cathedral rests the famous Scottish writer, author of the novel "Treasure Island", Robert Lewis Stevenson.

Recognizable crown of the Cathedral
The Cathedral is one of the most beautiful sights on the Royal Mile.
Scottish philosopher, agnostic, representative of empiricism and author of the famous "Treatise on Human Nature" - David Hume
Whiskey and Scotland are two inseparable concepts
A lot of whiskey for every taste
In addition to whiskey, the cafe serves a very tasty dessert - flipjack. It's a delicious blend of oatmeal and honey.

Descending from Edinburgh Castle down the Royal Mile, be sure to look into different branches of the streets. There you can find secluded places, which, nevertheless, will impress you with their history. One such place was the infamous dead end. Mary King (Mary King’ s close) . This place is on the list of the most scary places Europe, along with mystical Irish. It is a network of streets in the dungeons of Edinburgh, over which stands modern city. In the 17th century, when a plague epidemic was raging and the number of dead and sick exceeded all permissible limits, it was decided to isolate part of the city and leave all infected people in it to die. After some time, above these streets, the construction of a new city began, which you can now observe. Going down into this dungeon, be prepared to see a truly gloomy medieval streets. You can go into living quarters, see how the streets were cleaned and see for yourself that basic hygiene is not observed. By the way, the tour is conducted by a man in clothes that were typical for those who removed corpses from the street, which further adds to the horror of your tour. Here, many eyewitnesses observe ghosts and ghosts, and some even manage to capture them on the camera. There is a gloomy room, which is littered almost to the top with soft toys. They all belong to the little ghost girl Annie, who was left to die in this isolated area for plague patients during her lifetime by her parents. She suffered greatly and missed them. After her death, her soul did not calm down, and now she wanders through the dark labyrinths of the dungeon and is looking for her parents. This sign was first discovered by the Japanese medium Aiko Giko, who was filming a film about paranormal phenomena in the UK. She physically could not enter this room, because the aura of pain that she felt here prevented her from doing so. She described a little girl who misses her parents and cannot understand why she was left here alone. In addition, the ghost was always looking for her doll, which she could not find. After this information, the medium went outside and bought a toy for the girl in the nearest store. Since then, many people have brought baby Annie various toys as a consolation, and if this continues, then the room will soon be impossible to get into because of the abundance of gifts. It is better for impressionable people not to go down into these dungeons, but for everyone else this is a great opportunity to see how people lived during the Middle Ages.

Puffin Mary King

Near the bottom of the Royal Mile is Canongate Church (Canongate Kirk) which belongs to the Presbyterian Church. In the distant past, the area in which the church stands was not part of Edinburgh, but after a while it became an integral part of it. Several famous Scots are buried in the cemetery of the Canongey Church: the economist Adam Smith and the poet Robert Fergusson, to whom a monument is erected opposite the entrance.

These are the flowering trees we found near the church
Patio

Not far from the Royal Mile, there is a monument to a small dog that went down in history as an example of devotion and endless love, which once again proves that man's best friend is a dog. Greyfriars Bobby (Greyfriars Bobby) , the Skye Terrier breed, won the hearts of people with his fidelity, because for fourteen years, until his own death, he guarded the grave of his master, John Gray, who died of tuberculosis in Edinburgh. The dog was fed by people from a nearby bar, which was later renamed after Bobby.

Dog is man's best friend

Edinburgh, like Rome and Kyiv, is a city built on seven hills. And on one of the hills of Edinburgh, there is a beautiful view of the city. It is called Calton Hill (Calton Hill) , and is considered the most popular observation deck in the city. From here you can see a panorama of the old and new parts of the city, as well as a hill called "Throne / Saddle of Arthur" (Arthur's Seat), which is actually an extinct volcano. You can climb it on your own.

If you have free 3-4 hours, you can walk upstairs to the "Throne of Arthur"
A beautiful panorama of the city opens from Calton Hill

The beautiful rotunda on Calton Hill, built of 9 arches, resembles the Greek architectural style, and is a monument to the Scottish philosopher and educator Dugald Stewart. The gazebo was built in 1831 by analogy with the monument of Lysicrates in Athens.

Rotunda and view Old city and Edinburgh Castle
View of Arthur's Seat and the ancient Greyfriars Cemetery, where Skye Terrier owner Bobby is buried
Near Calton Hill we were surprised to find memorial plaque about the millennium of the baptism of Ukraine

But no monument in Scotland can compare with the incredible building in honor of the famous writer, poet and historian Sir Walter Scott, who is considered the founder of the historical novel genre. Its Gothic spire is visible from anywhere in Edinburgh, as the height of the monument is 61 meters. It is located on Princess Street, next to Waverley Station, which is named after Scott's Waverley novel of the same name. The stone from which the monument is built attracts dirt and dust like a magnet, so it looks really gloomy against the background of other buildings. The project cost the state £5,000 and was built in 6 years. Around the monument there are many lawns with short cut grass and it is always very busy, especially if the weather is conducive to walking. People sit on the ground and relax, read books or just enjoy the sun.

The high spire of the monument is clearly visible from everywhere
You will not confuse this monument with anything else.
Perfect lawns that you just want to lie on
There were a lot of people sitting around this lawn. The main thing is the right angle
It's common to meet a man in a kilt in Edinburgh

At the end of Princess Street is one of the most beautiful and expensive hotels in Edinburgh - Hotel Balmoral (Balmoral hotel) , which has been hosting guests since 1902. A very beautiful Victorian building designed primarily for travelers, because it is located next to Waverley Station. The cost of a room in this hotel starts from 207 euros for a Standard class room and can reach 1000 euros per day.

Hotel Balmoral
Evening Balmoral

At the very bottom of the Royal Mile you can see the Palace of Hollyrood, the modern Parliament of Scotland and the Royal Gallery.

We were in Edinburgh twice, and I can say that if it were my will and the unlimited validity of the visa, I would come here at least every month to feel a little more and plunge into this fabulous atmosphere of my most beloved city.

You can get lost in the back streets of Edinburgh
And don't be put off by this slightly haughty view of Edinburgh. It is actually a very open and friendly city.
Beautiful giraffes live here, which, according to the sculptor, live between heaven and earth.
And the entrance to the apartment is guarded by noble hounds
Not a single central street can do without a unicorn, which is a symbol of Scotland
Edinburgh is not alien to modern trends in architecture
Busy Princess Street
It's just that parking is expensive. 3.60 pounds for 1 hour

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 huge museum, which contains collections in a variety of 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 name 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 during 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. Scottish people 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. Modern look bicycle, with pedals and a saddle - 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. It is divided into two districts - the Old and the New City, which are among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites.

Old Town - the historical center of Scotland

View of the old streets of the city

by the most beautiful place The old city is the Royal Mile - a wide street on which stone buildings typical of the Middle Ages are located. 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 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

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 a settlement on this site dates back to the 12th century, and in historical sources it is strongly associated with grain production. 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