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Edinburgh

Name: Scotland in a Week
Brand: Contiki
Price: 1435 AUD
Availability: InStock
Rating: 4.6 (131 reviews)

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Introduction To Edinburgh

Scotland's capital can be found in the humble streets that tumble around the imposing Edinburgh Castle, sprawling towards the North Sea that separates the United Kingdom from mainland Europe. Here in this unassuming pocket sits a city begging to be uncovered, lacking in pretension and bursting with personality and charm. With all the hallmarks of an elegant European city and an abundance of the homely warmth expected from the Scottish, not even the long harsh winter should scare you off visiting the city of Edinburgh. In Spring the days might be spent walking arches of cherry blossom trees in The Meadows, whilst Summer could see you enjoying the Jazz and Blues Festival amidst a sea of locals. No matter the time of year you can expect a whisky or two to be consumed, often much needed to numb the fear of sampling some of Scotland's local delicacies. First on the list will be haggis of sheep's stomach filled with onions and oatmeal, followed closely by black pudding, a pork blood sausage mixed with cereal and animal fat. Once you've proved yourself chewing through those two dishes, you can reward yourself with the buttery sweet of Scottish tablet and a traditional Fish supper. A climb to the top of Calton Hill and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery should always be on the to-do list. But the true way to immerse yourself in this city is to sit in a pub and get acquainted with locals by attempting a few words in Gaelic.

FAST FACTS

Language: English
Currency: Pound Sterling
Electricity: 230V
Visas: Click here to see if you need a visa to enter Scotland.
Dialling Code: +44
Time Zone: GMT

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Things to do in Edinburgh

Notorious for obscure meats that even the average carnivore may squirm at, many traditional Scottish dishes are quite the cultural experience. With all the country’s most adored dishes found right here in the capital, Edinburgh holidays have no shortage of gastronomical experiences.

Go on a stroll through the Meadows

With fields of grass blanketed in purple crocuses and walkways lined with cherry blossom trees, The Meadows of Edinburgh is a scene that storybooks are made of. Flocked to by locals in the summer months and home to picnics, Yoga classes, sports sessions and festivities, you’ll feel right at home on a grassy knoll with views of the city’s skyline. Team it with a visit to the lively George Square Gardens and the meditation labyrinth of the University of Edinburgh.

Taste some Scottish whisky

Though you could pay a visit to almost any pub in Edinburgh and order yourself a glass of whisky, true immersion in this heritage drink is best done via The Scotch Whisky Experience. From comparative whisky tasting in a master-class to a ride through a virtual distillery, the building and its restaurant can entertain you for hours. It’s also home to a collection of 3,384 whisky's vaulted off behind glass and marble, all found adjacent to Princes Street Garden.

Visit the Scottish Parliament

The Scots might be renowned for their good humour and quirks, but things take a serious turn at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. The country’s capital and political centre, visiting the parliament building is an exercise in both politics and modern Scottish architecture thanks to the new age building it is housed in. Pair your parliamentary excursion with a trip to the nearby Dynamic Earth museum to learn the history of the Earth from the Big Bang to modern times.

Climb Calton Hill and allow the view to blow your mind

Fall head over heels with Edinburgh with an ascent to the top of Calton Hill, home to some of the city’s most historic buildings and best vantage points. Take the climb at dusk for the added beauty of a creamy sky, sitting for at least an hour to watch the city slowly morph into a sea of lights. The walk will work up an appetite best satisfied by the Scottish cheese board with apricot chutney at the nearby MPs Bistro.

Scale the Scott Monument

A Victorian Gothic masterpiece dedicated to the Scottish author Sir Walter Scott, the Scott Monument is a certain feature on any what to do in Edinburgh list. Positioned within the luscious Princes Street Gardens it makes a great day out when the sun is shining, with visitors able to crawl the narrow spiral staircases of the sandstone building, treading a total of 288 steps to the top platform. For sweeping vistas of the city of Edinburgh, there’s no place quite like Scott Monument.

Take in some art at the Scottish National Galleries

The Scottish National Galleries comprise of 3 inspiring museums; the Scottish National Gallery dedicated to fine art; the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art home to an endless display of zest and colour; and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery presenting the Scottish faces that have shaped the country’s past, present and future. Each of the museums shows a different side to the city - make them all an integral feature in your Edinburgh holiday.

Top 5 Festivals in Edinburgh

Dust off your bagpipes and acquire your taste for whisky, an Edinburgh festival dishes up an equal measure of culture and fun. Hosting the world’s longest running film festival and an enormous celebration hosted by the British Armed Forces, there’s something for everyone in this city.

Edinburgh International Film Festival

Film

The longest continually running film festival in the world’s history, the Edinburgh International Film Festival is an iconic cinematic event known and adored across the globe. Held over two weeks in Summer at various elegant settings such as the Edinburgh Festival Theatre, it honours all genre of films both local and international.

The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival

Music

Another much-adored festival on the Edinburgh Summer calendar, the city’s Jazz and Blues Festival sets Edinburgh into a melody of toe tapping, trumpet-blowing joy. Held at venues like the candlelit Jazz Bar, Meadow Bank Church, and the Grassmarket of Edinburgh Castle, it’s a great way to explore new pockets of the city.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo

Culture

Bringing more noise and excitement than an inky needle ever could, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is series of performances by the British Armed Forces held each August on the esplanade of Edinburgh Castle. Expect fireworks, marching bands, and impressive choreography, all done in the name of charity.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe

Theatre, Dance & Music

Often declared the largest arts festival in the world, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe runs over most of August and displays over 3,000 shows thanks to its open-access policy that accepts all submissions. With some 2 million tickets issued for the 2017 edition, this is an Edinburgh festival like no other.

The Edinburgh Mela

Music & Dance

Multiculturalism positively overflows at the Mela, Edinburgh’s annual celebration of world music and dance. Bringing in an artful curation of international acts along with fashion and food stalls of immense exoticism, this 2-day event at Leith Links offers no shortage of inspiration.

Top 5 Museums in Edinburgh

Delve into the history and culture of the Scottish and gain an understanding of the country beyond tartans and whiskey. With many of Scotland’s best monuments found in the centre of Edinburgh, visiting the capital’s museums is a journey that will move from melancholy to inspiration, sadness to admiration.

Museum of Childhood

Enjoy a bout of nostalgia at Edinburgh’s Museum of Childhood, the first space in the world dedicated to exploring the years of youth. From retro board-games to 19th century dolls, this museum ventures through the decades considering play, home, and school, offering cheery smiles to all those who enter.

The People’s Story Museum

Step back to the 18th, 19th and 20th centuries at The People’s Story Museum where the working-class folk of Edinburgh during these eras have their stories told. From protest signs to advertisements and government documents to friendly letters, the entire museum unfolds through the power of the written word.

Scottish National Portrait Gallery

Found in a grand and intricate neo-gothic building on Queen Street, the Scottish National Portrait Gallery tours important figures in Scottish history – from ancient royals to modern scientists – through artworks, photography and an inspiring library.

Edinburgh Castle

One of the most striking architectural features of the city, the fortress of Edinburgh Castle, can be found standing triumphantly on the volcanic cliff of Castle Rock. Once a royal residence, an army garrison, and a prison, it is now the site of numerous ghost stories and mythologies. For a fairytale sighting of the castle blanketed in snow, time your visit to fall over the thick of Winter.

Writers’ Museum

Take a journey through Scottish prose at the Writer’s Museum in Lady Stair's Close, an ode to Sir Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson. Through manuscripts, portraits, and curious personal effects, the deep crimson museum celebrates their poetic talents and Scottish history.

Food in Edinburgh

Haggis

Scotland's famed national dish is traditionally made from sheep's stomach stuffed with onions, oatmeal and various unmentionable meat products, but don't let that put you off. Served with neeps (mashed turnips) and tatties (mashed potatoes), it's truly delicious and a Scotland food must-try.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Arcade Bar, Haggis & Whisky House, 48 Cockburn St, Old Town}

Fish supper

Such is the name given to fish & chips in Scotland, and it's extremely popular here. Order it in Edinburgh and they'll offer you 'salt & sauce', not salt & vinegar - the sauce is a delicious blend of brown sauce and vinegar that everyone should try!

_{Best eaten at}
_{Marchmont Takeaway, 98 Marchmont Rd}

Scottish tablet

Not to be confused with an oversized smartphone, a Scottish tablet is a buttery sweet treat made with vanilla and condensed milk. A cross between fudge and a chunk of caramel it can be found in Scotland blended with whiskey and nuts. Gift and goodie shop Cranachan & Crowdie sources some of the country’s finest.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Cranachan & Crowdie, 263 Canongate}

Grouse

Eating grouse, a large feathered bird, as something of an ancient royal tradition in Scotland. Despite coming from the chicken family, grouse is a dark and gamey tasting meat that takes an acquired taste. Often served roasted with beetroots and condiments, this is a dish you may grow to love.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Castle Terrace, 33-35 Castle Terrace}

Black pudding

If you imagine black pudding to be a luscious dessert served with caramel sauce, the reality of the British dish might cause some disappointment. A type of sausage usually made from pork blood and fat blended with herbs and cereal, it can be eaten cold or cooked, or devoured deep fried as the Scottish love.

_{Best eaten at}
_{Crombies of Edinburgh, 97 Broughton St}