World City Guide

Key Attractions

Edinburgh Castle
This is Scotland’s most famous tourist attraction, built on the core of an extinct volcano. There has been a stronghold on this site since at least the first century AD. Edinburgh Castle now houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg (a massive 15th-century cannon) and the army headquarters of the Scottish Division. The panorama from the battlements provides a splendid view over the city.

Castlehill
Tel: (0131) 225 9846. Fax: (0131) 220 4733.
Website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Transport: Bus 35.
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1800 (Mar-Oct); daily 0930-1700 (Nov-Mar); last entrance 45 minutes before closing time.
Admission: £9.80; concessions available.

Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse sits at the eastern end of the Royal Mile and has been the royal quarter of Edinburgh since 1128, when David I founded an abbey here. Most of the present building dates from the reign of Charles II, who ordered the palace’s reconstruction. The palace remains the Queen’s official residence in Scotland and may be closed when the royal family is stopping over.

Canongate, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 556 5100. Fax: (020) 7930 9625.
Website: www.royal.gov.uk
Transport: Bus 35 or 64.
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1800 (Apr-Oct); daily 0930-1630 (Nov-Mar); last entrance 45 minutes before closing time.
Admission: £8.50; concessions available.

National Gallery of Scotland
The collection of European paintings and sculpture dating from the Renaissance to the 19th century is Scotland’s greatest and includes works by Van Dyck, Tiepolo, Pisarro, Monet, Cézanne, El Greco, Raphael, Titian and Botticelli. The Royal Scottish Academy is now accessed through the award-winning new Weston Link. The Scottish National Portrait Gallery is located nearby, at 1 Queen Street.

The Mound
Tel: (0131) 624 6200 or 332 2266 (recorded information). Fax: (0131) 623 7126.
E-mail: enquiries@nationalgalleries.org
Website: www.nationalgalleries.org
Transport: Bus 23, 27, 28 or 41/41A.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700, open till 1900 on Thurs.
Admission: Free.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
This gallery first opened in 1960 and moved to its present location, a William Burn building, west of the city centre, in 1984. Paintings by 20th-century masters such as Lucien Freud, Adrian Wiszniewski and the Scottish colourists are on display indoors, while the garden is dotted with sculptures by Henry Moore (among others). Opposite is the Dean Gallery, a stylish gallery that opened in 1999 to house a large collection of works by sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi. The gallery also contains works by surrealists, such as Dali and Magritte, as well as works by Picasso. A free galleries bus operates hourly 1100-1700 between this gallery and Dean Gallery in the West End and the National Gallery of Scotland and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in the New Town.

75 Belford Road
Tel: (0131) 624 6200 or 332 2266 (recorded information). Fax: (0131) 623 7126.
E-mail: enquiries@nationalgalleries.org
Website: www.nationalgalleries.org
Transport: Bus 13, westbound from George Street; free galleries bus.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700, open until 1900 on Thurs.
Admission: Free.

Museum of Scotland
This multi-level museum opened in December 1998, in a spectacular new building. The exhibits detail the country’s history from its geological formation and earliest inhabitants up to the 20th century. Scotland’s regional treasures are also on display. Exhibits include a travelling canteen belonging to Bonnie Prince Charlie. Two days could easily be spent in the museum. However, to enjoy the highlights there are daily guided tours. It is conveniently joined to the Royal Museum of Scotland, which has displays covering everything, from Japanese art to the stuffed remains of ‘Dolly the Sheep’. The rooftop terrace offers great views of the city, while the ‘Modern Scotland’ exhibition on the floor below is currently in the midst of a major renovation that is slated to be completed in 2007.

Chambers Street
Tel: (0131) 225 7534. Fax: (0131) 220 4819.
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Transport: Bus2, 23, 27, 35, 41, 42.
Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Sat 1000-1700, Tues 1000-2000 and Sun 1200-1700.
Admission: Free.

Our Dynamic Earth
Built to commemorate the coming of the millennium with the aid of Millennium Commission funding,, Our Dynamic Earth tells the story of how the earth was created. Using special effects and advanced technology, visitors can travel back in time (via a ‘time machine’) to witness the birth of the earth, before journeying to the centre of the planet to experience a volcanic eruption, see polar ice caps and a tropical rainforest. A visit lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Holyrood Road
Tel: (0131) 550 7800. Fax: (0131) 550 7801.
E-mail: enquiries@dynamicearth.co.uk
Website: www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Transport: Bus 35.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700, last entry 1550 (Apr-Oct); open until 1800 (Jul-Aug); closed Mon-Tue (Nov-Mar). Last admission 70 minutes before closing time.
Admission: £8.95; concessions available.

The Georgian House
Part of Charlotte Square, at the heart of Edinburgh’s New Town, the Georgian House is furnished with the same kind of china, silver, paintings and furniture that would have been in use around 1796. There are also temporary exhibitions at nearby 28 Charlotte Square, such as a well-received display on St Kilda in summer 2005, as well as a popular café and restaurant.

National Trust of Scotland, 7 Charlotte Square
Tel: (0131) 225 2160. Fax: (0131) 226 3318.
E-mail: thegeorgianhouse@nts.org.uk
Website: www.nts.org.uk
Transport: Bus 3/3A, 10/10A, 11, 12, 26/26A, 21,69,33,31,40,41.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700, last admission 1630 (Apr-Oct); daily 1100-1500, last admission 1430 (Mar, Nov-Dec); hours liable to change
Admission: Free.

St Giles’ Cathedral
A church has stood on the site of St Giles’ Cathedral, the High Kirk of Edinburgh, since the 12th century. The present building, with its distinctive open-crown steeple supported by eight flying buttresses, dates back to the 16th century. John Knox became the first Protestant minister here, after the Reformation. Inside, the stunning Thistle Chapel is noted for its ornate wooden carving. Used also for major Scottish funerals such as the last send off of politician Robin Cook in 2005.

High Street, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 225 9442. Fax: (0131) 225 9576.
E-mail: info@stgiles.net
Website: www.stgiles.net
Transport: A five-minute walk from Waverley station; bus 35, 23, 28, 42 or 27.
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1300-1700 (May-Sep); Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1300-1700 (Oct-Apr).
Admission: Free, donations are welcome.

Royal Yacht Britannia
Now that the Royal Yacht Britannia has been decommissioned, it is open to the public as an award-winning floating museum. Visitors can explore its decks and gain an insight into the lives of both the Royal Family and the ship’s crew. The Queen’s bedroom is top of everyone’s ‘must see’ list. A complementary exhibition outlines the vessel’s final year in service as the Royal Yacht.

Ocean Terminal, Leith
Tel: (0131) 555 5566. Fax: (0131) 555 8835.
E-mail: enquiries@tryb.co.uk
Website: www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Transport: Bus 22, 11, 34, 35, 36.
Opening hours: Daily 0930-1800 (Apr-Sep); daily 1000-1700 (Oct-Mar). Last admissions 90 minutes before closing time.
Admission: £9; concessions available.

Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
Scotland is defined by its fine whiskies – tourists flock from far afield to sample the smooth wares. The one-hour tour of the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre includes talks on the production of single malt whisky, the different whisky-producing regions and how whisky is distilled.

354 Castlehill, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 220 0441. Fax: (0131) 220 6288.
E-mail: info@whisky-heritage.co.uk
Website: www.whisky-heritage.co.uk
Transport: Bus 35.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1800 (Oct-Apr); daily 0930-1830 (May-Sep). Last tour departs one hour before closing time.
Admission: £8.50; concessions available.