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The beautiful city of Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, truly has something for everyone. The famous Edinburgh Castle imposingly dominates the skyline, while the city is split in the middle by the Princes Street Gardens at the base of the castle; comprising of the medieval Old Town and the gracious 18th century New Town. Known best for its world-class events such as the Edinburgh Fringe, the Edinburgh International Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo – all in August, there is still plenty of appeal and attractions to visit during the other 11 months of the year.

Edinburgh Castle occupies a dormant volcanic cliff face known as Castle Rock near the centre of the city. A royal residence since the 12th century, it then became a military stronghold until 1745 when it served as the main base in Scotland for the British Army. Today it is the most popular paid-for tourist attraction in Scotland. Commanding views are afforded from the castle grounds, while a visit inside provides the opportunity to witness the Crown Jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. The Queen’s official residence in Scotland is the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the lower end of the Royal Mile and is also where the ruins of the Holyrood Abbey can be found.

Jump on the Hop On Hop Off red bus that will take you all over the city or just enjoy it on foot. Wander through the serene Princes Street Gardens; visit the refurbished National Museum of Scotland or the Edinburgh Zoo; climb the 287 steps to the top of the majestic Scot Monument for spectacular views of the city below. Take one of many available walking tours around the city to discover the history of the striking monuments and buildings. With many unique tours on offer, the Harry Potter Tour, for fans of the series, is where you’ll see many of the buildings that inspired JK Rowling and also the location where she wrote most of the children’s books. For fans of the supernatural, this old city is a captivating place to do a ghost tour.

Stroll down the atmospheric Royal Mile and through the charming cobbled streets of the Grassmarket area for a lively nightlife and a huge range of eating, drinking and entertainment venues. It’s also where you’ll find some of Edinburgh’s oldest streets and the statue of the famous Skye terrier, Greyfriars Bobby. There are many quirky and unique independent shops on this side of the city, while on the more modern side of Edinburgh on Princes Street; you’ll find the usual high street shops.