Edinburgh | aaarticle.com

Edinburgh is the historic capital of Scotland, a dramatic city of a castle on a crag above a medieval old town. Its Old and New Towns, festivals and setting make it one of Europe's most striking capitals.

Overview

Built across hills of volcanic rock, Edinburgh sets a medieval Old Town of tall tenements and closes against an elegant Georgian New Town, the two together a World Heritage site. A castle crowns the highest crag, and the Royal Mile runs down its spine from castle to palace. Cool and often grey, the city comes alive each August with the world’s largest arts festival, and its skyline, hills and history make it memorable in any season.

Highlights

Edinburgh Castle looks down from its rock over the city, with the Royal Mile leading past St Giles’ to the Palace of Holyroodhouse below. The Georgian New Town and its gardens contrast with the tangled closes of the Old Town, and Arthur’s Seat gives a hill walk to a view over it all. The August festivals, above all the Fringe, fill the city, and the National Museum and galleries round out a stay.