Today I’m sharing some historic Edinburgh trip ideas. Edinburgh is the beautiful capital city of Scotland and boasts of many structures with great historical significance. Its streets are paved with stones, its castles soaring high and palaces as old as time can tell. For those willing to travel, Edinburgh hotel deals are a great chance to be accommodated in the centre of the historical area of the city for a reasonable price.
Edinburgh Castle: A Fortress of Legends
Edinburgh Castle stands majestically on Castle Rock and its walls have witnessed many battles, sieges and royal dramas. This strong castle has seen the Scottish struggle for independence, the battle between Wallace and Bruce against the English and the birth of the future James VI. Many tourists can go through the Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, and the National War Museum located in the castle.
The Royal Mile: A Journey Through Time
The Royal Mile runs from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace; it is a cobblestone street with significant places, galleries, and shops. The moment one sets his/her feet on this famous street, he/she is taken back in time. The Scottish Crown steeple of the St Giles’ Cathedral and the 16th-century John Knox House provide the visitors with a taste of history. Every cobblestone and the building façade has a story to tell.
Holyrood Palace: A Royal Residence
At the end of the Royal Mile one finds the impressive Holyrood Palace, which is the official residence of the British monarch in Scotland. This beautiful palace has been inhabited by many famous personalities such as Mary, Queen of Scots.
Tourists can walk through the magnificent State Apartments, the actual rooms of Mary herself, and the atmospheric archeological remains that are Holyrood Abbey. The gardens are large and well developed to give a contrasting view of the palace which is so large and imposing.
UNESCO World Heritage Sites: Preserving History
Historic Edinburgh boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites: Old Town and New Town. Old Town, which is a complex of narrow streets and ancient houses, has been preserved in the medieval style. However, the New Town, planned in the 18th century, has Georgian style and neoclassical form. All in all, these areas represent the development of the city and the focus on the historical and architectural aspect of the construction.
Arthur’s Seat: Natural and Historical Beauty
Standing proudly over the city skyline, Arthur’s Seat is an ancient volcano providing spectacular views of historic Edinburgh, and its surroundings. This geographical feature has many myths and history associated with it because it is believed to have been used as a fortress by early tribes. Besides stunning views that can be seen when climbing to the top of this mountain, it is also possible to feel the presence of the ancestors of these lands.
The Scottish National Gallery: Art Through the Ages
Art lovers will find the Scottish National Gallery which has a great collection of paintings and art works of several eras. This gallery is in the Mound and hosts paintings by great artists including Titian, Rembrandt, and Turner. The building itself is a neoclassical wonder, and it is in this structure that the city has dedicated itself to the preservation of art.
The Ghostly Past: Edinburgh’s Haunted History
Despite the picturesque look that the Scottish city of Edinburgh presents, there is more than meets the eye. It is the home to many ghost stories, some of which are Mary King’s Close and the dark and gloomy Greyfriars Kirkyard. Some of these places provide spine-chilling tours that inform visitors of plague victims, restless spirits, and criminals which gives a spine-chilling perspective to the history of the city.
Edinburgh’s Literary Legacy
It is also a place of literary significance as some of the famous writers like Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and J. K. Rowling are associated with historic Edinburgh. The Writers’ Museum located in the Old Town is oriented to these authors and their works. People can also visit such exhibitions that are devoted to their lives and works and learn about the impact of the city’s spirit on them.
Exploring the historical background of Edinburgh is like going through time travel to the ancient forts, grand palaces, historical roads, and cultural areas. From the numerous historic Edinburgh hotel offers the history of this magical city is now open to everyone. Every single building, street corner, and museum has something to tell about Scottish history, to reveal to those who choose to explore the city’s cobblestone roads.
Finally, if you read my blog regularly, you may know I have family in Scotland. While most of them are based in Glasgow and Edinburgh, my brother lived in Twatt, orkney for a while. If you like hilarious place names, this post is worth a read!
