How To Use This E-Book
Getting Around the e-Book
This Pocket Guide e-book is designed to give you inspiration and planning advice for your visit to Edinburgh, and is also the perfect on-the-ground companion for your trip.
The guide begins with our selection of Top 10 Attractions, plus a Perfect Itinerary feature to help you plan unmissable experiences. The Introduction and History chapters paint a vivid cultural portrait of Edinburgh, and the Where to Go chapter gives a complete guide to all the sights worth visiting. You will find ideas for activities in the What to Do section, while the Eating Out chapter describes the local cuisine and gives listings of the best restaurants. The Travel Tips offer practical information to help you plan your trip. Finally, there are carefully selected hotel listings.
In the Table of Contents and throughout this e-book you will see hyperlinked references. Just tap a hyperlink once to skip to the section you would like to read. Practical information and listings are also hyperlinked, so as long as you have an external connection to the internet, you can tap a link to go directly to the website for more information.
Maps
All key attractions and sights in Edinburgh are numbered and cross-referenced to high-quality maps. Wherever you see the reference [map], tap once to go straight to the related map. You can also double-tap any map for a zoom view.
Images
Youll find lots of beautiful high-resolution images that capture the essence of Edinburgh. Simply double-tap an image to see it in full-screen.
About Insight Guides
Insight Guides have more than 40 years experience of publishing high-quality, visual travel guides. We produce 400 full-colour titles, in both print and digital form, covering more than 200 destinations across the globe, in a variety of formats to meet your different needs.
Insight Guides are written by local authors, whose expertise is evident in the extensive historical and cultural background features. Each destination is carefully researched by regional experts to ensure our guides provide the very latest information. All the reviews in Insight Guides are independent; we strive to maintain an impartial view. Our reviews are carefully selected to guide you to the best places to eat, go out and shop, so you can be confident that when we say a place is special, we really mean it.
2018 Apa Digital (CH) AG and Apa Publications (UK) Ltd
Table of Contents
Edinburghs Top 10 Attractions
Top Attraction #1
Mockford & Bonetti/Apa Publications
The Scottish Parliament
One of Europes most stunning and controversial modern buildings. For more information, .
Top Attraction #2
Mockford & Bonetti/Apa Publications
St Giles Cathedral
Featuring beautiful stained-glass windows and an ornate 20th-century chapel. For more information, .
Top Attraction #3
Mockford & Bonetti/Apa Publications
The Scott Monument
A Gothic masterpiece. For more information, .
Top Attraction #4
Mockford & Bonetti/Apa Publications
Arthurs Seat
Climb this rock for a fantastic view of the city. For more information, .
Top Attraction #5
David Cruickshanks/Apa Publications
Edinburgh Castle
Home of the Honours of Scotland and the One OClock Gun, and the site of the Military Tattoo. For more information, .
Top Attraction #6
Mockford & Bonetti/Apa Publications
Charlotte Square
Located in Edinburghs Georgian New Town, it is the finest square in the city. For more information, .
Top Attraction #7
Mockford & Bonetti/Apa Publications
Festivals
Visitors flock to the city every summer for six major festivals. For more information, .
Top Attraction #8
Mockford & Bonetti/Apa Publications
The Scottish National Gallery
One of the best art collections in Europe. For more information, .
Top Attraction #9
Mockford & Bonetti/Apa Publications
The National Museum of Scotland
Telling the history of Scotland. For more information, .
Top Attraction #10
Mockford & Bonetti/Apa Publications
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Queens home in Scotland has ornate interiors and a long history. For more information, .
A Perfect Day In Edinburgh
8.30am
Breakfast
The ideal place to start a day of culture is at the Scottish Caf inside the Scottish National Gallery, on Princes Street. Set yourself up with a traditional breakfast before a look around the gallery.
10.00am
Edinburgh Castle
Follow the Mound, crossing Princes Street Gardens towards the Old Town and climb the steep steps up to the castle. Its worth getting to the castle early to avoid the crowds. From here there are great views across the New Town below.
11.30am
Castle Hill
Walk back down Castle Hill, passing attractions such as the Scotch Whisky Experience, Camera Obscura and Gladstones Land, along the way. Take time to explore the vennels and wynds as you go.
12.30pm
Shopping
Off George V Bridge, visit Victoria Street with its specialist shops, and continue on into the Grassmarket for lots of lunch options. Retrace your steps and continue to High Street, where St Giles Cathedral dominates.