At the base of Arthur’s Seat and surrounding it in all directions is Holyrood Park, a wide expanse of grassy space disrupted only by the occasional jogger, path, or other physical fitness junkie. It seems that families make up a large proportion of those who enjoy spending time in Holyrood Park. Nearby, Holyrood Palace offers [...]
Continue reading...Thursday, July 16, 2009
Of all the landmarks Edinburgh has to offer the castle is by far the most recognisable one, but did you know it turns gold at night? Just as Edinburgh Castle is often photographed during daylight hours its golden nocturnal appearance gives photographers a truly stunning subject to snap. We’re proud to share 15 of our [...]
Continue reading...Tuesday, July 14, 2009
The superb National Gallery of Scotland, located on The Mound in Edinburgh’s city centre, contains one of the United Kingdom’s finest collections of world-class paintings and sculpture. The graceful building, which opened in 1859, was designed by William Henry Playfair in a classic architectural style reminiscent of the temples of ancient Greece. [image credit: Topaz [...]
Continue reading...Sunday, July 12, 2009
As you wind your way up the lonely road from Princes Street to the top of Calton Hill, the Playfair Monument may be the last thing on your mind. Be that as it may, this lonely structure atop the hillside at the east end of Princes Street gives an early signal to those taking in [...]
Continue reading...Friday, July 10, 2009
To the extreme west of Princes, George, and Queen Street lies Charlotte Square: a quiet, primarily residential square in Edinburgh’s New Town. The square is less travelled for those who aren’t used to Edinburgh’s busy streets, and not exactly a tourist draw, although its beautiful architecture and easy access to Queensferry Road and the surrounding [...]
Continue reading...Saturday, July 4, 2009
Running East to West along Edinburgh’s New Town (so called because it was built much later than the traditional old city), George Street is named for King George, the monarch who was responsible for the planning and execution of this ‘new’ construction, which lured the rich and powerful out of the crowded and disease-ridden tenements [...]
Continue reading...Wednesday, July 1, 2009
In the shadow of Edinburgh Castle, stretching from Waverly Bridge in the East to Lothian Road in the West, is Princes Street Gardens. This spectacular example of public space in Edinburgh rests on the site of a drained loch, which was in turns the source of Medieval Edinburgh’s fresh water, its sewage system, and a [...]
Continue reading...Tuesday, June 30, 2009
At the far west end of Edinburgh’s city centre, Lothian Road provides a major vein for the movement of traffic and culture, with independent cinemas and three of Edinburgh’s major performance venues. Taking a left turn off Princes Street, one first passes the well-regarded high end Caledonian Hotel on one side and the cemetery at [...]
Continue reading...Monday, June 29, 2009
Just off The Royal Mile, connecting Edinburgh’s ancient high street with Waverly Bridge, is the steep and winding Cockburn Street (stop giggling, it’s pronounced “Co-burn”). Lined with shops, restaurants, hostels, knick-knack stores and more, Cockburn Street is a place where the charm of this historic town lives hand in hand with its modern heritage. Several [...]
Continue reading...Sunday, June 28, 2009
Named after the estate on which it was found, St. Bernard’s Well is one of Edinburgh’s most charming historical landmarks. The mineral spring stands on the Water of Leith and was discovered around 1760. According to the traditional story three schoolboys from Heriot’s came across the water on a fishing trip. The spring was soon [...]
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Friday, July 17, 2009
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