| REGIONS
Edinburgh, Scotland's capital, blessed with an outstanding
natural setting, is one of the most beautiful cities
in Europe, and a mecca for visitors from every part
of the globe.
Edinburgh is a city where there is almost always a
view - with the New Town and the Old Town providing
a backdrop to a city, rich in history and positively
teeming with culture. The city is a feast for the eye,
a series of dramatic contrasts, with its famous castle,
stunning skylines and magnificent architecture.
The city is compact, one that you can stroll around
in comfort - yet large enough to entertain people of
all ages, with all kinds of interests. The Old Town
revolves around the Royal Mile with Edinburgh Castle,
guarding centuries of history, standing dominant and
proud at one end, looming over Princess Street Gardens,
while at the other end is the Palace of Holyroodhouse
which has for centuries been a residence for the British
Royal Family.
The Old Town sprung from 17th century warrens and is
redolent with history - at places like the Huntly House
Museum in the Canongate, and other buildings steeped
in history such as Gladstone's Land. Balancing Old Edinburgh
is the New Town - started in the 18th century and featuring
the best Georgian town planning in Britain with every
street illustrating the striking facades and columns
of its neo-classical roots.
Edinburgh is emphatically one of the world's great
capitals - blending culture and year-round entertainment
for its visitors. And its attractions reflect that capital
status. The National Gallery of Scotland ranks among
the best in Europe while the Scottish National Gallery
of Modern Art boasts a splendid selection of 20th century
work.
Arts, Museums and Festivals
There are all the rich international collections of
decorative art, science, technology, natural history,
geology and archaeology in the Royal Museum of Scotland
and the National Library of Scotland - a fascinating
treasure house of rare books and manuscripts, while
the Royal Botanic Gardens have a unique collection of
rare, exotic, bizarre and beautiful plants from around
the world, all displayed in superbly landscaped gardens.
The capital's flagship cultural venue - The Festival
Theatre - opened in 1994 as a modern concert hall, which
can house events of all kinds from opera to variety,
has already made an indelible impression on a city which
was already extremely well catered for with its many
concert halls and theatres.
The Edinburgh International Festival, launched in 1947,
and held each year in August, catapulted the city to
the forefront of the world's cultural entertainment
scene. Universally acknowledged as one of the world's
premier arts festivals, it is brilliantly supported
by the constantly innovative and exciting Edinburgh
Fringe Festival. And both are, in turn, splendidly complemented
by the Military Tattoo, and the film, jazz and book
festivals. If you are serious about festival-visiting,
it is advisable to send off for programmes around March
and April, and get your bookings (including accommodation)
organised in plenty of time by the middle of April,
so as not to be disappointed.
In addition to the above, there are a multitude of
events taking place throughout the year, including the
International Science Festival in April and the Children's
Festival in May. And if you want to join the fun and
participate in that most traditional of all Scottish
festivals - Hogmanay - Edinburgh is definitely the place
to be, with a special programme of events and celebrations
getting underway on December 30 and running on through
Hogmanay (December 31) and continuing on New Year's
Day (January 1).
Eating, Drinking and Dancing
As befits one of the world's great cultural capitals,
there is a staggering selection of international restaurants
in the city, and the Scottish capital is a byword for
pubs of every description with Rose Street, in particular,
offering hostelries of distinction and class, where
there is more than often superb live music. Traditional
style Scottish entertainment fare is available in numerous
city centre hotels, and kilts and pipers are in profusion
at The Scottish Experience in High Street on the Royal
Mile. There is an excellent choice of night-clubs and
discotheques for those who want to burn the midnight
oil and, with intriguing names like the Mambo Club and
The Vaults, they are worth a visit.
Shopping in the City
There is an abundance of choice for the discerning shopper.
Modern airy shopping malls such as the St James Centre
or Waverley Shopping Centre reflect more modern times
in the 1990s. All the main high street chain stores
are featured and the new out of town development at
the Gyle offers Marks and Spencer and Safeway stores
as well as a collection of small boutiques.
However, there are numerous other shopping experiences
- the elegant stores on Princes Street; the international
choice of goods in Victoria Street; the community atmosphere
of Stockbridge, Morningside or Bruntsfield all of which
offer many treats for those hooked on shopping. From
antique shops on Causewayside to Victorian jewellery
in Rose Street, from tartan rugs on the Royal Mile to
the splendours of city centre Jenners - the world's
oldest independent department store - shopping in the
Scottish capital is an adventure par excellence.
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