Edinburgh tourist information

Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland and seat of its Parliament, but is actually the second largest (after Glasgow), and the vibrant city centre is compact and manageable enough for tourists to tackle easily by foot.

Known alternatively as Auld Reekie due to the chimneys that once filled the city with smoke, and the Athens of the North for its cultural and scholarly reputation, Edinburgh has always been a city of contrasts between rich and poor, intellectual society and industrial heritage.

The city is dominated by Edinburgh castle, perched high on a rocky outcrop - the stump of an ancient extinct volcano left exposed by the last ice age. Original settlements here date from around 900BC, but the historic buildings seen today date back as far as the 12th-century St Margaret’s Chapel, and the 1370's when David’s Tower was built for Robert the Bruce’s son David II. The castle hosts the famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo every summer when thousands of visitors watch displays of military bands, including the spectacular massed pipes and drums.

The castle and its museums sit at one end of the medieval 'Old Town' with the Royal Mile leading to picturesque steep and winding streets, often lined by surprisingly tall buildings. These were the 16th Century equivalent of 'high rise' apartments, made necessary through a lack of space for housing.

Below the castle is 'New Town', an elegant planned development dating from the 18th Century. This area is characterised by beautiful neoclassical architecture laid out in wide streets and squares. These include Princes Street, the main shopping area in the city with large shops and department stores, and George Street, a vibrant area full of restaurants and bars.

This historic city is bursting with museums, galleries and historic houses. Highlights include the National Museum of Scotland in the Old Town, the Georgian House in beautiful Charlotte Square preserving New Town life in its heyday, and the National Gallery with works by artists such as Raphael, Botticelli, Monet, Van Gogh and Rembrandt.

Edinburgh is world famous for its annual festival, which takes place each summer and hosts a huge variety of entertainments such as plays and concerts. Probably now even more famous is the Edinburgh 'Fringe'. Previously a side-event of the main festival, this showcase of international comedy and theatre talent is for many the city's most popular draw. The Edinburgh Comedy Award (previously sponsored by Perrier) is the most sought-after accolade for UK comedians.

The city also has a reputation for enjoying a party, especially at Hogmanay (New Year). Thousands throng to the central bars and pubs, enduring the freezing Scottish winter weather to celebrate in Princes Street at midnight. Nowadays there is an official Hogmanay Street Party complete with a contemporary music concert in West Princes Street Gardens and fireworks against the spectacular backdrop of the castle.