Lifestyle
GET TO KNOW EDINBURGH Edinburgh seems like two separate cities – the 18th-century new town’s elegant Georgian terraced neighbourhoods from the old town’s narrow lanes, steep staircases, and hidden passageways. It’s the perfect mix of the old and new and has lots of firsts!
THE ROYAL MILE This steep street in the old town really does capture the soul of the city with historic monuments everywhere you look, including St. Giles’ Cathedral, Holyrood House Palace, and Edinburgh Castle at the top of the hill. Scattered in between, there’s souvenir shops, quaint pubs, and a hive of activity. Joining a walking tour is the best way to find out about this areas fascinating history.
ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN EDINBURGH Founded in 1670 – this garden is the second oldest garden in Britain. It’s also one of the largest, and has over 13,200 different plant species. With 70 acres devoted to a herbarium, as well as Britain’s
SCOTTISH NATIONAL GALLERY & PORTRAIT GALLERY Founded in 1859, this gallery is the country’s second major art collection and displays Scotland’s biggest collection of European paintings and sculptures. Its collection includes works from the Renaissance period right up to the Post-Impressionists. The highlight of the gallery’s is a huge processional frieze showing Scotland’s most famous personalities, including Robbie Burns, Sir Walter Scott, Sean Connery, Robert Louis Stevenson, Mary Stuart, and Bonnie Prince Charlie, among others.
CASTLE ON THE HILL Edinburgh Castle looms over the city from its tactical location on top of Castle Rock. It’s one of the oldest castles in the UK and like a lot of Edinburgh’s history, it’s both fascinating and gruesome! You can take a tour through the castle and learn about daring night sieges and fierce battles against the English. The Great Hall has held countless royal ceremonies throughout the centuries, and as you walk through the grand drawing rooms, you can feel the sense of stature. Lunchtime’s sees the famous One O’clock Salute from Half Moon and the impressive Scottish National War Memorial and National War Museum, and the stunning collection of Crown Jewels housed in the Royal Palace. EDINBURGH FESTIVAL FRINGE Have a laugh at the stand-up comedy show at this festival during the month of August. It’s one of the leading arts and comedy festivals in the world and features up-andcoming artists, and is known for unearthing the next generation of talent. Comedy gigs and live shows are held in lots of venues around Edinburgh from pubs to pop-up tents, and events on the streets.
PRINCES STREET This is the new town’s main thoroughfare, and is almost a mile. It’s lined with colourful gardens on one side and elegant shops on the other including Jenners of Edinburgh, which was founded in 1838 and is one of the world’s oldest department stores.
biggest palm house, a tropical house with exotic orchids, alpine house, terraced moorland garden, heather garden and arboretum with rare giant trees from the Himalayas, North America, and China.
THE MUSEUM OF CHILDHOOD This isn’t just for children, the museum has a wonderful collection of old toys, including model trains, dolls, and games from around the world. The museum was the first of its kind when it opened in the early 1900s and explores the facets of growing up and looks at schooldays, trends, and fashions. There’s a rather special recreation of a Victorian streetscape finished with outdoor toys and an opportunity to dress up in period costumes and play the kinds of games our ancestors enjoyed.
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