Landmarks
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle, home to the Edinburgh Tattoo, is a magnificently situated royal fortress located on one of the highest points in the city. The castle has been continuously in use for 1000 years and is in excellent condition.
Abbey and Palace of Holyroodhouse
Old town, (http://www.royal.gov.uk/o...)— the palace is a royal residence, and hosts the queen's gallery containing a collection of art from the royal collection.
St Giles' Cathedral
Old town, (http://www.stgilescathedr...)— the historic city church of edinburgh is also known as the high kirk of edinburgh and takes its name from the city's patron saint.
Mary King's Close
Old town, (http://www.realmarykingsc...)— warriston's close opposite st giles' cathedral, open daily except 25 dec - a slice of edinburgh's medieval history, preserved since being closed over in the 18th century - watch out for the haunting.
Gladstone's Land
Old town, (http://www.nts.org.uk/web...)— in the lawnmarket at the top of the royal mile. it is a 17th century old town tenement known as a 'land' decorated with period furniture. it has an impressive painted ceiling.
Camera Obscura
Old town, (http://www.camera-obscura...)— castle hill. over 150 years old, the camera obscura focuses light from the top of the tower onto a large dish in a dark room below, allowing a 360-degree view of all of edinburgh!
Greyfriars Kirkyard
Old town. a very old graveyard in old town off the southwest corner of george iv bridge, made famous by disney as the home of greyfriars bobby.
Scottish Parliament
The Scottish Parliament, Old Town, (http://www.scottish.parli...), eastern end of the Royal Mile, opposite the Palace of Holyrood House— A unique building designed by the Spanish Catalan architect Enric Miralles. It is necessary to get free tickets to watch the Parliament in session from the Public Gallery.
museum and galleries
Museum of Scotland
(http://www.nms.ac.uk/scotland/) and Royal Museum (http://www.nms.ac.uk/royal/), Chambers St, Old Town tel 0131 247 4422. fax 0131 220 4819. typetalk 18001 0131 247 4422. email [email protected]. The museum mixes innovative modern architecture with the best of Scotland's heritage. The Royal Museum has a magnificent airy Victorian atrium now with the Millennium Clock at one end - arrange to be there when it is chiming. Exhibits in the Museum of Scotland include Scottish pottery and weapons from the Roman era and the Renaissance. M-Sa 10AM-5PM with extended opening to 8PM on Tuesdays, and Su noon-5PM. Free.The National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound, New Town tel. +44 131 624 6200, (http://www.nationalgaller...) holds much of Scotland's fine artwork and carries exhibitions that change seasonally. The new Western Link was opened in 2004 with an entrance from Princes Street Gardens. It joins The National Gallery with the neighbouring Scottish Academy gallery and gives Scotland it's first world class art space.
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 74 Belford Rd on the western fringe of the New Town, +44 131 624 6200, (http://www.nationalgaller...) contains a fine selection of modern art from Scotland and other countries.
The Fruitmarket Gallery, 45 Market St, behind the Edinburgh Waverley Rail Station, Old Town (http://www.fruitmarket.co.uk/). Aims to find the most appropriate way to bring artists and audiences together. It is a not-for-profit organization and a registered charity. M-Sa 11AM-6PM, Su noon-5PM. Free.
There are a number of independent galleries in the St Stephen Street area of Stockbridge