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Key Attractions

Edinburgh Castle
This is Scotland's most famous tourist attraction, built on the core of an extinct volcano. There has been a stronghold on this site since at least the first century AD. Edinburgh Castle now houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg (a massive fifteenth-century cannon) and the army headquarters of the Scottish Division. The panorama from the battlements provides a splendid view over the city.

Castlehill
Tel: (0131) 225 9846. Fax: (0131) 220 4733.
Website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
Transport: Bus 23, 27, 35, 41 or 46, stopping at George IV Bridge, Johnston Terrace or Castlehill.
Opening hours: Daily Apr-Sep 0930-1800; Oct-Mar 0930-1700 (last ticket sold 45 minutes before closing time).
Admission: £7 (concessions available).

Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse sits at the eastern end of the Royal Mile and has been the Royal quarter of Edinburgh since 1128 when David I founded an abbey here. Most of the present building dates from the reign of Charles II, who ordered the palace's reconstruction. The Palace remains the Queen's official residence in Scotland, so it may be closed when the royal family is staying.

Canongate, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 556 1096. Fax: (0131) 557 5256.
Website: www.royal.gov.uk
Transport: Bus 24, 25 or 35.
Opening hours: Daily Apr-Oct 0930-1800; Nov-Mar 0930-1630 (last ticket sold 45 minutes before closing time).
Admission: £6 (concessions available).

National Gallery of Scotland
The collection of European paintings and sculpture dating from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century is Scotland's greatest and includes works by Van Dyck, Tiepolo, Pisarro, Monet, Cézanne, El Greco, Raphael, Titian and Botticelli. The Scottish Portrait Gallery can be found nearby at 1 Queen Street.

The Mound
Tel: (0131) 624 6200 or 332 2266 (recorded information). Fax: (0131) 220 0917.
Website: www.natgalscot.ac.uk
Transport: Bus 23, 27 or 41/41A.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700 and Sun 1400-1700.
Admission: Free.

Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
This gallery first opened in 1960 and moved to its present location, a William Burn building west of the city centre, in 1984. Paintings by twentieth-century masters, such as Lucien Freud, Adrian Wiszniewski and the Scottish Colourists, are on display indoors, while the garden is dotted with sculptures by Henry Moore among others. Opposite is the Dean Gallery, a stylish gallery that opened in 1999 to house a large collection of works by sculptor Eduardo Paolozzi. It also contains works by Surrealists, such as Dali and Magritte, as well as works by Picasso.

Belford Road
Tel: (0131) 624 6200or 332 2266 (recorded information). Fax: (0131) 343 3250.
Website: www.natgalscot.ac.uk
Transport: Bus 13 westbound from George Street.
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 1000-1700 and Sun 1400-1700.
Admission: Free.

Museum of Scotland
This museum opened in December 1998 in a spectacular new building. The exhibits detail the country's history from its geological formation and earliest inhabitants up to the twentieth century. Scotland's regional treasures are also on display. Exhibits include a travelling canteen belonging to Bonnie Prince Charlie. Two days could easily be spent in the museum, but to enjoy the highlights there are guided tours daily. It is conveniently joined to the Royal Museum of Scotland, which has displays covering everything Japanese art to natural history.

Chambers Street
Tel: (0131) 247 4422. Fax: (0131) 220 4819.
Website: www.nms.ac.uk
Transport: Bus 2, 23, 27, 28/28A or 40.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1700 (Tues until 2000) and Sun 1200-1700.
Admission: £3 (concessions available); free from 1630 on Tues. Includes entry to both museums. Museum Pass for all National Museums of Scotland: £8.

Our Dynamic Earth
One of Edinburgh's latest attractions, Our Dynamic Earth tells the story of how the earth was created, using special effects and advanced technology. Visitors can travel back in time to witness the birth of the earth via a 'time machine' and then to the centre of the earth to experience a volcanic eruption, see polar ice caps and a tropical rainforest. A visit lasts roughly 90 minutes.

Holyrood Road
Tel: (0131) 550 7800. Fax: (0131) 550 7801.
E-mail: enquiries@dynamicearth.co.uk
Website: www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Transport: Bus 1 or 6 to Holyrood Road.
Opening hours: Apr-Oct daily 1000-1800; Nov-Mar Wed-Sun 1000-1700.
Admission: £6.95 (concessions available).

Georgian House
Part of Charlotte Square, at the heart of Edinburgh's New Town, the Georgian House is furnished with the same kind of china, silver, paintings and furniture that would have been in use around 1796.

National Trust of Scotland, 7 Charlotte Square
Tel: (0131) 225 2160. Fax: (0131) 226 3318.
E-mail: information@nts.org.uk
Website: www.nts.org.uk
Transport: Bus 3/3A, 10/10A, 11, 12, 26/26A.
Opening hours: Apr-Oct Mon-Sat 1000-1700 and Sun 1400-1700 (last admission 1630).
Admission: £5 (concessions available).

St Giles' Cathedral
A church has stood on the site of St Giles' Cathedral, the High Kirk of Edinburgh, since the twelfth century. The present building, with its distinctive open crown steeple supported by eight flying buttresses, dates back to the sixteenth century. John Knox became the first Protestant minister here after the Reformation. Inside, the stunning Thistle Chapel is noted for its ornate wooden carving.

High Street, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 225 9442. Fax: (0131) 220 4763.
E-mail: dramatic@hotmail.com
Transport: A five-minute walk from Waverley station; or bus 23, 27, 35, 41 or 46.
Opening hours: Easter-Sep Mon-Fri 0900-1900, Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1300-1700; Oct-Easter Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1300-1700.
Admission: Free.

Britannia
Now that the Royal Yacht Britannia has been decommissioned, it is open to the public, who can explore its decks and gain an insight into the lives of both the Royal Family and the ship's crew. The Queen's bedroom is top of everyone's 'must see' list.

A complementary exhibition outlines the vessel's final year in service as the Royal Yacht.
Ocean Drive, Leith
Tel: (0131) 555 5566.
E-mail: enquiries@royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Website: www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
Transport: Bus X50.
Admission: £7.75 (concessions available).

Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
The one-hour tour of the centre includes talks on the production of single malt whisky, the different whisky-producing regions and how whisky is blended.

354 Castlehill, Royal Mile
Tel: (0131) 220 0441. Fax: (0131) 220 6288.
E-mail: enquiry@whisky-heritage.co.uk
Website: www.whisky-heritage.co.uk
Transport: Bus 23, 27, 41 or 46.
Opening hours: Daily 1000-1730.
Admission: £5.50 (concessions available).



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