Edinburgh
Edinburgh has a vibrant nightlife and a whole host of fun tours. Perfect for short stays, Edinburgh is full of iconic spots for kids and adults alike.Edinburgh
Edinburgh belongs to a small group of capital cities that aren’t the largest cities in their countries – it’s less populated than Glasgow 60km to the West. In fact, in many ways, Edinburgh doesn’t feel like a capital at all – it has a scaled-down feel which offers up creativity and individuality in spades. But when you experience the pomp and ceremony of the Military Tattoo and the world-welcoming wackiness of the Fringe Festival, you’re in no doubt that this is a global capital with culture and history to spare. Of course, the big events aren’t to everyone’s taste, and the city has a steady stream of tourists throughout the year. Some will be taking in the magnificent castle and museums. Others just want to spend time on the Royal Mile and check out the shops, cafes, restaurants and bistros throughout the city. Lovers of classic architecture will be more than happy, but Edinburgh is a modern city that wears its traditional side with pride while using every square metre for its intended purpose – it celebrates its past in a vibrant and present way. So whether you’re going there for business or pleasure, or perhaps mixing the two, we’ve got all your travel plans sorted. Read on for all the information you need on getting to Edinburgh by train.
The Best of Edinburgh
Facts about Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Castle is built on an extinct volcano.
- The Royal Mile is actually one mile and 107 yards long.
- Edinburgh was the first city in the entire world to have its own fire service.
- Edinburgh has 112 parks and more trees per head of population than any other city in the U.K.
- J.K. Rowling wrote some of Harry Potter in an Edinburgh café (The Elephant) and took inspiration from the landscape for her characters and locations.
- The Encyclopedia Britannica was first produced in Edinburgh.
- St. Margaret’s Chapel, located within the walls of Edinburgh Castle, is the oldest building in Edinburgh. It was built in memory of Queen Margaret, who is said to have died from a broken heart after the death of her husband.
- “You’ll have had your tea?” was once a common Edinburgh greeting and is still used today as a way to avoid putting on a kettle; its believed the phrase originated in the 18th century with a nobleman named Mackintosh of Borlum who didn’t like the sound of tea-slurping at social gatherings.
- The “Stone of Destiny” is the traditional coronation stone of Scottish and English royalty and is kept at Edinburgh Castle with the crown jewels of Scotland; according to legend, the real stone was secretly swapped for a fake one at some point in its history.
- Edinburgh Castle’s Great Hall has a small window high above the fireplace known as “laird’s lug” which translates into “the Lord’s ear.” The window allowed castle residents to eavesdrop on conversations taking place in the Great Hall.
- The National Monument on Calton Hill is known as “Edinburgh’s Folly” or “Edinburgh’s Shame.” It was modeled after the Parthenon in Athens, but funding for the build ran out and it was never completed.
- Edinburgh has more listed buildings than anywhere in the world.
Explore Edinburgh
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