Edinburgh

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Exciting Edinburgh

A May 2003 trip to Edinburgh by Javag

Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile, St Giles Cathedral, Holyrood Palace, Greyfriar's Bobby, and so many more! If you love history and intrigue, this is the place for you. There just wasn't enough time to do everything. Next time, we'll definitely spend more than a week in this ancient, regal city.

  • 6 reviews

Exciting EdinburghBest of IgoUgo

Overview

Edinburgh Castle is essential viewing. This ancient castle dates from the 12th century and built on the core of an extinct volcano. Allow a whole day to see all of the castle. You can join a guided tour or hire a taped commentary so you can look around at your own pace. The castle is set up as a museum and is really fascinating.

Quick Tips:

Park your car up at the castle, don't park at the bottom of the hill and walk up like we did -- it is very steep and you'll need your strength for the long day you'll spend looking around the castle! You can also leave the car there and walk down the Royal Mile, visting the other sights along the way, until you reach Holyrood Palace at the end of the Royal Mile.

Best Way To Get Around:

We hired a car and drove. Parking was easy to find and we were able to come and go as we liked.

Kilconquhar Estate and Country ClubBest of IgoUgo

Hotel | "Kilqconquhar Estate and Country Club"

Best Things Nearby:
Edinburgh, St Andrews, Glasgow.

Best Things About the Resort:
The high standard of the accommodation, the resort facilities, and the location.

Resort Experience:
The resort is situated in the countryside of Fife on beautiful, well-maintained grounds. The unit itself was beautifully furnished, very clean, and of a very high standard. It was wonderful to wake up in the morning and see pheasants on the grass outside the bedroom window! There are many activities you can take part in if you decide you want a day off from sightseeing.

  • Unit Type: 3 Bedroom
  • Activities: Excellent
  • Amenities: Excellent
  • Unit Satisfaction: Excellent
  • Family Friendliness: Excellent
  • Service: Excellent
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Javag on July 21, 2003

Kilconquhar Estate and Country Club
Kilconquhar, Elie, Leven, Fife Edinburgh, Scotland KY9 1EZ
+44 (0) 1333 340501

St Giles' CathedralBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "St Giles Cathedral"

John Knox directed the Scottish Reformation from this beautiful, Gothic church. Inside, you can see a stone marking the place where Jenny Geddes, a local woman, threw her stool at a preacher who tried to read from an English prayer book in 1637! Don't miss the Thistle Chapel inside the cathedral and spend some time looking at its amazing rib-vaulted roof and carved heraldic canopies.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Javag on July 21, 2003

St Giles' Cathedral
Royal Mile Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 1RE
+44 131 225 4363

Holyroodhouse PalaceBest of IgoUgo

Attraction | "Holyrood Palace"

This is the Queen's official scottish residence and was built in 1529 for James V. The Royal Apartments, Throne Room, and Royal Dining Room are open to the public as long as the Queen isn't in residence. The rest of the castle is a museum and is filled with beautiful paintings, antiques, items of historical interest, and furnishings. Don't forget to visit Mary Queen of Scots' bedchamber and see the secret staircase!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Javag on July 21, 2003

Holyroodhouse Palace
The Royal Mile. Edinburgh, Scotland EH8 8DX
+44 (131) 556 5100

Greyfriars BobbyBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

A statue of a little Skye Terrier stands on an old drinking fountain. This commemorates the dog who guarded his master's grave for 14 years after he died in 1858. The people of Edinburgh granted him citizenship to prevent him from being detroyed as a stray and fed him until he died in 1872.
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Javag on July 21, 2003

Greyfriars Bobby
34A Candlemaker Row Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2QE
+44 131 225 8328

Gladstone's LandBest of IgoUgo

Attraction

This is a 17th-century merchant's house that has been restored as a museum. The guided tour, which is included in the price of admission, is a must and you will learn all about life in a typical Edinburgh town house in the 1600's. Don't forget to look at the wooden overshoes that had to be worn outside in the dirty streets. The household pig used to be let out each morning to eat all the refuse in the street and was then slaughtered and salted in the late autumn!
  • Member Rating 5 out of 5 by Javag on July 21, 2003

Gladstone's Land
477B Lawnmarket Edinburgh, Scotland EH1 2NT
+44 131 226 5856

About the Writer

Javag
Javag
Brisbane, Australia

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