Things to do in Edinburgh, UK - Scotland

There is only one place to be at New Year and that’s Edinburgh’s world famous street party. Princes Street is pedestrianized for the event and the fun kicks off in the early evening with the spectacular Edinburgh Castle as a backdrop. There is a concert in Princes Street Gardens and a ceilidh on The Mound for some traditional Scottish dancing before the midnight fireworks extravaganza. Entertainers, hot food, outdoor bars and an unforgettable party atmosphere make the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh a little bit special. If you really want to welcome the New Year in style then look no further.

Edinburgh has long held a reputation for excellence when it comes to education. The Scottish Enlightenment of the 18^th century saw amazing advances in philosophy, economics, engineering, architecture, medicine, geology, law and many other fields. Edinburgh boasted some of the most influential figures of the age including Adam Smith, David Hume and James Watt. Even today the city has four universities and conducts first class research that influences the world, particularly in the sciences. The premier institutions, the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt, attract some of the finest minds and the...  

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There is only one place to be at New Year and that’s Edinburgh’s world famous street party. Princes Street is pedestrianized for the event and the fun kicks off in the early evening with the spectacular Edinburgh Castle as a backdrop. There is a concert in Princes Street Gardens and a ceilidh on The Mound for some traditional Scottish dancing before the midnight fireworks extravaganza. Entertainers, hot food, outdoor bars and an unforgettable party atmosphere make the Hogmanay celebrations in Edinburgh a little bit special. If you really want to welcome the New Year in style then look no further.

Edinburgh has long held a reputation for excellence when it comes to education. The Scottish Enlightenment of the 18^th century saw amazing advances in philosophy, economics, engineering, architecture, medicine, geology, law and many other fields. Edinburgh boasted some of the most influential figures of the age including Adam Smith, David Hume and James Watt. Even today the city has four universities and conducts first class research that influences the world, particularly in the sciences. The premier institutions, the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt, attract some of the finest minds and the city is known for its highly educated workforce. 

There is always something on in Edinburgh but each summer you’ll find the largest cultural festival in the world which encompasses the Edinburgh International Festival, the Festival Fringe and the Military Tattoo, amongst others. There are live shows of every description, world class comedy, live music, film premieres, author workshops and a whole lot more. Most of the events take place in August and the atmosphere in the city is incomparable with street performers, countless shows spread across impressive and makeshift venues, and parties that go on deep into the night.

You will never go thirsty in Edinburgh because there are more pubs per square mile than any other city in Europe. You’ll find drinking dens of every description in the Scottish capital and no matter what your favorite tipple is you’ll find something to satisfy you. Real ales and whisky are obvious specialities and many of Edinburgh’s bars offer gastronomic delights as well, from toasties to three course meals. The Grassmarket and Rose Street are famous pub crawl locations but visitors seeking a quieter pint should venture down to the Leith Shore.

With the skyline dominated by the castle and the cobbled Royal Mile leading down to Holyrood Palace there is no escaping the history of Edinburgh. The Old Town is incredibly popular and you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time as you explore the alleys and gaze at the centuries-old architecture that surrounds you. Even the Georgian grandeur of the New Town has a distinct historical character. Edinburgh has seen the Picts, the Romans, the Reformation and the Enlightenment, the Union of Scotland and England and the Jacobite rebellion. Scotland’s capital has a truly rich history worth exploring.

Edinburgh is a dynamic capital city known for education, business and finance, arts and culture, and for its rich Scottish history. Edinburgh's most noted sites include the daunting Edinburgh Castle, the ornate Holyrood Palace, and the stunning Royal Mile which links the two. The city is imbued with a combination of fact and myth dating back to the 12th century. Edinburgh is also famous for the International Edinburgh Festival, which coincides with the Festival Fringe and attracts thousands of performers, artists, and tourists every summer. The city is divided into two sections: the Old Town, which centers around the castle, and the New Town, which offers fine examples of Georgian architecture. In addition, Edinburgh has long been considered one the best places to live in the British Isles.

Edinburgh is a dynamic capital city known for education, business and finance, arts and culture, and for its rich Scottish history. Edinburgh's most noted sites include the daunting Edinburgh Castle, the ornate Holyrood Palace, and the stunning Royal Mile which links the two. The city is imbued with a combination of fact and myth dating back to the 12th century. Edinburgh is also famous for the International Edinburgh Festival, which coincides with the Festival Fringe and attracts thousands of performers, artists, and tourists every summer. The city is divided into two sections: the Old Town, which centers around the castle, and the New Town, which offers fine examples of Georgian architecture. In addition, Edinburgh has long been considered one the best places to live in the British Isles.