Edinburgh Castle
Perched high on an extinct volcanic outcrop, Edinburgh Castle is an
evocative landmark with a fascinating history spanning 3000 years and
was the residence of many Scottish Kings and Queens. It offers splendid
panoramic views of the city and is home to the Scottish Crown Jewels.
You can see the room where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to James VI
and I, the first ruler of both Scotland and England.
Website: http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/tour/castle.html
Our Dynamic EarthOur
Dynamic Earth offers a totally new concept in visitor entertainment. Combining
the very latest interpretative technology and special effects with cutting
edge scientific thinking, it will take you on a fascinating, ever-changing
journey around planet Earth. You will travel back through time
to witness the Big Bang. You will experience earthquakes, ice ages and
tropical rainstorms. You'll travel to the depths of the oceans and fly
high above towering glaciers and mountains. You will see, hear, feel and
smell the planet as it was millions of years ago and imagine how it might be
in the future.
Website: http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Outdoor Tower and Camera Obscura
The camera obscura at the top of the Royal Mile was established in the
1850s by the optician Maria Theresa Short and was originally known as
Short's Observatory. It is Edinburgh's oldest attraction and a uniquely
entertaining experience. The camera obscura is located about six flights
up in the outlook tower. There is no elevator but there are exhibitions of
camera obscuras, pinhole photography and art on the floors that you pass
on your way up. The beautifully operated camera obscura projects a live
moving picture of the city outside onto the table before you and is the
most powerful public telescope in Britain!
Website: http://www.camvista.com/scotland/edinburgh/info/obscura_inf.php3
Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre
The award-winning scotch whisky heritage centre is one of Scotland's most
prestigious visitor attractions. An entertaining and informative experience
for all the family, it tells the story of the country’s most famous product.
One of the biggest features of the centre is an electrically driven
barrel-car ride that takes the visitor on a journey through 300 years of
Scotch Whisky history with lifelike figures, sounds and aromas. The ride
finishes with a free drink for the adults. Foreign visitors are catered for
as the entire tour can be conducted in eight different languages.
Website: http://www.whisky-heritage.co.uk
National Gallery of Scotland
The National Gallery of Scotland houses the country’s greatest collection
of paintings, drawings and prints. Works from the renaissance to the late
19th Century periods include pieces by Raphael, Titian, Velazquez, Poussin,
Rembrandt, Rubens, Turner and the impressionists.
There is also a national collection of Scottish art by Ramsay, Raeburn,
Wilkie and McTaggart.
The interior is beautifully decorated with a fine collection of sculpture
and furniture.
Website: http://www.natgalscot.ac.uk
Scottish Tartans Museum
The
Scottish Tartans Museum allows the visitor to learn the facts and explore
the history of Scottish tartan. If you find your clan it is possible to
purchase a souvenir history printout of your own tartan prepared by the Tartans
Society. An Audio Guided Facility in a range of different languages will
help you discover the 700 different types of tartans on display.
Website: http://www.scottishtartans.org
Museum of Scotland
The Museum of Scotland is a striking new landmark in Edinburgh's historic
Old Town. Purpose built, this magnificent building was designed by Benson and
Forsyth and exposes the visitor to the remarkable story of a remarkable country.
You will discover a land steeped in fascinating cultures and terrible wars,
passionate religion and scientific invention. The stunning series of galleries
take you from Scotland's geological beginnings through time to the twentieth
century.
Website: http://www.nms.ac.uk
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
In August of every year one of the world's greatest shows - the Military Tattoo -
is held in Edinburgh. With its unique blend of music, ceremony, entertainment,
and theatre set against the amazing backdrop of Edinburgh castle, there is a
lively programme of marching and historical re-enactments. Each year 200,000
people see the Tattoo. They come from every corner of the globe and are joined
each year by around 100 million worldwide who enjoy it on television.
Website: http://www.edinburgh-tattoo.co.uk
The Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen’s official residence when in Scotland.
The palace has many strong links with Scotland’s turbulent past. Mary Queen
of Scots lived here between 1561 and 1567 and her private apartments have been
maintained in the style of the period of her occupancy. She married two of her
husbands in the Abbey and one of Scotland's most infamous murders took place here
when four Scottish noblemen killed Mary's secretary David Rizzio in her Outer
Chamber as Mary looked on. When the Royal Family are in residence the palace
is closed to the public therefore it is best to check prior to visiting.
Website: http://www.royalresidences.com/Holyrood.htm
Royal Yacht Britannia
The Royal Yacht Britannia served as an official and private residence for The
Queen and other members of the Royal family for 44 years. Sailing over one
million miles, The Royal Yacht provided reception rooms for up to 250 guests
and included office space and accommodation for staff accompanying the Queen.
Britannia was, in addition, used extensively to support the country by
undertaking many diplomatic, representational and (particularly in the last
ten years) commercial duties overseas. Amongst the many intriguing areas to
view are the bridge, the Queen's sitting room, the admiral's cabin and quarters,
the dining room and the sun lounge. It provides a wonderful glimpse into the
lifestyle of the royals.
Website: http://www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk
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