Places to visit in Edinburgh
 
Edinburgh Castle, towers majestically above Princes Street Gardens on a steep rock-faced cliff. The Castle is undoubtedly Edinburgh's most distinctive and most visited attractions.
 
The Museum of Scotland unveils the story of Scotland's rich cultural heritage that touches many people throughout the world. This stunning museum houses magnificent nationals collections of artifacts, illustrations and exhibitions pertaining to the land, the people and the culture of Scotland.
 
A guided tour through a warren of hidden streets beneath the Royal Mile dating back to the 16th century: dramatic episodes from the past are recreated, including life in plague-ridden Edinburgh during the 17th century.
 
This is an official residence of the Queen and the Royal Family in Edinburgh.
 
In the village of Roslin, just a couple of miles south of Edinburgh's bypass, lies one of the most remarkable pieces of church architecture in Scotland. Since its construction began in 1446 Rosslyn Chapel has evoked wonder and surprise with the beauty and intricacy of its stonework.
 
Opened to the public in 1859, the National Gallery of Scotland is situated in the heart of Edinburgh and is home to Scotland's greatest collection of European paintings and sculpture from the Renaissance to Post-Impressionism, one of the very finest galleries of its size in the world.
 


Britannia is now permanently berthed at Ocean Terminal, in Edinburgh's historic port of Leith, and visitors can now see for themselves all aspects of life on this remarkable ship.
 
St Giles' Cathedral lies on Edinburgh's Royal Mile about two thirds of the way up from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to Edinburgh Castle. For the better part of a thousand years St Giles' has been at the physical and spiritual heart of Scotland's capital city and many key moments in history have been played out in or around it.
 

Discover the lives of Thomas Gladstone's tenants and experience what life was really like in Edinburgh’s old town 400 years ago
 
The Georgian House is part of Robert Adam's masterpiece of urban design, Charlotte Square. It dates from 1796, when those who could afford it began to escape from the cramped, squalid conditions of Edinburgh's Old Town to settle in the fashionable New Town.
 
World famous stretch of road connecting Edinburgh Castle with Holyrood Palace, the Queen's residence in Scotland.
 
 
Scotland's new Parliament sits at the foot of Edinburgh's famous Royal Mile in front of the spectacular Holyrood Park and Salisbury Crags. Constructed from a mixture of steel, oak, and granite, the complex building has been hailed as one of the most innovative designs in Britain today.
 
Located within the center of Edinburgh at Holyrood Park, the remains of this extinct volcano rise 823 feet making it a notable landmark of the city.
 
Historic neighborhood lined with monuments dating back to the Enlightenment.
  Water of Leith walkway
The Water of Leith is the most significant area of green space within Edinburgh's city centre and suburbs. The Water of Leith Walkway is 12 miles from Balerno to Leith.
 
This museum, along with the nearby Dean gallery, houses a small but impressive collection of modern art.
 
70 acres of beautifully manicured lawns and flowers: a perfect outing for a sunny afternoon.

This popular zoo is 80 acres and houses more than 1,600 animals, many from threatened wildlife species.
 
This museum is devoted to the memory of three famous Scottish writers: Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
   
 
Jenners began life as a shop at 47 Princes Street in 1838.
It is Edinburgh's most famous Department Store. Ritzy department store selling everything from bedding to Edinburgh Crystal.
Local entertainment
  Edinburgh Playhouse
The Edinburgh Playhouse has established itself as Scotland's host to large scale West End Musicals. The programme also covers a broad range of performance including Opera, Ballet, Rock, Pop and Comedy. Only 5-10 minutes walk away from the Balmoral guesthouse.
 
This Edinburgh venue offers a wide range of events to tempt you all year round -classical, jazz, blues, pop and much more.
  The Usher Hall
Another famous Edinburgh Institution with classical and contemporary performances.
 
The Edinburgh Festival Theatre is an international lyric theatre presenting a broad range of opera, ballet, drama variety and dance all year round. Its outstanding facilities include one of the largest stages in the UK.
 

Traverse Theatre
The Traverse Theatre, Scotland's famous new Writing theatre and home of the legendry Traverse Bar Cafe, produces and hosts the best contempary plays from Scotland and overseas and is a leading venue for the Edinburgh Fringe.
 
  The Kings Theatre
The Kings Theatre presents high quality drama, alongside dance, comedy and musical theatre, with continued commitment to local amateur companies. The King's annual Pantomime is an established tradition within the city.
  Edinburgh cinemas
Link to all Edinburgh cinemas.
 
 
Useful guide to restaurants and bars in Edinburgh, you can search alphabetically or by style
Edinburgh festival events
  Edinburgh festivals website
This site puts together all the major festivals that take place in Edinburgh throughout the year.
  The world famous Edinburgh Tattoo
The Edinburgh Military Tattoo celebrates years of music and spectacle set against the world famous backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.
  Edinburgh's Hogmanay
They say it's the World's Best New Year Celebrations!
 
Another general site listing cultural and social events in and around Edinburgh
Local tour companies
Rabbies Trail Burners
One of the original Scottish tour companies which offer excellent trips to the Highlands and the western isles. We can highly recommend them.

Heart of Scotland tours
Heart of Scotland Tours run the finest small group bus tours around the beautiful Highlands of Scotland. Visit the well know tourist areas and secret spots
 
Using Edinburgh as a base we tale you on a coach tour around Scotland where landscapes can change quite dramatically in 30 minutes.
  Mercat tours
Mercat Tours run some excellent Ghost and History Tours in and around Edinburgh’s Old Town featuring the most haunted locations, the scariest stories and spectacular candlelit underground vaults.
 
The "Maid of the Forth" offers cruises on the Firth of Forth from South Queensferry in the shadow of the world famous Forth Rail Bridge, Scotland's most famous landmark.
 
Take one of Adrian's Edinburgh Tours by bicycle for an entertaining and informative guide to Edinburgh.
Local transport links
 
Link to the national train website from which you can book tickets to any destination in the UK and europe. The main train station in Edinburgh is Waverley station. From Waverley you can take a taxi - about 5 minutes journey and around £6. If you prefer to walk (with light luggage!) Waverley is about 20 minutes away from the Balmoral Guesthouse.
 
Link to Edinburgh's main bus company with route maps and lots of other information.
 
The one of the main inter-city bus company in the UK.

The Traveline
Traveline is a partnership of transport operators and local authorities formed to provide impartial and comprehensive information about public transport.
  Edinburgh airport website
Find out which airline companies fly in and out of Edinburgh and from which destinations.
Other accommodation links

Highly recommended farm gite in the "Black Mountains", Tarn region of France. We spend two holidays there and loved it every time.
 
B&B, self catering, guest houses, hotels and holiday accommodation in Scotland.
Links of general interest

Edinburgh based online creative writing school
Edinburgh guesthouse things to see
Edinburgh city centre guest house
Homepage for the Edinburgh Guesthouse, Balmoral Guesthouse
Information about our Edinburgh Guesthouse, Edinburgh
Pictures of our Edinburgh guesthouse, the Balmoral Guesthouse in Edinburgh
Things to do from the Balmoral Guesthouse
Prices at the Balmoral Guesthouse Edinburgh
Contact the Balmoral Guesthouse edinburgh
Finding the Balmoral Guesthouse in Edinburgh
 


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