Here you can discover Edinburgh's oldest building, the tiny 900- year-old Queen Margaret Chapel and the post-First World War war memorial, one of the greatest commemorative designs in existence. Together the setting, the views, and the historical resonances, make it a must-see on most visitors' itineraries.
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk
It's impossible to ignore the Edinburgh Festival, simply the world's largest arts festival. Full stop. From opera to modern dance, there's a huge range of events to tempt you. And as if the International Festival wasn't big enough, there's always the Fringe. Amongst the usual clichés of small venues and bizarre productions, you'll find some of the best comedy on the planet, not to mention a host of rising stars. The Edinburgh International Film Festival runs during the festival, as does the Military Tattoo and the Book Festival - you get the idea.
Think UK (and world) premiers. Prestigious lectures. Major new talents. Huge stars. The EIFF has been going strong since 1947, and now reaches across to Glasgow and down as far as London. But famous and fabulous though it is, there's more to Edinburgh than three heady weeks in August. The city has a year round programme of festivals and events ranging from the International Fashion Festival in the Spring all the way through to the Winter Festivals in the lead up to the world’s biggest new year party.
This ancient thoroughfare dating back to medieval times is a narrow urban street that was sealed off from the outside world when the Victorian City Chambers was built on top of it. Now this extraordinary relic of Edinburgh's heritage has become a key stop on the city's thriving ghost tour circuit.
http://www.realmarykingsclose.com
Edinburgh’s exclusive designer boulevard – Multrees Walk - is located right next to Harvey Nichols. With a selection of stores from Louis Vitton, Armani and Calvin Klein ‘The Walk’ as its known is the place to get your designer fix in the city centre. Its also a great destination for wining and dining, whether at Valvona & Crolla’s Vincaffe or Forth Floor in Harvey Nichols the perfect place for cocktails while taking in stunning views across the city and beyond.
www.harveynichols.com
This spectacular gallery has enjoyed pride of place at the heart of Edinburgh, physically and culturally, since 1859. Here on The Mound is where you’ll find Scotland's finest display of European art, ranging from the Renaissance period through to the post- Impressionists.
http://www.nationalgalleries.org
Housed in a spectacular tent-like structure designed by the high-tech architect Sir Michael Hopkins, Dynamic Earth is a state-of-the-art natural history museum. There's plenty of things to touch and buttons to press which makes this a wonderfully fun and thought provoking experience for children and adults alike.
http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk
Ratho's Adventure Centre is active-Edinburgh's best-kept secret. Around 20 minutes from the city centre, this is a massive temple of outdoor activity. 2400 square metres of artificial wall offers beginners and training routes, a competition wall and free-standing boulders - a climbing paradise! There's also an aerial assault course, 'The Skyride', and facilities for mountain biking, judo and scuba diving.
www.adventurescotland.com
Already one of the most controversial buildings ever built in the UK, Enric Miralles's extraordinary creation has been overshadowed by the disastrous mismanagement of its construction, Undoubtedly though it remains an exciting collage of intriguing shapes and vistas built for highly practical purposes.
http://www.scottish.parliament.uk
The Stand has been a nursery of comic talent since 1995. Open every night of the week, it offers an eclectic mixture of names you know, names you will come to know, and amateur names you will instantly forget. The likes of Johnny Vegas and Peter Kay played their first paid gigs in Scotland here, and many other big names make a point of dropping in, however much they have outgrown this intimate space.
www.thestand.co.uk
One of the newest additions to the bar and hotel scene on Edinburgh’s stylish George Street, Tigerlily is the new place to be seen. With 2 bars and restaurant this refurbished Georgian building has been decked out with glamorous fixtures and fittings allowing all guests to eat, drink and stay in style.
http://www.tigerlilyedinburgh.co.uk
