Edinburgh-Scotland | Incomparable Fascination of a Magnetic City.

Edinburgh the superb capital of Scotland is a destination in which you can admire the incomparable fascination of a magnetic city,a place which conquers all with its charm and the enchanting silhouette of its historical buildings and monuments,something absolutely unique you will never forget.

Visiting that Scottish diamond is entering deeply in a reality linked to a rich historical past,a site with an immense cultural and artistic patrimony which makes that place unique and special.

The political and cultural capital of Scotland is a wide mixture of all,there are many adjectives you can use for it attractive,captivating,mysterious,fascinating and an endless list of other praises to describe that incredible centre.

When you are visiting Edinburgh you can discover metre by metre how it evokes in a multitude of its corners its past giving the visitor great sensations and a constant desire to explore and learn more admiring its several impressive architectonic treasures.

That place so attractive often generates pleasant vibrations,an enchanting centre packed by monuments and historical sites all pretty concentrated around its medieval core.

Very mysterious and romantic at the same time,Edinburgh attracts tourists from all around the world also for its its narrow streets,every square,every building in the historic centre which are part of a sort of magic frame of an unforgettable picture so easy to imprint in all the minds and something to narrate and apart all that an extraordinary vibrant nightlife. .

Considered one of the most beautiful cities not only of Scotland but of all Great Britain,Europe and of the World,Edinburgh is a top destination declared  by UNESCO World Heritage Site for its architectonic style and historic centre with over 15,000 buildings of National historical interest.

The city has a very important and prestigious university,it is a demanded place to study by many foreign and British students thanks to its numerous colleges.

That Scottish centre was also awarded with the title Best City for Pubs surprising totally European capitals as Dublin and London so famous for their long and relevant traditions about that topic but Edinburgh with its over 750 pubs was declared the Queen of that prize.

The city also keeps that honour with pride conscious and aware to have a great patrimony also in the most historic and relevant British hospitality and catering industry.

Many are the several festivals,concerts,events and theatre celebrated every year in the city which also has one of the most important symphony Orchestra of the entire United Kingdom,furthermore it is a centre in continuous progress,considered among the best in Scotland about Science and Medical research.

A further input and support to increase an already strong incoming flow as you know was the famous Harry Potter Saga and movie born in Edinburgh which is also considered among the first Cities about Literature by UNESCO.

Developed on seven hills which give furthermore a charming image and with a population close to the 500.000 inhabitants,the medieval centre with its alleys,towers,buildings,spires,castle and legends inspired the most successful Saga probably of all time.

 J. K. Rowling from the Elephant House that cafe in which she went to spend the afternoon and in which the famous writer took her deep inspirations was definitely the right place with all around that incomparable fascination of a magnetic city which made that lady is one of the most famous writer and woman of the globe.

The history of that Scottish gem is one of the most captivating of all Great Britain,nicknamed  the pearl of Scotland the city arose between its picturesque hills surrounding the centre concentrated in the famous Royal Mile and with many other emblematic symbols such as Holyrood Palace,Edinburgh Castle,the Parliament and the captivating Castle hill.All those places are a sort of diamonds making a precious chain embellishing also the natural environment encircling a fairytale place.

The local architecture is a perfect mixture of the several splendid Georgian and Victorian buildings next to the beautiful medieval constructions erected in a period in which Edinburgh lived its golden ages.

George Street,Queen Street and Princes Street are the iconic local arteries to breathe the magic atmosphere of the stunning Edinburgh which transmits from them its unique enchanting charm.

Another great feature of that stupendous centre is that it is one the cities in the world with the best preserved examples of architecture in its historical centre in Europe,a title shared with an illustrious site  located in Tuscany and Capital of Renaissance ; Florence.

In addition to all that an d linked to its stunning architectonic complex,the Capital of Scotland is  also considered in top three in Great Britain  to preserve the best Georgian architecture and it is also considered according various statistics and recorded dates in the top ten as best destination cities of the world.

The city's name is said to have originated by the Celtic Eidyn Din which means Fortress of Eidyn born in a period in which the current city was a stronghold for the people of Gododdin,perhaps because in the middle of the 6th century it was the seat of the King Clinog Eitin,whose name is reminiscent of that place.

Roman troops advanced in North of Britain in the 79 century, reaching the mouth of the River Esk and failed the conquest of Scotland settling in the area of  the famous Hadrian's Wall.It is historically famous as you know that despite several attempts during an intense campaign  the Roman Empire was never able to penetrate in the Scottish Highlands.


 A century after the final Roman withdrawal from Britain,the current land was subdivided in four kingdoms such as  Kingdom of the Picts, Scots,Britons and the Angles.Scotland was also invaded by Vikings and until the 9th century the King of Dalraida, Kenneth MacAlpin, managed to create a rudimentary first Scottish union too hard for many rivalry of several clans and his grandson Duncan I became later the first King of Scotland in 1035.


After the city was besieged by the Angles of Bernicia it took the name of Edin-burh, which in opinion of some experts and relevant historians derives from Edwin's Fort,perhaps from King Edwin of Northumbria in the 7th century although that seems unlikely given that the name of the city is older than that period.

The word burgh means fortress or also group of buildings.The first evidence of the existence of the former town from a historic document is that the fortress is dated 12th century probably erected in the year 1124 in which King David I assigned a land to the Church of the Holy Cross of Edinburgh.

All that would indicate that the origin of the city may be between 1018 when King Malcolm II defended the region of Lothian by the invaders coming from Northumbria in that period and with the construction of the fortress in the year 1124.

Other historic documents refer to a Church with a Latin name as Ecclesia Crucis Sanctae Edwin Esburgensis which may indicate that the drafters of the document believed that Edwin was the real origin of the name of the former site and then decided to get the Latin version of what they thought was the old name.

It could also mean that in the past 600 years the name was altered,in any case,in the decade since 1170 King William I of Scotland used the Latin name in a document confirming the sale of the land made in 1124 by David I.

In the year 1215 in Edinburgh met the first local parliament and since 1455 the city was equipped with  walls to defend its centre by enemy attacks.In 1530 a fire destroyed many buildings of the city and just 14 years later the troops of King Henry VIII destroyed them while they were still under reconstruction.

It was only after the year 1603 when the current Scottish Capital enjoyed a period of peace following the unions of the crown,James VI became as well as King of Scotland and King of England, however transferring the seat of the monarchy in London.

The new city experienced riots when King Charles I tried to impose the Anglican Church State in place of the Scottish Presbyterian denomination.In the year 1650 Oliver Cromwell occupied the city unleashing a veritable carnage.

The following century was certainly not more peaceful and in the wake of the Jacobite uprisings in 1745 Bonnie Prince Charlie tried unsuccessfully to occupy the castle of Edinburgh but had to be content with only a few victories over British troops since the siege ultimately failed because his troops had no artillery necessary to be successful.

In the year 1767 there was a redevelopment of the city with plans which began with the restoration of Edinburgh with a design of the New Town a project to accommodate the rapidly growing population.The neighbourhood is located north of the old town and looks orderly and rational mainly developed in Georgian style. 

 In 1817 was completed the drainage of the Nor Loch a marine fjord from the Firth of Forth came to the foot of the hill in which lies the oldest area of the city dividing it from the new one and in that geographical depression was built the Train Station and also the site in which was created Princes Street Gardens.

It is pretty difficult to imagine Edinburgh before to visit it.The city has a glorious historic past but the reality leaves always pleasantly surprised.It is subdivided int two areas such as Old City and the New City.

The oldest with its medieval narrow streets perched on a ridge of rock is the result of a series of extinct volcanoes overlooking the city on a hill.

Crossed by a road approximately 1,6 km long precisely called Royal Mile which is a complex of  four streets such as Castlehill, Lawnmarket, High-Street and Canongate and which links Edinburgh Castle the iconic symbol of the Scottish city to Holyrood Palace and both royal residences,that set is absolutely unique giving Edinburgh an incomparable fascination.

The New City as mentioned before is a wonderful example of Georgian architecture and with a perfect urban organisation with its wide streets perpendicular to each other,beautiful squares as St Andrew Square and Charlotte Square and numerous parks and gardens developed in different periods.

 The main monument is its iconic Castle, linked to historical events of Scotland and it is from there you can start to know the local history and to enter in that magic planet called Edinburgh.Its oldest sections are dated the 11th century and it was a place with succeeded different  royal courts,frequent changes were made and today it has a16th century aspect.Visible from almost every corner of the city,the castle has always had a decisive role in the history of Edinburgh and also it was often the scene of tragic stories.

 In the year 1440 it became known as Black Dinner and it was the place in which people was executed in presence of the Sovereign who was then only ten years the young brothers Douglas to suppress the power of their house and avoid any possible future claim to the crown.

In the year 1650, Oliver Cromwell's troops seized the castle and used it as a garrison while in the 18th century the fortress suffered two  Jacobites attacks with the intention to put the Stuarts on the throne, including one was directly led by Prince Charlie,the young pretender to the British Royal Crown

In the following centuries the castle served as a defencive fortress and today after all those military operations it is still the headquarters of the Scottish Division within the British army.

On the parade ground of the Castle dating back the 18th century is celebrated one of the most popular event of the Edinburgh Festivals,the Military Tattoo with the castle in the background which is floodlit. floodlit.Beyond the gap created by Oliver Cromwell stands the building of the guard and on one side you will notice two statues of national heroes of Scotland depicting Robert the Bruce and William Wallace.

The castle has kept the crown jewels of Scotland,the crown studded with pearls and precious stones of uncertain age it is the only glimpse of the merger prior to the restoration of crown jewels wanted by Cromwell while the sceptre and the sword was given to James IV by the Popes Alexander VI and Julius II.

In the year 1996,Great Britain returned the Stone of Destiny The Stone of Scone to Scotland, brought to London in 1296 as spoils of the war by Edward I, who placed it under the coronation throne of Westminster Abbey and after 700 years it has been placed next to the crown jewels.

That small block of sandstone of about 150 kgs according to a legend came from the Holy Land and it has served as a footstool to the Scottish monarchs during the coronation ceremony from Kenneth I to Charles II of Scotland.

On the other side of the square of the castle site in which the parade takes place every year in the Military Tattoo you will find The Spirit of the Tattoo an information centre which provides all you need to know about the history of that event and to have an exhaustive idea of what it is that event with its magical atmosphere which characterises one of the special moments during the year in Edinburgh.

Scotland is so famous all around the world to be the country of one of the most famed Whisky of the globe and  the castle also hosts the Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre,a Museum dedicated to that drink which reveals the secrets of that famous national liquid pride of the entire land.

 Holyrood Palace is the other important Royal residence in Edinburgh so famous for its historical significance.It is is the Palace which played the drama of Mary Queen of Scots,Mary Stuart, Queen of Scotland, England and France over decapitated contention between Catholics and Protestants in United Kingdom.

There is also there the ugliest collection of portraits never seen so it worth a visit to know all what happened when King Charles II after the Restoration in 1689  commissioned 110 portraits made by James De Witt.

All that  happened almost by accident in Edinburgh which before had mainly painted fireplaces.De Witt was an artist under contract,he painted all the monarchs who reigned over Scotland,in large format and much more in different attitudes.

The work must be done within two years and the compensation provided 240 pounds less than 44 shillings a portrait,not even then.

The rooms of Mary Queen of Scots go up from the dining room of the current royal apartments  up a stone staircase and it comes in four rooms lined with oak embellished by Italian furniture.

At the bottom of the apartment there is the dressing room,a space in which the Queen usually dined in company of the faithful Countess of Argyll and her secretary Davide Rizzio from Turin,who had come to Scotland after the Embassy of Piedmont was established there.

Rizzio of Catholic religion was accused of being a spy ofor the Pope and to have a relationship with the Monarch and he was killed at Holyrood.

The rebellious nobles of the Protestant faith thought that the death of that man had led to the death of the Queen and her son in her lap the future James I,thus facilitating the anti-Pope control of Scotland.

Despite that Mary Stuart who was very athletic,she surprised her enemies and broke as in a film lowering herself from a window with the rolled sheets and she was able to flee on horseback.

Gathered a loyal army she returned a week later,fighting the rebels across the border and then she organised a grand funeral honouring his murdered friend.Rizzio was buried in the Church of Canongate also called Kirkyard approximately 500,0 metres from Holyrood Palace.

Some suggestive British legends say that his ghost wandering through the palace while the queen wanders in London.Another story is linked to that mysterious fire in the year 1650,the building caught fire during a visit of Oliver Cromwell and his troops and such event  has  never been made clear if it was arson or an accident.

Cromwell rebuilt Holyrood Palace which was shot down again by King Charles II, then rebuilt in the current structure between 1671 and 1679 by Robert de Bruce.Another episode is related to George III, brother of King Louis XVI of France guillotined during the French Revolution who took refuge  for a while in that palace.

Today the palace is a royal residence of Queen Elizabeth II,who spend  a week each year in early summer so it is also considered an emblematic symbol linked to the Royal House of the nited Kingdom.

Near Holyrood Palace is situated is the Arthur's seat a park is located on a hill which offers unforgettable panoramic views.

Next to the Palace is also very interesting to visit Our Dynamic Earth which is a science centre with conference facilities representing one of the leading attractions for visitors in the city and it is located next to the palace of the Scottish Parliament at the foot of Arthur's Seat.

The main objective of that complex is to facilitate a better understanding of the processes which have shaped the land known as earth science.


 Greyfriars is a neighbourhood of Edinburgh developed around the ruins of a Franciscan Church and its cemetery. Entering it brings the feeling of stepping in another time and Greyfriars is not only a place of fear indeed,the tombstones tell of generations gone,the stories of men and women and even animal as the Greyfriars Bobby.Many people knows that famous story and the movie with protagonist a little terrier faithful to his owner who did not wish to leave,even after his death. 


For years the dog Bobby watched the tomb of his beloved owner in the cemetery, until itself died.Bobby is remembered with a statue and a little tomb which has found its place in the cemetery that once before the persecution against the Catholics of Scotland was a Franciscans site.

That religious order as you know was founded by the Saint more sensitive to nature and to the brothers animals represented by the holy character of St.Francis from Assisi.

Not far from you can see a famous college which is one of the most prestigious educational Institutions of Edinburgh,the George Heriot and immediately your thoughts turn inevitably to Hogwarts.

That sober and austere building  inspired the imagination of Rowling and around that College there are many small streets tiny shops and small libraries giving that place a magnetic charm.

 Do not miss in Edinburgh if you love art a visit to the National Gallery of Scotland.It is one of the finest museums in Great Britain and Europe with relevant works by prominent artists such as Raphael,Tiepolo, Van Gogh, Titian, Monet,El Greco  Goya,Velasquez, Gauguin and Vermeer among others.

Most Renaissance paintings are not public property but belong to the Duke of Sutherland,owner of one of the largest regions of Scotland what is simply impressive is that rich collection displays some of the most relevant masterpieces of artists of different periods making that museum an authentic diamond which is a mandatory during a stay in the Capital of Scotland.

In the lower part of city there are the shopping areas along Prince Street and George Street with the opportunity to buy several different articles such as handcrafts,souvenirs and other interesting items.

Edinburgh Brass Rubbing Centre is another attraction and highlight of the city.In that beautiful place it is possible to build objects using brass rubbing.

The visitors will enjoy all that assisted by staff ready to show how to develop objects without any experience and the museum houses an extensive series of monumental brasses depicting medieval knights,Scottish Picts symbols and Celtic designs.

For a pleasant walk and relax visit the splendid Royal Botanic Garden Garden which is a renowned centre for plants and  science researches.It was founded in the 17th century and it currently extends in four areas with  a rich and ample collection of different kind of plants.

Edinburgh is considered a Literary City and it a must is to visit to the Writer's Museum.That fascinating exhibition houses a splendid collection of writers manuscripts first editions and portraits reserved for life and works of great literary figures of Scotland.That city that seems made for writers,it is a sort of Scottish Dublin,Sir Walter Scott the inventor of the modern historical novel,the prolific creator of adventure located in ancient times lived in Edinburgh and also Robert Burns,prominent poet,visionary and with his literature in transgressive style of the end of the 18th century is a notable representative figure of the city.In addition worth a mention Robert Louis Stevenson creator of works as Treasure Island and that work is brilliant and disturbing The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde

 Edinburgh,with the presence of such celebrated and distinguished figures has seen the birth of those literary masterpieces so famous worldwide.

Edinburgh is a city also often nicknamed the Athens of the North Europe compared to the Greek Capital,city so famous for important philosophers.

Apart the mentioned writers other prominent figures linked to the Scottish Capital are  Arthur Conan Doyle and Ian Rankin and also other important characters such as Adam Smith, David Hume,John Law, Law,James Matthew Barrie,the creator of Peter Pan was from there.

There you can also enjoy also Makar `s Court which is adjacent to the Writer's Museum and it contains writings on stone slabs made in tribute to Scottish writers who lived between the 14th century to the present period.

 If you want to know more about that wonderful city of course The Museum of Edinburgh is an ideal place to visit.That place contains an illustrate exhibitions of the most important buildings of the city at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries.It is a site very recommended to all fans of art,history and architecture explaining the development of the city from the earliest settlements until today and it also hosts the National Convention and the petition for religious freedom signed by Scottish Presbyterians in the year 1638.

The People `s Story Museum is another attraction simply great to know something more about Scottish history.The exhibition contains several images,sounds and smells of the past and that site offers the possibility to understand the despair experienced in prison,the statements of the auctioneer and the demands of politicians and social reformers. 

Another Museum if you are interested to visit which is considered among the most interesting with the previously mentioned is the Museum of Childhood.

That exhibition is dedicated to people of all ages and it is  is a place full of objects narrating the childhood in the past and present.In that place young people and adults can enjoy a memorable visit through entertaining puppet theatre.

A wide range of options are present in the city to enjoy a vibrant nightlife..There are many clubs for every taste with live music,jazz ,bars and clubs some of the most celebrated are Revolution,Espionage or Film house all very close to the centre.

No more than 10 minutes walking from downtown,very frequented is also Hard Rock Cafe Edinburgh and the city has a great offer of Theatre performances during all year with a vast cultural calendar.

The most important events are the historic Edinburgh International Festival which takes place in August which has been ongoing for more than half a century at the Fringe dedicated to street performers.

The Festival of Jazz and Blues celebrated in Jul is another event which calls several fans while the previously  mentioned Military Tattoo is performed in August and the Book Fair which is another important cultural highlight takes place  in March.

All those events call people from all Great Britain and the World making Edinburgh a relevant destination among the lost loved in Europe.

Local cuisine offers an ample panorama,apart the cosmopolitan presence of several ethnic restaurants you can do not forget the typical Scottish cuisine.

The fantastic fresh salmon is one of the best in Europe with the Norwegian and do not miss to taste a typical Haggis a kind of savoury pudding containing sheep's pluck minced with onion,oatmeal,suet, spices and salt.

Very relevant is a wide variety of excellent stews and among meat beef steaks are among the best in all Great Britain and also other traditional plates are very popular such as Scotch Pie,Solan Goose and the famous Minced and Tatties.

Another traditional plate is the famous Porridge and in addition worth a mention a wide presence of a big variety of soups such as Partan Bree,Scotch Broth,Game Soup and Skullen Skink among others.

About desserts there is a long delicious list some of the most traditional are Cranachan,Burnt Cream Cllotie Dumpling and very famous are about bakery the traditional Scones and Shortbread.

Served by an important International Airport located approximately at 10,0 kilometres west of the city at Turnhouse.

 You can easily reach the city centre in about half an hour by shuttle bus by Lothian Buses Airlink service  which runs every ten minutes and it will directly take you to the the terminal station Waverley Bridge.

It is very easy to use the public transport in the city.The Urban transport in Edinburgh are managed by two bus companies: Lothian Buses and First Edinburgh.

The main departure of the bus stations are St. Andrew Square and the mentioned Waverley Bridge and from there you can take several buses with many destinations all around the city and surroundings.

Edinburgh is a great destination,unique in its kind,Capital of a fantastic land called Scotland,it will be difficult to forget that place so rich attractions.

Its splendid image and an enchanting soul and so magnetic will transmit you very special sensations leaving indelible memories of a spectacular and unforgettable experience of a trip visiting a city of an incomparable fascination and the stunning image of Edinburgh will be kept in your best pages of trips all time.

Francesco Mari



Recommended Hotels in Edinburgh

Hotel The Caledonian A Waldorf Asotria Hilton
The Scotsman Hotel
Hotel Radisson Blu Edinburgh
Hotel Novotel Edinburgh Centre
The George Hotel
Hotel Missoni
Prestonfield House
The Chester Residence


 www.edinburgh.org
www.thecaledonianedinburgh.com
www.thescotsmanhotel.co.uk
www.radissonblu.co.uk/hotel-edinburgh
www.thegeorgehoteledinburgh.co.uk
www.hotelmissoni.com
www.prestonfield.com
www.chester-residence.com
 www.edinburghguide.com
 www.edinburgh-inspiringcapital.com
 www.edinburghdaysout.com
 www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk
 www.edinburghairport.com