Edinburgh is renowned for its festivals, architecture and history; but also for its literary heritage – becoming the inaugural UNESCO City of Literature in 1998.
Explore Edinburgh’s Old Town and Royal Mile by foot, as you admire its magnificent attractions like Edinburgh Castle. Learn about Scotland’s literary past at Scott Monument before sipping whisky in one of Edinburgh’s charming whisky pubs.
Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland’s top tourist attractions, located atop Edinburgh Rock and boasting expansive views across Edinburgh city. As a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this impressive fortress houses multiple museums – from regimental displays showcasing Royal Regiment of Scotland regimental history and Royal Scots Dragoon Guards Dragoon Guards regimental history, all the way through to housing the Scottish National War Memorial in its interior walls.
Edinburgh castle is divided into several interconnected sections that all connect. The upper ward serves as the heart of Edinburgh Castle, housing Palace, Great Hall and Queen Anne Building; here visitors can see Crown Jewels displayed and enjoy an excellent tourist attraction.
Thought to have been constructed originally as a military prison during the 16th century, it later served as royal residence and political hub during Scotland’s turbulent 17th century; many treason trials took place here.
This castle contains several dungeons where prisoners have been imprisoned over time, such as those from the Wars of Three Kingdoms and Seven Years’ War. One dungeon bears its name after Lord Argyle who was imprisoned there from 1663-1685 following a treason trial for which he was sentenced.
An unusual feature of the castle is that there is a hidden tower. Rediscovered during excavations in 1912, this tower was only 15 feet in height but provided an alternative entrance into the castle itself.
The castle’s military significance can be seen by its prominent role as the location for daily firing of the One O’clock Gun, commemorative monuments to different military battles, and Sir Douglas Strachan’s Scottish National War Memorial designed in the 1920s.
The Camera Obscura
The Camera Obscura & World of Illusions in Edinburgh has been captivating visitors for more than 170 years with its mind-boggling optical illusions, offering visitors something truly memorable. Now featuring six floors of interactive illusions as well as an attractive rooftop terrace offering panoramic views over Edinburgh – its legacy remains.
The Camera Obscura building is a remarkable structure with an extraordinary history. It can be traced back to Thomas Short, an instrument maker in Glasgow who died in 1788 leaving behind various instruments like his famed ‘Great Telescope”. Maria Short later moved this telescope to Calton Hill and opened an exhibit of his inventions there.
A small hole in the roof allows light into the room, creating an image of Edinburgh on an interior concave dish using mirrors and building structure as projection screens to give visitors an immersive experience. There’s also a rooftop terrace, free long-range telescopes and displays of optical illusions, pinhole cameras and art.
The highlight of your experience will undoubtedly be the Camera Obscura, a Victorian curiosity that works like a giant periscope. Its rooftop chamber projects a photo of Edinburgh onto a bowl-shaped screen while guides are available daily to offer tours of landmarks shown. Also make sure to visit World of Illusions where plenty of mind-bending visual effects await your amusement – from counting different versions of yourself in Kaleido Tunnel to turning into multicolored shadows in Colour Shadow Wall; be sure to bring along a camera so you can capture some truly memorable images.
The Scott Monument
At first glance, it is hard to miss this massive black spire on Princes Street – the Scott Monument dedicated to Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott is hard to miss and serves as a fitting memorial. At 61 meters tall and Victorian Gothic in design with 68 small figures representing characters from his novels as its core, at its base stands an even larger statue depicting Sir Walter and Maida together – it stands as one of Scotland’s tallest monuments to any writer!
George Meikle Kemp designed the monument, taking inspiration from various historic buildings in Galashiels as well as architecture from other towns. He won a competition for designing it in 1836 by drawing influence from Rosslyn Chapel and Dryburgh Abbey; unfortunately he died prior to completing it and was interred at St Cuthbert’s Churchyard nearby.
Charles Dickens described it as “ghastly”, while more recent reviews describe its appearance as being like that of a gothic church spire that had been taken off and planted into the ground, yet today the Scott Monument remains one of Edinburgh’s top tourist spots. Visitors can climb 287 narrow stairs up the tower for breathtaking views from its peak; plus learn about Sir Walter Scott and his life through Museum Room’s exhibits.
The sandstone used for the monument came from the Binny Quarry in West Lothian and much of it was hand carved by John Steell – who also created other statues around Edinburgh – who also helped sculpt several of them. This marked Scotland’s first artistic use of such an enormous amount of stone; at first unfinished it featured its natural gray hue but later had to be painted white as photography became more prevalent at opening day.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street
As John Walker opened his shop in Kilmarnock in 1820s, he never imagined that his blended whisky would become one of the world’s best-selling products. Today, Diageo owns it and its flagship Johnnie Walker Princes Street visitor experience takes visitors through eight floors of breathtaking experiences, bars and event spaces in Edinburgh.
Diageo’s new whisky center spans an area of 71,500 square feet and represents one of their largest investments in Scotch whisky tourism. Offering tours, immersive tasting experiences and personalized gifts tailored specifically for both connoisseurs and novices alike. Also featuring two rooftop bars – one dedicated to rare whiskies called Explorers’ Bothy bar; 1820 cocktail bar; as well as an enormous retail space.
But the true star of the show was Johnnie Walker’s immersive storytelling experience, combining technology and performance arts. On their Journey of Flavor tour, guests engage with a 10-minute performance that tells its legacy and culture. Lighting Designer Manny Treeson from NYXdesign of BRC Imagination Arts used ETC Mosaic controls to illuminate performances while maintaining a uniform look throughout the building.
Johnnie Walker Princes Street encapsulates the future of whisky tourism. Its modern, immersive style appeals to a younger demographic looking for fresh experiences and flavors; plus it features stunning views of Edinburgh Castle as well as STIR dining concept which attract both locals and international visitors. Located right in the city center, it will no doubt draw both tourists and locals alike!
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art
The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art houses Scotland’s collection of 20th-century paintings, drawings, prints and sculpture. Its eclectic assortment offers something for everyone: international postwar works as well as works by local artists. Additionally, this gallery provides a fine bookshop as well as an excellent cafe with garden seating during summer.
In August 1960, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art first opened at Inverleith House – a Georgian building situated near Royal Botanic Garden – displaying paintings, drawings, and prints inherited from Edinburgh National Gallery, but most of its modern collection was acquired after it relocated to Belford Road in 1984.
National Galleries of Scotland and Tate jointly presented ARTIST ROOMS exhibitions across Britain between 1992 and 1999, to present some of the most prominent modern and contemporary works from both museums’ collections. National Galleries of Scotland undertook major acquisitions with support from National Heritage Memorial Fund, Art Fund and both Scottish and British Governments for this acquisition project.
Today, the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art comprises two buildings situated across from each other in a courtyard. Modern One is an neoclassical structure housing both permanent collections of Modern Art and temporary exhibitions; Modern Two was constructed in 1833 to showcase Dada and Surrealism works – such as Eduardo Paolozzi’s work.
The gallery boasts an impressive collection, which includes five Titians, two Raphaels and a Rembrandt self-portrait among many other masterpieces by Van Dyck, Vermeer and Velazquez as well as 19th and 20th century Scottish painting, sculpture, as well as an excellent 19th and 20th century Scottish collection. Additionally the gallery hosts numerous talks and events throughout the year in addition to exhibitions.