Edinburgh witnessed rapid expansion during the 18th century despite frequent attacks from its enemies.
Today Edinburgh boasts an abundance of attractions for all to enjoy – from cozy arthouse cinemas to world-class museums, not forgetting an exquisite range of food and beverage – an evening visit to your local chippie on Friday is practically an institution!
Andrew’s House
St Andrew’s House, designed by Scottish architect Thomas Tait and completed in 1934-9, stands out as an impressive Classical Art-Deco office building situated dramatically on a hillside. Intended to be inaugurated by King and Queen before World War 2, however due to events resulting from WW2, its inaugural was postponed due to military conflict. It has since been listed as Category A listed structure.
Calton Hill Cemetery sits atop its southern flank, close to Old Calton Burial Ground, Political Martyrs’ Monument and Governor’s House (which used to be part of Bridewell prison complex). Its imposing form, similar to that of Athens Temple of Apollo, stands in stark contrast with grandiose memorials in its surroundings.
At its former headquarters for over twenty-three years, St James Square served as home for the Scottish Government until 1996 when it relocated. Since then, the building has undergone an extensive refurbishment costing over PS850 million which includes work such as creating a new entrance hall, public square, two hotels and offices as well as addressing energy efficiency and accessibility concerns. All refurbishment work should be complete by summer 2020.
Calton Jail
At the start of the 19th century, prisons were housed in traditional tolbooth buildings situated right in the center of towns, often only separated from freedom by iron bars or with frequent escape attempts. Once purpose-built prisons started replacing these old buildings towards the end of Georgian era they introduced a whole new approach to prisons; being designed more solidly and securely and often placed far from public streets.
Calton Jail was one of these new prisons to open in Edinburgh and, when it did so in 1817, replaced an earlier tolbooth on Edinburgh’s High Street with its castellated style designed by Archibald Elliot and located prominently at Calton Hill’s southern slope.
Prison life inside was often harsh for prisoners that entered its doors; conditions were grimy, discipline was harsh, food was basic and cells were cold. Over time however, this prison proved more successful than some of its counterparts; near its perimeter was an oven used to execute many murderers, including notorious body-snatchers Burke and Hare. Today however, St Andrew’s House stands on its former site.
Royal Mile
The Royal Mile is one of Edinburgh’s premier tourist attractions and boasts much to offer visitors. Stretching from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace and lined with historic houses, tenements, narrow lanes and cobblestoned street, its surroundings include historic houses, tenements and narrow lanes reminiscent of medieval tenement buildings; as well as closes or “wynds”, which provide visitors with a glimpse of life in old Edinburgh.
Many buildings along the Royal Mile have become museums, such as The Real Mary King’s Close where costumed guides recreate life from 18th-century London; another worthy museum is People’s Story which explores working class Scottish history; additionally St Giles Cathedral was founded on this stretch by King David himself!
Royal Mile boasts many fabulous shops and eateries in Edinburgh, from traditional kilts and tartans to clan souvenirs and some of Edinburgh’s top restaurants. Additionally, you will find several one-of-a-kind visitor attractions like Camera Obscura with five floors of optical illusions as one of Edinburgh’s oldest visitor attractions – not forgetting that modern designs like that featured by Scottish Parliament can also be found here!
Scottish National Gallery
The Scottish National Gallery is Scotland’s national art museum, housed in a neoclassical building on The Mound and designed by William Henry Playfair. It boasts both classical and modern paintings by master artists such as Botticelli, Velazquez and the Impressionists; in addition to works from Old Masters such as Raphael’s Madonna and Child and Van Dyck’s Portrait of Lady Mary Magdalene by Raphael and Van Dyck respectively.
In 2014, the gallery reopened after an elegant redesign and expansion that elegantly reconfigured its spaces. Now featuring large windows to brighten its galleries and an abundance of natural light that brings it closer to central Edinburgh than before.
This collection represents one of the world’s greatest concentrations of British art in one location, from Celtic revivalists like Phoebe Anna Traquair and Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow Boys to Phoebe Anna Traquair, Phoebe Anna Traquair’s Glasgow Boys to Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s Glasgow Girls; through to mid-20th-century Scottish artists pioneering abstraction like Johnstone and MacCain. There are also Scottish landscape paintings like Raeburn’s Reverend Robert Walker Skating on Duddingston Loch by Raeburn as well as Alexander Nasmyth’s paintings of cities like Glasgow; as well as modern art such as Francis Bacon’s David Hockney as Picasso’s and Matisse’s work.
Cameo Cinema
The Cameo Cinema is a three-screen arthouse cinema located in Edinburgh’s Tollcross neighborhood. Originally established as King’s Theatre in 1914 with 673 seats and Scotland’s first mirrored screen (the first ever). Sound was later installed and renovated by owner Jim Poole before rebranding as Cameo Cinema.
The interior of The Cameo Theater remains mostly unchanged since its opening, though some original seating has been upgraded or altered for modern viewers. Its main auditorium evokes memories of silent movies with its enormous screen and comfortable red seats – it offers something truly unforgettable!
The Cameo offers an eclectic mix of independent releases and classic movies, as well as special events like horror marathons and one-off music screenings. Additionally, its bar area makes the cinema an ideal place for pre-film drinks or post-movie beers; its membership scheme offers discounted rates on tickets and concessions as well as access to its main auditorium – making The Cameo an essential destination for movie enthusiasts!
Playhouse Theatre
The Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh is one of Scotland’s leading theaters, boasting a capacity of 1,496 and hosting big name musicals as well as one of the main stages for the Edinburgh International Festival. Situated at the top of Leith Walk and with an extensive stage that can host dance, music and comedy acts alike.
John Fairweather designed this venue, which opened to audiences on 12 August 1929 with The Doctor’s Secret (a ‘talkie). Although originally intended as a variety theatre, its use for cinema became apparent as people increasingly gravitated toward it. Fairweather visited America and was inspired by buildings like New York’s Roxy theatre.
The Playhouse Cinema was Scotland’s largest movie theater when it opened in 1929. With seating for approximately 3,000 patrons in stalls, circle and balcony sections – including an Albert ghost who wears a gray coat while walking up and down its sixth-floor corridors often accompanied by cold air blasts – it quickly became a favorite venue for concerts and special events alike as well as being home to an 86-stop Hilsden Organ with three manuals!
Scottish School of Business
Edinburgh Business School (EBS) stands out among world-class education institutions as it offers undergraduate, postgraduate, and executive education programs at all levels. Their faculty are committed to expanding their fields of expertise while simultaneously encouraging their students to think critically.
EBS University boasts an exceptional research program, contributing to advances in several business fields. Furthermore, EBS prioritizes sustainability across its operations and curriculum, creating a supportive community through various student clubs, societies, career development resources, as well as offering scholarships for international students.
QS ranks the University of Edinburgh Business School 22nd worldwide among top institutions, offering courses focusing on modern theories and practices of business management. Established more than 200 years ago, the school boasts a rich tradition of high-quality teaching and research as it holds triple accreditation from AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS – three highly respected accreditation bodies for business schools worldwide.
The Scottish School of Business offers courses across a broad spectrum of business disciplines – accounting and finance, entrepreneurship and innovation, management science & business economics, marketing strategy & organizational studies as well as strategy & organizational studies. Furthermore, it boasts an impressive list of academics & experts, many with global renown for their contributions.