This weekend I made my first visit to Edinburgh. Being such a famous and well visited city I was looking forward to doing some sight seeing. Whilst I had to do a little research to complete my list of the attractions I wanted to see, Edinburgh Castle needed no such introduction. So, full of ... Read review
Each print is one of a strictly limited edition, individually numbered out of 850 and ... more
signed. The original watercolours are used only for one edition and no other reproduction is made. The high quality of printing and the material used sets these prints apart. They are difficult to distinguish from the originals as they retain so much of the feel and delicacy of watercolour. The artists themselves are very involved in the printing process. They work with a talented craftsman who has developed a way of printing on real watercolour paper. This paper is produced especially for them by an English mill. It is made from 100% cotton and is completely acid free. The pricture is supplied mounted and framed. Frame dimensions 340x300mm. Image size : 175x140mm
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Each apartment is decorated in its own unique style All bedrooms have comfortable beds ... more
with linen and towels provided Bathrooms are private and fitted with a powerful shower and bath Our fully fitted kitchens give you the chance to be your own chef and include utensils toaster oven microwave and washing machine Castle apartments all have a comfortable lounge with TV and DVD player Business Facilities Some properties have complimentary WIFI while Internet there is telephone fax and safe are all available at our central office These services may incur additional chargesThe Royal Mile is the backbone of the Edinburghs charming and romantic Old Town running from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyrood House Our apartments are located along or within 250 metres of this historic thoroughfare and in the very heart of Edinburgh
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Dalhousie Castle, near Edinburgh, is a 13th century castle located in acres of forest and ... more
parkland next to the River Esk. It is 11 kilometers south of Edinburgh's city center. Edinburgh Castle is just eight kilometers from the hotel and the National Galleries of Scotland are less than 12 kilometers away. The hotel is 22 kilometers from Edinburgh Airport. Expect a taxi from the airport to cost around £24. After a long day of pampering in the on site aqueous spa, guests can enjoy fine Scottish cuisine in a vaulted dungeon restaurant or relax with a book in front of the open log fire in the library bar. The private chapel and vestry offer a unique location for a wedding ceremony. Dalhousie Castle features 34 guest rooms, 27 in the castle and seven rooms in the lodge that is a 3 minute short walk from the castle. Guest rooms in Dalhousie Castle feature sumptuous décor with Scottish design fabrics such as tartan and twill; some are based on historical characters, such as Sir William Wallace or Mary, Queen ofScots. All guest rooms have antique furniture, bathrobes, and complimentary designer toiletries. Come and experience all that the castle has to offer.
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
Dalhousie Castle, near Edinburgh, is a 13th century castle located in acres of forest and ... more
parkland next to the River Esk. It is 11 kilometers south of Edinburgh's city center. Edinburgh Castle is just eight kilometers from the hotel and the National Galleries of Scotland are less than 12 kilometers away. The hotel is 22 kilometers from Edinburgh Airport. Expect a taxi from the airport to cost around £24. After a long day of pampering in the on site aqueous spa, guests can enjoy fine Scottish cuisine in a vaulted dungeon restaurant or relax with a book in front of the open log fire in the library bar. The private chapel and vestry offer a unique location for a wedding ceremony. Dalhousie Castle features 34 guest rooms, 27 in the castle and seven rooms in the lodge that is a 3 minute short walk from the castle. Guest rooms in Dalhousie Castle feature sumptuous décor with Scottish design fabrics such as tartan and twill; some are based on historical characters, such as Sir William Wallace or Mary, Queen ofScots. All guest rooms have antique furniture, bathrobes, and complimentary designer toiletries. Come and experience all that the castle has to offer.
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
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Melville Castle is a luxury country house hotel set in a spectacular secluded location yet ... more
only 6 miles from the centre of Edinburgh Re opened as a Hotel in 2003 after extensive restoration and refurbishment originally designed by famous architect James Playfair the property features 33 spacious guest rooms including 6 superb Gallery Suites with split level living and sleeping areasSet in 50 acres if woodland the Castle was built in 1786 on the site of the old medieval castle for the first Viscount Melville it is described as of important historical and architectural significance It is bounded by three golf courses and the attractive grounds are home to a variety of wild life
Information: :Price is per double room per night and may vary depending on date booked...
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Advantages: A world famous landmark & you learn about Scottish history Disadvantages: Expensive & not that much to see once inside
...attractions I wanted to see, Edinburgh Castle needed no such introduction. So, full of excitement for my long overdue visit to the Scottish capital, I boarded a GNER train in London and arrived at the other end of the country (well, it seemed like it!) four and a half hours later.
On exiting Edinburgh Waverley station onto the bridge one of the first things I saw was Edinburgh Castle, floodlit and standing proud and tall over the ... ...first people to settle in Edinburgh are thought to have based themselves around the area of the Castle. In the first decade of the 11th Century, despite the tendency for Scottish rulers to base themselves further North across the Forth, Malcolm III Canmore built his castle in Edinburgh and a chapel was built for his wife, Queen Margaret, which is still standing today. Over the centuries Edinburgh Castle became pivotal to the major events in Scottish ... more
This weekend I made my first visit to Edinburgh. Being such a famous and well visited city I was looking forward to doing some sight seeing. Whilst I had to do a little research to complete my list of the attractions I wanted to see, Edinburgh Castle needed no such introduction. So, full of excitement for my long overdue visit to the Scottish capital, I boarded a GNER train in London and arrived at the other end of the country (well, it seemed like it!) four and a half hours later.
On exiting Edinburgh Waverley station onto the bridge one of the first things I saw was Edinburgh Castle, floodlit and standing proud and tall over the city. As Edinburgh's most famous landmark and tourist attraction, the Castle was the first destination on my extensive list!
The very first people to settle in Edinburgh are thought to have based themselves around the area of the Castle. In the first decade of the 11th Century, despite the tendency for Scottish rulers to base themselves further North across the Forth, Malcolm III Canmore built his castle in Edinburgh and a chapel was built for his wife, Queen Margaret, which is still standing today. Over the centuries Edinburgh Castle became pivotal to the major events in Scottish history, for example during the Wars of Independence it was captured by the English until Robert the Bruce made a daring recapture. Various rulers continued to make additions to the Castle, for example the Great Hall which was built around 1510 and the Half Moon Battery in the late 16th Century. After the Union with England in 1707 the monarchy was no longer based in Edinburgh but the city continued to grow and prosper and additions have still been made to it's castle in the last century. *
The Castle is Edinburgh's, and Scotland's, most visited historical building with more than 1 million visitors a year. To put this in perspective Edinburgh Castle is the second most visited historical monument in the United Kingdom, the Tower of London being in first place.
Dominating Edinburgh's skyline the Castle rises above the city perched on top of an extinct volcano. Finding the castle is unlikely to be a problem thanks to it's high visibility but, for the record, it is situated in Edinburgh's Old Town (the city is effectively divided in two by an old loch which has been drained to form gardens, to the north is the New Town which was built in the 18th Century so not so new, and to the south the Old Town which was the original settlement area). The castle stands at the eastern end of the Royal Mile, a fancy tourist title for the three streets that lead west to the Palace of Holyrood House.
If finding the Castle is not problematic, reaching it may well be. Being situated on an extinct volcano there is something of a climb to get there! Taken from the High Street (Royal Mile) the ascent is a reasonably gentle slope, but to reach the castle from the north (New Town) or south will involve quite a few steps. Anyone able bodied and reasonably fit will not find the climb to the Castle very challenging but for disabled visitors car parking is available on the Esplanade right outside the Castle (except during the Edinburgh Military Tattoo from June to October) for a cost of £3 per car.
We made our way to the Castle from Princes Street in the New Town and across The Mound from where excellent views of the Old Town are provided. Once in the Old Town we took a short cut through one of the famous close's (narrow passageways that travel under the tall tenement buildings) onto the Royal Mile, a touristy thoroughfare complete with tartan and whiskey shops and a man dressed up as Rob Roy! At the top of the street the road widens into the Esplanade and the Castle comes into view!
After a considerable pause to take in the views of the city (see photos below) we proceeded to buy our entrance tickets. Here I must add the first negative - the price. An adult tickets costs £10.30 (Child £4.50, Concession £8.50). Admittedly it's cousin the Tower of London costs a magnificent £14.50 nowadays, but to me a tenner is unreasonably capitalizing on a "must-see" attraction.
Once inside the outer walls, Edinburgh Castle doesn't actually look much like a castle at all. It consists of many separate buildings built at various times throughout its long history. The main attractions within are as follows:
· St Margaret's Chapel - Apparently Edinburgh's oldest building. A very small and not particularly interesting Norman building but it does date from the 1100's so that alone is impressive.
· Crown Square - the main courtyard area. Again, there are excellent views over the city.
· The Great Hall - An impressive hall of 15th Century origins with a hammerbeam roof built by James IV of Scotland, who was instrumental in Edinburgh's practical and scientific advancement.
· The Royal Apartments - As the seat of the Scottish monarchy Edinburgh Castle has played host to many historic events, most notably Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland, who later became King James I of England, in the Royal Apartments. The apartments themselves consist of two rooms which are somewhat disappointing in their abject lack of any finery, but do contain some interesting portraits of the Stuart family.
· The Scottish National War Memorial - This moving memorial was added to the Castle after the First World War and now commemorates Edinburgh's losses in both world wars. I found the huge leather bound books which list the whole lost generation from the area particularly moving.
· Prisoner of War exhibition - A small but interesting exhibition about the sailors who were held prisoner at the Castle in the 18th and 19th centuries.
· The Honours of the Kingdom exhibition - The Honours are the Scottish version of the Crown Jewels and this exhibition, which I found one of the most interesting and informative aspects of the Castle, tells the tale of how the jewels were miraculously saved from Cromwell's destructive clutches!
· The One O'Clock Gun - Apparently you can set your watch by it!
So it is worth the admission price? A tricky question to answer. Obviously Edinburgh Castle really is a must see attraction. I did particularly enjoy both of the exhibitions and I learnt a reasonable amount about Scottish history. On the other hand there are no truly awesome sights (nothing, say, to compare to the Crown Jewels) and we had pretty much seen everything in an hour. Unfortunately we missed the guided tour, which I have since heard is really informative, so I think I would recommend making use of this amenity.
Opening Times
Summer 1 April to 30 September Monday to Sunday 9.30am to 6.30pm
Winter 1 October to 31 March Monday to Sunday 9.30am to 4.30pm
Closes at 6pm in summer and 5pm in winter
* Historical information taken from www.aboutscotland.com
Thank you for reading & I look forward to hearing your comments. Triciax
Advantages: Fascinating, Great Views Disadvantages: Crowded
Edinburgh Castle, built on the site of an extinct volcano, sits high on a steep cliff, dominating both the Old Town and New Town of the city. You can see it from just about anywhere, fascinating but foreboding in the daytime with its Traitor's Gate etched into the hillside (thus providing a mighty and fatal fall for all those who were thrown out of it onto the rocks below), and utterly beautiful at night-time when it is floodlit. The castle is Scotland's ... ...state of preservation, but also for its long and often bloody history.
The castle dates from the 12th Century, but the land itself has been inhabited from 800 BC. It was the seat of Scottish Kings, but has also been occupied from the English, including Oliver Cromwell. Among many other notable events, it was the place where Mary Queen of Scots gave birth to King James VI of Scotland and James I of England.
Because of its strategic position, it ...
sandrabarber 30.08.2002
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Advantages: Exciting, stunning, historic Disadvantages: Steep hill
Edinburgh is one of Europe's great capital cities. With its famous castle perched on a plug of volcanic rock, and the refined architecture of the eighteenth century New Town it uniquely combines rugged grandeur with genteel elegance. The arts Festival attracts hundreds of thousands of global visitors each July and August while its theatres, museums and galleries offer cultural riches throughout the year. This charismatic yet compact City offers an ... ...only visit one place in Edinburgh to capture its charms then I would have to recommend the Castle and the Royal Mile. This ancient cobbled street, located in the Old Town, begins with the fortress sited at the top on Castle Rock and sweeps downwards to finish at Holyrood Palace. Most of the castle buildings date from the 16th century, although a building has stood on this commanding location since at least the 9th century. At the very least it is ...
snowbird123 16.09.2008
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Advantages: Scottish History Disadvantages: Long Climb Up on foot.
...of an extinct volcanic outcrop Edinburgh Castle stands proudly, dominating the city skyline and offering fantastic views of Edinburgh and areas.
Over the years the castle has seen a lot of history unfold and each Royal resident who occupied it modified or added to the original structure, so todays castle is an architectural mixture of Palace, Fortress, Barracks, Chapel and War Memorial..There are so many thing to see that a free CD - based audio ... ...but it booms out over Edinburgh every other day of the year.
With the many sights on offer a camera is essential to capture the stunning views .A picture of Mons Meg the giant medieval siege gun seems to be high on everybody’s list.
I f you are ready for a refreshment break the Edinburgh Castle Cafe at Mills Mount offers the ideal place for a reviving cuppa. There are also the usual souvenir shops the Castle Crown Jewel Shop, the Bookshop ...
elspeth334 07.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Advantages: Great Day Out. Disadvantages: A little bit dear.
When you first see Edinburgh Castle from the city streets it does not look like a traditional castle. However, as you walk up the steep roads, the approach to the castle entrance is very impressive. The ticket price does seem a bit expensive, as there is little indication as to what you will see for your money. But you should pay the money (£7 Adults, £2 Children) as the visit is worth every penny. When you enter the castle there is a choice of three ... ...the city of Edinburgh, the Firth of Forth and the surrounding area are spectacular. Remember to take your camera to capture these sights. If you are visiting Edinburgh and have 3 or 4 hours to spare, then do visit the castle. It is a visit you will remember. ...
daseaford 24.05.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
Advantages: Lots to see, close to some great shops and other attractions. Disadvantages: No wheelchair access, but I suppose they can't really fit it out with lifts and escelators with it being a building of historic importance.
...landmark with the stature of Edinburgh Castle, standing atop it's extinct volcanic rock, and is crammed full of tacky little souvenir shops. I'm not saying that it shouldn't have souvenir shops, just that they're badly placed. What's wrong with putting them outside the castle??
The entry fee is around £6 per adult, which might seem a little expensive, but the size of the castle cannot be appreciated from the outside. I've been in twice, and it's ... ...is make your way into Edinburgh by bus or taxi.
Outside of the castle leads you onto the Royal Mile and various shops selling souvenirs, whiskies and expensive cashmere garments. For the whisky connoisseur, I'd particularly recommend Royal Mile Whiskies, close to the castle. They have every type of Scotch you can think of and more besides. Last time I was there, they had a set of 4 whiskies, bottled in 1953, 54, 55 and 56. They were on sale as a ...
lyricalt 31.01.2001
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful Review of Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh
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Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, and is the second largest City in Scotland. Edinburgh is situated in the South-East of Scotland, and lies along the Firth Of Forth. Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1437.
Edinburgh is not only home to the Scottish Parliament, but also to 448,624 people. Edinburgh is also extremely popular with tourists, and every year thousands among thousands of tourists come to visit the city. Edinburgh is famous for many things, including the Edinburgh Festival which comes ever year in the Summer. Another thing Edinburgh is most obviously famous for is its Castle which is the base of many tourists journeys.
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