Edinburgh and Lothian

Edinburgh Calton Hill Edinburgh is the capital city of Scotland. It is the second-largest city in the nation and boasts a population of 448,624. It is located in the east of the country and is, along with the Scotland’s largest city, Glasgow, part of the Scottish Central Belt.

The Central belt is the area stretching between the two cities from the east to the west of the country. The two cities are located just seventy kilometres apart, and commuting between them is made easy by a reliable and affordable rail service. Though the two cities are equally famous, Edinburgh has long established itself as the more popular tourist destination and there are many reasons for this.

The city of Edinburgh is divided into two distinct areas, the Old Town (its historical epicentre) and the New Town (the city’s main shopping and commercial area). The Old Town includes picturesque cobbled streets, period monuments and many wonderful cathedrals and churches from throughout its long and vibrant history. The most notable landmark of Edinburgh is undeniably Edinburgh Castle, located overlooking the city on Castle Rock, it dominates the city’s skyline. The castle is open to the public and includes a number of museums too. The Scottish Parliament (Pàrlamaid na h-Alba in Gaelic, Scots Pairlament in Scots) is the national unicameral legislature of Scotland, in the capital Edinburgh. The original Parliament of Scotland (or 'Estates of Scotland') merged in 1707 with the Parliament of England, through the Act of Union, to form the Parliament of Great Britain. The current parliament was established by the Scotland Act 1998. The first meeting of the new parliament as a devolved legislature was on 12 May 1999.

The New Town was first developed in the late 1700s. At its centre is Georges Street, which is flanked on either side by the city’s two other main shopping areas Princes Street and Queens Street. The city contains many and varied museums, public parks, markets, sites, cafes, bars restaurants and has something really special to offer all its visitors.

Each year Edinburgh hosts a number of major festivals, none more famous than the Edinburgh International Festival, which takes place from August to early September each year. The festival attracts performers and audiences from all over the world and offers an eclectic mixture of theatre, films, readings, music and comedy amongst other things.

Lothian
Edinburgh is the principal settlement of Lothian which in turn is divided in West Lothian, Mid Lothian and East Lothian. Lothian is lying between the southern shore of the Firth of Forth and the Lammermuir Hills of the Scottish Borders. Lothian has a lot to offer such us abbeys, (ruins of) castles and beautiful coastal scenery and wildlife. The royal Burgh of North Berwick is one of the most beautiful seaside towns in Lothian. It is situated on the south shore of the Firth of Forth, approximately 25 miles east of Edinburgh. The award-winning Scottish Seabird Centre is situated between two beautiful sandy bays and only a couple of miles away from Bass-Rock, home of one of the largest colonys of Gannets in Scotland. Closeby is Tantallon castle and south of Berwick is the lovely village of East Linton.

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Edinburgh and Lothian Picture Gallery

click on a picture for an enlargment

Edinburgh Castle is located on an old vulcano and dates back to the 12th century. During that time Edinburgh Castle was a stronghold, Royal Palace, Military complex and Prison.

The main entrance of Edinburgh Castle. Opening hours are: Summer 1 April to 31 October Monday to Sunday 9.30am to 6.00pm. Winter 1 November to 31 March Monday to Sunday 9.30am to 5.00pm

Calton Hill with the Nelson Monument in the distance and Waverley Station in front. Edinburgh's Main Station.

Edinburgh New Town - View to the North West overlooking Princess Street, the Firth of Forth, Fettes College and Ben Lomond in clear weather.

Edinburgh New Town - View to the North overlooking Princess Street, East Lomond Hill, Scottish-American War Monument, Kikrcaldy and the county of Fife.

Edinburgh New Town - View to the North overlooking the Firth of Firth, Inchkeith and Leith Port

Edinburgh New Town on the Left and the Old Town on the right. Bassrock is just visible in the distance. Waverly Station in the middle.

The Governours House at Edinburgh Castle built in 1742 and later used for the nurses from the castle hospital. Nowadays it functions as the Officers Mess.

St Margareths chapel is the oldest building at the castle and from whole Edinburgh. It was built as a private chapel for the royal family in 1153.

Mons Meg, a huge six ton gun. It was last fired on 14 October 1681 but blew up. The cannonballs fired were each 150Kg in weight!

The altar in St Margaret's chapel. In the chapel are three wonderful glass stained windows from St Columba, William Wallace and St Margaret

Changing of the Guards at Edinburgh Castle

The changing of the guards at the castle. The ceremony takes only a few minutes and people have to wait before entering or exiting the castle.

John Knox House on the Royal Mile is the oldest house in Edinburgh and dates back to 1450. It was inhabited by a preacher named John Knox and the house is now a museum dedicated to him.

The Scottish Parliament Building opened in 1999 giving the Scots their first own parliament since 1707. Here a view of the debating chamber.

The Scottish Parliament building from the outside.

The entrance of Holyrood Palace at the end of the Royal Mile.

Just some wonderful houses opposite the Scottish Parliament.

Every day the one o'clock gun goes off from Edinburgh Castle. This picture was taken exactly at that moment and the smoke from the gun is still visible.

The Walter Scott monument on Princess Street.

A statue of Sir Walter Scott himself in the middle of the monument. The monument itself can be visited from the inside.

A view towards the Old Town from Princess Street.