U P C L O S E

EDINBURGH

Welcome to Edinburgh,the lovely capital of Scotland! Exploring these streets you’ll

find quaint shops and delectable eateries, impressive museums

and jaw-dropping galleries, plus magnificent scenery and enter-

taining gatherings. As a matter of fact, you’ll also find all those

things and more in the pages of this guide! So prepare yourself

for a whirlwind of a journey, and keep in mind, whether gaz-

ing high or low, never forget to explore Edinburgh UP CLOSE.

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Table of ContentsMAP OF EDINBURGH .....................................................................................6 - 7HISTORY ............................................................................................................8 - 9SURVIVAL GUIDE ...........................................................................................10 - 13LOOK AROUND ...............................................................................................14 - 15

AREAS: UP HILLS AND DOWN CLOSES ......................................................16 - 17New Town ......................................................................................................................................18Princess Street and Gardens ..........................................................................................................19Stockbridge .....................................................................................................................................20St Stephen Street .............................................................................................................................21 Leith ..........................................................................................................................................22 - 23Portobello .................................................................................................................................24 - 25Salisbury Crags ............................................................................................................................26Arthur‘s Seat ..................................................................................................................................27Carlton Hill .....................................................................................................................................28The Royal Mile ...............................................................................................................................29Grassmarket ...................................................................................................................................30The Meadows and Bruntsfield Links ..........................................................................................31Cramond Island .............................................................................................................................32Royal Botanic Garden ...................................................................................................................33 TOURS: FIND YOUR WAY AROUND THE MAZE ..........................................34 - 35Bus Route 26 Princes St to Seton Sands / Tranent .................................................................36Bus Route 35 Lauriston Place to The Shore in Leith .................................................................37The City of the Dead Tours ............................................................................................................38The Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour .................................................................................................39Harry Potterburgh .....................................................................................................................40 - 41Sandemans New Europe Free Tour of Edinburgh ..................................................................42 - 43CULTURE: DISCOVER THE ATHENS OF THE NORTH .............................44 - 45National Library of Scotland ..........................................................................................................46The Scottish National Portrait Gallery ..........................................................................................47Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art ....................................................................................48Stills: Scotland‘s Center for Photography .....................................................................................49The Queen‘s Gallery .......................................................................................................................50The Queen‘s Palace .........................................................................................................................51The Scottish Parliament ................................................................................................................52 St Giles‘ Cathedral ..........................................................................................................................53 Greyfriars Bobby ............................................................................................................................54The Scott Monument .....................................................................................................................55

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MUSEUMS: TELLING AULD REEKIE’S STORY .............................................56 - 57Edinburgh Castle ...........................................................................................................................58National Museum of Scotland ....................................................................................................59The People‘s Story Museum ........................................................................................................60The Museum of Childhood .........................................................................................................61The Writers‘ Museum and Makars‘ Court ..................................................................................62The Storytelling Centre and John Knox House ........................................................................63The Georgian House .....................................................................................................................64Surgeons‘ Hall Museum ................................................................................................................65SHOPS: GOODIES - WITH OR WITHOUT TARTAN ......................................66 - 67Edinburgh Farmers Market ..........................................................................................................68Tartan Weaving Mill & Mall .........................................................................................................69Armstrong‘s Vintage ......................................................................................................................70 Barnardo‘s Store .............................................................................................................................71Edinburgh Books ...........................................................................................................................72Old Town Bookshop .....................................................................................................................73The Old Town Context Shop ......................................................................................................74 FOOD: IT’S NOT ALL NEEPS & TATTIES ........................................................76 - 77Food Quiz ..................................................................................................................................78 - 79Arcade Bar Haggis & Whisky House .......................................................................................80Café Piccante .................................................................................................................................81L‘Alba D‘Oro ................................................................................................................................82The Mosque Kitchen ...................................................................................................................83The Baked Potato Shop ..............................................................................................................84Reds Restaurant ............................................................................................................................85Deli Fresco ....................................................................................................................................86Tani Modi ......................................................................................................................................87The Forest Café ............................................................................................................................88Caffe Centro ..................................................................................................................................89Lovecrumbs ...................................................................................................................................90Clarinda‘s Tearoom ......................................................................................................................91Mary‘s Milk Bar ............................................................................................................................92The Fudge Kitchen ......................................................................................................................93PUBS AND ENTERTAINMENT : A WEE DRAM OF FUN ...............................94 - 95Cameo Cinema ..............................................................................................................................96Free Impro-Comedy at “The Stand“ ..........................................................................................97The White Hart Inn .......................................................................................................................98Sandy Bell‘s .....................................................................................................................................99 Summerhall ..................................................................................................................................100The Ceilidh Club at Summerhall .................................................................................................101Café/CabaretVoltaire .................................................................................................................102Sofi‘s Bar .......................................................................................................................................103IMPRESSUM ..................................................................................................104 - 107

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7 © OpenStreetMap contributors

HISTORYNestled in the contours of seven hills, the city of Edinburgh stands as a monument to the history of Scotland and development of Western civilization. From its inception, the city has circled around Castle Hill, where Edinburgh Castle has rested proudly for hundreds of years. Evidence directs our attention to humans having lived in these hills since the Iron Age, but it wasn’t until sometime in the 13th century when the city was actually established by King David I. The city flourished as a well-known port and for many centuries has remained a main hub of activity in Scotland.

Although Glasgow would eventually surpass Edinburgh in size and population, the walled city remained the centre of the country, even with the Union of the Crowns in 1603. Then about a century later, the Union of Parliaments joined Scotland and England in the relationship still held today (though perhaps for not much longer). By the 18th century, it was clear that Edinburgh was very important to the new Kingdom of Great Britain, but it was also desperately unhygienic. For the sake of the town and her people, construction began on the New Town, which continued until the mid-1800s.

It was also around the extensive period of the New Town’s construction that the famous Scottish Enlightenment took place. This great phenomenon produced many famous names, such as David Hume, Adam Smith, and James Hutton, plus the great wealth of literature that the city is now known for. The Enlightenment paraded Edinburgh and Scotland into the 19th century, which saw general improvements throughout the city. As much of the wealthy population had moved out of the Old Town, the New Town quickly became a major business district. The Old Town continued on as the slums of Edinburgh until the 1860s, when impressive improvements were made, turning the area into the familiar sight it is today. Although the economy stagnated during the early 1900s, as no big surprise, the country took on serious efforts to improve and reverse the slide backwards.

Commercial development in the late 20th century strengthened the city and has helped keep Edinburgh the second largest administrative and fiscal centre in the United Kingdom. To this day, Scotland’s capital is a source of pride for the people of Scotland, and with good reason. Edinburgh was the first UNESCO City of Literature, having produced famous authors and poets like Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott, and Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Great scientists pour from her Victorian buildings, such as Alexander Graham Bell and Peter Higgs. Artists are still inspired by her winding streets and temperamental weather. Travellers the world over flock to Edinburgh to experience the gorgeous arts and rich history of Scotland, infused with this charming city, this once Auld Reekie.

Emily Smith

Survival GuideTop Five Things to do to prepare for Edinburgh

1. Adapt your drinking habits!2. Do some moderate workout to prepare for all the walking,

steps and hills!3. Watch Scottish movies to prepare yourself for the Scottish

accent (eg. Trainspotting, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, The Angel’s Share, Sunshine on Leith)!

4. Get used to the cold, for example by taking cold showers in the morning!

5. Get really excited because you’re about to visit one of the best cities on earth!!!

Ay Nae Dreich

Wee Bonnie / BonnyBevvy Cronie Wee dramSláinte (SLAHN-che)Ceilidh (KALE-eee)

YesNoDescription for Scottish weather (grey and drizzling)Small, LittlePrettyDrinkMateNight CapCheersDancingparty with traditional music

Top 10 Scottish phrases and expressions