Sites to see in Edinburgh Scotland
Edinburgh Castle. No trip to Scotland is complete without a tour of Edinburgh Castle. Over a million tourists flock to Edinburgh Castle each year, making it one of the most popular destinations in the country. Some of the earliest known settlements in Scotland were located on the rock formation where Edinburgh Castle stands. The castle has also played an intricate role in Scottish history. The Kings and Queens of Scotland from Malcolm III to Mary, Queen of Scots, have resided in the castle.
The location is divided into various areas for sightseeing. St. Margaret’s Chapel is the oldest building on the castle grounds. Constructed in the 12th century, the chapel is named for Queen Margaret, wife of Malcolm III, who was beatified in 1250 by Pope Innocent IV. Although other buildings in Edinburgh Castle have suffered damage or destruction, St. Margaret’s Chapel has stood the test of time.
A visitor to Edinburgh Castle should be sure to tour the Palace. The Palace was built in the 12th century and contained the living quarters of past Scottish royalty. While touring the palace, a visitor can see the Crown Room which is home to the Honours of Scotland. The royal crown, scepter and sword were constructed in 1540. When Scotland and England were united in 1707, the items were locked away and forgotten. In 1818 famed author, Sir Walter Scott, found them in the room in which they are displayed today.
Mons Meg is a siege gun built in Belgium in 1449. Given to the King and Queen of Scotland as a wedding present, the gun was mainly used to defeat uprisings against the castle. When the gun became obsolete it was then used during special occasions. Mons Meg was last fired in 1681 during a birthday celebration for the future King James. The barrel broke during the celebration and was discarded. After careful restoration, Mons Meg can now be viewed while touring the castle.
Royal Mile. The Royal Mile is the roadway through the heart of Edinburgh that connects Edinburgh Castle to Holyroodhouse Palace. A visitor sightseeing through the city has his or her choice of restaurants, cafes and shops along the route. A person can also take time to visit St. Giles Cathedral while enjoying this stretch of Scottish history.
St. Giles Cathedral was first constructed around 1120; however, most of the original building was destroyed by fire in 1385. The cathedral was reconstructed and today is home to a collection of stained glass windows that date back to 1870. A number of scenes are crafted into the windows; the most famous being a depiction of the life of Christ that can be seen over several windows. Also located on the premises, a bronze memorial created in 1909 by American artist Augusts St. Ganders honoring Scottish author Robert Louis Stevenson.
Holyroodhouse Palace. When the Queen of England travels to Scotland, Holyroodhouse Palace is where she and the Royal Family reside. The palace, built in 1128, was originally a monastery named Augustinia Abbey of Holyrood. The monastery became Holyroodhouse Palace under the rule of King James IV. Mary, Queen of Scots, resided in the palace between 1561 and 1567 and has closer ties to the site than any other member of the monarchy in history.
Deep Sea World. Next to Edinburgh Castle, the most popular tourist stop in Scotland is Deep Sea World. The facility boasts an underwater viewing tunnel that is over 70 meters long. While traveling along the tunnel, a vacationer is surrounded by a variety of marine life. From fish and eels to sharks and piranha, a visitor to Deep Sea World can witness the creatures in their own habitat. A person also has the opportunity to try his or her hand at scuba diving while touring the facility.
National Gallery of Scotland. Every person who vacations in Edinburgh should make plans to visit the National Gallery of Scotland. Located off of Princes Street in Edinburgh, the gallery was constructed around 1853 and is considered one of the best art museums in Britain. A person will get to view a number of pieces of artwork and sculptures on display from the Renaissance period to the late 1800s. One of the more popular displays is that of the marble sculpture, The Three Graces, which the gallery acquired in 1995.
Any trip to Edinburgh, Scotland is a memorable experience. The city offers every traveler a chance to peek into its history while keeping up to date with its present culture.
