Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
as far in advance as possible. You can buy tickets in person at the
Hub
(
01131-473 2000;
www.thehub-edin-
ticket center 10am-5pm Mon-Sat)
, or by phone or internet.
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
August kicks off with the
Edinburgh Military Tattoo
(
0131-225 1188;
www.edintattoo.co.uk
; Tattoo Office,
32 Market St)
, a spectacular display of military marching bands, massed pipes and drums, acrobats, cheerleaders
and motorcycle display teams, all played out in front of the magnificent backdrop of the floodlit castle. Each show
traditionally finishes with a lone piper, dramatically lit, playing a lament on the battlements. The Tattoo takes
place over the first three weeks of August (from a Friday to a Saturday); there's one show at 9pm Monday to Fri-
day and two (at 7.30pm and 10.30pm) on Saturday, but no performance on Sunday.
Edinburgh International Book Festival
Held in a little village of marquees in the middle of Charlotte Sq, the
Edinburgh International Book Festival
(
0845 373 5888;
www.edbookfest.co.uk
)
is a fun fortnight of talks, readings, debates, lectures, book signings
and meet-the-author events, with a cafe-bar and tented bookshop thrown in. The festival lasts for two weeks (usu-
ally the first two weeks of the Edinburgh International Festival).
Sleeping
A boom in hotel building saw Edinburgh's tourist capacity swell significantly since 2000,
but you can guarantee the city will still be packed to the gills during the festival period
(August) and over Hogmanay (New Year). If you want a room during these periods, book
as far in advance as possible - a year ahead if possible. In general, it's best to book at least
a few months ahead for accommodation at Easter and from mid-May to mid-September.
Hotels and hostels are found throughout the Old and New Towns; midrange B&Bs and
guest houses are concentrated outside the centre in the suburbs of Tollcross, Bruntsfield,
Newington and Pilrig.
If you're driving, don't even think about staying in the city centre unless your hotel has
its own private car park - parking in the centre is a nightmare. Instead, look for some-
where in a suburb like Newington, where there's a chance of finding free on-street parking
(even then, don't bet on getting a parking space outside the front door). Alternatively, stay
outside the city and travel in by bus or train.
Edinburgh accommodation is slightly more expensive than the rest of Scotland, so the
price breakdown here is as follows: - budget is less than £60, midrange £60 to £150, and
top end is more than £150, based on the cost of a double room with bed and breakfast.
