Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
GETTING
TO KNOW
EDINBURGH
Edinburgh is one of Europe's fairest cities and has
even been called the Athens of the North. And what
most experienced travelers to the U.K. say is true: If
you can visit only two cities in all Great Britain, it's London
first and Edinburgh second.
Built on extinct volcanoes atop an inlet from the North Sea (the Firth of
Forth), the Scottish capital began as a small and fortified settlement on
a craggy hill. Indeed, because of its defensive attributes, Edinburgh
became an important, protected place for the country's often besieged
rulers. Somewhat ironically, the city today represents the crossroads of
Scotland for visitors: The spot that they are likely to pass through while
in Scotland.
Edinburgh (remember “burgh” is always pronounced more like “
burr
-
a” with the “a” at the end quite clipped and softly guttural) abounds with
historic, intellectual, and literary associations. Names such as Mary,
Queen of Scots and her nemesis, Protestant reformer John Knox; pio-
neering economist Adam Smith and philosopher David Hume; authors
Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson, Muriel Spark, and Sir Arthur
Conan Doyle; as well as inventor Alexander Graham Bell are all part of
Edinburgh's past.
Today the city is famous for its world-class cultural festival. The
Edin-
burgh Festival
is actually several festivals at once: Books, comedy,
drama, classical music, dance, and more. But this ancient seat of Scot-
tish royalty has a year-round interest. When the festival-goers aren't
swarming the city center, Edinburgh's pace is more relaxed, its prices are
lower, and the inhabitants are under less pressure and offer a more
relaxed welcome.
Edinburgh is a city that lends itself to walking. The
Old Town
and
New Town
offer moody cobbled alleys, elegant streetscapes, handsome
squares, and placid parks. From several hilltops, panoramic views can be
enjoyed—and the city at sunset can be a romantic sight.
Even though Glasgow might trump it when it comes to the contempo-
rary arts, Edinburgh has traditionally been considered the cultural capital
of the north. It will always be home to the
National Galleries of
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