Bitesized guide: Edinburgh
Festival season in Edinburgh is rapidly approaching so hop on the train up to Britain's 'Festival City' with its rich culture and buzzing atmosphere.
Arrive
Whizz from London to Edinburgh in less than five hours by train with GNER (website: www.gner.co.uk), while First Scotrail (website: www.firstscotrail.com) operates all services within Scotland, as well as a London-Edinburgh overnight sleeper link.
Edinburgh International Airport (website: www.edinburghairport.com) is about 20 minutes from the city centre. bmi (website: www.flybmi.com) and British Airways (website: www.britishairways.com) are the main airlines.
Why now?
It's time to book for the legendary Edinburgh Festival (website: www.edinburgh-festivals.com) which runs throughout August. With performances and celebrations of music, comedy, films, books and dance at various venues throughout the city, this has become an unmissable part of the British calendar.
See
Admire Edinburgh Castle (website: www.historic-scotland.gov.uk) - Scotland's most famous tourist attraction, built on the core of an extinct volcano. There has been a stronghold on this site since at least the first century AD. The castle now houses the Scottish Crown Jewels, the Stone of Destiny, Mons Meg (a massive 15th-century cannon) and the army headquarters of the Scottish Division. The battlements also provide a splendid view over the city.
Do
Climb Arthur's Seat, another dead volcano in the city, whose name stems from a little-known legend that King Arthur watched his army's defeat of the Picts from there. A short ascent from the city centre and you're standing on the summit with stunning views over Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth.
Taste
The Witchery by the Castle (website: www.thewitchery.com) is an atmospheric restaurant, situated in a medieval building next to the castle. Guests can dine by candlelight in this gothic space or follow the candles down the old stone stairs to the atrium section. The modern Scottish cooking uses fresh ingredients like Aberdeen Angus beef to conjure up a steak tartare, as well as fresh seafood to put together a crustacean platter that comes with a half lobster.
Did you know?
The number of visitors attracted to Edinburgh for the festivals in August is roughly equal to the settled population of the city.
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