The huge rock upon which Edinburgh Castle now stands is a natural stronghold, and warring Celtic tribes would use it as such during the first centuries of the first millennium. King Edwin of Northumbria is thought to have built the castle here in the 7th century and the settlement's name was anglicised to Edinburgh. InThe huge rock upon which Edinburgh Castle now stands is a natural stronghold, and warring Celtic tribes would use it as such during the first centuries of the first millennium. King Edwin of Northumbria is thought to have built the castle here in the 7th century and the settlement's name was anglicised to Edinburgh. In 1018 King Malcolm II defeated the Northumbrians and Edinburgh Castle became Scottish.
Essentially the town took its starting point from the Castle, and developed down the slope of Castle Rock. In 1128 an abbey was founded at Holyrood, at the foot of the rock, and what's now called the "Canongate" took its name from the presence of its canons who founded a separate burgh there.
Since the 9th century there has been a church on the site where St Giles' Cathedral now stands, but little is known about it until the building founded by Alexander I in 1120.
A brief spell under the English and some ferocious power struggles marked the 14th and 15th centuries. During this time, Edinburgh received a royal charter from Robert the Bruce and in 1498 the Palace of Holyrood was built at the site of the Abbey. At this time Edinburgh was beginning to benefit from the trade and export of wool. Meanwhile, the "Old Town" was developing and creating the Grassmarket and Cowgate.
Also in 1560 Protestantism was declared as Scotland's official religion. Two factions were now set against each other. They are best represented here by the two leaders who personified them in Scotland: John Knox, zealous Protestant reformer, and Mary Queen of Scots, pro-French Catholic.
In 1633 Edinburgh officially became the capital of Scotland. Then, in 1707 the Act of Union joined Scotland to England and the Scottish parliament was dissolved.
Many people associate modern Edinburgh with the Edinburgh International Festival, which has been keeping the city at the centre of the international arts scene since 1947.
More recently still, the re-introduction of the Scottish parliament, three centuries after it was dissolved by the Act of Union, has meant a return of Scottish government to Edinburgh.
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Banks:
Banks are open on weekdays from 9:30 to 3:30, some days to 4:45. Some banks have extended hours on Thursday evening, and a few are open on Saturday morning. Some also close for an hour at lunchtime. The major airports operate 24-hour banking services seven days a week.
Petrol/Gas Stations:
Petrol/Gas/Fuel Stations are at regular intervals on motorways and are usuallyBanks:
Banks are open on weekdays from 9:30 to 3:30, some days to 4:45. Some banks have extended hours on Thursday evening, and a few are open on Saturday morning. Some also close for an hour at lunchtime. The major airports operate 24-hour banking services seven days a week.
Petrol/Gas Stations:
Petrol/Gas/Fuel Stations are at regular intervals on motorways and are usually open 24 hours a day, though stations elsewhere usually close from 9 PM to 7 AM; in rural areas many close at 6 PM and all day on Sunday.
Museums:
Most of the museums in town are opened daily, although some may be closed on Sunday morning. In smaller villages, museums are often opened when there are visitors around, even late on summer evenings, but closed in poor weather, when visitors are unlikely; there's often a contact phone number on the door.
Shopping:
Shops usual business hours are from Monday through Saturday between 9 and 5 or 5:30. Outside the main centers, most shops observe an early closing day (they close at 1 PM) once a week, often Wednesday or Thursday. In small villages many shops also close for lunch. Department stores in large cities and many supermarkets even in smaller towns stay open for late-night shopping (usually until 7:30 or 8) one or more days a week. Apart from some newsstands and small food stores, many shops are closed on Sunday except in larger towns and cities, where main shopping malls may be open.
Phone cards and Public phones:
You can purchase BT (British Telecom) phone cards for use on public phones from shops, post offices, or newsstands. They are ideal for longer calls. An indicator panel on the phone shows the number of units you've used; at the end of your call the card is returned.
There are three types of public pay phones: those that accept only coins, those that accept only phone cards, and those that take British Telecom (BT) phone cards and credit cards. For coin-only phones, insert coins before dialing. Sometimes phones have a ""press on answer"" (POA) button, which you press when the caller answers.
Tipping:
Some restaurants and most hotels add a service charge of 10% to 15% to the bill. In this case you aren't expected to leave a tip. If no service charge is indicated, add 10% to your total bill, but always check first. Taxi drivers should also get 10%, hairdressers and barbers from 10% to 15%. You are not expected to tip theatre or movie theatre ushers, elevator operators, or bartenders in pubs.
Money exchange:
Most city-centre banks have a bureau de change (usual banking hours are on weekdays between 9:30 and 4:45). For the most favourable rates, change money through banks. You won't do as well at exchange booths in airports or rail and bus stations, in hotels, in restaurants, or in stores. To avoid lines at airport exchange booths, get a bit of local currency before you leave home."
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Edinburgh is situated on the east coast of scotland's central lowlands on the south shore of the firth of forth and in the unitary local authority of city of Edinburgh. it has been the capital of scotland since 1437 and is the seat of the country's devolved government. the city was one of the major centres of the enliEdinburgh is situated on the east coast of scotland's central lowlands on the south shore of the firth of forth and in the unitary local authority of city of Edinburgh. it has been the capital of scotland since 1437 and is the seat of the country's devolved government. the city was one of the major centres of the enlightenment, led by the university of Edinburgh. the old town and new town districts of Edinburgh were listed as a unesco world heritage site in 1995. in the census of 2001, Edinburgh had a total resident population of 448,624.
this city is well known for the annual Edinburgh festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world, and for the hogmanay street party. at the time of the art festivals the population of the city doubles. the city is one of the world's major tourist destinations, attracting roughly 13 million visitors a year, and is the second most visited tourist destination in the united kingdom, after london.
... more info
By Air:
Edinburgh International Airport:
Scotland’s, and one of Europe’s, fastest growing airports is located 12km (8 miles) west of Edinburgh. A new multi-story car park and control tower were completed in 2005 with plans mooted for a second runway and massive expansion program to cater for spiralling demand. Edinburgh International Airport serves over eight million passengerBy Air:
Edinburgh International Airport:
Scotland’s, and one of Europe’s, fastest growing airports is located 12km (8 miles) west of Edinburgh. A new multi-story car park and control tower were completed in 2005 with plans mooted for a second runway and massive expansion program to cater for spiralling demand. Edinburgh International Airport serves over eight million passengers and
over 60 destinations worldwide. There are more than 30 flights to London’s five airports every day, with regular flights to other major cities in the UK and overseas. Since summer 2004, direct transatlantic links have been available from Edinburgh.
By Water:
The nearby Port of Rosyth (tel: (01383) 413 366; fax: (01383) 414 499) is overseen by Forth Ports Plc (tel: (0131) 555 8700; fax: (0131) 553 7462; website: www.forthports.co.uk), situated across the Forth Bridge at Rosyth in Fife, approximately a 35-minute drive from the city center. There is a terminal building, with passenger check-in facilities and a lounge. Many visiting cruise ships, including in 2005 the QM2, moor off South Queensferry by the Forth Bridge and ferry passengers ashore from there.
By Road:
British road designations are ‘M’ for motorways, ‘A’ for major trunk roads and ‘B’ for minor trunk roads (followed by up to four numbers). Traffic in the UK drives on the left and overtakes on the right. The speed limits are 113kph (70mph) on motorways, 97kph (60mph) on single-lane main roads and 48kph (30mph) in built-up areas. Seatbelts are compulsory for drivers and front-seat passengers and for rear-seat passengers if fitted. Motorcyclists must wear helmets. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08%. Non-British national driving licenses and International Driving Permits are valid for driving in Britain for up to one year and drivers must be over 18 years. Insurance is mandatory. Overseas visitors bringing their own cars should bring registration documents and check with their insurance company as to whether a Green Card is needed.
Routes to the city
Edinburgh is linked to Glasgow by the M8 motorway and from there to England and Wales by the M74 and on to the A74 and M6 further to the south (toward Manchester). Edinburgh is also directly linked to London by the A1.
Approximate driving times to Edinburgh
From Glasgow – 1 hour
Manchester – 4 hours and 15 minutes
London – 7 hours and 30 minutes
By Coach:
National Express (tel: (0870) 580 8080; fax: (0121) 622 6526; website: www.nationalexpress.com) operates regular daily coach services from both London and Manchester to Edinburgh. Scottish Citylink Coaches (tel: (0870) 550 5050; fax: (0141) 332 8055; website: www.citylink.co.uk) is the largest provider of express coach services in Scotland, with a comprehensive network of destinations. There are frequent services to Glasgow (journey time – 70 minutes) and Aberdeen (journey time – 3-4 hours). All the coaches leave from the bus station on St Andrew Square. New operator Megabus sell Internet-only tickets (website: www.megabus.com) between Scotland’s cities and have led to a recent reduction in fares amongst all operators.
By Rail:
While long distance services are fairly reliable (especially the award winning GNER service to London, Aberdeen and Inverness), domestic First Scotrail routes are often dogged by delays and cancellations, especially on the ‘flagship’ Edinburgh-Glasgow route. The major rail service provider for routes to and from England is Great North East Railway – GNER (tel: (0845) 722 5225; website: www.gner.co.uk), while First Scotrail (tel: (0845) 755 0033; website: www.firstscotrail.com) operates all services within Scotland, as well as a London-Edinburgh overnight sleeper link. National Rail Enquiries (tel: (0845) 748 4950) provides 24-hour timetable and fare information for all train companies.
Edinburgh has two main train stations – Waverley stati... more info
Currency:
GBP
Time Difference:
GMT 0
Dialing Code:
44
Electricity:
230 V
Language:
English Gaelic and Scots
Religions:
Christian (Anglican, Roman Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist) 71.6%, Muslim 2.7%, Hindu 1%, other 1.6%, unspecified or none 23.1%
Scotland, Edinburgh
Edinburgh is situated on the east coast of scotland's central lowlands on the south shore of the firth of forth and in the unitary local authority of city of Edinburgh. it has been the capital of scotland since 1437 and is the seat of the country's devolved government. the city was one of the major centres of the enliEdinburgh is situated on the east coast of scotland's central lowlands on the south shore of the firth of forth and in the unitary local authority of city of Edinburgh. it has been the capital of scotland since 1437 and is the seat of the country's devolved government. the city was one of the major centres of the enlightenment, led by the university of Edinburgh. the old town and new town districts of Edinburgh were listed as a unesco world heritage site in 1995. in the census of 2001, Edinburgh had a total resident population of 448,624.
this city is well known for the annual Edinburgh festival, the largest performing arts festival in the world, and for the hogmanay street party. at the time of the art festivals the population of the city doubles. the city is one of the world's major tourist destinations, attracting roughly 13 million visitors a year, and is the second most visited tourist destination in the united kingdom, after london.
... more info
We were over in Scotland as part of our Britain and Spain trip (the only trip non-work related!) and had a bit of time to look around. The Castle is all I remember of Edinburgh..except for the many many many bars and the haggis - we spent most of the time drinking and keeping warm!
Oh yeah - tip - don't take a rental car into Edinburgh city, drop it off on arrival...there's nowhere to park and the price of parking is EXPENSIVE!
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Edinburgh is a beautiful town. You can see the ancient beauty of Scotland there. Edinburgh caste is the one you should visit. You can really feel the place in your heart. Then you can go and get samples of scotch whiskey there.
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I never thought that Edinburgh would be such a beautiful city. I would rate it among the best cities that i have visited. It rivals Paris in heritage and has a rich culture and heritage that peeps through every street of the city. A walk on the ROyal Mile will take you back in history and the Edinburgh Castle at the head of the city stands a Royal Watch over the city. There is a sense of History in everything in Edinburgh. The gardens, the walks, the streets, the museums, the libraries all combine to to take you back in a different period of history.
One has to visit the city to get an idea of what it feels to be there, i can only go on and on of what the city is like, but you would only agree with me once you have visited the city
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The huge rock upon which Edinburgh Castle now stands is a natural stronghold, and warring Celtic tribes would use it as such during the first centuries of the first millennium. King Edwin of Northumbria is thought to have built the castle here in the 7th century and the settlement's name was anglicised to Edinburgh. In
Essentially the town took its starting point from the Castle, and developed down the slope of Castle Rock. In 1128 an abbey was founded at Holyrood, at the foot of the rock, and what's now called the "Canongate" took its name from the presence of its canons who founded a separate burgh there.
Since the 9th century there has been a church on the site where St Giles' Cathedral now stands, but little is known about it until the building founded by Alexander I in 1120.
A brief spell under the English and some ferocious power struggles marked the 14th and 15th centuries. During this time, Edinburgh received a royal charter from Robert the Bruce and in 1498 the Palace of Holyrood was built at the site of the Abbey. At this time Edinburgh was beginning to benefit from the trade and export of wool. Meanwhile, the "Old Town" was developing and creating the Grassmarket and Cowgate.
Also in 1560 Protestantism was declared as Scotland's official religion. Two factions were now set against each other. They are best represented here by the two leaders who personified them in Scotland: John Knox, zealous Protestant reformer, and Mary Queen of Scots, pro-French Catholic.
In 1633 Edinburgh officially became the capital of Scotland. Then, in 1707 the Act of Union joined Scotland to England and the Scottish parliament was dissolved.
Many people associate modern Edinburgh with the Edinburgh International Festival, which has been keeping the city at the centre of the international arts scene since 1947.
More recently still, the re-introduction of the Scottish parliament, three centuries after it was dissolved by the Act of Union, has meant a return of Scottish government to Edinburgh.
Edinburgh is situated on the east coast of scotland's central lowlands on the south shore of the firth of forth and in the unitary local authority of city of Edinburgh. it has been the capital of scotland since 1437 and is the seat of the country's devolved government. the city was one of the major centres of the enli
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