Edinburgh Castle 
Castle Hill, Old Town, Edinburgh 0131 225 9846 
No visit to Scotland's capital is complete without a visit to its historic and imposing Castle. It's the best place from which to see the city as its views pans 3601/4 across the capital and is also the home of the Scottish Crown Jewels ('The Honours of Scotland'), Edinburgh's oldest building dating from the 1100s - St Margaret's Chapel -  the Scottish War Memorial and War Museums.  There are two caf_s - the Queen Anne caf_ at the top of Edinburgh Castle in Crown Square offering a waiter service and traditional Scottish Fare and the Redcoat Caf_ offers a family-orientated self-service option located next to the One O'Clock Gun. 
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk 


The Palace at Holyroodhouse 
Foot of Royal Mile, Edinburgh EH8 8DX 
Situated at the end of the Royal Mile, the Palace at Holyroodhouse is the Queen's official residence in Scotland. Today, the Palace is the setting for State ceremonies and official entertaining - but it has long since been home to successive kings and queens throughout Scotland's turbulent past, including Mary, Queen of Scots.  The Palace is also home to The Queen's Gallery which houses many collections of royal art.  The magnificent grounds include the ruins of the 12th-century Holyrood Abbey. 
www.royalcollection.org.uk www.royal.gov.uk 



Holyrood Park 
East of Holyrood Palace and Abbey, Central Edinburgh 0131 652 8150 


Edinburgh owes its distinctive skyline to the geographic foundations of historic Holyrood Park.  It's a great place for walks and for looking out over the city from its many vantage points.  The park offers a wealth of history dating back 1,000s of years including Arthur's Seat - one of four hill forts in the park. Look out for the prehistoric farmstead east of Dunsapie Crag and the medieval rig and furrow cultivations in several locations around the park. 

www.historic-scotland.gov.uk 



The Hub 
Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NE 0131 473 2000 
All year round the heart of the festival beats on at The Hub - the home of the Edinburgh International Festival.  Situated at the top of the Royal Mile and just a moment away from Edinburgh Castle, The Hub is a magnificent Gothic building and the best place in town to find out about and experience a little of that festival flavour whatever the time of year. Home to the Bank of Scotland 'Connecting to Music' project and venue for the weekly rehearsals of the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, The Hub is owned by the Edinburgh International Festival Society.  The tip of its spire is the highest point in central Edinburgh and can be seen for miles around.  It has its own restaurant, Caf_ Hub, and is also a venue for concerts, ceilidhs, banquets and parties as well as educational and community events. 
www.thehub-edinburgh.com 


Linlithgow Palace 
Linlithgow (off the M9) 01506 842896 
Linlithgow Palace, located to the west of the city centre off the M9, was very popular with the monarchs of Scotland and was the birthplace of Mary, Queen of Scots.  It was, however, never restored after a fire in 1746.  The King's Fountain was, however, restored to working order in 2005. 
www.historic-scotland.gov.uk 



Camera Obscura and World of Illusions 
Castle Hill, Royal Mile Edinburgh EH1 2ND 0131 226 3709 


Created by the Victorians, the Camera Obscura has been amazing visitors for 150 years with its moving panorama of the city while the rooftop terrace offers spectacular 360Á views of the city.  The World of Illusions offers three floors on interactive exhibits and mind-boggling visual wonders. 

www.camera-obscura.co.uk 



Our Dynamic Earth 
Holyrood Road, Edinburgh EH8 8AS 0131 550 7800 
Our Dynamic Earth is an educational and interactive science adventure that charts the earth's evolution.  Visitors can experience the tropical rainforest, or perhaps an earthquake or even become an astronaut and witness 'outer space'.  Our Dynamic Earth is also one of Edinburgh's top venues for corporate events offering stunning views of Salisbury Crags, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the Scottish Parliament and can cater for gala dinners, meetings and conferences. 
www.dynamicearth.co.uk 


Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour 
The Beehive Inn, 3 Grassmarket Edinburgh EH1 2HY 0800 169 7410 
The tour begins at the historic Beehive Inn in the Grassmarket, and follows a route past the Martyrs' Cross, the site of the old gallows, through the winding streets, wynds and courtyards of the Old Town of Edinburgh, over the Mound and down to Rose Street in the New Town. Led by professional actors this is an entertaining, witty and dramatic romp through the life and work of Scotland`s great poets and novelists from the early 18th century to the present day. 
www.edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk 


Edinburgh Botanic Garden 
20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR 0131 552 7171 
The garden is first and foremost a scientific institution, but its beauty and interest attract thousands of visitors every year. The grounds feature a world-famous rock garden, peat and woodland gardens, colourful herbaceous borders, large and well-stocked plant houses, and several specialist collections, including Chinese plants, and rhododendrons. www.rgbe.org.uk (pictured right)