Edinburgh is the castle and comedy capital of Scotland, the land that is technically a part of the United Kingdom but in almost all ways retains its independent spirit and unique culture.

Although the city is proud of its Braveheart-style roots, and the royalty that came afterwards, Edinburgh is a thriving and modern city that easily blends modern arts, technology and politics with centuries-old architecture and streetscapes.

Things to See and Do

The most famous drawcards of the city are the Royal Mile, Arthur's Seat and the Edinburgh Castle. The Royal Mile is a mile square grid of streets that are packed with significant Scottish landmarks. At one end is the Palace of Holyrood (once a royal residence and now the home of the Scottish parliament – although technically part of the UK, Scotland is semi-autonomous), and at the other is the Writers Museum, housed in the almost-four hundred year-old house of Lady Stairs. This museum is dedicated to the lives and work of the country's great literary figures, particularly Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.

In between is every manner of shop, eatery and even gardens – here, in the middle of bustling Edinburgh, is Dunbar's Close Garden, established in 1978 in the style of 17th century public greens. Also along Royal Mile is the 3D Nessie exhibit, where evidence for and against the truth of the enduring myth of the Loch Ness Monster is displayed for you to make up your own mind.

Underground Attractions

The attractions of Royal Mile aren't only above ground. Beneath the streets is a vast series of streets, where the Scots of centuries ago were born, lived and died. Newer sections of Edinburgh were simply built over the top of the old, and this 'hidden city' is still not fully excavated. You can visit some sections but others are still not open to the public – and the reasons for this are not exactly clear, which has given rise to several spooky stories. If you ask nicely, your guide might tell you a few, although these are not recommended for little ones, or anyone else prone to needing nightlights.

Edinburgh Castle

Arthur's Seat and Edinburgh Castle are on the outskirts of the city. Edinburgh Castle was the fortified stronghold that once protected this great city, and has been preserved through the ages, providing one of the best-kept glimpses into the daily life at court in Medieval times (a tip – watch your head. Medieval folk were a lot shorter than we are today, as plenty of bruised foreheads have shown). Arthur's Seat is a quasi-mountain (really it's just a very high hill but anyone who has walked up it will claim it is more like Everest). The walk is worth it though, as Scotland's already clean air only becomes clearer as the climber ascends, and the view from the top is unbeatable.

Off the Beaten Path

Getting off the beaten track in Edinburgh isn't hard, especially if you are visiting during the world-famous Edinburgh comedy festival. The city's venues are well-utilized during the fest, and maps are included with programs. This means that simply booking a seat in an unfamiliar neighborhood becomes something of an adventure – many of Edinburgh's streets are narrow and winding, and discovering new bars, clubs and boutiques is something of a pastime. Taxis in the city are pretty strictly governed though, so if you do get lost, there is no need to worry about being ripped off by an unscrupulous driver – only about not being able to understand the accent.

Hotels

Hotels in Edinburgh average around £60 - £80 per night, although this will increase during the Comedy Festival and visitors are advised to book well in advance around this time.

Use the Hotelsio Rate Finder to find top accommodation and cheap hotels in Edinburgh, Scotland.

(Photo:iStockPhoto/DouglasMcGilviray)

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