A long weekend in Edinburgh, the heart of Scotland

The Scott Monument is a memorial to the Scottish poet and writer Sir Walter Scott, erected in 1844. It is located right on Princes Street and if you climb the 300 steps, you can see the surrounding area from a viewing platform at a height of just under 60 metres. The Scott Monument is beautifully visible from many points across Edinburgh and is a truly iconic building that you can’t miss.

Our tip: There are stairs leading up to the memorial where you can take a very nice photo. The surrounding gardens are also worth a visit and a walk, as they are full of colour, especially in spring.

The Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Royal Mile is known for its rich history and architecture and its incredible atmosphere.

This long street connects Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Castle. It is lined with historic buildings, shops and restaurants. The street measures one Scottish mile, hence its name, which is approximately 1.8 kilometres. This unit of measurement differs from the English mile and is no longer in use today. For tourists, it is a fascinating place to walk and not to be missed during your visit to Edinburgh.

There are also often a few street performers on the street itself, especially gentlemen in Scottish skirts playing the bagpipes. This element adds another unforgettable charm to the street. The street also has several so-called Close, which are smaller passages that connect the main street with the surrounding streets. Advocate’s Close, for example, is worth mentioning.

St Giles Cathedral is Edinburgh’s cathedral, located at the top of the Royal Mile and not to be missed on the way to Edinburgh Castle. A stop here is definitely recommended, it is a very nice cathedral, you will find among other things over 200 memorials to Scottish soldiers. The interior is decorated with stained glass windows, statues and altars.

Admission is voluntary and the cathedral is run on these donations.

Edinburgh is home to the National Museum, which is definitely worth a visit. The building itself is very nice and the exhibitions are also very interesting. There are exhibitions with animals, technical exhibitions – for example Formula 1 cars, and of course historical exhibitions. You can easily forget about time and spend several hours walking through the many floors. We recommend a visit not only to history, technology or nature lovers, but also to anyone who wants to enrich their visit to Edinburgh or to find somewhere to hide on rainy days.

Also worth a visit are the very nice balconies right at the entrance to the main part, where you can take a nice photo. There is also a café where you can have a drink or a snack. Admission is free.

From the outside, the Assembly Hall looks like just another one of many here in Edinburgh, but you’ll be more surprised if you step into its courtyard. The building’s two towers perfectly frame the neo-Gothic Tolbooth Kirk. The place looks incredibly magical, especially at sunset when the Tolbooth Kirk tower is lit up.

As it is the entrance to the university, the courtyard is not always accessible.