Before you read please visit this
post first. OK everyone we are in Edinburgh, Scotland.
Population: 450,000 (city), 783,600 (metro).
Average January temp: 37.5°F (3°C).
Average July temp: 58°F (14.5°C).
Annual rainfall: 18.5 inches (480mm).
Land area: 100 square miles.
Quick Facts:
Ethnic mix: Majority Scottish and English; minorities include Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Indian, Chinese, West Indian and African.
Time zone: GMT (GMT + 1 during daylight savings).
Official language: English.
Currency: Pound sterling (GBP)
Nickname: Windy City
Major industries: Financial services, biotechnology, microelectronics
Did you know?
Edinburgh's Old and New Towns were announced as a World Heritage City in 1995.
Edinburgh Castle, which is built atop a dormant volcano outcrop, is Scotland's most visited site.
Edinburgh was once known as Dunedin.
Edinburgh is home to the world's oldest department store, Jenners.
Ardenlee Guest House, a warm welcome and a vegetarian breakfast are some of the specialities of this family-run Victorian guest house, quietly located in the midst of the New Town and not far from the lovely Royal Botanic Garden. The bright and spacious rooms are simple and classically decorated, many of them boasting lush house plants. For those with an interest in maps, the dining area houses a collection displaying historic and modern Edinburgh.
Rooms & Charges: Singles From 25. Hotel Services: Parking. Television. Visit their website
here.
Castle Rock Hostel, a newish hostel on the backpacking scene offering dormitory accommodation, situated just off the Royal Mile on the south side of Edinburgh Castle. This could well be the best-equipped hostel in the city. If the weather is inclement there are lots of things to do in the lounge area: choose a board game, dabble in the art of ping-pong or take a cue on the pool table. Hotel Services: Internet access. Laundry service. Parking. Television. Wi-fi, Mostly in dorm style starting at 15 pounds a night plus Great Views!! Visit their website
here.
The Bow Bar has everything you could possibly wish for from a traditional Scottish pub, including a superb location just below Edinburgh Castle. Inside there are over 140 malt whiskies and no pretensions. It is usually busy, and there are no games or music to fray the nerves, just a straightforward pub ambiance. The friendly bar staff will welcome you and introduce you to their fantastic array of real ales, whiskeys, vodkas, gins and 24 different rums. So sit back and enjoy the earthy, gentle bustle of a really good pub. Visit their website
here.
Part of Edinburgh University, Potterrow Union provides university students and locals alike a place to get inexpensive drinks and entertainment. Potterrow attracts both DJs and live bands.
Based along the Royal Mile. Grassmarket is towards the southern end. If you're looking for something more original than the High Street, try the Old Town area near the Royal Mile where tiny streets like Cockburn Street overflow with shops full of tie-dye and joss sticks, piercings and indie style, whilst the St. Mary's area boasts tiny independent designer boutiques. The Grassmarket has a similarly eclectic mix of outlets: take a look in Armstrongs and 15 The Grassmarket for starters. Tiny streets like Cockburn Street overflow with hippy shops full of tie-dye and joss sticks, whilst the St. Mary's area boasts tiny independent designer boutiques. The Grassmarket has a similarly eclectic mix of outlets.
Although newer than Old Town, New Town was almost completely developed before the year 1850. New Town centers around Queen Street, George Street (after George III), and Princes Street. Originally intended to be a completely residential area, New Town now houses some excellent museums such as the National Gallery of Scotland, National Portrait Gallery, and Royal Scottish Academy, among others, and an excellent shopping district.
Lady Stair's House, the house is named after the gorgeous but foulmouthed heroine of Sir Walter Scott's My Aunt Margaret's Mirror. Built in the 1620s, the house now houses a museum celebrating the Scottish writers Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson. The collection consists mainly of locks of hair, paintings and various literary scripts. It is the painting, Parliament Square and Public Characters of Edinburgh, hung in the Burns Room that is really worth a look. Plus admission is free.
The castle is Edinburgh's best known and most popular attraction and one of the most visited ancient monuments in the UK. It has breathtaking views of Edinburgh and tons to interest young and old alike - the Great Hall and Royal Apartments, the Crown Room, the Half Moon Battery, statues of Robert the Bruce and William Wallace, and the Esplanade to name but a few. The Esplanade is also the venue of the world-renowned Military Tattoo, with its music, marching and historical re-enactments. The castle is home to Scotland's most famous cannon - a 15th century monstrosity called Mons Meg, which is fired every day (except Sunday) at precisely 1pm - be warned, it's deafening! In a more sombre corner of the castle is the Witches' Well where over 300 women were burned between 1492-1722.
Royal Botanic Garden includes cycads (plants from the dinosaur era) and Britain's tallest palm trees. In the rock garden, there are marsh orchids, campanulas and lilies. The Pringle Chinese Collection, an unrivalled assembly of wild-origin Chinese plants, grow in a wild water ravine. Other delights include the Azalea Lawn, the Alpine Collection, and the silver-shimmery winter garden. Founded in the 17th century, the Royal Botanic Garden started life the size of a tennis court, it now extends to 31 hectares. Visit their website
here.
Hope you guys enjoyed Scotland. Ive decided that next post will be the last of these "visits" to different countries around Europe. They are very time consuming and frankly I miss fashion posts. Look forward to England's post sometime tomorrow or the next day.
For more info on visiting Scotland visit this site
here
PS some of you were a bit confused but I am not actually in Europe just giving you guys more info on it :)
So I got into that camp I was telling you guys about, the adventure one where we go white water rafting, rock climbing, surfing and a couple other things. Well today was rock climbing and I couldn't go because yesterday when we went white water rafting in the Shenandoah and Potomac river in West Virgina, I got pretty much burnt to a crisp. I guess rafting for 3 hours gets you some sun? Of course but silly me who never burns didn't put any sunscreen on and what happened I burned like an egg on a hot sidewalk in the middle of July or August rather. but I had a blast and it sucked that I missed out on Rock climbing but tomorrow I am going surfing which I've never done so that should be an experience I had to tell you about my camp but after this week I will do my post on England and then it will be time for back to school.
