Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh Castle

The famous castle, a symbol of Scotland, can be seen from practically anywhere in Edinburgh, since it stands right in the middle of the city-on a steep cliff, once a once-active volcano. Inside the medieval walls there is a treasury, where ancient weapons, jewelry, and other historical treasures are kept. The most important of these are the golden Crown of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny (or the Stone of Scone), on which Scottish rulers sat during their coronations, hoping that the stone would grant them the wisdom and foresight needed to govern the country.

Monument to the dog Greyfriars Bobby

In the 19th century, Bobby the Scottish Skye Terrier became one of the most famous dogs in the world thanks to his loyalty to his owner. The little dog was a faithful companion to Police Officer John Gray, who served as a night watchman. When the officer died of tuberculosis, Bobby endured the separation from him very hard and began to sit by his grave for days on end. That’s how he spent the remaining 14 years of his life. Struck by Bobby’s loyalty, the head of the town ordered a special collar for him, engraving his name on it and writing the word “permitted.” This was done so that the ownerless dog would not be put to death as a stray. Bobby’s monument was erected in 1873, a year after the terrier’s death. The dog himself was buried in front of the cemetery gates, not far from his owner.

Monument to Walter Scott

Holyrood Palace

Holyroodhouse in the 12th century was a monastery. And now it is one of the official royal residences, much like Buckingham Palace. It was at Holyroodhouse that Mary, Queen of the Scots, lived, and it was here that conspirators stabbed her secretary-an Italian, Riccio-with daggers. At the site of the murder, in the finest traditions of British ghost stories, an indelible bloodstain remains, and so that visitors won’t miss it, it is marked with a special plaque. The main value, however, is the chance to visit Mary’s private rooms and the recently opened Queen’s Gallery, where temporary exhibitions of treasures from the royal collection are held. However, an extra fee is required to enter the gallery’s temporary exhibitions.

St. Mary’s Cathedral

St. Mary’s Cathedral is the only cathedral in Scotland that has preserved the tradition of daily choral singing. The cathedral was built in the late 19th century in the West End. It was designed by architect George Gilbert Scott, who turned the cathedral into one of the best examples of Gothic Revival architecture in Scotland. The foundation stone was laid in May 1874. Inside the stone, a vessel was placed containing a copy of the trust deed, as well as newspapers and coins. Later, in the early 20th century, twin spires were erected in the western part of the building. Externally, the Cathedral looks majestic, in the spirit of Enlightenment-era Britain. Thanks to its architecture and unusual lighting, it is one of the most beloved attractions.

Shopping

The city’s main shopping arcade is Princes Street (New Town). It runs practically the length of the city centre, from the railway station to Lothian Road. Here you’ll find both major shopping centres (the music retailer HMV, Topshop and H&M) and tourist-oriented souvenir shops and stores. Parallel to this street is George Street, which is also famous for shopping and restaurants. On Cockburn Street in the Old Town, you can find “alternative” Princes Street shops with Scottish music and kilts, pierisng accessories and “subculture” clothing. The Royal Mile (The Royal Mile), especially on the hillside near the castle, is the ideal place to shop for souvenirs with Scottish themes: postcards, magnets, whisky, kilts and bagpipes.

Bars and Restaurants

Overall, it’s very difficult to recommend any particular venue in Edinburgh, as they all offer great food quality and, of course, beer. Many traditional Scottish pubs can be found around Grassmarket Square. If the romance of medieval times has gotten a bit old, but you still want beer, you can head to Edinburgh’s modern bars on George Street and George IV Bridge. You can listen to music and go dancing at clubs near Cowgate and Lothian road, for example, at Base, Gig and Diva. On the pedestrian street Rose St, there are many pubs where you can grab an inexpensive bite to eat. And at Chippy’s you can try hamburgers, blood sausage, and “haggis” - a national Scottish dish made from sheep offal.

Scottish Whisky Museum

You can get ready for your meeting with whisky at the Scottish Whisky Museum - Scotch Whisky Experience - right in the very center of Edinburgh. It is open 365 days a year and is a replica of a distillery: during the hour-long guided tour, the guide will show you all the stages of whisky production, explain how to taste the drink properly, and offer a sip - that very dram - of one of 300 types of whisky. The museum building also has a restaurant (open Tuesday to Sunday for lunch and dinner) with an equally impressive selection of Scotch. The tour is conducted in English, but there is an option to take an audio guide in Russian.

Museum of Childhood

A huge collection of toys of all kinds, colors and sizes that will delight any child and any parent longing to return to carefree times past. Cars, toy soldiers, rails and sleepers, dollhouses, bears, lotto and dolls. And also baby crawlers, school textbooks, jars of purée and a balm for bruises-everything that brings to the soul warm and a little sad memories. Passionate toy collector and, by the same token, a high-ranking official of Edinburgh, Patrick Murray, created the Museum of Childhood. All exhibits date from the 18th-21st centuries. In special museum rooms, visitors can see performances depicting a classroom from the 1930s or a rustic outdoor street game. In the shop at the museum, you can buy wonderful toys and board games.

Mary King Dead End

400 years ago, the Mary King close (the name of the owner of most of the houses here) was one of the busiest places in Edinburgh. The situation changed when the plague epidemic came to the city. There is a legend that, in an effort to prevent the spread of the disease, people were brought into the Mary King dead-end, and they died, left with no help from the outside. This “city of the dead” was surrounded by a wall. Today, the underground closes of Edinburgh (over them, the New Town was built long ago) have turned into a tourist attraction. Not that they’ve stopped being creepy. It’s better not to go into the stone labyrinths without a guide, and the lantern’s worth fitting with new batteries. They say the Mary King dead-end is teeming with ghosts of the deceased, and that some “lucky” ones get their knees grabbed by the ghost of little Annie.

Arthur’s Seat Hill and Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park is located next to the Royal Palace of Holyroodhouse. A landscape of volcanic nature, hills and lochs, the ruins of St. Anthony’s Chapel standing here since the 15th century-these are already more than enough reasons to take a walk, but that’s not all. In the center of the park rises a majestic hill-“Arthur’s Seat”-from which, especially on a rare clear day for Scotland, when there is no fog, you can enjoy an excellent view of the entire city and even beyond. Arthur’s Seat is the highest point in Scotland’s capital. The hill is a volcano that became extinct about 350 million years ago. The mountain is over 250 meters high, and reaching it is not difficult, with breathtaking views from the top.

Walking tour of Edinburgh

During the 4-hour walking tour, you will stroll through the Old Town, get to know Scotland’s unique attraction-the Edinburgh Castle, a museum-factory where famous Scottish tartan cloth is produced, a whiskey shop-museum, St Giles’ Cathedral, learn about the best-known Scottish dynasties and clans, and much more.

You can review a more detailed list of excursions and their prices after booking your cruise in your “Client Personal Account”.