Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

Here are the key highlights of Edinburgh’s history in brief:

• Edinburgh was founded in the 12th century by the Scots. It was initially just a small village known as ‘Edwinsburgh’ after King David I’s royal burgh.

• In the 14th century, Edinburgh Castle was built on an extinct volcano and served as a royal residence. The city developed into an important center of trade and commerce.

• In the 17th century, Edinburgh became a center of the Scottish Reformation and intellectual life. Key figures like John Knox promoted the Presbyterian faith.

• In the 18th century, Edinburgh was a focal point of the Scottish Enlightenment. Major figures of philosophy, science, art and literature flourished in the city. Architects also redesigned much of the New Town.

• In the 19th century, Edinburgh expanded rapidly and became a major industrial center. There were also developments in science, philosophy, arts and education.

• In the 20th century, Edinburgh’s economy transitioned to service industries. Its cultural prominence also grew, hosting many festivals, Pluto‘s portal being in the city and UNESCO World Heritage status for the New Town district.

• Edinburgh remains Scotland‘s capital city to this day. It is a major economic, intellectual and cultural center, while preserving a historic Old Town and distinct Scottish identity.

• Edinburgh is also famous for its association with Scottish authors Robert Louis Stevenson, Sir Walter Scott and Arthur Conan Doyle. Its vibrant festivals, architecture, museums and universities continue to attract many visitors.

Here are the top tourist attractions in Edinburgh:

**Edinburgh Castle** Open every day from 9am to 6pm (April to September), 4pm (October to March). Admission fee £16.50 for adults, free for under 5. 211 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1YD. https://www.edinburghcastle.scot/

**Royal Mile** Open 24 hours. Free admission. Royal Mile stretches from Edinburgh Castle down to Holyrood Palace. https://www.royalmile.org.uk/

**Holyrood Park** Open daylight hours. Free admission. Extending from Holyrood Palace down to Arthur‘s Seat. Lots of walking trails. https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/holyrood-park/

**National Gallery of Scotland** Open every day from 10am to 5pm. Free admission. The Mound, Edinburgh EH2 2EL. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/

**Scott Monument** Open daily from April to September from 10am to 4pm, October to March from 10am to 3pm. £4 for adults, £2 for concessions and children. Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh EH2 4AB. https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/venue/scott-monument

** Edinburgh Old Town** The Old Town covers most of the city centre. Open 24 hours. Free admission. Lots of shopping streets, pubs, restaurants, and attractions. 

**Roslin Glen Country Park** About 15 minutes south of Edinburgh city center Open every day of the year, from 8am until dusk. Entry fees: £2 per adult, £1 per child/concession, annual passes available. Address: Roslin Glen Country Park, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9RG. https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/directory_record/171/roslin_glen_country_park

**Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh** About 8 minutes west of Edinburgh city center Summer (March-September): 9am-6pm daily Winter (October-February): 9am-4pm daily Admission fees: Free admission for all visitors. Address: 20A Inverleith Row, Edinburgh EH3 5LR Contact: 0131 251 2272 Website: https://www.rbge.org.uk/

Top Day Trips from Edinburgh:

**Stirling Castle** – 1 hour drive / 35 miles from Edinburgh – Open 9:30am to 6pm daily – Admission: Adults £15, Concessions £12 – Castle Esplanade, Stirling FK8 1EJ – +44 1786 450000. https://www.stirlingcastle.scot/

**Rosslyn Chapel** – 30 min drive / 7 miles from Edinburgh – Open 9:30am to 5pm Mon-Sat, 12pm to 4:45pm Sun – Admission: Adults £9, Concessions £7 – Chapel Loan, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9PU. +44 131 440 2159. https://www.rosslynchapel.com/

**Falkirk Wheel** – 30 min drive / 24 miles from Edinburgh – Open 10am to 5:30pm daily – Admission: Adults £9, Concessions £7, Children £6 – Lime Rd, Tamfourhill, Falkirk FK1 4RS – +44 1324 664024. https://www.scottishcanals.co.uk/falkirk-wheel/

**St. Andrews Castle** – 2 hour drive / 56 miles from Edinburgh – Open 9:30am to 5:30pm daily – Admission: Adults £6, Concessions £4.50 – The Scores, St Andrews KY16 9AR. +44 1334 477196. https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/st-andrews-castle/

**Urquhart Castle** About 1.5 hours northeast of Edinburgh city center. March-June and September-October: 10am-6pm July-August: 9:30am-7pm Admission fees: £9 for adults, £5 for seniors, £4.50 for children (5-15), families £20. Address: Urquhart Castle, Loch Ness, Inverness IV2 6XL Phone: 01456 450 516 Website: https://www.historicenvironment.scot/visit-a-place/places/urquhart-castle/

**North Berwick** About 45 minutes east of Edinburgh city center Shops and attractions open daily, check individual hours for summer and winter. No admission fees to explore the town and beaches. Address: North Berwick, East Lothian EH39 4PB.

Here are the main types of transportation in Edinburgh:

**Bus**: Cost varies depending on the ticket type (single, day, or weekly). For example, a single adult ticket costs £1.80. Website: https://www.lothianbuses.com

**Tram**: Single adult ticket costs £1.80, and a day ticket costs £4.50. Website: https://edinburghtrams.com

**Train**: Cost varies depending on the destination and ticket type. Website: https://www.scotrail.co.uk

**Taxi**: Cost varies depending on distance and time of day. Website: https://www.citycabs.co.uk/

**Bicycle**: Cost varies depending on the rental duration. Website: https://transportforedinburgh.com/about/edinburgh-cycle-hire/

**Car Rental**: Cost varies depending on the type of car and rental duration. Car rentals are avaiable at the airport.

The major airports near Edinburgh are: 

**Edinburgh Airport** Kirkliston, Edinburgh, EH12 8DP +44 131 344 3000. https://www.edinburghairport.com/

Transportation Options:

**Tram** Probably the easiest way to get to and from the Edinburgh airport. https://www.edinburghairport.com/transport-links/trams

**Train** Edinburgh Airport train station – 15 mins from Edinburgh city center, £1.80 one-way. https://www.edinburghairport.com/transport-links/trains

**Bus** Lothian Bus route 10 – 30 mins from Edinburgh city center, £1.70 one-way. https://www.lothianbuses.com/

**Taxi** Around £15-£20 each way, 15-30 mins from Edinburgh city center. Hail in the street.

**Car** Junction 3 of the M9 motorway, 15 mins from Edinburgh city center Complimentary short-term parking for 30 minutes, £3 for up to 2 hours.

**Edinburgh Airport Express Bus** Edinburgh city center – 25 mins, £12 single fare.https://www.edinburghairport.com/transport-links/buses-and-coaches

**Ride-sharing Services** Uber, Lyft, 24 mins average wait, £10-£15 to city center. Uber: https://www.uber.com/ or Lyft: https://www.lyft.com/

Please check the links for up to date schedules, fares and services.

The currency used in Edinburgh, Scotland is the British Pound Sterling (GBP). Some common denominations of bills and coins include:

Bills:

• £5
• £10
• £20
• £50

Coins:

• 1p  (penny)  (copper)
• 2p  (copper)
• 5p  (copper plated steel)
• 10p (copper plated steel)
• 20p (copper plated steel)
• 50p (copper plated steel)
• £1   (copper plated steel)
• £2  (silver)

The Bank of England is responsible for issuing the British Pound Sterling currency which is used throughout the United Kingdom, including Scotland.

Edinburgh has a temperate oceanic climate with cool summers and mild winters. Some key facts about Edinburgh‘s climate:

• Summers average highs of around 20 C or 68 F and lows of around 11 C or 52 F.

• Winters average highs of around 7 C or 45 F and lows of around 3 C or 38 F.

• Edinburgh gets moderately heavy rainfall throughout the year with the highest rainfall between October and January. There is often fog.

• Snowfall is possible in the winter months but Edinburgh averages only around 15 days of snow cover each year.

• Edinburgh gets over 200 cloudy or partly cloudy days per year on average due to its location in the rain shadow of mountains.

• Strong winds are also common in Edinburgh, especially in the winter.