Edinburgh Castle
Edinburgh Castle is the city’s most recognisable landmark. Standing at the top of the Royal Mile it offers views across Edinburgh and beyond to the Kingdom of Fife. Humans have settled on the rock on which it stands since the Iron Age and the first recorded castle on the site was built in the 12th century. The One O’clock Gun, fired from the castle is a popular attraction. A time signal for Edinburgh townsfolk and the port of Leith, it was originally a cannon, now replaced by an artillery gun; listen out for it on our Walking Tour of Edinburgh.
The Royal Mile
Starting from the gates of Edinburgh Castle to the gates of the Palace of Holyrood, the Royal Mile is the main thoroughfare of the Old Town and boasts many famous sites. Best experienced on foot, the Royal Mile encompasses St Giles Cathedral, Parliament Square and many ‘closes’ (narrow side streets) run off to either side including Warriston Close with the house of the protestant reformer, John Knox.
Calton Hill
Edinburgh’s classic architecture led to its title of the ‘Athens of the North’. Calton Hill at the eastern end of Princes Street boasts several examples of this including the Royal High School (inspired by the Temple of Hephaestus) and the National Monument which was to have been an exact copy of the Parthenon but was never completed.
Royal Yacht Britannia
The world-famous yacht of Queen Elizabeth II is now permanently moored in Edinburgh’s port, Leith. Rated as the top heritage attraction in Edinburgh, a visit to Britannia gives an insight to lifestyle aboard this floating palace. Round your visit off with afternoon tea on deck! A visit to the Royal Yacht Britannia forms part of our Royal Edinburgh tour.
Palace of Holyroodhouse
The Palace of Holyroodhouse is the Queen’s official residence in Edinburgh, standing at the eastern end of the Royal Mile. Visit the chambers of Mary, Queen of Scots and the ruins of a 12th-century abbey and the Royal Gardens. A visit to the Palace forms part of our Royal Edinburgh and Edinburgh City tours.
Greyfriars Bobby
This famous Edinburgh landmark is the statue of a Skye Terrier said to have guarded the grave of his owner, John Gray, for 14 years in the late 19th century. Bobby himself is buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, not far from John Gray’s grave. Greyfriars Kirkyard itself is a popular visit, full of stories with many of the old gravestones providing names for characters in the Harry Potter books. Greyfriars Bobby and the Kirkyard are visited on our Edinburgh Walking Tour and can be part of a tailor-made tour.