Schmap Edinburgh Sights & Attractions

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Edinburgh - Sights & Attractions - Calton
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Calton Hill

The folly on the hill

Regent Road
Edinburgh EH1 3DG
United Kingdom
+44 131 200 2000

Calton Hill is open to all during daylight hours and is free of charge. Take the steps up from Regent Road and then choose between more steps or a more gentle walk along the path. There are magnificent views of Fife, Edinburgh and the Firth of Forth from the summit, and the definitive view of Princes Street. The hill is the stage for the epic Beltane Festival celebrations at midsummer, with drumming, partying and a colourful pageant ushering in the new season. Monuments at the top include the Nelson Monument and a part-reproduction of the Parthenon, intended to commemorate the war dead in the Napoleonic wars. Alas, it ran out of funding and has become known as Edinburgh's Folly.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Calton Hill photo by Kate (MaryKathleen A

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Canongate Kirk

Kirk of Holyrood House Canongate
Royal Mile
Edinburgh EH8 8BN
United Kingdom
+44 131 226 5138 This beautiful stone-built church on the Royal Mile is the Parish Church of the Canongate as well as the Kirk of Holyroodhouse Palace - it is therefore the place of worship of the Royal family when they are in residence. It was built by the order of James VII in 1688 and is well worth visiting in order to admire its exquisite architecture and to soak up some of the Royal Mile's infectious atmosphere. Visitors can also walk around the pleasant graveyard, where such luminaries as the economist Adam Smith and the master-mind behind the New Town developments, Lord Provost George Drummond are buried. David Rizzio, the murdered Secretary of Mary Queen of Scots, also rests here. There are occasional classical music concerts staged in the kirk, including choral recitals by the Edinburgh University Renaissance Singers - phone for the latest details.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Edinburgh Experience

3-D journey through Edinburgh's history City Observatory
Calton Hill
Edinburgh EH7 5AA
United Kingdom
+44 131 556 4365 The Edinburgh Experience is housed in the historic City Observatory, which sits astride Calton Hill. This wonderful building was built in 1818 by the celebrated architect William Playfair. Nowadays, visitors can put on cardboard glasses and view a 20-minute 3-D multimedia extravaganza, showing images of Edinburgh and its dizzying sights. Take a journey through the history of Scotland's capital from its volcanic origins to the present day. Admission: adults £2; concessions £1.20. Group and family discounts available. Parking nearby.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Edinburgh and Scotland Information Centre

Information, currency exchange and ticket service 3 Princes Street
Edinburgh EH2 2QP
United Kingdom
+44 131 473 3800
http://www.edinburgh.org/ This center is easy to find and offers a comprehensive ticketing service for major theaters, Scottish evenings, walking tours, coach tours, coach travel and entry passes. There's a handy Bureau de Change on site - so you can change your currency, book into a hotel and plan an itinerary in one quick visit. A huge selection of guide books, maps and leaflets will give you ideas on what to see next and the souvenir shop stocks T-shirts, Scottish produce, caps, tartan accessories, novelty items, videos and camera film.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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General Register House

Fine architecture and rich history 2 Princes Street
Edinburgh EH2 - 3AA
United Kingdom
+44 131 535 1314 This fine example of Scottish architect Robert Adam's work is the home of the National Archive of Scotland, founded in 1774. The entrance is dominated by a notable statue of the Duke of Wellington. Marvel at the imposing and ornate turrets, cupolas and Corinthian columns that tower overhead. The interior is similarly rich. You can research your Scottish roots here by appointment and find out just how closely connected to Mary Queen of Scots you really are. It also acts as a grand venue for cultural exhibitions - the times shown are for these events. Call for access to the legal and historical records. Admission: is free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Mansfield Place Church

Rich and vivid murals East London Street
Edinburgh EH7 4BL
United Kingdom
+44 131 555 8475
http://www.mansfieldtraquair.o... Mansfield Place Church on the corner of Broughton Street and East London Street has been used both as a nightclub and Fringe venue, and as a center for community groups. This former Catholic Apostolic church was designed by Robert Rowand Anderson in 1872 and was built in the "High Victorian" style. Its conservation is top of the agenda for several local heritage groups, as it houses a series of fine Phoebe Anna Traquair murals. As a leading member of the Arts and Crafts movement at the turn of the century, she worked for eight years on these artistic gems—they still retain a freshness and luminosity that is breathtaking. The church was bought by the Mansfield Traquair Trust in 1998.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Nelson Monument

Castle and city views Calton Hill
Regent Road
Edinburgh EH7 5AA
United Kingdom
+44 131 556 2716 Up on Calton Hill sits this monument to Nelson's famous victory at Trafalgar in 1805 (the monument itself was built in 1816). It resembles an upturned telescope and was designed by the architect Robert Burn. Once inside this impressive building, visitors may climb the 143 steps to the top and view Edinburgh in its entirety - behold the great 360 degree views of the city, across to the Firth of Forth, and over to Arthur's Seat, Holyroodhouse Palace and Edinburgh Castle. At the very top is a clever timed device that drops a huge ball to coincide with the one o'clock gun fired from the Castle - it was devised to enable sailors to check their chronometers.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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