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Edinburgh - Sights & Attractions - Holyrood Park
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Arthur's Seat

Extinct volcano

Salisbury Crags
Holyrood Park
Edinburgh EH16
United Kingdom

Visit Edinburgh's volcano and walk over its lava flows—there is no danger as its been extinct for 350 million years. The name may refer to 6th century Arthur of Strathclyde or be a derivative of the Gaelic ard-na-said, meaning height of arms. The highest point in Holyrood Park at 822 feet, on a clear day you can see for 100km from the mound across Edinburgh city, along the coast to East Lothian and out to the Forth to Fife. Free admission.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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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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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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Holyrood Park

A natural wilderness in the city Holyrood Park Road
Edinburgh EH16 5BT
United Kingdom
Holyrood Park, also known as Queen's Park, is an area of wild natural beauty representing all the features traditionally associated with the Scottish landscape, such as craggy mountains, lochs, fields of heather, glens and marshland. It contains Arthur's Seat (an extinct volcano), Holyroodhouse Palace, and a bird sanctuary. It was a Royal hunting ground in the 12th century and then became a Royal park in the 16th century, but the 650 acre site is now public. Take care because the paths are steep - they form a slightly tricky yet delightful walk and the view from the top always makes the climb worth the effort.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Holyroodhouse Palace

Royal intrigue and beauty Holyrood Road
Edinburgh EH8 8AE
United Kingdom
+44 131 556 1096
http://www.royal.gov.uk/output... Built by James IV, Holyrood has traditionally been a favourite stopping-off point for monarchs traveling to and from Balmoral. The Monarch is strongly associated with the Palace is Mary Queen of Scots, and you can view her private apartments here. It was at Holyrood that (allegedly) she watched helplessly as her friend, David Rizzio, was murdered by noblemen. She was oblivious to the fact that her husband, Lord Darnley, had given his consent to this foul deed. There are many other intriguing stories in the Palace's history and plenty more things to see including the Great Gallery, which is adorned with over 100 paintings by Dutch portrait artist Jacob de Wit. Admission: adults £5.50; senior citizens £4; under-17s £2.70; family ticket (2 adults, 2 children) £13.50. Group discounts available.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Our Dynamic Earth

Brave old world 112 Holyrood Road
Edinburgh EH8 8AS
United Kingdom
+44 131 550 7800
http://www.dynamicearth.co.uk/ Funded by the Millennium Commission and housed in a striking, spiky, white tent-like structure. Our Dynamic Earth takes visitors on a fantastic journey of discovery through the history of the planet. Interactive displays and amazing facts let you see the world in a new way. The tour begins at the State of the Earth, where video clips give updates on the latest weather and births. In The Restless Earth room, you can experience the awesome power and complexity of volcanoes, earthquakes, oceans, glaciers and rain forests.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Queen's Hall

Concert hall gallery space Clerk Street
Edinburgh EH8 9JG
United Kingdom
+44 131 667 7776 The Queen's Hall is best known for being a venue for concerts and shows. However, the space available around the booking and cafe areas is also used to great effect to display pieces by local and young artists. Paintings, drawings, prints and photography are mainly shown, and often the work is for sale. It's definitely a place worth checking out to see "new blood" from the local art scene. Admission: is free.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Royal Commonwealth Pool

Fun with flumes Dalkeith Road
Edinburgh EH16 5BB
United Kingdom
+44 131 667 7211 This olympic-size pool is great for children and adults alike. Flumes will amuse the smalls from 2.30pm, so you can let them slide whilst you crawl. There are also diving pools and a sauna for those who prefer to sweat it out whilst sitting down. Fitness fanatics should head for the Pulse Centre and the Spin Cycling Room. There are a host of martial arts classes and a range of activities for the over-50's. Children will love Clambers, the soft and safe play area.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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