Places of Interest to See in Edinburgh
Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
The
Edinburgh Camera Obscura (or Outlook Tower) was set
up in 1853 by Maria Short, who came from a long line
of scientific instrument makers. A popular Victorian
entertainment, especially in picturesque areas. The
obscura is basically an optical device that creates
and inverted image of an outside scene by letting light
rays pass through a pinhole into a darkened room. It
is like being inside a giant camera that provides living
images projected onto a table, creating a 360 deg panorama.
Some of the early Victorian lady viewers were terrified
of the images produced and were often known to faint
at the sight. Other experiences at the site include
the Rooftop Experience, World of Illusions, Magic Gallery
and Light Fantastic.
Opening times: Daily
9am to 9pm (6pm in winter) - Admission Charge
Location: - Castlehill, The Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 2ND - Tel: 0131 226 3709 - Website
Canongate Tolbooth
Back when Canongate was a separate burgh, the late 16th-c tollbooth with its turreted clock tower, was the local civic centre. It currently contains the People's Story Museum which displays a fine collection of Highland dress and tartans.
Opening times: Mon
to Sat 10am - 5pm (other times vary see website for
details) - Free
Entry
Location: Canongate Tolbooth, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH8 8BN - Tel: 0131 529 4057 - Website
Edinburgh Castle
One of the UK's finest castles, perched on a 443 ft high jagged basalt outcrop that dominates the city skyline. The castle played a key role in Scotland's history right up until the mid 18th-c. Although its ramparts appear impregnable they were once breached by Robert the Bruce's army and then later by Cromwell's forces during the Civil War. A cannon is fired from the castle walls at 1 pm daily, which is part of a centuries old tradition.
The castle's royal apartments include the tiny room where Mary, Queen of Scots, gave birth to the son who succeeded her as king of Scotland, and who then later became James I of England. The great hall, built by King James, exhibits a splendid collection of weapons and armour. The Crown Room displays the Scottish Regalia, comprising the "Honours of Scotland", which are the Crown, the Sceptre and the Sword of State.
The world famous Military Tattoo is the highlight of the annual Edinburgh International Festival. The show takes place outside the castle entrance during August, pulling in thousands of visitors from all over the world.
Opening times: Daily
from 9:30 am - Admission
Charge
Location: Castlehill, Edinburgh, EH1 2NG - Tel: 0131 225 9846- Tel: - Website
High Kirk of Edinburgh
The High Kirk of Edinburgh (St Giles) is Edinburgh's main church. A chapel has stood on this site since the 9th-c. The current building is mainly 14th/15th-c. The magnificent central tower is crowned by a lantern supported on spectacular flying buttresses. Within are many monuments and effigies, including the Chapel of the Order of the Thistle. John Knox is buried in the churchyard, where his statue also stands.
Roof-top tours operate regularly during normal opening hours (charges apply).
Opening times: Daily
from 9am - Donations Welcome
Location: St Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh,
EH1 1RE - Tel: 0131 225 4363 - Website
Holyrood Abbey and Royal Palace
Founded
in 1128 by King David I, the abbey is now a picturesque
ruin. Scotland's finest royal palace was erected next
to the Abbey in 1501, by James IV of Scotland. Queen
Mary spent six years of her reign here. A major rebuild
was made by Charles II in the 16th/17th-c.
The palace is open to the public when the Royal Family are not in residence. The state apartments are decorated with Flemish tapestries and many portraits of Scottish kings hang in the Palace picture gallery.
Opening times: Daily from 9:30am - Admission Charge
Location: Canongate, Edinburgh, EH8 8DX - Tel:0131 556 5100 - Website
Scotland
