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The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh was established in 1670 and during the 20th century acquired three Regional Gardens –the mountainous Benmore in Argyll;Dawyck in the wooded hills of the Scottish Borders and Logan on the Gulf Stream-warmed southern peninsula of Dumfries &Galloway.

Together they represent one of the world’s largest living collections of plants.

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A majestic landmark which dominates the capital city’s skyline just as it has dominated Scotland’s long and colourful history. Edinburgh Castle is the best known and most visited of Historic Scotland’s buildings. Perched on an extinct volcano and offering stunning views, this instantly recognisable fortress is a powerful national symbol, and part of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site. A rich mix of architectural styles reflects the castle’s complex history and role as both stronghold and seat of Kings. The tiny St Margaret’s Chapel, Edinburgh’s oldest building, dates from the 1100s.

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The Royal Yacht Britannia was home to Her Majesty The Queen and the Royal Family for over 40 years, sailing over 1,000,000 miles around the world. Now berthed in Edinburgh, you can follow in the footsteps of Royalty to discover the heart and soul of this most special of Royal residences.

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This site celebrates everything on, off and about Edinburgh’s famous and historic Royal Mile.
Every Place of Interest, Business, Shop, Bar, Restaurant, Hotel, Hostel, Tour Guide, Cafe &Close
is featured here and much more. Explore, experience &enjoy The Royal Mile from anywhere at anytime.

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The Queen is in residence at the Palace of Holyroodhouse during Holyrood week, which usually takes place from the end of June to the beginning of July. Then the Scottish variant of the Royal Standard of the United Kingdom is flown, and the Royal Company of Archers forms Her Majesty’s ceremonial bodyguard.

At the start of The Queen’s visit, the Palace forecourt is transformed into a crowded and colourful parade ground, where 700 guests stand to watch the enactment of an ancient ceremony, the Presentation of the Keys of the City of Edinburgh. On her arrival in the forecourt, The Queen is presented with a red-velvet cushion, on which rests the great key of the city. It is handed to The Queen by the Lord Provost, who welcomes Her Majesty formally and pledges her the city’s loyalty. Her Majesty then hands back the key for safekeeping.

The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh entertain around 8,000 guests from all walks of Scottish life during Holyrood week. Her Majesty holds Investitures in the Great Gallery, audiences in the Morning Drawing Room and a Garden Party. The Queen also carries out a wide range of official engagements elsewhere in Scotland.

The Queen received His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI at Holyroodhouse during The Pope’s official visit to the UK in September 2010. The gift presented by His Holiness to Her Majesty, a facsimile of the Lorsch Gospels, is on display at the Palace.

Prince Charles resides at Holyroodhouse for one week a year, carrying out official duties as The Duke of Rothesay.

The Royal Family stayed at Holyroodhouse at the time of the wedding of Zara Phillips, The Queen’s granddaughter, to Mike Tindall in Canongate Kirk on 30 July 2011.

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The walkway passes through many areas of interest including:Colinton Village and Dell, the Union Canal, Saughton Winter Gardens, Murrayfield Stadium, the Scottish Gallery of Modern Art, Dean Village, Stockbridge, the Royal Botanic Garden and Leith. Ideal for family walks, the walkway is a delightful afternoon’s stroll, away from the hustle and bustle of the city. The route is suitable for cycling and is accessible in part by wheelchairs and even by horseback.

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If you’re looking for fun, food, films, or great fitness facilities and somewhere to take friends and family then you’ve come to the right place. Situated in the heart of the city centre, OMNi is Edinburgh’s premier leisure and entertainment destination.

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West Princes Street Gardens is the larger of the two tracts of green space (the other being East Princes Street Gardens) that run parallel to Princes Street in the heart of the city. The gardens were formerly the Nor’ Loch, a body of water that provided added defence on the North face of Edinburgh Castle. The famously stinky loch was drained and ornamental gardens put in their place from 1816 onwards.

West Princes Street Gardens, the larger of the two sections of gardens, extend West from the Mound to St John’s Church at the West End of Princes Street. The hilly gardens are bounded to South by the railway line between Edinburgh’s two train stations, Waverley and Haymarket. A small footbridge across the railway allows you to watch trains passing back and forth and cross to the Castle Gardens which wrap around the Edinburgh Castle rock and connect with the Castle Esplanade by way of a steep, zigzag path.

As well as a good place to look up to the castle perched imposingly on its rugged, volcanic rock, Princes Street Gardens provide a scenic route for traversing the city centre East-West.

There is also a children’s play park in the West End and look out for the famous floral clock display on the staircase at the entrance to West Princes Street Garden at the foot of the Mound. The floral clock is not just a pretty face. It’s a reliable time-keeper too.

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Edinburgh’s Waterfront Shopping Centre:VUE Cinema, Shops, Restaurants &Cafes. Pure Gym, Spa &The Royal Yacht Britannia at Ocean Terminal Edinburgh.

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 Come face to face with Scotland, past and present, at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Admission is free. A charge may be made for special exhibitions. See 7 exhibitions, 10 displays and some exceptional must sees. There are also 27 events to attend.

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The V&A Museum of Childhood is the UK’s National Museum of Childhood. It is the largest institution of its kind in the world. Its mission is to hold in trust the nation’s childhood collections and to be an international leader in engaging audiences in the material culture and experiences of childhood.

The Museum explores childhood in breadth and depth, animating the richness and diversity of children’s lives and placing the child’s voice and agency at its core.

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Holyrood Park is a short walk from Edinburgh’s Royal Mile in the heart of the city. It is a 640 acre Royal Park adjacent to Holyrood Palace.
The parks highest point is Arthurs Seat, an ancient volcano, and sits 251m above sea level giving excellent view of the city;it is also the site of a large and well preserved fort. This is one of four hill forts dating from around 2000 years ago. With its diverse range of flora and geology it is also site of Special Scientific Interest. 

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