The beating heart of Scotland
The city centre is divided into two areas: the Old Town and the New Town. Though walkers' calves take a beating, this only makes touring Edinburgh all the more worthwhile, as the hilly city encompasses over a quarter of Scotland's listed monuments!
The Old Town
Running through the heart of the Old Town is the Royal Mile, which stretches from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. This main thoroughfare is made up of four historic "streets," namely Castlehill, Lawnmarket, Canongate and High Street. The splendid Edinburgh Castle was erected on a rocky hill. Home to several Scottish kings, it was demolished and rebuilt a number of times throughout its history. The 1,000-year-old St. Margaret's Chapel is the castle's oldest surviving structure. The Castle is also home to a military museum, as well as an enormous 15th-century cannon, which could fire over a distance of 205 km (127 mi). Held every August on the Castle Esplanade is the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a musical and military-drill show given by Scottish regiments. The Royal Mile also comprises the Writers' Museum, where visitors can learn more about Scottish literary giants Sir Walter Scott, Robert Louis Stevenson and Robert Burns; the Whisky Heritage Centre; St. Giles Cathedral; Parliament House and the Royal Museum of Scotland, which deals with the decorative arts, archaeology, geology, ethnography, technology and the sciences. At the end of the Royal Mile stands Holyrood Palace, the British royal family's official residence in Scotland. Other noteworthy places to explore on foot are the Grassmarket and the Cowgate, as well as Princes Street, to the north, lined with department stores and luxury hotels. Opening onto the beautiful Princes Street Gardens, it is recognized as one of the world's most elegant thoroughfares.
The New Town
The so-called New Town developed from 1767. Harbouring the greatest number of Georgian-style buildings in the world, this district has been officially recognized by the European Union. Be sure to wander along George Street, which runs from Charlotte Square to St. Andrew Square, so as to admire some of the city's most beautiful buildings. The magnificent Royal Botanic Gardens, situated in the Inverleith district, is a highly popular attraction, second only to Edinburgh Castle. Located in the Corstorphine district, the Edinburgh Zoo shelters over 1,500 animals, including a wonderful colony of penguins.