Tourist attractions Edinburgh

Two adjoining buildings make up the National Museum of Scotland . The Royal Museum , housed in a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, exhibits disparate collections: fossils, furniture, decorative arts, stuffed animals etc. The Museum of Scotlan..

Designed by Robert Adam in 1791, this square is delightful for the harmony and elegance of the its façades, especially on the north side. You will be impressed by the detail of the lattices enrich this square. If you would like to immerse yourself ..

The origins of this garden, a veritable haven but also a research tool, dates back to the late 17C. The rhododendrons are one of the estate's main attractions. You can wander around the winding paths inside the futuristic greenhouses (1967) between t..

This Presbyterian cathedral dates for the most part from the 15th C. but suffered at the hands of untoward restorers who altered the Cathedral to its detriment in the 19th C. The only original section of the external part of the church is the crown-s..

Perched on the Castle Rock site , the castle looks impressive. By turns, fortress, royal residence and military garrison, the castle is an ensemble of buildings built on several levels of a more civil than military appearance and joined by cobbled p..

A theatre for dramatic events, Holyroodhouse (15 -17C.) was originally a guest house responsible to the Abbey. The Stuart kings converted it into a royal residence and Charles II commissioned William Bruce to design a new layout. The Castle became a ..

The Holy Rood monastery (Saint Crucifix) was founded here in 1128 by King David the 1st shortly after the monarch had survived an attack from an enraged stag while hunting in the forest. The roof-less knave is all that remains of these formerly gran..

This huge, classic style building contains painting collections exhibited in rooms furnished according to the period and connected by arched passageways. The museum exhibits important European works from the Renaissance and Postimpressionist era (Raf..

The famous collection of penguins in Edinburgh (colony of 30 Emperor penguins and a hundred papoose penguins) is the most popular attraction with the daily penguin parade. As well as visiting, common animal species, don't miss out on some indigenous ..

Rosslyn Chapel is famous for the wealth and richness of its carvings, a veritable "Bible of Stone". Work lasted from 1446 to 1486. The buttresses, windows and cornices are covered in decorative sculpture, which is rather unusual. The choir ..

By the 17C, the ferry across the Forth was the busiest crossing in Scotland. However, it was a full two centuries later that the first bridge was built over the river at this point. Begun in 1883, the Forth Rail Bridge was inaugurated in 1890. The sl..

Situated west of Edinburgh on the southern banks of the Forth, 3 km from South Queensferry, this large building stands in a magnificent setting with wonderful views. The architecture of Hopetoun House helps us to understand the differences that separ..

The main street of the old town runs from the castle following the coast road towards the Abbey and the palace. Daniel Defoe wrote of the street, at the beginning of the 18C, «It's probably the largest longest and most beautiful street, not just in E..

This narrow six-floored house typifies 17th C Edinburgh with its height - all 17th C. buildings at this time were built tall. A shop is laid out under the arches on the ground-floor whilst apartments occupy the upper floors.

This cobbled Edinburgh street runs down from the Royal Mile to Grassmarket and is the finest in the Old Town, bordered by houses which are now brightly coloured restaurants and shops.

Canongate was a small town that was independent of Edinburgh and which was restored in the 20C. In this beautiful 16C edifice and old administrative building, you can visit the Popular History Museum which opens your eyes to everyday life in Scotland..

A three-floored building purchased by the Bank of Scotland in 1825 has a hallway to be admired, with its column capitals and keystones embellished in gold leaf.

Taken from the words of the museum's benefactor who is also the owner of The Scotsman newspaper, the Gallery promises to illustrate Scotland's history «through portraits of the country's important historical figures». This Italian gothic style museum..

Interesting Dadaist and surrealist compositions drawn from the collections and curiosity rooms of Sir Penrose. The Paolozzi donation allows you to familiarise yourself with the work of Eduardo Paolozzi, contemporary sculptor born in Edinburgh, his Lo..

A wood-panelled location houses the sculptures of Bourdelle, Epstein, Hepworth, Moore and Rickey; the museum is found in an imposing neo-classical building. The collection stresses Scottish art of the 20th century it also offers the visitor an excell..