The Royal Mile is a collective name for several streets located in the center of the Scottish capital. Their total length is approximately 1800 meters, which corresponds to the size of the Scottish mile. A large number of attractions are concentrated here. The mile starts at Edinburgh Castle Square, passes through High Street and Lawn Market and ends at Holyrood Palace.

The ancient residence of the Scottish monarchs, which is mentioned in documents from the XI-XII centuries. As a result of the long-term war with England, the fortress was repeatedly destroyed, after which it was rebuilt again. In the XV century, the residence was moved to Holyrood Palace, and Edinburgh Castle was used as a prison. In the XVII century, by order of the English monarch Charles II, an arsenal was placed in the fortress. Since the XIX century, it has been opened to visitors.

The official residence of the British monarchs in Scotland. The palace was built in the XV century under the Scottish rulers, later it was rebuilt already under the English monarchs, as Scotland lost its independence. By the beginning of the XVIII century, the building had fallen into disrepair, only under George IV took up its restoration. Since the 20s of the XX century, Holyrood Palace has become a residence where official events are held.

The abbey was built in the XII century under the monarch David I. Several Scottish rulers were crowned here. Also buried on the territory of the abbey are David II, James II and James V. In the XVI century, as a result of the spread of the ideas of the Reformation, the monastery ceased to support the Catholic tradition and adopted a new teaching. In the XVIII century, the facade of the main building collapsed, they did not restore it. Now the complex of ruins is a protected historical monument.

The castle of the beginning of the XV century, presumably built by one of the barons of Craigmillar. The fortress went through several major expansions in the XVI century. Queen Mary Stuart has repeatedly stayed at the castle. During the XVIII and XIX centuries. the building gradually fell into disrepair. In the middle of the XX century, it was transferred to the state, after which some of the premises were put in order and opened to tourists.

An underground street within the Royal Mile, covered with numerous legends. One of them says that all infected people were brought here during the plague epidemic, which is why a "city of the dead" was formed on the territory of the street and adjacent quarters. A little girl sick with the plague was even immured alive in some house. Mary King's cul-de-sac turned out to be underground due to the construction of a new building for the city authorities in the XVIII century. In 2003, the street complex was excavated and opened to tourists.

The Scottish Parliament ceased to exist at the beginning of the XVIII century, when the union of England and Scotland was announced. For almost 300 years, local patriots have been demanding the restoration of the National Assembly. In 1997, a referendum was held and the Scottish Parliament was reconvened. The new building for the revived legislature was erected according to the project of the Catalan E. Miralles.

Residential building of the XVIII-XIX centuries, located on Charlotte Square Street. The building was designed by architect J. Craig's in the best traditions of Georgian architecture. Since the middle of the XVIII century, there has been so little space in the capital of Scotland that it was decided to build a New city next to the old Edinburgh. The Georgian house is one of the first structures erected as a result of the expansion of the capital of Scotland.

The cathedral is the main church of the Presbyterian Church of Scotland, it was named after the patron saint of lepers and the crippled – St. Giles (St. Egidius). The building was erected in the XIV century. The temple is distinguished by its massive and gloomy architecture, but the situation is saved by the elegant Victorian stained glass windows decorating the main facade. Inside the cathedral there is a chapel of the Thistle, where initiation into the members of the order of the same name takes place.

The temple is located within the Royal Mile. It was erected at the beginning of the XVII century on the site of a Franciscan monastery. Greyfriars Kirk was the first church in Edinburgh built after the victory of the ideas of the Reformation. There is a cemetery near the church, where the earliest burials began in the XVI century during the existence of the Catholic abbey. The church is the oldest building outside of Old Edinburgh.

The collection was formed as a result of the merger of the Royal Museum and the Museum of Antiquities of Scotland. The exposition is located on the territory of two buildings, one built in 1998, the other is an example of Victorian architecture of the XIX century. The museum exhibits archaeological finds, objects belonging to the heritage of national and world culture, natural science exhibits and much more.

An art gallery where a collection of paintings, graphics and sculptures from the Renaissance to the beginning of the XX century is stored and exhibited. The museum building is located near the Royal Academy of Sciences, it is built in the classical style. In addition to the exhibition halls, on the territory of the National Gallery there is a library with archival documents and valuable books of the XIII-XIX centuries.

The basis of the exposition of the National Portrait Gallery was the private collection of Earl Buchan, who collected portraits of famous Scots. The museum was organized at the end of the XIX century at the expense of the local philanthropist J. Richie. The building for the gallery in the Neo-Gothic style was built according to the project of R. Anderson. The collection consists of portraits of kings, writers, scientists, statesmen and national heroes.

A museum dedicated to the most famous and revered national drink of Scotland – whiskey. The exposition will tell about the history of the drink and reveal some secrets of its preparation. Due to its incredible popularity, the museum is open during holidays and weekends. During the tour, tourists will be able to see the process of making whiskey and learn to distinguish the varieties of the drink even without tasting.

The collection is housed in a historic building of the XIX century, built in the neoclassical style and originally served as a school. The gallery exhibits interesting and relevant works by contemporary artists. There are also paintings by recognized masters – Picasso, Brakka, Matisse, Warhol, Nicholson and other authors. There is a garden near the museum building, where you can see several interesting sculptures.

A science and entertainment center and museum, whose exposition is based on modern technologies. The tour begins with boarding a "time machine" that takes a person to 14 billion. years ago at the time of the Big Bang, as a result of which the universe occurred. Gradually, the entire history of the formation of stars, the Solar system, our planet, the origin of life and evolution passes by the viewer.

A 1953 yacht created for the current Queen of Britain – Elizabeth II. Since 1997, the royal family has not used the ship, so the Britannia has been moored at a pier in Edinburgh. Now the yacht is used as a museum. Visitors can explore the living quarters, dining room, ceremonial halls. Compared to modern luxury yachts, the vessel looks quite modest from the inside, despite the status of a former royal residence.

A grandiose neo-Gothic monument dedicated to the writer Walter Scott, built in the XIX century according to the project of J. Kemp. The monument was built of sandstone, so over time its surface darkened. In the 1990s, there was a need for restoration. It was produced using the same material that was used during construction. The monument resembles the shape of a hollow bell tower with a sharp spire. Inside it is a statue of the writer.

Railway bridge across the Firth of Forth, linking Edinburgh and the Fife region. The structure has a length of more than 2.5 km., it is completely made of steel. The bridge was built for 7 years, several dozen people died during the work. The construction of the Fort Bridge required 10 times more metal than the Eiffel Tower. The bridge is supported by three powerful pillars more than 100 meters in height.

The zoo was founded at the beginning of the XX century on the initiative of the Royal Zoological Society. From the very beginning, natural habitat conditions were created for the animals, if possible. Now this is a common and mandatory practice in European zoos, but almost 100 years ago it was a fairly progressive view of keeping animals. Penguins became one of the first inhabitants of Edinburgh Zoo.

A popular public park in the center of Edinburgh, where many national festivals, concerts and other events are held. The gardens were created as a result of the expansion of the capital's territory and the drainage of Loch Nore at the beginning of the XIX century. The park has a fountain, a concert venue, a flower clock, several monuments and the "Eye of Edinburgh" — a 33-meter Ferris wheel.

The Botanical Garden was founded in 1670 by scientists R. Sibbald and E. Balfour as a vegetable garden with medicinal plants. In the XVIII and XIX centuries. he moved to a new place twice. The garden covers an area of 25 hectares, it includes: palm greenhouse, rockery, heather garden, arboretum, palm greenhouse, Chinese garden, environmental and demonstration departments.

The beach area is located east of Edinburgh, a 20-minute drive from the city. In the late XIX- early XX century, a popular seaside resort was located here. The water temperature of the Firth of Forth does not have a comfortable swimming even in warm weather, however, many people come to Portobello Beach to sunbathe, have a picnic or drink a pint of beer in numerous pubs.

The city hill, on which there is an observation deck and several historical buildings: the monument to Admiral Nelson, the Acropolis, the monument in honor of the philosopher D. Stewart and others. The hill was located outside Edinburgh until the middle of the XIX century. First a prison was built here, then the Scottish government building appeared. At the foot of Calton Hill is Holyrood Palace.

The plateau at the top of the mountain, located on the territory of Holyrood Park. It offers a magnificent view of Edinburgh. The North Beach Bridge, the new Parliament building, the Palace of Holyrood, the Royal Mile and other attractions open to the eye. The observation deck can be accessed using a stone staircase. Arthur's Throne is the highest point of the Scottish capital.