Edinburgh Sights: Landmarks

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• Edinburgh Castle, www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/edinburghcastle. Edinburgh Castle, home to the Edinburgh Tattoo, is a magnificently situated royal fortress located on one of the highest points in the city. The castle has been continuously in use for 1000 years and is in excellent condition. (Old Town) 554
• Abbey and Palace of Holyroodhouse www.royal.gov.uk/output/page559.asp— The Palace is a royal residence, and hosts the Queen's Gallery containing a collection of art from the Royal Collection. (Old Town)
• St Giles' Cathedral www.stgilescathedral.org.uk— The historic City Church of Edinburgh is also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh and takes its name from the city's patron saint. (Old Town)
• Mary King's Close www.realmarykingsclose.com— Warriston's Close (opposite St Giles' Cathedral), open daily except Christmas Day - a slice of Edinburgh's medieval history, preserved since being closed over in the 18th century - watch out for the haunting. (Old Town)
• Gladstone's Land www.nts.org.uk/web/site/home/visit/places/Property.asp?PropID=10028&NavPage=10028&NavId=5115— In the Lawnmarket at the top of the Royal Mile. It is a 17th century Old Town tenement (known as a 'Land') decorated with period furniture. It has an impressive painted ceiling. (Old Town)
• Greyfriars Kirkyard is a very old graveyard in Old Town off the Southwest corner of George IV Bridge, made famous by Disney as the home of Greyfriars Bobby. (Old Town)
• Camera Obscura www.camera-obscura.co.uk— Castle Hill. Over 150 years old, the Camera Obscura focuses light from the top of the tower onto a large dish in a dark room below, allowing a 360 degree view of all of Edinburgh! (Old Town)
• The Scottish Parliament www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/visitingHolyrood, (eastern end of the Royal Mile, opposite the Palace of Holyrood House)— A unique building designed by the Spanish (Catalan) architect Enric Miralles. It is necessary to get (free) tickets to watch the Parliament in session from the Public Gallery. (Old Town)
• Scott Monument, East Princes Street Gardens. Built in 1846 to commemorate the life of Sir Walter Scott after his death in 1832, the Gothic spire monument allows you to climb 200 ft above the city center to enjoy fantastic views.(New Town) Admission £3.00.
• The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Terminal, open Jan-Mar & Nov-Dec 10AM-5PM, Apr-Jun & Sep & Oct 10.00AM-5.30PM, Jul 9.30AM-5.30PM, Aug 9.30AM-6PM last entry 1.5 hrs before closing, closed Christmas and New Year’s Days, admission adult £10, seniors £8.75, child 5-17 yrs and students with ID £8.75, children under 5 free - decommissioned from royal use in recent years and voted one of Edinburgh’s best new attractions, Britannia offers visitors the chance to tour the royal apartments and view a selection of the many gifts offered to the royals by dignitaries worldwide. (Leith)

Penguin Parade

• Royal Botanic Garden www.rbge.org.uk/rbge/web/visiting/ebg.jsp, Inverleith Row (East Gate) / Arboretum Place (West Gate), Stockbridge. Very impressive gardens with a collection of interesting plants. Great place to wander around on a sunny day, or to sit and have a picnic. Free entry to the gardens, entry to the glasshouses costs £3.50 adults, £3 concessions, £1 children. (Stockbridge and Canonmills)
• Edinburgh Zoo www.edinburghzoo.org.uk. Watch the world famous Penguin Parade. (Edinburgh/West)
• Rosslyn Chapel Take bus number 15 to see this chapel, featured in "The Da Vinci Code" novel and film. (Edinburgh/South)

• Bavelaw Castle, 15 km (9 miles)

• Lead Law, 24 km (15 miles)