Edinburgh - A Closer Look at the Culture, Local Art & History

450,000

+44 (national), (0) 131 (city)

Edinburgh and Lothians Tourist Board, 3 Princes Street, Edinburgh, (0) 845 22 55 121,

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Scotland's capital city, located in the Lothians on the east coast of Scotland, is the most important financial centre in Britain after London. With a buzzing cultural life, especially in August when various arts festivals take place in the city, Edinburgh is also home to the Scottish Parliament (founded in 1999), four universities, the recently-opened Museum of Scotland and five major theatres.

The city's distinctive skyline is dominated by Edinburgh Castle, perched on the dramatic lava crag of a long-extinct volcano. The city centre is a UNESCO World Heritage Site where you can wander the New Town's 18th-century, Georgian crescents and the Old Town's medieval buildings lining the 'Royal Mile'.

Time your visit to coincide with Festival Fever (August-September) or come for the lively Hogmanay Festival at New Year. Outside these times, spring and autumn are attractive times to visit. Roaring log fires and wee drams of Scottish whiskey mitigate the chill of winter months.

Potent symbol of Scotland, Edinburgh Castle dominates the city and draws tourists like bees to honey. Visit St Margaret's Chapel, the 15-16th century Palace and the Scottish United Services Museum. The views are memorable.

Castlehill, Edinburgh (buses 23, 27, 35, 41, 42, 45), +44 (0) 131 225 9846. Open daily.

David I founded a monastery here in 1128, Charles II built a palace and now the Queen uses it as her Scottish pied-à-terre. Stroll Holyrood Park - a 263 hectacre wilderness - the former hunting grounds of Scottish kings. If feeling energetic, climb Arthur's Seat, the 251m peak of an extinct volcano.

Canongate, Royal Mile (buses 35, 64), +44 (0) 131 556 5100. Open daily.

A vast, eclectic collection ranging from the natural and scientific world to industry and technology, housed in a grand Victorian building. The Museum of Scotland, opened in 1998, is next door.

Chambers Street (bus 23, 27, 28, 41, 42, 45), +44 (0) 131 247 4422. Open daily.

Established in 1670, the university Botanic Gardens are home to over 6% of all known plants. The glasshouses boast Britain's tallest Palm House, while some of the world's oldest plants flourish in the Orchid and Cycad House.

West Gate, Arboretum Place and East Gate, Inverleith Place (buses 8, 17, 23, 27), +44 (0) 131 226 5138. Open daily. Free admission.

Known for their valuable conservation work of endangered species, this zoo is also plenty of fun. Catch the Penguin Parade, when the penguins line up to be fed their lunch (2.15pm summer, 12.40 winter).

Murrayfield, just outside Edinburgh (buses 12, 26 or 31), +44 (0) 131 314 0300. Open daily.

Spot gannets, puffins, dolphins and minke whales from the award-winning Scottish Seabird Centre in North Berwick which overlooks the Firth of Forth and Bass Rock.

The Harbour, North Berwick (30 mins by train from Edinburgh), +44 (0) 1620 890 202. Open daily.