Visit the Royal Mile,...
by mike22
Visit the Royal Mile, Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace. The whole street is full of history and is continually adding to the history of Scotland. At the moment the new Scottish Parliment is being built in the Royal Mile. There are many closes to explore also, including the close that was closed to the world during the time of the plague. The people of this close were left to die. It is situated under the city chambers and it is possible to visit this close today. Edinburgh is at its best during the time of the festival and the festival fringe (August-September). The city comes alive during this period. There is something for everyone during the festival, comedy, dance, theatre. My favourite is the book festival. It takes place in Charlotte Square and features many fantastic authors.
Deacon Brodie: The Real Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde
by Kaspian
You'll see lots of references to "Deacon William Brodie" around Edinburgh and if you're anything like me you'll have never even have heard of the guy. Brodie was the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's 1886 book "The Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde". In the mid-1700s, Brodie was a respected Edinburgh cabinetmaker, tradesman, a member of the town council, and a pillar of the community... by day. By night he secretly led a life of gambling, drunkenness, and debauchery. He frequented the lowest levels of brothels and pubs. (Shows you how little has changed in the world of politicians.) He was a skinny, sickly, and homely looking man. Brodie began making wax impressions of the keys to the houses and shops where he was doing woodwork so he could later make a copy of the key and then burglarize these establishments by night. Eventually he formed a small gang to further his criminal behaviour. They even stole a silver mace from the university. After a failed attempt at trying to rob from the Excise/Tax Office (which collected all tax money for Scotland), one of the Deacon's accomplices turned him in for the reward. Brodie was sentenced and hanged on a gallows that he himself had designed and built.
But, it's said that he really didn't die; that he had constructed a harness to wear under his collar, that he'd paid off the hangman and priest. During restorations to the Edinburgh graveyard, his plot was in fact empty.
As a child Stevenson had an original "Brodie & Brodie" cabinet in his bedroom in Edinburgh. He grew up fascinated by the spectre of the Deacon and often related his own use of alcohol and drugs to the double life that Brodie had.
There is a pub on the Royal Mile near the castle called "Deacon Brodie's Pub", an alley has been named after him, and you can even find some wooden statues of him in front of some establishments. But to get the real feel of what he was like, go and lurk around in "Fleshmarket Close" pretending to be Mr. Hyde!
Scottish Seabird Centre
by kevarms
Ideal for kids the seabird centre is located in North Berwick, east of Edinburgh. The centre has lots of information and activites related to the abundant birdlife around this part of the Scottish coast. Hightlight are the many remote controlled cameras which you can operate to see what is going on at the various colonies. To get here is an easy 30 minute train ride from Waverley Station.
Step inside the Chaple to see jealousy at work
by scottishvisitor
The story of a Master Mason and his Apprentice - The Master Mason designed the first Pillar in the Chaple but wanted to make his second masterpiece much greater so he went off to Rome for inspiration only to find on his return his apprentice had completed the job. The Master was overcome with jealousy and rage, he killed the apprentice with a single blow to the head with his Masonic Hammer. The master had a terrible fate which would take him to eternity - his face is carved at the door of the Chaple always looking at the pillar he murdered for and the apprentice from the same spot looks at the inferior pillar - pious folk indeed.
Cafe Royal
by mardaska about Cafe Royal
I always love to have a late lunch in pubs when in England or Scotland. This one is built in 1862 and the interior is quite impressive. Along one wall is a gallery of tiled panels which show various inventors from history.
Sign in with Facebook
me at Edinburgh castle
At least the rear part of the sightseeing bus.....
Salisbury Crags, Edinburgh
Acropolis on Calton Hill
