Edinburgh Castle, Edinburgh

Favorite thing: My favorite thing about Edinburgh would have to be the beautiful architecture of the city. My friend's mother described it as Scotland's "pretty" city because of this. From the extravagant Balmoral Hotel to St. Giles church to Edinburgh Castle itself, it's definitely a city for eye candy.

Fondest memory: I'll always remember Edinburgh for it's busy hustle-and-bustle. And I'll always remember visiting Edinburgh Castle. The true highlight of visiting this city.

Fondest memory: This pretty much falls in the category of "You'll only see it here"! Up until March of 2002 there were round the clock Scottish guards stationed at entrance of Edinburgh Castle. Apparently the British Army felt that the Army's resources were overstretched and they were therefore ending the centuries old tradition. Given the fact that the guards at Buckingham Palace were to continue their similar duties and in view of the traditional warm and fuzzy relationships between the English and the Scots...the decision was not overly popular in Edinburgh.

Favorite thing: I cannot highly enough praise the way in which Edinburgh Castle has been made accessible to wheelchair users like myself --given the fact that the castle sits up on a steep hill and was built at a time when barrier-free design did not exist. When buying a ticket at the booth on the Castle Esplanade, ask about help for access. They will call a van driving you right up to the Castle's main building which has a lift. Don't expect to get everywhere within the Castle premises, but the most important sights are possible for you to see -- including some of the bastions from which there's a breathtaking view over the city. Disabled loo in the cafe and shop.

Thank you Historic Scotland for making this wonderful service available.

Fondest memory: http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Favorite thing: The Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery can both be found at the foot of The Mound Princes Street between East Princes Street Gardens and West Princes Street Gardens.
Here they lay under the Edinburgh Castle in the photo.

Fondest memory: This is taken in late May 2004.

Favorite thing: Edinburgh has many attractions, the Castle that is at the top of the city is the most famous place here, but many museums, theatres, restaurants, pub, and, the most important, the loveliest people you will ever meet around Europe.

Fondest memory: Did I said it already? Yes, the loveliest people I ever met.

Favorite thing: This is a breathtaking view from the ramparts of Edinburgh Castle looking over the Firth (for those non-Scots out there, that is the bay!) From this vantage point you have the most amazing view of the whole region, and it is incredible to see!

Fondest memory: The whole city was alive when I was there. The Military Tattoo was going on as well as the Fringe Festival. People from all over the world converge on Edinburgh in early August, so the energy there was just amazing! Note in the distance a tower atop a hill? See my next tip for more information!

Favorite thing: We visited the Edinburgh Castle because of the bad weather (we thought we would be indoors most of the time) but ended up even having to leave there since the wind was trying to blow us off from the castle grounds...

The audio guide was fantastic though...definitely worth paying for...

Favorite thing: This photo shows the sheer granite cliff face that armies had to face if the wished to capture the castle. On the opposite side of the castle to this cliff was a lake, which has now been drained and redeveloped into a park.