Edinburgh

Edinburgh, Scotland’s capital city, has so much to offer. We’ll visit unmissable top sights such as the castle and the Palace of Holyrood to discover stories of murder and intrigue from history and ‘meet’ royal superstars like Mary Queen of Scots and Bonnie Prince Charlie. We’ll also introduce you to Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde and to all the city’s best-known authors, enlightenment thinkers, rogues and eccentrics.

The 16 episodes in our City Break Edinburgh series bring you all the background history and culture you need to fully understand this dramatic city. In short, here is all the research you’d do yourself if only you had the time.

Each episode centres around a podcast, available here or on all the usual providers. The blog posts here on the website include a summary of the main information, plus pictures, useful links and ideas for further reading. So, let’s go. We think that might be ‘Tiugainn’ in Scots Gaelic.

EDINBURGH : HISTORY & CULTURE

Episode 1: Introduction to Edinburgh

January 18, 2023

Fàilte gu Dùn Èideann! Welcome to Edinburgh. This introduction to Edinburgh brings you information to help you get your bearings and pick up the basic facts which underpin everything, from the ghostly narrow closes of … Read more

Episode 2: Edinburgh Castle – The Heart of the City

February 15, 2023

If you want to capture the Scottish capital in one image, it has to be a picture of Edinburgh Castle. It’s the city’s star attraction, looming over both the Old Town and the New Town … Read more

Edinburgh Palace of Holyrood House copyright Visit Scotland

Episode 3: The Palace of Holyroodhouse

February 15, 2023

The Palace of Holyroodhouse, at the opposite end of the Royal Mile from the Castle is another site full of intrigue and history, or as its guidebook puts it: ‘Wars have been plotted, dancing has … Read more

Episode 4: The Royal Mile

February 15, 2023

The Royal Mile, is the collective name for 4 different streets which stretch in a line from the Castle Esplanade down to the gates of the Palace of Holyrood. Taken together, Castle Hill, the Lawnmarket, … Read more

Episode 5: Auld Reekie – The Old Town

February 15, 2023

Edinburgh is a city of two halves, the Old Town and the New Town. In this post, we visit the Old Town, or ‘Auld Reekie’ as the poet Robert Fergusson called it. There’s a little … Read more

Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh ©Visitscotland

Episode 6: Enlightenment in the New Town of Edinburgh

February 15, 2023

Visit Edinburgh’s New Town, built in the 18th century, and you’re in the seat of the Enlightenment, in the elegant streets and squares to which the wealthy escaped, very happy to leave the squalor of … Read more

Episode 7: The Two Scottish Parliaments

February 15, 2023

Did you know there are two Scottish parliaments? Well, parliament buildings really. The highlight of this episode is a visit to the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood. But first, the colourful story of who ruled Scotland over … Read more

Palace of Holyrood House, Edinburgh Copyright Visit Scotland

Episode 8: best Edinburgh parks and walks

February 15, 2023

This post covers the best Edinburgh parks and walks, taking in both the city centre and the surrounding hills. There are ideas for walks in the Old Town, including tales from Cowgate and the Grassmarket, … Read more

Episode 9: Edinburgh’s History Museums

February 15, 2023

This is our round-up of Edinburgh’s history museums. We point you towards lots of goodies; the original National Covenant document, (4000 signatures opposing Charles I and his liturgical reforms), the dog collar and feeding bowl … Read more

Episode 10: Leith And The Royal Yacht Britannia

February 15, 2023

A short bus ride from Edinburgh city centre will take you to Leith, the city’s port, and an excellent idea for a day, or half-day visit. You can also walk there, taking the mile-long Leith … Read more

Edinburgh Writers Museum Copyright Visit Scotland

Episode 11: Edinburgh Literature and Writers

February 15, 2023

Edinburgh was the first city to be designated a UNESCO City of Literature and whole books have been written about its writers and their legacy. The city’s Writers’ Museum is dedicated to ‘the big three’, … Read more

Episode 12: More Edinburgh Writers

February 15, 2023

Here’s J K Rowling on Edinburgh Writers: ‘It’s impossible to live in Edinburgh without sensing its literary heritage everywhere’. We covered 3 of the best-known in the last post, but this one brings you lots … Read more

Greyfriar's Bobby Copyright Visit Scotland

Episode 13: Edinburgh’s Witches, Cemeteries and Ghosts

February 15, 2023

This is not a post for the faint-hearted! We have collected together a host of Edinburgh’s stories on witches, grave-robbers, spectres and apparitions. Is it the ‘majestic gloom’ of Edinburgh’s dramatic setting? The dark unknowns … Read more

Episode 14: Edinburgh Art and Artists

February 15, 2023

This post on Edinburgh art takes you on a tour of Edinburgh’s galleries and gives you a chance to get to know some of Scotland’s best-known artists and paintings. That includes portraits of royalty and … Read more

Episode 15: The Culinary Delights of Edinburgh

February 15, 2023

This post on the culinary delights of Edinburgh is a chance to dream of wonderful Scottish produce (think highland beef, Scottish salmon, raspberries), to unravel some mysteries (What are rumbledethumps? Or clootie dumplings?), to discover … Read more

Episode 16: Edinburgh Anthology

February 15, 2023

This post is an Edinburgh anthology, focussing on both poetry and prose, showing the city through the eyes of travellers, poets and novelists who captured its essence. London, compared to Edinburgh, wrote Charlotte Bronte, is … Read more