St. Margaret's Chapel, located next to Edinburgh Castle, is a small church that dates back to the 12th century. It is a wonderful sightseeing point in the city and a perfect place for small wedding ceremonies.

Edinburgh Castle has overlooked the city since the 12th century and is the second most visited building, after the Tower of London, in the United Kingdom. The very history of Scotland is deeply etched into its ancient stones.

The castle stands on top of Castle Rock, the basalt ventilation pipe of an extinct volcano eroded by glaciers. People have inhabited the site since the 9th century BC. The first castle was constructed by King David I of Scotland and it remained a royal residence until 1603.

As a fortress it was virtually impregnable, but it had one drawback: the basalt rock on which it stands doesn’t capture or hold water, so a 28 metre well was sunk, but in droughts or during long sieges, it dried out, and its denizens were then faced with either surrender or dying of thirst.

It was largely destroyed during the Lang Siege in 1573 and the only building from the 12th century still standing is St Margaret’s Chapel. In the 17th century it became a military base and the garrison remained there until the nineteen twenties. The few remaining members hold administrative or ceremonial posts.

Today the castle houses the Scottish National War Memorial, the National War Museum of Scotland and several smaller regimental museums. It is also the home of the One o’clock Gun which is fired six days a week at precisely 1pm and the city’s clocks are regulated by it.

In the Crown Room you will see the Royal Scottish Crown, sceptre and Sword of State and actors in period costume re-enact important events of the castle’s history. In August the Edinburgh Military Tattoo takes place on the castle’s esplanade. In the north-east corner of the esplanade is a small iron fountain called the Witches’ Well. It marks the spot where many women were burned at the stake for witchcraft.

This is a great building that has the largest collection of Scotch whisky in the world and where people from all over go to discover its history. Visitors can relax with a whisky in the bar or restaurant, choosing from a collection of over 300 single malts, blends, Scotch whisky and cocktails.

Built in 1853, the National Gallery of Scotland, offers valuable works by famous artists and beautiful neoclassical architecture. Visitors can see a fine collection of paintings, furniture and sculpture, while learning more about the important works of well-known artists.

The National Museums of Scotland, located on Chambers Street, is formed by two museums, the Museum of Scotland and the neighboring Royal Museum. Visitors can discover the history and culture of Scotland here. This landmark building in the heart of Edinburgh’s Old Town was opened in 1998 and preserves a large collection dedicated to Scotland’s story, its land, people and culture.

The Parliament House, founded in 1639, is located next to the Court of Session and the Court of Criminal Appeal, National Law Library and Faculty of Advocates. Visitors gather to admire its beautiful Italian façade, the Doric portico and the handsome stained-glass window. Inside, the hall is adorned with portraits and beautiful statues.

The John Knox House is a prominent landmark in Edinburgh. The house was built in 1490 as a residence of goldsmith's family. A lot of wooden decorations and paintings can be found here. During the 16th century, it was occupied by Protestant reformer John Knox, hence the name. Nowadays, the house has been transformed into a museum.

Learning about Scotland’s royalty and nobility is all very interesting, but sometimes you might ask: what about the ordinary people, how did they live? The answer is to be found in the People’s Story Museum.

Housed in Canongate Tolbooth, built in 1591 and once a customs house and jail, the museum tells the history of Edinburgh seen through the eyes of the people who lived and work there, from the 18th century to the present.

A written and oral presentation, backed up with photographs, drawings and artefacts, will take you through their day to day lives, both at work and in the home. You will visit beautifully recreated replicas of a bookbinder’s shop, a pub, a prison cell, a tea-room and a war-time kitchen, all filled with copies of the original objects once used by people like you and me.
In the Edinburgh Life section you will see how communities helped each other; how they protested against injustice and the meetings and rallies they held. Working in Edinburgh will show you how books, beer and cakes were made in the 18th and 19th centuries.

The Leith Collection focuses on work in the shipyards, how ships were built, repaired and unloaded in the docks. The Newhaven Collection covers working and day-to-day life in a small fishing community, and At Home in Edinburgh displays household items such as furniture, crockery, cutlery, domestic appliances, record players and toys.

It is a fascinating museum and the kids will love it and it will give you the chance to show them how you managed in life without a mobile phone or an MP4 player! The museum shop sells books and gift items related to the objects on display.

Scottish Parliament Building was founded in 2004 and is located not far from the city’s Old Town district. It has become a well-known sight representing Scottish history and culture. Tourists come to discover and admire the high-tech building and its exhibitions.

One part of Edinburgh’s history that you will have heard about is Holyrood Abbey and a visit to these famous ruins should by on your “must see” list.

The abbey was founded in 1128 by King David I of Scotland. According to legend, he had the abbey built after he had been thrown from his horse while out hunting; a stag had startled his horse and King David feared the beast would attack him, but as the stag approached, a shaft of bright sunlight appeared in the form of a cross between its antlers and the animal turned away leaving the king unharmed.

The abbey was originally the home of the Augustinian Canon Regulars, a brotherhood of men who lived a little like monks in a community, but unlike monks, shared their learning with other churches. The abbey was used by royalty and a guesthouse became part of the royal residence.

The original building had a 3-bay transept under the central tower, an 8-bay nave with twin towers on the west side and a 6-bay aisled choir. During conflicts in 1547 and the Reformation in 1560 the abbey was damaged and looted several times. In 1570 the choir and the transept were demolished. In 1573 the east end of the nave was gated off and the royal tombs were moved.

The abbey was partially restored in 1633 and until the early 18th century it was used as a parish church, only to be abandoned and left to fall into the ruins you can visit today.

Holyrood Abbey was constructed by King David I and is located close to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. It is surrounded by Edinburgh's largest park, Holyrood Park. Located atop the 250 meter-high Arthur's Seat, it offers a beautiful view of the city. This is a great place for biking, hiking or a picnic. Its many rocky crags, loch and meadows guarantee visitors an unforgettable time in Edinburgh.