A capital city (Edinburgh in General)

Member Name: moronboy

Product:	Edinburgh in General
Date:	17/09/00 (15 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Best city in the British Isles

Disadvantages: None

If only London was half as elegant as Edinburgh, the English might have some greater basis to be so arrogant about our culture and history. I have never been to a city in the British Isles which reminded me as much of one of the great unspoiled European cities like Prague or Budapest.
There is something almost Parisian about the profusion of old well-preserved buildings and little neat alleys - except there's not nearly so much dog shit in Edinburgh.

Yes, when I visited the fair city it rained, but this didn't dampen my enthusiasm. There doesn't seem to have been too much insensitive development, and the city has several inherent advantages - the huge castle perched high on its hill, and the gardens which run the length of Princes Street below it - which make it very attractive.

The castle is one of the most impressive in the UK, although the walk up the hill is a beggar for a slob like me. It takes up most of a day, although you should probably pop into the Malt Whisky Experience while you're up there, just to get a feel for the local culture obviously.

St Giles Cathedral is lovely as well, and Holyrood is definitely worth a trip, especially if it's raining, as like Windsor Castle it shows you what quite dreadful taste in interior design the Royals have always had. There is also, unlike London, some fabulous natural scenery on the doorstep - Arthur's Seat is a good walk for those with the stamina, although alternatively, you can walk up Calton Hill, see the castle, the city and Arthur's seat, and also spot the mad walkers traversing the extinct volcano.

I can't say that much about dining in Edinburgh because we ate all our evening meals at our hotel, the inordinately posh and gorgeous Caledonian, but everyone I know who's visited Edinburgh says you have to try very hard to eat badly.

Summary: