Edinburgh Attractions
Starting at the top of the town, Edinburgh Castle is a must see for every visitor. It has a fascinating history, but what makes it really special are the views in every direction. Edinburgh Castle is cared for by Historic Scotland - www.historic-scotland.gov.uk

Next to the castle, visit the new Scotch Whisky Experience a and take a swirling, bubbling barrel ride through a replica distillery as you become part of the whisky making process. www.scotchwhiskyexperience.co.uk

Just down the Royal Mile lies the Writers Museum. Situated in Lady Stair's House, built in 1622, The Writers' Museum is dedicated to the lives and work of Scotland's great literary figures, in particluar Robert Burns (1759 - 1796), Sir Walter Scott (1771 - 1832) and Robert Louis Stevenson (1850 - 1894). - www.cac.org.uk

Nearby to this lies the National Library of Scotland, Scotland's largest library and the world centre for the study of Scotland and the Scots. - www.nls.uk

Just Round the corner from this on Chambers St lies the Royal Museum run by National Museums of Scotland. This museum houses the international collections and contains an extraordinary range of material. - www.nms.ac.uk/royal

For some of the darker side of the city, visit the Edinburgh Dungeon. Witch-hunters, grave-robbers, murderers, cannibals, executioners - you will find them all here, along with their wretched victims. - www.thedungeons.com

Beneath the Royal Mile lies a warren of concealed streets where real people lived, worked and died in bygone centuries. Step back in time at The Real Mary King’s Close to walk through these hidden closes, some of which have never before been open to the public.
www.realmarykingsclose.com

Continuing into the underworld, you might want to experience one of Edinburgh's Ghost Tours with Mercat Tours. The gory, the ghoulish, the sinister and the haunted, creepy Underground Vaults - "possibly the most haunted place in Britain"! - lots to choose from - www.mercat-tours.co.uk

At the bottom end of the Royal Mile is the Palace of Holyrood - a royal residence as well as the new Scottish Parliament.

Next door to these attractions lies Our Dynamic Earth - an interactive visitor centre taking you on a thrilling journey back in time to learn about our planet Earth. - www.dynamicearth.co.uk

Elsewhere in the city you can visit treats like the Royal Yacht Britannia in Leith and The Royal Botanic Gardens.