Holidays in Edinburgh for the whole family
If Europe or Great Britain are high on your list of vacation destinations, consider vacationing in Edinburgh. The city of Edinburgh, Scotland is located on the east coast of Scotland. Edinburgh is the second most visited destination in Great Britain. Only London exceeds Edinburgh in visitors per year.
The reason for so many visitors is simple. Holidays in Edinburgh can offer so much to so many. For lovers of history and antiquity, Edinburgh has been around for almost two thousand years. The capital of Scotland since the 14th century, Edinburgh’s buildings, museums and libraries have many important stories to tell.
For example, the National Library of Scotland houses many rare and unique volumes, including the original manuscript of ‘On the Origin of Species’, by Charles Darwin, one of the many famous alumni of the University of Edinburgh.
Among the medieval buildings of the old town, the main attraction is the famous Edinburgh Castle. This centuries-old structure sits atop an extinct volcano overlooking the city. The castle site was once one of the original settlements in the area in the 1st and 2nd centuries. It has grown and changed over the years to the present day, where intact examples of 16th and even 12th century architecture still survive. And as interesting as the castle itself is the view of the city below. Edinburgh is known for having one of the best urban landscapes in all of Western Europe.
But there are more ways to have fun on your Edinburgh holiday than strolling through an ancient castle. Holidays in Edinburgh in August allow the traveler to experience the Edinburgh Festival. This four-week-long annual event is actually an amalgamation of several festivals. These include the Edinburgh Military Tattoo, a world-famous display of drill teams and bands from various branches of the British Armed Forces, as well as invited units from other parts of Europe and even Africa. This exhibition takes place on the grounds of Edinburgh Castle and is seen by sell-out crowds totaling nearly a quarter of a million people each year. The Edinburgh Tattoo dates back to 1950 but has become synonymous with the Edinburgh Festival for many people living in the British Isles.
For the more culturally minded, two record-breaking festivals have also been part of the annual lineup since 1947. The Edinburgh International Film Festival is the oldest continuously running film festival in the world. And for fans of live theater, the Edinburgh Fringe is the biggest performing arts festival around.
Even if Edinburgh proper isn’t your cup of tea, the city is located in Scotland’s lush agricultural hub. Called the Lothians, the visitor can see Scottish rural life as it has been lived for hundreds of years. Edinburgh holidays have so many options that almost any traveler or travel group will find enough to interest and engage them for the duration of their stay. So consider Edinburgh when planning your next vacation or holiday. It has a lot to offer.
