Scotlands Capital Edinburgh

Edinburgh, the capital of Scotland, is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.The city is built upon a jumble of hills and valleys. Edinburgh  is  named after Edwin, a king of ancient Northumbria; it has been a Royal Burgh since at least the twelfth century, and has been recognised as the capital of Scotland since the fifteenth.
Edinburgh is easily accessible by rail, road, air and sea and it is obvious why the city has a special place in the affections of so many. It is, indeed, the most popular tourist destination in Britain after London.
Perhaps it is for its Castle which Edinburgh is famous.Edinburgh Castle is visited annually by approximately one million people - if we except the Tower of London that is more people than visit any other ancient monument in the United Kingdom. Every visitor - particularly those on a restricted itinerary - should visit the Castle, not only because of the historical interest of this remarkable fortress and former royal residence, but because it offers such splendid panoramic views of the city. It is from these battlements, for example, that the traveller immediately appreciates the dramatic topography of Edinburgh, situated between sea and hills.
To the north, between the Castle and the Firth of Forth is the New Town. But, first, the visitor is recommended to walk down through the Old Town, running to the east directly below the castle ramparts.At one time, the Old Town was surrounded by the Flodden Wall. Fragments of this protective wall may still be seen, notably in the Vennel off the Grassmarket, and on the west side of the Pleasance near its junction with the Cowgate (bordering the Department of Geography in the University of Edinburgh). While in this area it is worth noting historic buildings such as the Old Royal High School and Old Surgeon's Hall, which are located in the area known as High School Yards and Surgeon's Square. This was the locality of the infamous bodysnatchers Burke and Hare.
There's more to Edinburgh than the castle, but its wealth of pubs, restaurants and attractions can leave the visitor - and even the resident - confused, especially in the heady days of August. Each year the Edinburgh International Festival stages one of the greatest celebrations of the arts, attracting audiences from around the world to the city's thrilling atmosphere. The festivities offer a unique opportunity to experience the excitement of live performance by internationally renowned artists as well as the joy of discovering new and unfamiliar works.
Also in August is the Edinburgh Tattooone of the most spectacular shows in the world, enjoyed by an international television audience of 100 million. But there's no substitute for being there, as part of the 217,000-strong audience over its three-week season on the Esplanade at Edinburgh Castle who don't simply watch the show but become a part of it.