Your Edinburgh guide
Edinburgh stands tall amidst the rugged Scottish landscape as a captivating blend of history, culture, and natural beauty, enticing travellers from around the globe to explore its enchanting streets and iconic landmarks. As Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh boasts a rich heritage, with its historic Old Town and elegant Georgian New Town designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The city's majestic Edinburgh Castle, perched atop an extinct volcano, stands as a symbol of its ancient roots and royal legacy, offering panoramic views of the city below. Beyond its mediaeval charm, Edinburgh captivates visitors with its vibrant arts scene, world-class festivals, and thriving culinary culture, ensuring a lively atmosphere year-round. Moreover, Edinburgh's picturesque gardens, scenic hills, and dramatic coastline provide endless opportunities for outdoor adventures and scenic exploration, while its warm and welcoming hospitality invites visitors to immerse themselves in the city's timeless charm and vibrant spirit.
As one of the top 5 most visited cities in the UK, here are three reasons why you need to visit Edinburgh:
- The Royal Mile - Edinburgh's Royal Mile, which runs from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, is exactly one mile long. It is lined with historic buildings, shops, restaurants, and pubs, making it a popular destination for tourists and locals alike.
- The Edinburgh Festival - The Edinburgh Festival is the world's largest arts festival and takes place every August, attracting thousands of performers and millions of visitors from around the world. It encompasses various events, including the Edinburgh International Festival, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Edinburgh International Book Festival.
- Greyfriars Kirkyard - Greyfriars Kirkyard is believed to be one of the most haunted cemeteries in Scotland. It has a reputation for ghostly sightings and paranormal activity, with numerous reports of strange occurrences and unexplained phenomena over the years. Visitors to the kirkyard often seek out the grave of Greyfriars Bobby, the famous Skye Terrier who supposedly guarded his owner's grave for 14 years.
Transport
Edinburgh Waverley is located in the city centre and is the main train station in Edinburgh. At this station, Staff help is available from the Mobility Assistance Room. If you are travelling on a National Rail service, you can also use the Passenger Assist scheme to make your journey stress-free. Lifts are located throughout the station providing step-free access to all platforms. Ramps are also available for transfer to trains from platforms. For more access information, including helpline numbers and emails, please visit the website
https://www.scotrail.co.uk/plan-your-journey/stations-and-facilities/edb.
Edinburgh Waverley is a busy travelling hub. It provides easy connections to many cities across the UK including Aberdeen, Glasgow, Liverpool Lime Street, London’s Kings Cross, Inverness, Manchester Airport, and Newcastle. Check the online timetable for the station for full routes and destinations.
Should you plan on travelling around Edinburgh by taxi, we recommend the following taxi companies as they offer wheelchair-accessible vehicles:
- Central Taxis Call 0131 229 2468
- Aerial ABW Cabs Call 0131 663 3232
- Safe Hand Cabs Call 0131 440 4040
Travelling around Edinburgh by tram is also an option. All Edinburgh Trams feature two wheelchair spaces and provide low entrances. More accessibility features are listed on the website
https://edinburghtrams.com/contact/tram-accessibility.