sovaldi sale serif;”>Over the Christmas holidays, capsule Conor Manning explored what Edinburgh has to offer.
healing serif;”>In recent times many Irish people travelling to Edinburgh have come away feeling disappointed with their stay. Edinburgh is home to Murrayfield and lately Irish fans haven’t come away from that venue with smiles on their faces. However many more Irish people have found Edinburgh to be a beautiful city and very close to home, both literally and figuratively.
First impressions of Edinburgh are likely to be ones of gleeful delight and a faint sense of recognition. Many of the buildings are in the same Georgian style as our very own capital city, however Edinburgh differs from Dublin in that many of its handsome old buildings are preserved in their original condition as a UNESCO world heritage site. The facades of the buildings boast a spectrum of colours which makes the city even more charming. Mix in copious green areas and you have an arresting and elegant city.
Edinburgh is best known, of course, for its Fringe Festival, but there is still plenty to do in the quieter end of the tourist season. You only have to take a trip on the Edinburgh Bus Tour to experience the sense of humour of the residents of this city. The back-and-forth banter of the tour guides is the perfect way to see Edinburgh and shows that the Irish aren’t the only people who enjoy ‘the craic’. Buying a ticket for a tour bus is strongly recommended as it’s also an economical way to get around the city.
Edinburgh Castle is probably the city’s most famous site and even if you decide not to pay to go inside, it’s worth a visit to the mound to get the best views on offer. If you haven’t had your helping of royal dwellings by then, you can also take a trip to the Royal Palace. Both landmarks showcase the splendour of the city and the national pride of the Scottish people.
It’s no surprise, given Edinburgh’s rich history, that there are more museums in the city than even the biggest history buff could see in a weekend. The National Museum of Scotland is a good starting point, though. As well as housing Dolly the sheep, the first successfully cloned mammal, it also contains a wealth of information about the past of Scotland, which is so closely entwined with Ireland’s own history. It is no ordinary museum either, with seemingly unscheduled dramatisations taking place throughout the day, making a visit an immersive experience.
Eating out can be as expensive as or even more expensive than Dublin. If you take the time to look around, though, you can find very cheap prices. Eating out is cheaper at lunchtime than in the evening in many places, so you should consider finding somewhere to have a meal before 6pm. The local food is traditional haggis, served with neeps and tatties (potatoes and turnips). You’ll either love it or you’ll hate it.
When not overcome with the madness of the Fringe Festival or Hogmannay, Edinburgh is a quiet, inviting city. There are few crowds on the streets which makes it a pleasant city to walk through. Every street has a quirky coffee shop in which to rest your feet, like The Elephant House on George IV Bridge where J.K. Rowling wrote the first book of the Harry Potter series. You will also discover hidden plaques and monuments to writers and great thinkers in all of the little warrens and passages that intersect the town. The overall atmosphere is of a place steeped in art and culture.
On the whole, Edinburgh is the perfect destination for a quiet sightseeing holiday. It’s an excellent place to clear your mind of thoughts of exams and to stretch the library cramps from your legs. With flights to the United Kingdom cheaper than ever, it’s an unmissable destination.
