Exploring Edinburgh
Top 5 Sights in Edinburgh
Capella Edina is very lucky to call Edinburgh its home; Scotland’s capital is packed with fascinating buildings, beautiful views and bits of history around each corner. Whether you’re familiar with Edinburgh, or it’s your very first visit, there are many sights to incorporate into your visit and here are our Top 5.
Fig. 1: View from Calton Hill over the City
1. Calton Hill
There is a reason many artists have painted and photographed the view from Calton Hill. This striking volcanic formation provides the perfect place to enjoy panoramic views of the city, as well as take in some history while you’re there. It is also home to many neoclassical monuments, including the National Monument, an attempted replica of the Parthenon in Athens, but was never finished. As well as being physically beautiful, Calton Hill represents Scotland’s cultural aspirations and shows off the best side of the city.
Fig. 2: Princes Street Gardens with the Scott Monument
2. Scott Monument
Edinburgh is often a bustling hive of activity, so a quiet moment to sit down may be something you look for on your visit. Well look no further than the Princes Street Gardens, and in particular the Scott Monument. This massive tribute to Scotland’s national writer, Sir Walter Scott, is not only the second biggest statue to a writer in the world but is one of Scotland’s unmissable features and provides an immediate reminder of where you are, as it’s very visible when you leave Edinburgh Waverly station.
Fig. 3: The National building of The National Galleries of Scotland
3. The National
If you are looking for a free way to take in some of Scotland’s most iconic art, The National is the place to be. Located close to Princes Street, on The Mound, it is right in the heart of the city and not only boasts an impressive collection of Scottish art by the likes of Sir Henry Raeburn and Alexander Nasmyth, but also plays host to works by Vermeer, Titian, Rembrandt, and more. The entry is free which makes it a great way to consume yet more of this city’s vibrant history.
Fig. 4: Edinburgh Castle and the Ross Fountain
4. Edinburgh Castle
Perhaps one of the most recognisable and iconic sights of the city, the castle stands tall above the city on Castle Rock, where some sort of castle has been present since at least the eleventh century. It is both a must-see attraction and a working military base, home to forces like The Royal Regiment of Scotland. It also houses the Honours of Scotland, which are the oldest crown jewels in Britain, having first been used for the coronation of Mary Queen of Scots. If you happen to be visiting during the summer, it is also where the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is held, an impressive display of military bands and cultural performers.
Before our final sight is revealed, here are some honourable mentions, as only five don’t really do Edinburgh justice!
– The Royal Mile – Edinburgh’s most famous street running from the castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
– The Palace of Holyroodhouse – If you’ve got to the end of The Royal Mile, why not take in this stunning royal structure.
– St Giles’ Cathedral – Home to much of the religious history of Scotland, this is an impressive church not to be missed.
– National Museum of Scotland – If this has piqued your interest in some of Scotland’s history, why not learn more about it at the National Museum.
Fig. 5: Usher Hall
5. Usher Hall
Built in 1914, Usher Hall is Edinburgh’s premiere concert hall, and therefore the place where Capella Edina hosts most of our concerts. The acoustics are magnificent from every seat in the house, and what better way to experience it for yourself than to hear our wonderful orchestra, right in the heart of Scotland’s magical city.
Check out our upcoming performances here.
United by passion for music. Come and join us for one of our concerts.
Pictures:
Fig. 1: Pichetw. View of Edinburgh city from Calton Hill, Scotland. Digital photograph. Accessed July 11, 2024. Via Adobe Stock.
Fig. 2: Schmidt, Luis. Scott Monument and Princes Street Gardens. Digital photograph. Accessed August 21, 2024.
Fig. 3: K, Klaus. National Gallery of Scotland. Digital photograph. Accessed August 21, 2024. https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:National_Gallery_of_Scotland_restitch1_2005-08-07.jpg.
Fig. 4: Schmidt, Luis. Edinburgh Castle and the Ross Fountain. Digital photograph. Accessed August 21, 2024.
Fig. 5: Schmidt, Luis. Usher Hall. Digital photograph. Accessed July 11, 2024. Accessed August 21, 2024.
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