Holiday Homes and Apartments in Edinburgh
Taking over from Scone as the capital of Scotland in 1473, Edinburgh's unique natural and cultural heritage has ensured a lasting position as one of the world's truly outstanding cities, where both the Old and New Town districts have been listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites since 1995, and its location overlooking the Firth of Forth on the east coast of Scotland is as scenically picturesque as it is geologically fascinating. An 'Old Town' apartment in Edinburgh will put you at the very heart of where the original city began life on top of a series of volcanic 'plugs' and in the shadow of what grew from a Roman fort to a magnificent castle, whose ownership swopped between Scottish and English royalty until Oliver Cromwell arrived from England with his 'Roundheads' in the 17th century and turned Edinburgh Castle into a rather grand military garrison. A city that's literally crammed full of some of the oldest and most popular tourist attractions in Scotland, apartment rentals in Edinburgh can be found so close to the castle that you might not even have to leave your bedroom to take a photograph of it, but when you do take a stroll along the Royal Mile, you'll not only find Edinburgh Castle at one end but Holyrood Palace at the other, so a voyage of historical discovery can get off to a flying start when you set off in any direction from your bed and breakfast, holiday home or apartment in Edinburgh.
The 'New Town' of Edinburgh was designed by a young architect, James Craig, and developed in the late 18th century just north of the Old Town to a plan that followed an ordered grid pattern of streets - George Street, Princes Street and Queens Street recognising the historic connections between royalty and Edinburgh even though they are now more widely associated with the retail and entertainment aspects of modern urban culture in the capital. With museums, art galleries and a world-famous zoo proving that this destination really can provide the ideal solution to a family holiday in Scotland, apartments in Edinburgh are situated right in the midst of all there is to see and do in the city, and you won't have to travel far to feel like you're in the country with Holyrood Park right on your doorstep, where walking up the 251 metre high volcanic peak of Arthur's Seat - an extraordinarily wild and peaceful sanctuary in such a bustling, cosmopolitan metropolis - will present you with a breathtaking view of the entire city as well as a North Sea horizon and the wide open spaces of Lothian.
With Arthur's Seat and the rest of the Salisbury Crags crowding the skyline and the kind of architectural diversity where asking for directions to Holyrood could lead you either to the ancient palace or the ultra-modern Scottish parliament buildings, Edinburgh has a cityscape that is outstanding and certainly one that intensifies the deep sense of history and legend that oozes out of every pore of this unique location, but for many regular visitors to the city, the real reason they rent apartments in Edinburgh each August is because of the globally famous cultural extravaganza better known as the Edinburgh Festival! With a collection of official and independent events including an international film festival and a spectacular military tattoo staged in the appropriately charismatic setting of the Edinburgh Castle, not to mention one of the largest performing arts festivals on the planet, if you're thinking of planning a holiday in Scotland, bed and breakfasts or apartments in Edinburgh are likely to be in short supply during August, so book early if you're a culture-lover... although when any date with traditional significance in Scotland calls for a celebration in Edinburgh, you could always come back for St Andrew's Day in November, Burn's Night in January or the most lively Hogmanay party you'll ever experience!