The MCLEANSCOTLAND guide to Edinburgh

This is our guide to the Capital City of Scotland, we love it and stay/visit there so many times, we thought we just had to pass on our insider information to you, so here it is. This can only ever be a brief guide but we hope you like it, Edinburgh is busy, fun, exciting and informative all at the same time. Edinburgh Fringe Festival 6th - 30st August 2010 The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is unique – the largest arts festival on the planet which brings thousands of performances to Scotland’s capital city and where many international stars have made their names. A genuine celebration of ambition, passion and creativity for over 50 years. www.edfringe.com Edinburgh Festivals; www.edinburghfestivals.co.uk

Would you like to stay here in Edinburgh? Subject to availability we can arrange this; One of the oldest residences in Edinburgh is just below Edinburgh Castle. Lower Apartment :- Drawing room (sofa bed), Romantic Double Bedroom, Twin Bedroom, Dressing room with single bed, Kitchen, Breakfast area, Dining Room. Upper Apartment :- Drawing Room / Double bedroom (sofa bed), twin bedroom, Kitchen, Dining Area. THIS IS A SELF CATERING, 4 STAR PROPERTY near the Royal Mile.  Sleeps 10

We also have modern up to date apartments; Situated just off the Royal Mile, which runs between the Palace of Holyrood and Edinburgh Castle, an ideal base from which to ‘Walk Edinburgh’ (below).

What to see!

Edinburgh Castle The site of the Castle was occupied as early as 900BC. By the time the Romans made their brief visits to Scotland in AD80 and AD139 it was an important fort of the Votadini people, later known as the Gododdin, who called it Din Eidyn. A must see. Georgian House something to see when here, really good. The Scotch Whisky Experience another must see, next to the castle. St Giles' date back to about 1130. Please make time to visit here. In fact the Royal Mile is one big tourist attraction! Museums are free so take advantage. Palace of Holyrood is another must see. We also suggest the open top bus tour, and if possible visit Rosslyn Chapel south of the city. We are corporate members of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society, when with us we will introduce you. There is so much in Edinburgh you will need a month to see just a wee bit! But we can help. Och aye and please visit the two cathedrals, both named St Mary's! The galleries are all free also and, if in the city during August, we have the Tattoo and the Festival.

Where to eat!

Our favourite; The Dome on George street, never have we been disappointed.

The huge selection of restaurants and food pubs goes on and on! The area around Grassmarket, The New Town, Old Town, Rose Street, Leith, we could go on and on! Edinburgh pubs are some of the best in Scotland, Dirty Dicks, the Bad Ass, Conan Doyle's, the list goes on. Leith is THE place for dining, with so many restaurants in one place its hard to choose, even a Mongolian restaurant  which Paul loves... www.khublaikhan.co.uk www.thedomeedinburgh.com www.fishersbistros.co.uk www.haldanesrestaurant.com www.thewitchery.com

Where to drink!

Again, Rose Street, Grassmarket, the Old and New Towns, The Royal Mile all have great pubs for drinks and food. Notable pubs include; Conan Doyle near the Catholic Cathedral - great food and cheap wine! The Whiski Bar on Royal Mile, again great food and tons of whisky! Ensign Ewart near the castle, a great wee bar. The White Hart in Grassmarket, the oldest pub in Edinburgh, superb, with live music most nights. As mentioned in our what to see, The SMWS has a bar with so many whiskies its unreal! Good food too, we can introduce you when on tour with us. www.thomsonsbar.co.uk is another great wee pub. The Sheep Heid Inn, "We’ve been here since at least 1360 and we’re still going strong today" no far from city centre a wee taxi ride away. The www.oxfordbar.com famous for Ian Rankin's "Rebus" novels. Frankenstein Pub Fresh homemade food made from the best quality ingredients. George IV Bridge the "monster" appears nightly! Drink in the Dome, cocktails are great, Liz and I can vouch for that! The Cambridge Bar A stylish pub situated in the heart of the bustling city, Young Street.