Intriguing Edinburgh is everyone's favorite city, golfers included
By David Brice, Golf International Inc
Would you take a trip to England and not visit London, or go to France and miss Paris? Probably not, the allure of these capital cities is something few are able to resist. Yet ironically, there are many taking a golf trip to Scotland, who do not include at least a few days in one of Europe's most fascinating and attractive capital's, Edinburgh.
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Filled with history and a charming elegance, missing in many of the world's other major cities, sophisticated Edinburgh really does contain something for everyone, golfers included. Unlike other capitals, there is an impressive array of excellent golf courses located literally within a half hour of the city center and while many of these courses are private, virtually all welcome visitors with open arms.
Edinburgh is not only Scotland's capital; it's also the center of one of the country's most important golf regions and a logical, very worthy stop on any Scottish golf trip.
This is a city that never fails to capture the heart of every visitor and in a day and age where family time is more important than it has ever been in the recent past, an ideal destination, whether golf comes into the equation or not.
Impressive as the city is, it somehow manages to maintain a very friendly, welcoming appeal that never overpowers. Compact and with very human proportions, it's a manageable city where from a central hotel location, most of the main points of historical and cultural interest, museums, galleries, fine dining, nightlife and shopping, will all be within walking distance, or only a short taxi ride away.
Neatly divided into two halves, the medieval Old Town containing many of Edinburgh's most intriguing sights is to the south. The New Town, dating from the 18th century and considered one of the world's finest examples of Georgian urban architectural development, is to the North. Separating the two is renowned Prince's Street, the main shopping thoroughfare.
Top of the list of must see sights is Edinburgh Castle, the most famous and best preserved of all Scottish castles. Dating from the 12th century, the castle has served as a fortress, royal palace, seat of the Scottish parliament, military garrison and state prison. It contains a wealth of Scottish history and today houses the Stone of Destiny, a relic of ancient Scottish coronations and the Scottish crown jewels. Count on the best part of a half-day to discover all the magnificently preserved buildings and their history.
Linking the castle to Holyrood Palace is a stetch of four ancient streets, known as The Royal Mile, once the main thoroughfare of medieval Edinburgh. There are more historic buildings and monuments along its one-mile length than many other cities offer in their entirety.
A good starting place outside of the castle gates is the Scotch Whisky Center, where you can learn everything you ever wanted to know about whisky, sampling a few drams along the way. One of Edinburgh's top restaurants is also located here, but best return for dinner to take full advantage of the excellent Scottish cuisine and an accompanying list of more than 400 whiskies, complete with a whisky consultant to assist in your selections.
Stop by at Gladstones Land, an extravagantly furnished, well preserved 17th century merchant's house. Nearby, Lady Stair's House, another impressive 17th century building housing a museum of the lives and works of Scottish writers Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson.
Parliament House, built in 1630 to house the Scottish Parliament, has served as the High Court since the early 18th century. The Great Hall here has some spectacular stained glass windows. Dating from the 15th century, St. Giles Cathedral was used by protestant preacher, John Knox, to direct the Scottish Reformation in the mid-16th century. The ornately carved royal pew is used for worship by Queen Elizabeth II when she stays in Edinburgh.
The house where John Knox spent his final days, dates from 1450 and contains a small museum of his life. Another museum of Edinburgh's social history is housed in the Canongate Tollbooth. Built in 1591, this used to be the local law courts, jail and burgh council meeting rooms.
If you are curious about the daily lives of Edinburgh's poor residents before the 18th century, take a tour of Mary King's Close, located under the City Chambers. Far beneath the Old Town's streets are the basements, cellars and dark alleyways, where without ventilation, daylight and a proper water supply, domestic life and industry thrived - until the plague killed the entire population around 1645.
Marking the end of the Royal Mile is Holyrood Palace, official residence of Queen Elizabeth when she visits Edinburgh. Open to the public when the Queen is not here, it's a wonderful opportunity to experience a real living palace, steeped in history, where a litany of devious deeds have taken place over the centuries. Mary Queen of Scots used to stay here, Bonnie Prince Charlie held court within these walls and Queen Victoria was a frequent resident.
But Edinburgh has much more to offer the visitor. This is a city of museums with the National Gallery of Scotland leading a host of others including The Museum of Scotland, The Scottish National Portrait Gallery and the Royal Museum.
There is the New Scottish Parliament Building, a stunning piece of contemporary design, attracting students of architecture from around the globe. If shopping is on your list of things to do, you are in the right place - outside of London, Edinburgh has the best shopping in all of Britain. From the best cashmere to Edinburgh Crystal, antiques and fine art, the galleries and boutiques are in a class of their own.
There is the New Town to explore with its impressive squares, wide boulevards, elegant building facades and ornamental door arches. Many of the city's art galleries are to be found here as are a profusion of top class restaurants -- again Edinburgh ranks second to only London for the quality and quantity of its restaurants.
Edinburgh has more than enough to keep any visitor busy for as long as they care to stay, but don't forget the golf, it's among the best in the country and all so close by. For ideas on how best to include Edinburgh on your Scottish golf trip, click here.
© 2008 David Brice / Golf International Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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