Where to start? There is no dot, no ending, no fixed definition of Scotland’s capital. There should be ellipsis points creating association spaces to be able to recognize the city’s unique diversity. Edinburgh has never been fully explored. And it never will be.

1. [ˈɛdɪnbərə ]
EDINBURGH
n ou n
1. city of contrasts
2. everything and nothing, up and down,
sunny and rainy, traditional and modern,
eerie and romantic
EDINBURGH
download full book: www.lulu.com/content/ebook/edinburgh-city-of-contrasts/18615602

2. editorial
[ˈɛdɪnbərə ]
EDINBURGHEDINBURGH
[ˈɛdɪnbərə ]
EDINBURGHEDINBURGH

3. editorial
Edinburgh
Where to start? There is no dot, no ending, no fixed definition of Scotland’s
capital. There should be ellipsis points creating association spaces to be
able to recognize the city’s unique diversity.
As a city of paradoxes, one won’t be surprised that Edinburgh was the birth
place of Stevenson’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. The notorious author called
it: “Half a capital and half a country town, the whole city leads a double
existence; it has long trances of the one and flashes of the other; […] it is
half alive and half a monumental marble.”
The same conflicting nature seems to reflect almost every aspect of urban
life, be it the historical, the cultural or the atmospheric ones. Its moderate
size does not restrict its cosmopolitan flair. A rough and strong appearance
meets elegant and romantic elements that hold bittersweet memories of
bygone days. Just like the tradition meets the spirit of the time, both are
unified by the open-hearted, welcoming people of Edinburgh.
Edinburgh…
There are ellipsis points creating association spaces which show the city’s
endlessness. With this in mind our guidebook is not supposed to describe
Edinburgh as a fixed, absolute and inflexible construct. This booklet shall
rather be an assistance supporting you to find your own definition of
Edinburgh. Make your personal experiences within the city’s walls. And if
our collaborative work helps you doing so, the super-individual goal of the
CTR program will be accomplished.
Edinburgh has never been fully explored. And it never will be.
Katharina Kremser
& Elisa Glöckner

5. Table of Content
Orientation 5
Sur vival Guide 7
Histor y 9
Culture 27
Sights 51
Museums & Galleries 81
Walks and Tours 111
Food
Must Tr y 131
Sweets & Markets 135
Cafes 147
Restaurants 157
Nightlife 167
Shopping 191
Harr y Potterburgh 217
Edinbra 223
Contributor Profiles 225
Imprint 228
(C) = Concessions available

6. MAIN SIGHTS
orientation
EdinburghM E T R O P O L I S O F S C O T L A N D
Scottish National
Gallery of
modern Art
5|

7. CastlE
National
Portrait
Gallery
Greyfriars
Kirkyard
Arthurs
seat
Calton
Hill Portobello
Summerhall
National
Gallery of
Scotland
noitatneiro

8. 7|
D o ‘ s a n d D o n ‘ t s i n E d i n b u r g h
S
u
R vi v
V
i
l
•
• Don´t wait for the waitress in pubs!
When in a pub, you have to order and pay for food and
drink at the counter. The food will be served at your table.
Don´t forget to bring your umbrella and waterproof shoes!
The weather in Scotland changes a lot, so always be prepared for a rain
shower.
•
Do ask for tap water in restaurants and pubs!
The waitress will bring you a whole bottle of free tap water if you ask.
Don´t say that you prefer Glasgow!•
Do look out for local pubs!
They are much cheaper and offer
great live music most of the times.
•
Do ask for discounts!
You can get them almost anywhere,
particularly for students.
•
Do point out when you need to go to the loo!
If you have to go to the toilet during a sightseeing trip, just
ask in a pub or bar and they will be happy to help you out.
•

9. O
g u id E
Don´t wait for the traffic lights!
The green light will only appear when you push the button. But
almost everyone is too impatient to wait and just crosses the street.
•
Don´t call it Edimborrow!
It’s Edinburgh.
•
Don´t waste too much time on styling your hair in the morning!
The wind and rain will destroy it anyway. Just put a hat on.
•
Don´t laugh about people wearing a kilt!
At the end of your trip you will probably want to have one too.
•
Do have enough change with you!
When you want to take the bus, always pay the exact
amount because the driver will not give you any change.
•
Do talk to locals in pubs!
They will tell you interesting stories about Scottish culture and
may give you some insider tips about what to do in Edinburgh.
•
Do attend a free walking tour!
Edinburgh offers many of them, and they are worth your time.
•
EAT HAGGIS AND CEILIDH ON!•

10. As Scotland’s capital Edinburgh
obviously offers a wide range of
shopping opportunities. The nice
thing is that getting oneself a
unique item does not at all have
to be an exclusively expensive
experience. The best and probably
most authentic way to spend one’s
money is to go shopping at the
city’s various charity shops. The
people working there are doing
this on voluntary basis and every
store dedicates the gains made to
a special cause such as cancer
research or helping homeless
people. The atmosphere is a really
nice and welcoming one and on top
of this it has to be said that real
treasures – from flowery crockery,
gramophone records, CDs, DVDs
and books to children/men/
women’s clothing and accessories
– can be found starting from £ 1
already.
Stockbridge, which with many little
cafés and specialty shops enchants
the city’s inhabitants equally as its
visitors, is known to be Edinburgh’s
best spot for charity shopping.
The stores on Raeburn Place
and Deanhaugh Street are a
good alternative to the sometimes
overpriced retro boutiques and the
British Red Cross store even offers
wedding gowns at a fair price. If
yet not ready to put a ring on your
finger, the Oxfam Music shop’s
vinyl collection may fascinate
you instead. Doing shopping in
Stockbridge is definitely worth an
afternoon!
Charity Shops
Thu 10 Mar | 8pm (1hr) | £10 (8) | 14+
Aria Akbari
214 |
H i s t o r y
E
D
i
n
b
u
r
g
9|
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Town,_Edinburgh