Up to Town
One of the great parts of living in East Lothian is the wonderful lifestyle living in a small coastal village brings. When you add to everything that you have at your fingertips and have the ability to be in the heart of the capital city in just 33 minutes by train from North Berwick, then you know you are somewhere special.
Getting to Edinburgh – there is only one way if you are planning a day or evening out…the train! Edinburgh is renowned for its heavy handed approach to parking so leaving the car and relaxing on the train is the easiest way. In just 33 minutes from North Berwick you are at Waverley Station right in the heart of Edinburgh. Does not get any easier. From here you can walk to the many attractions that make Edinburgh a classic city.
The city centre is the ideal place to start a shopping trip. You will find all the essential shops on Princes Street, as well as a grand old Edinburgh institution, Jenners, a quirky department store which has been a city landmark since it first opened in 1838. For a modern shopping experience, visit the only Harvey Nichols in Scotland which sits on St Andrews Square just behind Princes Street and is full of luxurious treats. On nearby George Street you will find exclusive shops sitting alongside high street favourites.
www.edinburghgeorgestreet.co.uk/
The Royal Mile is one of those must visit places when you go to Edinburgh and it’s here that you meet tourists from the world over. Stretching from Holyrood Palace to Edinburgh Castle it is always lively and especially when the Fringe Festival is on and acts are booked to appear for free at designated spots along the Mile.
Edinburgh Castle dominates Scotland’s capital city from its great rock. Fierce Iron Age warriors defended a hill fort here, and the nation’s oldest poetry tells of a war band feasting here for a year before riding to their deaths in battle.
The Scots and English struggled for control of the castle during the Wars of Independence. In 1314 it was recaptured from the English in a daring night raid led by Thomas Randolph, nephew of King Robert the Bruce. The castle has sheltered many Scottish monarchs. They include Queen Margaret (later St Margaret), who died here in 1093, and Mary Queen of Scots, who gave birth to James VI in the Royal Palace in 1566.
During the Second World War, the Crown of Scotland was hidden below a medieval latrine closet in David’s Tower to prevent the enemy from finding it. It is open all year round.
Edinburgh is known as the worlds best festival city. From May through until December each year there is a festival taking place. From the Childrens Festival. The Art Festival, The Storytellers Festival, The Book Festival, The Film Festival, The Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Hogmanay through to the big daddy of them all – The Fringe, it is not hard to see why it has become so! There is just so much choice. If you choose to go you need to plan.