Information for Edinburgh, Scotland

CERTIFICATION LOCATION

University of Edinburgh: Center for Sport and Exercise

ACCOMMODATIONS

STANDARD HOTELS
RadissonSAS
The Novotel
Edinburgh First

BOUTIQUE HOTELS
Channings
The Bonham
Other Boutiques

OTHER RECOMMENDATIONS
Borough Hotel
Apex Hotels
Roxburghe Hotel

GENERAL HOTEL INFORMATION
http://www.edinburgh.org/accom/
http://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotels-g186525-c2-Edinburgh_Scotland-Hotels.html

REASONS TO VISIT EDINBURGH

EDINBURGH
With a rich heritage, internationally renowned architecture and a vibrant arts scene, Edinburgh is, without doubt, the showcase capital of Scotland.
* http://www.explore-edinburgh.com/
* http://www.edinburgh-places.co.uk/
* http://www.edinburghguide.com/
* http://www.edinburgh.gov.uk/
* http://www.youredinburgh.info/
* http://www.edinburgh.org/
* http://www.city-visitor.com/edinburgh
* http://www.eventfuledinburgh.com/
* http://www.edinburgholdtown.org.uk/
* http://www.itchyedinburgh.co.uk/
* http://www.tour-britain.com/edinburgh
* http://www.auldedinburgh.co.uk/
* http://www.stuckonscotland.co.uk/edinburgh/pictures.html

EDINBURGH HERITAGE
Like Florence, Prague and the Taj Mahal, Edinburgh's city centre is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. The status was granted in 1995 in a bid to conserve the city's unique mix of medieval and neo classical town planning.
* http://www.ewht.org.uk/
* http://www.edinburgholdtown.org.uk/
* http://www.leithhistory.co.uk/
* http://www.royalmile.com/
* http://www.auldedinburgh.co.uk/
* http://www.edinburgharchitecture.co.uk/
* http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/
* http://www.scotshistoryonline.co.uk/
* http://www.saltiresociety.co.uk/
* http://www.scran.ac.uk/

LITERARY EDINBURGH
Where else in the world will you find a railway station named after a novel and a museum dedicated to writers? Not only is Edinburgh UNESCO's first City of Literature but it will be hosting the inaugural international Man Booker prize and celebrating Hans Christian Anderson 200th anniversary with a festival dedicated to his memory.

The city's literary greats include Arthur Conan Doyle, Walter Scott, Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson who all lived and wrote in Edinburgh. There is a thriving contemporary literary scene, which most famously includes Ian Rankin, J K Rowling and Alexander McCall Smith.
* http://www.rebustours.com/
* http://www.edinburghliterarypubtour.co.uk/
* http://www.canongate.net/AlexanderMcCallSmith
* http://www.irvinewelsh.com/
* http://www.internetworks.co.uk/murielsparks
* http://www.walterscott.lib.ed.ac.uk/
* http://www.ianrankin.net/
* http://www.nls.uk/rlstevenson
* http://www.sherlockholmesonline.org/
* http://www.jmbarrie.co.uk/
* http://www.jkrowling.com/
* http://www.dorothydunnet.co.uk/
* http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/
* http://www.scottishmuseums.org.uk/
* http://www.methuen.co.uk/literarycompaniontoedinburgh

DINING OUT

SHOPPING

Princes Street remains one of the UK's top retail centres and, with the castle rising above the gardens on the south side, is a picturesque place
to shop. Yet, steer away from the main drag and you'll find an eclectic mix bound to tempt the most reluctant shopper.

Harvey Nichols
For the dedicated fashionistas

Ragamuffin
The very best of Scottish knitwear and original

Royal Mile Whiskies
Past winners of the 'Whisky Retailer of the Year' award, the knowledgeable staff at this friendly shop will talk you through their wide range of malt whiskies.

Anta Scotland
Hand painted stoneware and 100% woollen textiles, all designed and made in the highlands.

Valvona and Crolla
A family-run delicatessen trading since the 1930s and acknowledged to be one of the best in the UK.

Hawick Cashmere
Exclusive ladies and men's knitwear and accessories produced in their own mill in the Scottish Borders.

McNaughtan's Bookshop
Large stock of second-hand and antiquarian books for sale.

The Cigar Box
Havana Heaven! The perfect complement to your single malt.

Geoffrey Tailor Kilts
Ladies and gents kilt making and tailoring. Highland dress, accessories and tartan material are all in stock.

Jenners
The oldest independent department store in the world. The well-stocked food hall is superb for stocking up on Scottish delicacies.

Wm Armstrong and Sons
Edinburgh's largest second hand clothing emporium.

Aitken and Niven
Conveniently located in the city centre, this classic, independently owned department store is renowned for sports, Highland Dress, Barbour, and quality fashions and footwear.

Coda
Contemporary and traditional Scottish music.

Edinburgh Farmers' Market
Where the countryside comes to town on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month.

FESTIVALS

The Scottish capital has an international reputation as one of the world's top festival cities. It began with its first arts festival in 1947 and hasn't looked back since. The festival calendar opens with the international science festival in April and rounds off, nine months later, with the traditional Scottish Hogmanay celebrations at the end of the year.

Intercultural Festival: http://www.edinburgh-mela.co.uk/

International Arts Festival: http://www.eif.co.uk/

Horror film Festival: http://www.deadbydawn.co.uk/

Fringe Festival: http://www.edfringe.com/

International Film Festival: http://www.edfilmfest.org.uk/

Book Festival: http://www.edbookfest.co.uk/

Jazz and Blues Festival: http://www.jazzmusic.co.uk/

Military Tattoo: http://www.edintattoo.co.uk/

Children's International Theatre Festival: http://www.imaginate.org.uk/

Science Festival: http://www.sciencefestival.co.uk/

Ghost Festival: http://www.edinburghghostfest.com/

MORE ABOUT EDINBURGH

Edinburgh Walking Tours
Edinburgh is a city made for exploring on foot so take a guided walking tour and discover the secrets behind the elegant façade.

The Georgian Tour: http://www.britainexpress.com/

Geology walks of Arthur's Seat: http://www.geowalks.demon.co.uk/

The Vaults Tour: http://www.mercattours.com/

City of the Dead http://www.blackhart.uk.com/

Saints and Sinners: http://www.oldtowntours.co.uk/

Murder and Mystery: http://www.witcherytours.com/

Edinburgh Literary Pub Tour: http://www.edinburghliterarypubtour.com/

Rebus - The Body Politic Tour: http://www.rebustours.com/

The Ultimate Ghost and Torture Tour: http://www.auldreekietours.com/

Edinburgh Celtic Trails: http://www.celtictrails.co.uk/

Edinburgh Sport
The city can meet every sporting need be it passive or active.
* http://www.edinburgh-marathon.co.uk/
* http://www.sru.org.uk/
* http://www.heartsfac.co.uk/
* http://www.hibs.co.uk/
* http://www.musselburgh-racecourse.co.uk/
* http://www.edinburgh-capitals.com/ - ice hockey team
* http://www.diamonddevils.com/ - baseball team
* http://www.rfyc.org/ - Royal Forth Yacht Club
* http://www.duddingston-golf-club.com/
* http://www.edinburghleisure.co.uk/
* http://www.adventurescotland.com/

Alternative Edinburgh
Video games specialists Chips is at Nicolson Street http://www.chipsworld.co.uk/

Check out the Electronics Boutique in Frederick Street for games, consoles and PCs For Warhammer games and models try Games Workshop and Mac's Models, both on the Royal Mile. Choose from Fopp Records on Cockburn Street or Rose Street for cheap music and knowledgeable staff.

Edinburgh's leading gaming and Internet café is Pallas Athene, Marchmont Crescent, http://www.pallas-athene.co.uk/

Odd Ball Mall, Lochrin Buildings, is the home to urban fashion and BMX culture, http://www.oddballmall.co.uk/

Try Avalanche Records in West Nicholson Street or Cockburn Street for new and second-hand CDs, band T-shirts and vinyl galore.

You'll find the Edinburgh outlet for the UK's leading street store at Route One in Cockburn Street, http://www.routeone.co.uk/

Purveyors of the finest four wheeled goods and clothing are Focus, West Port, http://www.focuspocus.co.uk/, and Odd One Out, Victoria Street.

Nothing is beyond the realm of fantasy at Deadhead Comics, Candlemaker Row.

Try Forbidden Planet on South Clerk Street and South Bridge for cool comics, videos, tee shirts and the latest Star Wars merchandise.
Scotland's finest selection of alternative cds, videos and dvds, as well as clothing and accessories, can be found at Underground Nation,
Candlemaker Row, http://www.undergroundnation.co.uk/

Ground Control in Cockburn Street stocks everything the discerning gothic/rocker shopper could need.

Join Area 42, the Edinburgh Sci-fi and Fantasy Club, on the 1st and 3rd Thursdays of the month at 8pm in the basement bar for Canon's Gait pub, Canongate, http://www.area42.org.uk/

The Edinburgh Dr Who Group meets on Mondays at 7pm in the very same basement bar, http://www.edinburghwho.co.uk/

Edinburgh and Lothians Top Twenty Tourist Attractions
* Brass Rubbing Centre
* Castle Museums
* Edinburgh Castle
* Edinburgh Zoo
* The Forth Bridges
* Hopetoun House
* John Knox House Museum
* Linlithgow Palace
* Museum of Childhood
* Museum of Flight
* Museum of Scotland
* National Gallery of Modern Art
* National Gallery of Scotland
* The Palace of Holyrood House
* Royal Botanic Gardens
* The Royal Observatory
* Royal Yacht Britannia
* Scottish Mining Museum
* Scottish Tartans Museum
* Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre

Edinburgh Mysteries
The Stone of Destiny, reputedly the rock on which all Scottish Kings were crowned, was reputedly brought to Scotland from the Holy Lands around 900AD. But was the stone returned to Scotland in 1996 a genuine holy relic or a centuries old fake? http://www.highlanderweb.co.uk/wallace/destiny.htm

Greyfriars Kirkyard claims to be one of the most haunted places in Edinburgh and has a reputation for gruesome activity, both past and present. http://www.greyfriars.org/

Rosslyn Chapel, the 15th century church recently immortalised in Dan Brown's The Da Vinci Code, has always been steeped in mystery and legend. Does the Chapel have links to the Knights Templar and what is really buried in the sealed vault? http://www.undiscoveredscotland.co.uk/roslin/rosslynchapel

Hare and Burke are Edinburgh's most infamous serial killers. They murdered to furnish the city's medical schools with a regular supply of
fresh cadavers for the surgeons' research. http://www.highlanderweb.co.uk/burkhare.htm

The Koestler Parapsychology Unit at Edinburgh University was set up in 1985 after the writer Arthur Koestler left a bequest to fund a chair of
parapsychology. The unit conducts research into a variety of paranormal phenomena. http://www.moebius.psy.ed.ac.uk/

Deacon William Brodie lived in 18th century Edinburgh and is widely believed to be the inspiration for Robert Louis Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. He led a double life, turning to crime to finance his extravagant spending habits. http://www.saltiresociety.org.uk/deaconb.htm

The Sheep Heid Public House in Duddingston, one of the oldest Edinburgh villages, is reportedly visited by a whole host of ghostly apparitions - a young girl called Mary, a 19th century street urchin, an elderly gentlemen and a courting couple. http://www.craigmillarhistory.lineages.co.uk/

Gilmerton Cove is a series of hand carved passages and chambers that lie beneath the Edinburgh streets. Was it the unique work of an 18th century blacksmith, a refuge for persecuted Presbyterians or a smugglers' lair? You decide... http://www.gilmertoncove.org.uk/

The MacKenzie Poltergeist is the spirit of 17th century hanging judge, George MacKenzie. The poltergeist is said to have become active after
the desecration of MacKenzie's tomb in 1998. http://www.wyrdology.com/

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