EDINBURGH -
SCOTLANDS CAPITAL CITY

There is much to see and do in this marvelous city to the North, and a common mistake made by visitors is to allow too little time to explore its wonders. It is simply not a place you can visit in a half day, or even a day. Edinburgh is divided into the old city and the more modern Edinburgh, and both have "must see" places, including some of Britain's finest museums and galleries.

Most certainly you will want to visit Edinburgh Castle, perched high on the hill at the top of the old city. If you make your visit during August you can take in the world famous Military Tattoo held on the promenade of the castle. It features military and pipe bands from around the world and draws some 350,000 visitors.

Making reservations in Edinburgh for August has to be done well in advance. A leisure stroll from the castle down the Royal Mile provides the opportunity to enjoy sightseeing shopping. If your heritage traces to Scotland, the Royal Mile has any number of shops that can provide you with your proper tartan, kilts and other traditional garb.

The Edinburgh Bear Company is a popular stop for teddy bear collectors

Within a few minutes walk of the castle is Bacchus Antiques at 95 West Bow. They offer a good variety of items for collectors, including antiques and memorabilia related to Golf, the game invented In Scotland.

The Royal Mile Gallery is located at 272 Canongate , and here you will find antique maps and engraved prints from the 1550s to 1880. Their Email address is James@royaImilegallery.co.uk

Gordon Inglis Antiques is a quaint shop at 8 Barclay Terrace, specializing in ceramics from 1850 to 1940. Email them at Gordon@inglisantiques.com

High on our list of places to stop when in Edinburgh is the Museum of Childhood, where there are several floors of displays of books, dolls, toys and teddy bears.

Woollen goods are plentiful an d inexpensive in Scotland as our partner Rosemary Hayes discovers on a regular basis!

Museums often provide vital information in dating items from our own collections. The Museum of Childhood is located at 42 High Street.

HELPFUL HINTS
If you want reasonably fast food service and great food, Pubs in Britain can provide it. We always head for the nearest pub for our noon meal, and frequently seek one out for dinner as well. A popular spot In Edinburgh is Deacon Brodie's Tavern.

When planning your visit, pack a bag with everything you need to take with you, then unpack and leave half of it home! Travel light and wear comfortable clothing. Britain tends to be cooler than the weather back home in the summer, so we take along jeans and sweat shirts, with layers of clothing to fit the weather.

Take along a collapsible soft duffle bag to pack your gift and collectible purchases in. The number one question we get the last few days of our tour to Britain is "Where is the nearest luggage store?!!". Remember too that most merchants will arrange to ship your purchases home, avoiding the hassle of lugging everything with you for the entire trip.

Contents © 2001 David Ross and Britain Express