Edinburgh’s Top 5 Art & Culture Spots: A Local’s Guide

Edinburgh, right, it’s quite a place, known for its history and lively art scene, you know. There’s so much to explore, and sometimes it’s just a little tricky figuring out where to start. We’re talking world-class museums to cozy little galleries, that are hidden down cobbled streets. As I see it, I’ve put together a guide to the five spots you just can’t miss, that is, if you want to get a genuine taste of Edinburgh’s art and culture, right?

1. Edinburgh Castle: History carved in stone, apparently

Edinburgh Castle, naturally, it’s not only a cool, like, tourist attraction, but seriously, it’s basically the heart of Scotland’s story, that is. Sitting high on Castle Rock, it’s pretty much impossible to miss, just about. Anyway, over the centuries, the Castle has actually been a royal residence, that too it’s a military fortress, but you should know that. I think walking through its gates is more or less like stepping back in time; I’d say you almost feel the echoes of kings and queens, soldiers and rebels.

The Crown Jewels, right, and the Stone of Scone are for sure inside, very important symbols of Scotland’s identity. You might want to explore the Great Hall, too, right? This would be used for huge state events; I mean it’s filled with armor and weapons, which gives you a sense of the Castle’s, kind of, martial past. I suggest you take a guided tour, it helps get the real stories and secrets hidden within those massive walls. Seriously, even if you aren’t like that big a history person, you’ll still find it really interesting, just you wait.

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2. The National Museum of Scotland: More or less, Scottish stories for all

Okay, so, the National Museum of Scotland, is just this treasure house for anybody that’s even slightly into history, you know? You could spend pretty much a whole day just wandering, right, and getting lost in the vast collections, it’s actually almost impossible not too. You might want to see everything from ancient artifacts to natural history displays; too it’s, like, right there under one roof. Basically, the museum actually does a really awesome job telling the story of Scotland. That would involve Scotland’s story being shared with the world through, frankly, amazing exhibits.

One thing that’s very much worth seeing, too, arguably, the Lewis Chessmen, they really are something quite something; ancient Viking chess pieces that they found over on the Isle of Lewis, which is pretty cool, right? Also, if you are the type of person who might be keen to know a bit more about Scottish engineering, just you wait. Basically, they do a super exhibit showing some Scottish innovation from the Industrial Age. Actually, this place, this isn’t just a museum. This place, I mean it’s pretty much a celebration of Scotland, isn’t it? The way I see it is this is for anybody curious about this place.

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3. The Scottish National Gallery: Actually, some masterpieces, that are all for free

The Scottish National Gallery, really, sits right smack in the center of Edinburgh; basically, you really can’t beat it. Here’s a building filled with artwork, just you wait, and frankly it’s all for you, yeah? Well I’m saying that it doesn’t cost a thing. Very, very great way to, in a way, spend an afternoon just gazing over paintings that show the talent of Scottish artists over history. I actually feel a certain something seeing pieces by names like Ramsay and Raeburn, really gives you some connection to the area and all the famous people around there.

This very museum is actually all home for work by some pretty impressive artists, you could spend forever, apparently. With names like Botticelli, Raphael and Van Gogh showing that they are worth checking out, I’d say. The Scottish National Gallery just doesn’t look pretty, but instead it’s educational about history too. When you can’t beat something for a free day out, there really is more reason to, for instance, make that memory, no?

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4. The Palace of Holyroodhouse: You know, right at the foot of the Royal Mile

So, just a little down the Royal Mile from Edinburgh Castle is the Palace of Holyroodhouse, or I would just call it Holyrood Palace, still there is that big posh mouthful of a name, there you go. If I think of today, anyway, it’s pretty much where the Royal Family stays when, apparently, they’re visiting Scotland, you should know. Actually, this place comes packed with just amazing history, right back to the 16th century and all these big stories concerning Mary, Queen of Scots, that is. Seeing her chambers, right, where important meetings and frankly, quite dramatic events went down really makes history actually almost feel close and real.

Plus the ruins just next door with that fancy name, Holyrood Abbey, so I feel these are totally something you should look at, yeah? Built way back in the 1100s and what is now just stone skeletons does really make it look amazing if I can be just quite so frank. Wandering, I suggest wander in the Palace gardens you can see, anyway you want; or picture to some other events from way back and who got together at them. Anyway, Palace of Holyroodhouse lets you catch views that have been here for years; or maybe get a wee peek inside where people still do things.

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5. Arthur’s Seat: More or less the greatest views of the city

Right then, and after all this culture that makes use of just your eyes you need to walk some now, okay? So you get just pretty close to the heart of the city to get Arthur’s Seat, in a way, right? Pretty much any day you want, yeah? Basically, you need only go for a bit; anyway take your rucksack; it means there’s pretty awesome views up on top. That means Edinburgh on one side or further out the Forth bridges out there, there really is much up here.

Even if this might be like getting out of Edinburgh it is still a part in the life of the capital as such. Basically this is one of the reasons so many people go and see where the capital began in a place surrounded by these quite amazing hills. Make time in this way with the top things and see what is up above Arthur’s Seat; now this makes so much sense and also pretty cool.

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