Touring Edinburgh and the Lothians

Edinburgh is the historic and culture capital of Scotland. This more than 1000 year old city has been the centre of the country for years. The Royal Mile in the old town still holds much of its medieval feel, at the top of it is Edinburgh Castle. This imposing castle sits on top of a volcanic rock and can be seen virtually through-out the city. Walking though-out the old town and its narrow closes (alleyways) you can imagine how it was during the medieval ages. In the centre of the Royal Mile is the heart of midlothian which is here many people were hung in the dark ages, it is ritual to spit in the heart as you walk by. Across the road you will find and interesting pub named "The Last Drop", this is where the convicted had there last meal with a drop of whiskey. Sitting in the same square is the Tron Kirk and St.Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh's religious focal points for about 900 years. A short walk a way from high street is Greyfriar's Graveyard, home to Bobby, a dog that capture the heart's of the children of Edinburgh, the story has been re-created by Disney in a few films. The Graveyard has also a much darker history before Bobby, used as a prison for the Covenanters, and synonymously visited by bodysnachers (grave robbers). At the bottom of the mile is Holyrood Palace, used as the Royal Residence since the 15th century. Other interesting things to see in the old town are, the Whisky Heritage Museum, Edinburgh Woollen Mills, John Knox House, Camera Obscura and the Edinburgh Vaults.

Adjacent is Edinburgh's New Town and its famous Princes Street which is the high end shopping centre of the city. Sitting across the road on the gardens side is the Sir Walter Scot monument, otherwise known as the Gothic Rocket, 287 steps up a the narrow spiral staircases is a great panoramic view of the city and its surroundings. Behind Princes Street is Rose street; a pedestrian street lined with pubs and restaurants from start to end. The tourism office is located at Waverly Centre where you can obtain information on sights of Edinburgh and Scotland, Playhouse shows, Edinburgh Festivals and more. Discover the city on a hop on hop off bus tour.

Midlothian surrounds Edinburgh, home to the Pencatland Hills with great views of the city. A great location for hiking, biking, and other nature activities. But a must see is the Rosslyn Chapel, included in the Dan Brown novel and movie with Tom Hanks "Da Vinci Code". Rosslyn Chapel is an important landmark of Scottish History, the surrounding hills have indured many battles including a famous battle where William Wallace led 8,000 Scots to defeat the 30,000 strong English army. The beauty of the building has been written about from such great Scottish poets as Robert Burns and William Wordsworth.

East Lothian is a nice side trip from the city; quant towns, unspoiled beaches and rolling hills. Home to some of Scotland's best and oldest golf courses such as Dunbar, North Berwick, Musselburgh, Gullane and The Open Championship course at Muirfield (22 golf courses in total). Sights of East Lothian include Tantallon Castle, Glenkinchie Whisky Distillery, Dirleonton Castle, North Berwick Sea Bird Centre to the Bass Rock, Belhaven Brewery (oldest beer in Scotland) and the Museum of Flight; home of the Concord. Haddington is also a nice town to visit.

West Lothian, once known as Linlithgow, is on the route from Edinburgh to Glasgow, while is not particularly marked as a tourist destinations there are a few interesting places to stop and visit enroute. Linlithgow Palace - Birthplace of Mary Queen of Scots, Hopetoun House stately mansion with a park overlooking the River Forth, Cairnpapple prehistoric burial site, and Blackness Castle are a few sights worth visiting.

The Lothians have for a long time in history been the glue that holds Scotland together. Home of the Kings and Queens of Scotland, and its land has been the scene of many of battles for Scotland's fight for independence. Be sure to contact one of our tour specialist to customize a tour here.

Recommended Tours in Edinburgh and the Lothians
• Edinburgh City Hop on Hop off Tour
• Edinburgh Sightseeing Day Tours
• Ghost Tours of Edinburgh
more tours

Recommended Hotels in Edinburgh and the Lothians
• The Scotsman 5*
• Radisson BLU Hotel Edinburgh 4*
• Holiday Inn Express Edinburgh - Royal Mile 3*
more hotels

Small Group Sightseeing Tours Scotland

Scotland Tours. Enjoy a stress free organized tour of Scotland. Just pack your bags and we'll take care of the rest. Various tours start from Edinburgh and also Glasgow. Tours to famous places in Scotland such as Loch Ness, Oban, Glencoe, Eilean Donan Castle, the Isle of Skye and more. These tours of Scotland are based on small sightseeing groups, ranging from 5 to 16 people, in the summer the groups can be a bit bigger. The unique experience of touring Scotland with a tour guide that is passionate about the country, knowledgeable and eager to make your tour both informative and enjoyable will be one to remember. On this edition of Go Scotland Tours Newsletter we will explain what small group tours in Scotland are available.

Enjoy a short break tour to Loch Ness and the rolling hills of the Scottish Highlands. Loch Ness is home to the famous monster affectionately called 'Nessie'. Here you can visit the Loch Ness Visitor Centre with information and photos of sightings of the monster. A stop at the historic Urquhart Castle is a must with its beautiful views of the Great Glen. Take a 2 day tour with overnight at Inverness, the capital of the highlands, or a short tour including Eilean Donan Castle and Fort William with views of Scotland's tallest mountain, Ben Nevis. If you only have one day then enjoy a full day touring Loch Ness and the Highlands from Edinburgh or Glasgow.

When visiting Scotland you must take time to tour the Isle of Skye with some of the best views in Britain. The island of Skye there are many possibilities to tour natural and historic sights, such as the Quiraing mountain pass, Kilt Rock, and also the famous Cuillin Hills. Take a 3 day tour solely dedicated to exploring the isle of Skye, or combine Skye with other great tours of Scotland, like the 4 Island Magic Tour or Scottish Highland Explorer Tour.

Scotland holds many other opportunities to include on a grand tour of the country; Outer Hebrides Scotland Adventure Tour, Orkney Explorer and Far North of Scotland Tour, and tours to the Scottish Borders where you can visit Rosslyn Chapel which was part of the Da Vinci Code story. Also take an opportunity to see how the nation's favourite spirit is made on a whisky tour, for those whisky lovers enjoy a 4 day tour to the Isle of Islay to visit its many distilleries.

It is also possible to base yourself in Edinburgh or Glasgow and take full day tours returning each day. There are various day tours available to such sights as Stirling Castle, Loch Lomond, Oban and Mull, the Scottish Borders, St. Andrews and more day tours. Or tour the city at your leisure on a hop on hop off sightseeing bus tour. For those more daring can take a ghost tour of Edinburgh.

If you can't find what you are looking for on goscotlandtours.com be sure to contact a tour specialist. If you prefer to tour Scotland with a private guide we can customize a tour tailor-made to your request.

We look forward to seeing you in Scotland soon!!!.