Historic Sites in Burdiehouse

"The unconventional design has long been a topic of much debate and discussion. Some people think it's the best place to house our government, others think it's quite frankly ridiculous and would prefer a more traditional looking government building. The design has won awards in the past, but we don't think we're wide of the mark in saying it's something of a marmite structure, having featured in many lists of this nature in years gone by."

"Swing by the Scottish Parliament and see a, how shall I say this diplomatically (I made another lame funny!), rather interesting building. Yeah, the design is super offbeat and modern so you will either love it or place a curse upon the man that conceived of the building."

"The Scottish Parliament at Holyrood officially opened in 2004. This is where Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSPs) meet to debate Scottish issues. It is open to the public and there are free guided tours available, generally on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays."

"Picture perfect and pretty as a postcard, Dean Village first started out as a settlement on the fringes of the city where local millers would live. Once upon a time, eleven mills donned the river, driven by the water’s current. Now, the former mills and millers’ houses make up some of the most prime real estate in Edinburgh."

"Also in New Town, Dean Village is a former millers village built on the banks of the Water of Leith River. You can go there on foot from the city centre in about 15-20 minutes. You will see, it’s a very surprising place, contrasting greatly with the rest of Edinburgh."

"Find this picturesque view at the bottom of Hawthornbank Lane if you don’t mind climbing down to the edge of the river!"

"Located on the Royal Mile a short distance from the castle, the John Knox House & Scottish Storytelling Centre attraction is a treat for anyone interested in Scotland's rich cultural heritage. It was built in 1470 and is said to be the one time home of the protestant reformer after which it's named. A highlight of a visit is exploring the exhibits and displays related to the Scottish Reformation, a pivotal moment in the country's history."

"The John Knox House dates back to 1470, making it one of the oldest buildings in Edinburgh, as well as the oldest on the Royal Mile. Today, it’s a beautifully maintained museum that showcases the house and those who lived here, with special attention paid to the Scottish Reformation. Although it’s not on every tourist’s trail, those who do their research will be well rewarded with a fascinating trip back through time."

"Grassmarket is snuggled in the center of Edinburgh’s Old Town and is bursting with local shops and so much good food. Mary’s Milk Bar is supposed to have incredible gelato (sadly never got to visit while I was in the city), and in the summer there are stalls set up selling even more food and locally made jewelry and art. Nearby is Victoria Street, which is a chocolate box-esque street that looks like stores were literally stacked on top of one another."

"Address: Old Town, Edinburgh, EH1 2HSWebsite: The Grassmarket. The Grassmarket in Edinburgh is a bustling collection of pubs and restaurants which sit around a large open square at the southern edge of Edinburgh Castle. Because the district is so centrally located within the city you can easily find it by either walking west from the Cowgate or walking south from the Castle Esplanade."

"Walk down Victoria Street (there’s a fantastic whiskey bar there – The Bow Bar – which is my favorite in Edinburgh’s Old Town!) and you’ll end up on the Grassmarket, a cute historic square with tons of pubs and a fabulous view of the Edinburgh Castle. Visit the Edinburgh Castle"

"This palace is the royal family's official residence in Scotland but is more famous as the 16th-century home of the ill-fated Mary, Queen of Scots. The highlight of the tour is Mary's Bedchamber, home to the unfortunate queen from 1561 to 1567. It was here that her jealous second husband, Lord Darnley, restrained the pregnant queen while his henchmen murdered her secretary – and favourite – David Rizzio. A plaque in the neighbouring room marks the spot where Rizzio bled to death."

"The Royal Mile ends at the Palace of Holyroodhouse. This palace is the official residence in Scotland of Queen Elizabeth. She resides here about one week every year. When the Queen is not here, the Palace is open for visit."

"Onetime haunt of Mary, Queen of Scots, with a long history of gruesome murder, destructive fire, and power-hungry personalities, the…"

"Perhaps the most interesting of the Border abbeys, red-sandstone Melrose was repeatedly destroyed by the English in the 14th century. The remaining broken shell is pure Gothic and the ruins are famous for their decorative stonework – look out for the pig gargoyle playing the bagpipes. Though Melrose had a monastery way back in the 7th century, this abbey was founded by David I in 1136 for Cistercian monks, and later rebuilt by Robert the Bruce, whose heart is buried here."

"This is the most beautiful and complete of the Border abbeys, partly because the neighbouring town of Dryburgh no longer exists (another victim of the wars) and partly because of its lovely site by the Tweed in a sheltered birdsong-filled valley. Dating from about 1150, the abbey belonged to the Premonstratensians, a religious order founded in France, and evokes 12th-century monastic life more successfully than its nearby counterparts. The pink-hued stone ruins are the burial place of Sir Walter Scott."

"Real Mary King’s Close This is the perfect tour to learn about medieval life in Edinburgh. Journey back in time to 1645 Edinburgh, down Mary King’s Close, a real alleyway in the city. This was the year of the Black Death, when one-third of Edinburgh’s population succumbed to this terrible illness."

"Head to one of my favorite Edinburgh points of interest, the Real Mary King’s Close. Truly one of the most amazing and historically accurate tours I have ever been."

"Canongate, The Royal Mile, EH8 8DX (website) Open daily 9:30am-6pm (26 March to 31 October) and 9:30am-4.30pm (1 November to 25 March)Adult: £6.70, Over 60/Students £6.10, Under 17/Disabled: £3.40, unders 5's go free. If you like art but find conventional art galleries too big and daunting, then the Queen's Gallery is the answer, as it hosts small intimate exhibitions as part of the Royal Collection Trust. The building is a conversion of a former Holyrood Free Church and Duchess of Gordon’s School and features a beautiful teak and sycamore staircase."

"Situated at the Palace of Holyroodhouse, this gallery is one of 15 in the UK that houses the Royal Collection, the largest private art collection in the world. This is a fascinating record of the personal tastes of kings and queens over the past 500 years, comprising decorative arts, drawings, watercolours, paintings and photographs. Those that have made contributions to the collection over the years include Frederick Prince of Wales, George IV, Queen Victoria and Queen Mary."

"The Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Queens Gallery lie at the east end of The Royal Mile, opposite the Scottish Parliament. The visit is best achieved by taxi, local bus service from Waverley Bridge or tour bus. Walking takes around 15 minutes from Waverley Station."

"Proudly known as Edinburgh’s very first Michelin star restaurant – awarded in 2001 – Restaurant Martin Wishart is now one of the UK’s most highly acclaimed dining venues located in Edinburgh’s historic Port of Leith. The interior offers the perfect setting for any celebration with a charming contemporary design featuring rich wooden panelling on the walls, fresh-cut flowers and sleek furnishings. Choose from a selection of innovative and appetizing French style dishes ranging from Orkney scallops to ravioli of snails."

"Located in the port of Leith and opened in 1999 Martin Wishart has a solid reputation in Edinburgh as being one of the best restaurants in the city. Rather than piecing together your own meal from the extensive menu, it is best to opt for the six-course tasting menu prepared by the chef each evening, there are some variations available, including a vegetarian menu, and a fish menu, so that the dishes cater for a wide audience. If you are drinking have staff pick out wines to pair with each of the dishes."

"Chef and well-respected restaurateur Martin Wishart has held a Michelin star here since 2001, and standards remain sky-high at his suave flagship resta ..."

"Set in a beautiful Georgian townhouse in Edinburgh’s Royal Terrace, 21212 is an award-winning restaurant with four beautifully appointed large bedrooms, each with a dedicated lounge area. Guests are able to relax here with pre-dinner drinks before taking their seat in the dining room. with a new menu each week, the two course unch start at just £28 on weekdays."

"Since 2009, this unique restaurant has commandeered the stomachs of foodies across Edinburgh. The only Michelin Star restaurant in Edinburgh with rooms, this fine eatery is part of a boutique hotel in a Georgian Townhouse. 21212 has an ever-changing innovative and fresh contemporary menu that never fails to whet the appetite."

"The name of Paul Kitching’s restaurant is slightly misleading: instead of 21212, he offers three starter choices, then soup, three mains, then cheese and finally three desserts. Exciting and experimental, this is cutting-edge cooking."