Historic Sites in Easter Balgedie

"Even if you are not a fan of politics, The Scottish Parliament would be a good sightseeing spot. Not only is the building itself really interesting, you can watch a parliamentary session, it hosts art exhibitions and has a lovely modern garden that you can explore. If you want to know more, The Scottish Parliament also offers a selection of free guided tours focusing on the different aspects and functions of the building."

"If you fancy a tour of how democracy works in Scotland, book yourself a tour of the Parliament. In a building known to turns heads with its modern architecture. The tours are informative and allow visitors a great glimpse into understanding politics and culture in Scotland, and the United Kingdom, in general."

"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."

"Speaking of villages, if you make it to Circus Lane, you should definitely head a little further out of the city centre to Dean Village. This is a wonderfully picturesque oasis that sits in a valley formed by the “Water of Leith”, Edinburgh’s main river. There’s plenty to photograph down here, but certainly the highlights include the colourful houses and the river, as well as the huge 19th century bridge that spans the valley above, transporting traffic across and away, and leaving Dean Village as a place that time seems to have almost forgotten."

"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."

"The Water of Leith is the main river which flows through Edinburgh and it passes through Dean Village. As a result the splendid architecture of Dean Village reflects perfectly in it. For this reason, this is a top Edinburgh Instagram spot."

"Address: 43-45 High Street, Edinburgh, EH1 1SRVisitor guide:John Knox House. John Knox’s house in the middle of The Royal Mile is a historic building that was reputedly lived in by the Protestant reformer in the 16th-century. Although Knox only lived in the house for a short time it’s his association with the building that prevented it from being demolished in 1840 when many other derelict buildings were being torn down."

"Getting to John Knox House : Located on the Royal Mile, the museum is a 6 minute walk from St Christopher’s Inns Edinburgh. Photo credit: David Ross. John Knox (1514-1572) was a Scottish minister, founder of the Scottish Presbyterian Church and leader of the Scottish Reformation."

"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."

"Located close to the castle and featuring a vast cobbled square surrounded by pubs, restaurants and shops, it’s the perfect place for dinner and/or to have a drink in a relaxed atmosphere. In the past, in addition to being a market place, Grassmarket square was also the place where public execution took place. Hopefully nowadays, the atmosphere is a lot more joyful!"

"The site of a cattle market from the 15th century until the start of the 20th century, the Grassmarket has always been a focal point of the Old Town. It was once the city's main place of execution, and over 100..."

"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, so called because it covers roughly a mile between Edinburgh Castle and reaches down through the city centre towards Holyrood Palace (the Scottish Residence of Elizabeth II). A stroll down this main road, listening to the bagpipes and entering all the small shops which line its two sides is simply one of the best things to do in the Scottish capital."

"The plans to construct an iconic city hall in Edinburgh were sparked in 1896 by Andrew Usher, renowned whisky distiller, who promised to fund the project. In 1914, Usher Hall was built by architects Stockdale Harrison and Howard H Thomson, a magnificent and classical beaux-arts-style concert hall which stood in defiance against the Victorian Gothic architecture so commonly found within the city of Edinburgh. Situated on Lothian Road in the west of the capital, Usher Hall is instantly recognizable with its curved walls, geometric precision and intriguing exterior design, featuring famous Scots such as Sir Walter Scott and Robert Burns."

"Usher Hall is Edinburgh’s premier concert venue and a must-visit for fans of entertainment and culture. The hall was built in 1914 and features beautiful architecture, including a curved exterior decorated with panels of famous figures such as Sir Walter Scott and Mozart. The hall has historically been used for a variety of events, including concerts, political events, and sporting events."

"4 km from city center 9 out of 11 places to visit in Edinburgh. The ruins of this castle is a major tourist attraction in Edinburgh. It is located just after the Holyrood Park, almost 5km from the centre of the city."

"Visit the National Museum of Scotland or the National Gallery In the centre of the city, not far from one of the main great parks, you’ll find one of the best free things to do in Edinburgh in the form of the National Gallery. Filled with picturesque paintings and priceless artworks, it’s well worth a visit. Incredible works of art by artists such as Andy Warhol, Sir Henry Raeburn, and Robert Maplethorpe can all be found there."

"In the heart of the city, the National Museum of Scotland is a great especially for children. If they enjoy learning while playing then the Adventure Planet gallery will be the perfect area for them. From deep sea diving to archaeological digging, your kids will have hours of fun inside this wonderful and magical museum."

"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 Queen's Gallery, located in the Palace of Holyroodhouse, was opened by Her Majesty The Queen in November 2002 as part of the Golden Jubilee celebrations. Now, it hosts a programme of changing exhibitions from the Royal Collection. A worthwhile stop on a visit to the Royal Mile."

"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."

"The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art — also known as "Modern One" — is another must-visit for art enthusiasts. Here, you'll find displays of paintings by Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso; surrealistic works by Rene Magritte, Joan Miró, and Max Ernst; and contemporary paintings by Bruce McLean, Callum Innes, and Gwen Hardie. The gallery is also well-known for its impressive collection of sculptures."

"The Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art is housed in 2 historic buildings. Art lovers will be in their element viewing the over 6000 pieces on display. For the latest exhibitions visit the official Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art website."

"Edinburgh's gallery of modern art is split between two impressive neoclassical buildings surrounded by landscaped grounds some 500m west of Dean Village. As well as showcasing a stunning collection of paintings..."

"Located at the foot of the Salisbury Crags, Dynamic Earth is a five-star museum that takes you on an incredible journey through Earth’s history. Using a combination of interactive exhibits, you can see, feel, and hear the momentous events that shaped our planet. Try standing beneath the Aurora Borealis in the Polar zone, where it’s so cold that you can see your breath, while your fingers and toes go numb."

"I’ve lost count of the number of times we visited Dynamic Earth as we used to have a yearly membership. This is a fantastic place for children (and adults) of all ages. You’ll embark on a journey through time and space where you’ll learn all about our planet earth – how it evolved from the Big Bang to present day."

"If you like fun, interactive science museums, then Dynamic Earth is a must-visit. Right next to the Scottish Parliament building and underneath the stunning backdrop of the Crags and Arthur’s Seat, Dynamic Earth tells the story of the history of the Earth."

"There’s nowhere quite like the World of Illusions and the range of illusions you’ll find over the five floors here – not to mention the fantastic views of Edinburgh from the rooftop. The 166-year-old Camera Obscura is still the highlight – I remember being wowed when I visited. There’s a 15-minute show with a guide telling tales of Edinburgh history, while showing off the whole city from the rooftop tower using the Victorian contraption, where images of what’s outside are displayed in the room."