Things to do in Edinburgh & the Highlands

Edinburgh is built on hills and history. The castle sits on an old volcanic plug above the city, and the Royal Mile runs down from its gates to the Palace of Holyroodhouse, lined with narrow closes, church spires and old taverns. Below the Old Town, a maze of vaults and cellars hides under the bridges.

The Highlands start a couple of hours north. Day trips from Edinburgh head for the wide valley of Glen Coe, Loch Ness and the Glenfinnan Viaduct, and from Inverness, the Highland capital, you can reach the Isle of Skye and its Fairy Pools in a day.