Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland, part of the United Kingdom, located in the Central Belt region of the country. Watched over by the imposing Castle - the symbol of the city - Edinburgh combines medieval relics, Georgian grandeur and a powerful layer of modern life with contemporary avant-garde. You are able to see the whole of Edinburgh from the top of Edinburgh's Arthur's Seat, an extinct volcano which is one of Edinburgh's top tourist attractions.

The throbbing night-life centre of the Scottish north, Edinburgh - "the Athens of the North" is also a feast for the mind and the senses, playing host to great restaurants, shops and an unequalled program of city festivals throughout the year. Hogmanay - the Scottish New Year - kicks off the festivities, which culminate in the high summer with the Tattoo, the International and the Fringe, amongst many others.

The Old Town area of Edinburgh, with its crowded testaments, stands in complete contrast to the highly organized grid of Edinburgh's New Town area. The Old and New Towns of Edinburgh were listed as World Heritage Sites by UNESCO in 1995. There are stunning views from almost every street and many popular tourist attractions throughout Edinburgh.

Things to see and do

* Edinburgh Castle
* Arthur's Seat
* The Real Mary King's Close
* Gladstone's Land
* Museum of Scotland

General information

Cruise Season - March to Nov
Currency - Pound Sterling (£)
Language - English and Gaelic
Land Area - 78,782 km² (Scotland)
Population - 453,000
Electricity - British-style plug with two flat blades and one flat grounding blade
Time -GMT/UTC plus 0 hours
International Country Telephone Code - + 44

Port Location - Ocean Terminal is located at Leith Docks, in North Edinburgh. There is a bus service to the city centre. It is a 10 minute drive from Princes Street and 15-20 minutes drive from South and West Edinburgh.

Transport Links - Edinburgh International Airport is situated some 10 miles west of the city. Edinburgh Airport offers a wide range of domestic and international flights to Europe and North America. The city is served by the major inter-city bus companies from around Scotland and England. Most long distance services start and end in the Bus Station in St Andrew Square.

As there is no underground or subway in Edinburgh and only limited commuter train service, the city's buses provide the chief method of public transportation. Edinburgh is convenient for the visitor who likes to walk, as most of the attractions are along the Royal Mile, Princes Street, or one of the major streets of the New Town.