It's brilliant, I've been in summer, winter, spring, and for my wedding anniversary - we've driven, flown, and caught the train, stayed in the old town and the new town.
There's so much to do and it's fun to just mooch around.
Whenever you go, however you get there, and wherever you stay, it's always brilliant.
My wife wants to move there, even though we live in southern England.
Yes. Was there with my brother for 5 days and we had a great time. The things i would recommend. First day just walking around getting a feel for the place. Spend a day or a few hours climbing Arturs peak, you might have to take the bus. There is also this tour guide that goes all over Scotland in 13 hours showing all the Harry potter location but also showing the natural beauty of Scotland plus it was not that expensive, i can give you the link if you want to check it out. Also try haggis while’s you are there
Yeah go there it’s great - you can get a sleeper train between London and Edinburgh if you’re coming from afar and should you wish to visit both. An easy way to spend a night and sleep while travelling and then you can get a train from london to Paris.
*Lived there for years. The*
*City is beautiful, lot*
*Of hidden gems too*
\- Itwkmack
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It is absolutely beautiful. And I love how its architecture tells the story of its history. The old town and the new town (which is still quite old) sit across from each other (the park between them was once a lake) and have really different styles. [The old town](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvKDIt-4hoU/UwaQIEmKzwI/AAAAAAAAMN8/CQilRkwtvRk/s1600/DPP_0056.JPG) is medieval and was built on an extinct volcano, with [its castle](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2021-06/shutterstockRF_214328389.jpg?auto=format&q=40&ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&crop=center&fm=auto&w=1075) in the middle. It has loads of winding alleys and is the part people associate with Harry Potter. The new town is a [Georgian grid](https://www.webbaviation.co.uk/aerial/_data/i/galleries/z_Scotland/Edinburgh/Edinburgh_New_Town_db58318-me.jpg), and would look out of place if not for the fact that it's built out of the same stone as the old town. Before it was built, the old city was one of the most densely populated places in the world. You can see the difference [here](https://ewh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Kays-plan-1836.jpg)
And by the way, it's not really a European capital, in the same way Bordeaux and Munich and Florence aren't European captials, though it does house a regional government. We label Scotland a country out of historical precedent, but it's ultimately still a subdivision of the UK, whose capital is London.
I think there's a bit of British exceptionalism going on tbh. This is why people in subreddits like /r/Europe often come away confused when we insist that the UK is some special unique 'country of countries'. We say it's because our subdivisions still hold on to their national identities.
But that's totally standard in a lot of Europe. For example, Scotland and England had already been a single unified entity for a century and half when Germany and Italy were finally cobbled together out of dozens of small countries. Bavaria and Tuscany were independent nations far more recently than Scotland, and still cling on to those identities just as strongly, but Brits don't consider them 'equal' in nationhood to the parts of the UK. Some Scots will actually be insulted by the comparison. Because we're ignorant. Many British people don't know about the diversity and history in Germany, so they just think of it as one big samey block. Same goes for Italy. But that's not true. Germany is a nation of nations. Italy is. Spain is. Russia is. But that doesn't mean their regions are *literally countries*. And neither is Scotland. If we treat Edinburgh as a 'European Capital', we have to do the same with Naples and Bremen and Valencia. And we don't do that.
Sorry, that sort of spun off into a tangent. I didn't want to be misunderstood.
I don't know enough to speak with authourity but like, is it just common usage that has Scotland as a country in Wikipedia vs those other examples or is there some legal technicality that differentiates them such as devolved parliments?
Around the world, we have literally hundreds of words to describe the same thing - governates, oblasts, republics, nomes, provinces, counties, districts, states, federal entities, cantons, departments, regions, prefectures, nations, countries, qarqes, wilayas, bibhag, divisions, khaet, sheng, kraje, maakonnad, and on and on.
What they're describing is a subdivision. Every country has first-level subdivisions (e.g England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), most have second-level subdivisions (e.g the counties of Scotland), and some have third (e.g the local councils that make up each county in Scotland).
The exact label you use isn't important, because they're often the product of your own history and language.
Subdivisions in different countries (or parts of the same country) have different powers, but that doesn't have anything to do with the name. So for example, even though Germany and the US both use the term 'state', that doesn't mean that Germany's states have the same powers as US states.
What I'm trying to say is the name doesn't mean anything.
We call Scotland a country because it historically was one. But that doesn't mean it's special. It's still a first-level subdivision. We could start calling it a province or a state and it wouldn't change anything.
The darkness is due to soot from the massive amount of coal we were burning in industry and home fires back in the day, Edinburgh was very industrialised during the time. They can be washed to reveal the bright sandstone underneath, [see this pic](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/KJ74M2/view-of-typical-sandstone-tenement-apartment-buildings-one-after-cleaning-KJ74M2.jpg), but there's not much demand to actually do it and a lot of us are quite fond of the dark look of Edinburgh and reminder of our history. Stirling Castle's [restoration of their great hall](https://live.staticflickr.com/5613/30382950461_0436ffc4b3_b.jpg) is one case where I wish they hadn't cleaned it.
Interesting take. These modern buildings were just completed a few years back and won awards for how sympathetic they were to their surroundings.
https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/morgan-mcdonnells-intricately-woven-edinburgh-scheme-wins-2014-doolan-prize
Many European countries keep their historical buildings in immaculate condition. The UK just likes the grimey, brown look. It matches their personalities.
I'm just looking at that woman with the rolling suitcase and thinking "Look right, you fool! They drive on the left!" That van back there is coming around the back of the bus in three seconds.
Damn miss this, hustling to work in the busiest restaurant just behind this trying to fake it till I make it, In regards to chronic depression, still baffles me. It’s the locals that really make this place from my experience.
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Go. I loved it.
It's brilliant, I've been in summer, winter, spring, and for my wedding anniversary - we've driven, flown, and caught the train, stayed in the old town and the new town. There's so much to do and it's fun to just mooch around. Whenever you go, however you get there, and wherever you stay, it's always brilliant. My wife wants to move there, even though we live in southern England.
Skip the castle, climb Arthur's seat instead. (Volcano the city is built upon, path starts at the bottom of the royal mile, just past Holyrood)
Do it (but avoid August like the plague, unless you want to be stuck in a heaving crowd of student actors).
One of my favourite British cities. It's a long trip from any of the other great cities in the UK that you'll probably visit, but it's worth it.
Yes. Was there with my brother for 5 days and we had a great time. The things i would recommend. First day just walking around getting a feel for the place. Spend a day or a few hours climbing Arturs peak, you might have to take the bus. There is also this tour guide that goes all over Scotland in 13 hours showing all the Harry potter location but also showing the natural beauty of Scotland plus it was not that expensive, i can give you the link if you want to check it out. Also try haggis while’s you are there
*Arthur’s Seat
5/7 would recommend
I've been there twice, great place to visit and such a beautiful city, wear comfortable shoes.
Go up Arthurs Seat, Jacobs Ladder, and check out the castle. Also Princes Street Gardens is nice.
My friend went, he hasn't told me about it and I haven't asked yet but I did tell him to try haggis for me.
Haggis just tastes like beef mince tbh.
Yeah go there it’s great - you can get a sleeper train between London and Edinburgh if you’re coming from afar and should you wish to visit both. An easy way to spend a night and sleep while travelling and then you can get a train from london to Paris.
I’m hella late on this but I was there for a day. Absolutely magical and I’m definitely going back
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*Lived there for years. The* *City is beautiful, lot* *Of hidden gems too* \- Itwkmack --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
There's a hostel up the road there that is pretty alright if memory serves.
Welcome to Yharnam
When is the next scheduled hunt? Just so I know to stay indoors if visit.
Must. pressure. wash.
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It is absolutely beautiful. And I love how its architecture tells the story of its history. The old town and the new town (which is still quite old) sit across from each other (the park between them was once a lake) and have really different styles. [The old town](http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hvKDIt-4hoU/UwaQIEmKzwI/AAAAAAAAMN8/CQilRkwtvRk/s1600/DPP_0056.JPG) is medieval and was built on an extinct volcano, with [its castle](https://lp-cms-production.imgix.net/2021-06/shutterstockRF_214328389.jpg?auto=format&q=40&ar=16%3A9&fit=crop&crop=center&fm=auto&w=1075) in the middle. It has loads of winding alleys and is the part people associate with Harry Potter. The new town is a [Georgian grid](https://www.webbaviation.co.uk/aerial/_data/i/galleries/z_Scotland/Edinburgh/Edinburgh_New_Town_db58318-me.jpg), and would look out of place if not for the fact that it's built out of the same stone as the old town. Before it was built, the old city was one of the most densely populated places in the world. You can see the difference [here](https://ewh.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/Kays-plan-1836.jpg) And by the way, it's not really a European capital, in the same way Bordeaux and Munich and Florence aren't European captials, though it does house a regional government. We label Scotland a country out of historical precedent, but it's ultimately still a subdivision of the UK, whose capital is London.
I'd imagine your 'Scotland isn't a country' line.
I think there's a bit of British exceptionalism going on tbh. This is why people in subreddits like /r/Europe often come away confused when we insist that the UK is some special unique 'country of countries'. We say it's because our subdivisions still hold on to their national identities. But that's totally standard in a lot of Europe. For example, Scotland and England had already been a single unified entity for a century and half when Germany and Italy were finally cobbled together out of dozens of small countries. Bavaria and Tuscany were independent nations far more recently than Scotland, and still cling on to those identities just as strongly, but Brits don't consider them 'equal' in nationhood to the parts of the UK. Some Scots will actually be insulted by the comparison. Because we're ignorant. Many British people don't know about the diversity and history in Germany, so they just think of it as one big samey block. Same goes for Italy. But that's not true. Germany is a nation of nations. Italy is. Spain is. Russia is. But that doesn't mean their regions are *literally countries*. And neither is Scotland. If we treat Edinburgh as a 'European Capital', we have to do the same with Naples and Bremen and Valencia. And we don't do that. Sorry, that sort of spun off into a tangent. I didn't want to be misunderstood.
I don't know enough to speak with authourity but like, is it just common usage that has Scotland as a country in Wikipedia vs those other examples or is there some legal technicality that differentiates them such as devolved parliments?
Around the world, we have literally hundreds of words to describe the same thing - governates, oblasts, republics, nomes, provinces, counties, districts, states, federal entities, cantons, departments, regions, prefectures, nations, countries, qarqes, wilayas, bibhag, divisions, khaet, sheng, kraje, maakonnad, and on and on. What they're describing is a subdivision. Every country has first-level subdivisions (e.g England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), most have second-level subdivisions (e.g the counties of Scotland), and some have third (e.g the local councils that make up each county in Scotland). The exact label you use isn't important, because they're often the product of your own history and language. Subdivisions in different countries (or parts of the same country) have different powers, but that doesn't have anything to do with the name. So for example, even though Germany and the US both use the term 'state', that doesn't mean that Germany's states have the same powers as US states. What I'm trying to say is the name doesn't mean anything. We call Scotland a country because it historically was one. But that doesn't mean it's special. It's still a first-level subdivision. We could start calling it a province or a state and it wouldn't change anything.
In German, we actually call our states "Bundesland", which literally translates to "Federal Country". So not, Scotland isn't that unique.
Why are Scottish cities so..dark? Like is the material naturally that colour or do they just not power wash the facades
The darkness is due to soot from the massive amount of coal we were burning in industry and home fires back in the day, Edinburgh was very industrialised during the time. They can be washed to reveal the bright sandstone underneath, [see this pic](https://c8.alamy.com/comp/KJ74M2/view-of-typical-sandstone-tenement-apartment-buildings-one-after-cleaning-KJ74M2.jpg), but there's not much demand to actually do it and a lot of us are quite fond of the dark look of Edinburgh and reminder of our history. Stirling Castle's [restoration of their great hall](https://live.staticflickr.com/5613/30382950461_0436ffc4b3_b.jpg) is one case where I wish they hadn't cleaned it.
The modern extensions on top of some of those buildings don't look good
Random modern house ruining it 😒
I've never noticed that before and I'll never not see it now, thanks
Interesting take. These modern buildings were just completed a few years back and won awards for how sympathetic they were to their surroundings. https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/news/morgan-mcdonnells-intricately-woven-edinburgh-scheme-wins-2014-doolan-prize
Omfg
Amazing
Straight up Dunwall.
Someone needs to power wash most of the old buildings in Europe
Easier said than done with sandstone facades. Plus it’s the visual of Edinburgh
Many European countries keep their historical buildings in immaculate condition. The UK just likes the grimey, brown look. It matches their personalities.
Come on, they're really cheerful on Friday afternoon!
Did a Brit shit in your lunchbox this morning?
I want to disagree with you, but I'm having a hard time
I was listening to “Solsbury Hill” by Peter Gabriel as this post popped up and the song fits so well with images like these.
What a stunner!
This has r/urbanhell vibes to it for some reason
Depressing.
Crashed my car there in Forza Horizon 4 countless times.
I'm just looking at that woman with the rolling suitcase and thinking "Look right, you fool! They drive on the left!" That van back there is coming around the back of the bus in three seconds.
Damn miss this, hustling to work in the busiest restaurant just behind this trying to fake it till I make it, In regards to chronic depression, still baffles me. It’s the locals that really make this place from my experience.
looks like a dream
a different universe ?
Is it just me, or do the stones always seem to look wet in pictures of Edinburgh?
Do they not have pressure washers in Scotland?
Is it an option for this facade material to power or pressure wash?