Even a decade ago everyone thought of Edinburgh first of haggis, bagpipes and Robert Burns. Today, the city on the Firth of Forth stands for modern architecture and MTV. And among Clubbers Edinburgh is an insider tip. Edinburgh, with 448 000 inhabitants, is compared to Glasgow the smaller city, but it is the capital of the country. Center of the capital is the Castle, which is situated on a rock over the houses. Directly beneath the castle is the Old Town, the historic Edinburgh, with its narrow streets. The summers are usually quite mild. The average temperature is around 21 degrees. The thermometer rarely rises above 30, it rarely falls below 14 degrees. Fresh from 8 to 10 degrees prevail in spring and autumn - ideal temperatures for hiking and sightseeing. The winters are cool and rainy rich, minus grade, however, are rarely (except in the Scottish highlands). Warm and lively clothing is therefore essential.

Calton Hill
The most beautiful views of Edinburgh you have from this around 100 meters high survey in the east of the city.

Edinburgh Castle
No trip to Edinburgh would be complete without visiting the Castle. Hide behind the walls there is the Scottish National War Museum, with the crown jewels of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny. April-Oct. 9.30am-6pm daily, Nov.-March 9.30am-5pm. £9, Castlehill

Palace of Holyroodhouse
»Queenie's time-share« funny people call the palace like that, because the monarch is in summer only a few days here. April-Oct. 9.30am-6pm daily, Nov.-March 9.30am-4.30pm. £8. Canongate

Royal Botanic Garden
The heart of the Victorian Palm House, the largest in the United Kingdom. It accommodates 5,400 species of 2400 plants. Nov-Feb. daily. entrance free. 20 A Inverleith Row

Royal Yacht Britannia
Even "Miss Marple" Margaret Rutherford was once on board. An audio tour takes you through all five decks. April through September. 9.30am-4.30pm daily, Oct. until March 10am-3.30pm. entrance £8, Ocean Terminal, Leith

The Scottish Parliament Visitor Centre
First, it was controversial, today it celebrates visitors Records: Even Scottish Ladies lined up uncomplainingly in the long queues in front of the modern building. Tue-Thu 9am-7pm. £3,50 Holyrood Road, Visitor Services.

shopping The traditional gentility of George Street is a fitting repository for expensive goods behind appealing shopfronts. For antiques, the best bets are Thistle Street, Broughton Street, Victoria Street and Causewayside, with more trendy shops selling gifts
W. M. Armstrong & Sons
Who loves special things, goes here to shop: Edinburgh's best and oldest vintage clothes started in 1840. daily. 83 The Grassmarket
Harvey Nichols
Designer collections from the handbag to the evening shoe. Luxury on four floors. 30-34 St. Andrew's Square
Royal Mile Whiskies
Whiskey? Then here: There are more than 1000 different varieties of malts and Bourbon from Scotland, and whoever likes can ridiculous pay 15 000 euros for a Glenfiddich of 1937 - or try it with a smaller version for 7,50 Euro. 379 High Street

food
Restaurant Martin Wishart
Martin Wishart cooking was a Michelin star award worth. Mon closed. 54 The Shore, Leith
The Witchery by the Castle The restaurant is located at the old castle walls. By candlelight, there's salmon or iced nougat served. And the hex? you have to do by yourself... Castlehill, Royal Mile

where to stay
The Balmoral
Among the guests include Angelina Jolie and Kylie Minogue, there's a Gym and Spa in the house, plus one of the Michelin two-star restaurant. Tip: Afternoon tea in the Palm House. 188 rooms. 1 Princes Street
Chester Residence
Stylish luxury: Five exquisitely furnished apartments in a historic townhouse. The breakfast of fruit salad and coffee is placed in a basket. 5 Ap. 9 Chester Street
The Glasshouse
Actress Meryl Streep and design knight Sir Terence Conran book in here. The five-star hotel is hidden behind an old church facade. 65 suites. 2 Greenside Place
MW Guesthouse
Nice and for Edinburgh almost cheap: white linen, modern and elegant furnishings, Scottish whiskey and some rooms with views over Salisbury Crag's. 14 rooms 94 Dalkeith Road
Prestonfield
Opulent rooms and a excellent restaurant Rhubarb, in which you can eat lamb from the Highlands and scallops from the Hebrides. 24 rooms Priestfield Road                                                                                                                                                     Rick’s More affordable, and rather hipper, is Rick’s (55A Frederick Street, £130) in the New Town.                                            Ibis The Hotel Ibis (6 Hunter Square, £50-£75) is good value.

Plane
Edinburgh Airport is located 11 km west from downtown. There are airport buses; by taxi you pay around £ 12 per trip into the city. For connecting flights inside Scotland, British Airways has a good network.

Linlithgow Palace
Linlithgow Palace was the birthplace of Mary Stuart. The ruin is picturesquely embedded in an atmospheric Park. At the end of March to September. 9.30am-6.30pm daily, Oct until early March to 4.30pm. entrance £4. M 9, 25 km west of Edinburgh