Edinburgh Hotels: The Perfect Base for the City

Scotland’s capital, Edinburgh is a culturally rich city that acts as the perfect introduction to Scotland for many first time visitors to the region. With a rich cultural heritage and plenty of famous landmarks, you’ll find that Scotland has attractions suited to the pickiest of all tourists, with the dungeons and aquariums ensuring that there’s even enough to keep young visitors entertained. It also has a range of world-famous festivals, such as the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival and Edinburgh Military Tattoo. However, even if festivals don’t take your fancy you’ll find that there are plenty of castles, villages and parks to keep you occupied and plenty of cheap hotels for you to choose from:

Climb to Arthur’s Seat
Edinburgh’s extinct volcano, is the highest of the city’s seven hills and offers those that make the strenuous climb fantastic views of the city below. From the top of the peak, you can enjoy breath-taking views of Edinburgh and the surrounding countryside. While there, visit the Our Dynamic Earth museum for an in-depth look at the geographical processes that shaped Scotland’s varied landscape.

Go on a Ghost Walk
Edinburgh is one of the most haunted cities in the world and has several famous ghosts who are said to walk the city streets at night. For a detailed look at the city’s paranormal activity, book a ghost tour of the city. You can journey into the vaulted chambers below The Royal Mile – this underground area is supposedly the most haunted place in Scotland. At the end of your tour, escape to one of the brightly lit, comfortable Edinburgh hotels where you can enjoy a delectable meal and forget about things that go bump in the night.

Taste a Bit of Scottish History
At the Scottish Whisky Experiment you can learn many incredible tidbits about Scotland’s most famous drink, from the difference between whisky and whiskey to what differentiates a blend from a malt. The interactive tour, which includes a thrilling barrel ride and stop in the tasting room, tells the story of Scotland’s most famous drink. At the end of the tour, you can visit the shop where you can use your newly found knowledge of Scotch whisky to choose souvenir bottles for your friends and loved ones back home. Afterwards, stumble back to one of the affordable hotels for a good night's sleep before your next day of adventure.

Admire the City from Afar

If you want to experience the beauty of Edinburgh from afar then sail across the Firth of Forth to Inchcolm Islands, where you can admire beautiful vistas of the city. You can catch the Maid of Forth ferry from South Queensferry for a three hour ferry ride and a one-and-a-half hour stop on the island where you can tour its impressive abbey.

Get Lost in a Scottish Maze
Traquair Castle, located 29 miles outside of Edinburgh is famous for its maze though it does offer visitors a wealth of other attractions, including a brewery on the grounds. The maze was planted in 1981 and meanders over an acre and a half of the grounds.