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Relax in the Athens of the North |
Written by Daniel Collins
Monday, 23 June 2008
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As Scotland's capital city, Edinburgh has always enjoyed a high profile. Sometimes referred to as the Athens of the North or Auld Reekie, it really comes to life when the summer festivals are on, with the population more than doubling, albeit temporarily. There many times however when you want to get away from the busy city centre streets, relax and see a bit more of this beautiful and historic place. So where's best to go for some time out? Blackford Hill on the south side of the city is one such place. The Royal Observatory is perched on top and there are a number of ways to approach it; by foot, or you can drive under the imposing Harrison Arch and up to the car park. Here you will immediately be struck by just how peaceful and quiet things can be despite being just a ten minute drive from the city centre. The jewel in the crown of Blackford Hill though is undoubtedly the stunning panoramic views of Edinburgh that it offers. You can see to the south over the Braid and Pentland Hills, or look back over the city and Arthur's Seat and Edinburgh Castle. On a clear day you can see right over the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife. Blackford Hill is rarely busy, and is the perfect place to grab a slice of tranquillity away from the packed, cobbled streets. Another delightful setting is the Royal Botanic Gardens which are only a short bus ride from Princes Street. On hot summer days the gardens can be very popular, but such is their enormous expanse you'll be sure to find a quiet corner somewhere to read a book, catch some rays or have a power-nap. You could quite easily spend a whole day there admiring the stunning collection of plants, flowers and trees while taking a long relaxing stroll. Towering majestically over the nearby Holyrood Palace and Scottish Parliament building, Arthur's Seat is one of the seven hills of Edinburgh, although it is actually an extinct volcano! The hill is popular with walkers and offers excellent views of the city from its lofty elevation of 251 metres, but despite its height, it's a relatively easy ascent. Covering a vast area it's always possible to find a secluded spot for a serene summer picnic, perhaps overlooking one of the three famous Lochs; St. Margaret's, Duddingston and Dunsapie. Early morning is a great time to go to avoid the crowds at the top and a spectacular place to watch the sunrise. The international airport which has expanded in recent years is just on the outskirts of the city so when you book flights to Edinburgh you'll be at your accommodation in no time and enjoying the magical sights of this breathtaking and diverse Scottish city. Article Source: http://www.ArticleBlast.com |
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Disclaimer: The information contained within this article is the opinion of the author and is intended purely for information and interest purposes only. It should not be used to make any decisions or take any actions. Any links are included for information purposes only.
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