EDINBURGH

Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden was created in 1670 to aid in the scientific study of plants for medicinal purposes. Today, the garden is used for conservation and study, as well as being a popular tourist attraction. The current building was obtained in the early 19th century, including the Temperate Palm House which was built in 1858. The palm house is the tallest in Britain even today. Around 275000 plants can be found in the garden today, spread across 70 acres of beautiful landscaped gardens. The diversity of the plants on show means that each new area of the garden is a wonder to explore. On site is Inverleith House an 18th century mansion that is now used as an art gallery. The gallery features a constant rotation of contemporary art with a focus on Scottish artists. Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden is a delightful place to spend a sunny day amongst flowers, plants and culture.
 

In the heart of the Old Town under the watchful eye of the lofty sandstone buildings of the North Bridge and besides bustling Waverley Train Station lies one of Edinburgh's foremost exhibition spaces. Since its debut in 1974, the Fruitmarket Gallery has championed contemporary art in the capital and offered support and encouragement to local and international artists, whether they be up and coming talents or Turner Prize winners. At The Fruitmarket Gallery, their program of events is full and their scope wide with a buzz of creativity in the air.
 

This grand theatre was originally a huge cinema and it opened in 1929 but it had a major refurbishment in the 1990s and is now one of the most popular venues in whole United Kingdom for musicals and concerts. The Christmas shows are popular but there is also a steady season of dance shows and musical theatre. It seats over 3000 people which make it one of the largest theatres in the country in terms of audience capacity. Tourists will find it at the top of Leith Walk in the east end of Edinburgh and there are lots of lively bars and restaurants nearby.
 

The National Library of Scotland is the focal point for the study of its history and culture. It houses millions of documents of inestimable value manuscripts, books and maps with pieces dating back to the Middle Ages and more than 32000 digitized films, the oldest date from the early 20th century. If the library's collections are readily turned to the past, as evidenced by the oldest printed books in Scotland a copy of the Gutenberg Bible the first book printed in Europe using moving characters in the 15th century or the last letter of the Queen of Scotland Mary Stuart written six hours before its execution. Scotland's largest library offers free access to some of the most popular literary archives in the world.

Situated at the foot of the Castle and nestled amidst its churchyard and an abundance of greenery is St. Cuthbert’s. It is widely believed that a church has been standing in this spot since 850 AD making it technically Edinburgh’s oldest building. The architecture and decoration of the church is particularly ornate which made it a source of some controversy when it was first designed. Make sure to spy out the stained glass depiction of David meeting Goliath one of only a few Tiffany Glass Company windows in the United Kingdom.
 

Usher Hall is Edinburgh’s premier concert venue and a must visit for fans of entertainment and culture. The hall was built in 1914 and features beautiful architecture including a curved exterior decorated with panels of famous figures such as Sir Walter Scott and Mozart. The hall has historically been used for a variety of events, including concerts, political events and sporting events. Usher Hall is particularly popular for classical musical performances and is praised across Europe for its high quality acoustics. Usher Hall is the place to attend one of its many concerts and take in some modern culture in historic surroundings.