The character and atmosphere of Scotland located on the North part of the British Isles can't be mistaken, emerald green fields, lilac tinted hills, shinning lakes, historical castles, men in tart and kilts, bagpipe music and golden whiskey. Edinburgh has been the capital of Scotland since 1999 again and with around half a million population, it’s the second most populous city of the country. The Scottish parliament is in session here. Edinburgh is the center of education and scientific life and it’s the second most important center of finance after London.

Its museums, theaters, concert and exhibition halls make the city a cultural center. On the side of Princes Street towards the valley, the first flower clock of the world was made in 1903. It consists of about 24,000 flowers. Scotland is proud of its poets and writers and the country is abundant in memorial place is commemorating them. In Lady Stairs House dating back to 1622 Scott, Burg and Stevenson are remember in an exhibition. Scotland has given not literally men to the world but also several scientists such as Alexander Fleming the inventor of penicillin, Lord Kelvin, James Watt who developed the steam engine and Alexander Graham Bell the inventor of the telephone.

Sir Walter Scott was the greatest master of the genre of the historical novel. The monument in Princes Street was made soon after his death. George Meikle Kemp worked in the Gothic style a 61 meters high and 287 stairs lead up to its top, which is at the same time a look out tower. The writers statue was made by Sir John Steel. The region of Princess and Row Street is one the 10 busiest centers of retail trade in the whole of great Britain. It’s best known department stores Genera’s is also called Harrods of the North. Of the sites, the building of the old parliament Saint Giles’ Cathedral and Gladstone’s Land deserved being mention.

Gladstone’s Land is the home of the rich merchantman from the 17th century, which is remain in its original form. In its neighborhood, the Scottish whiskey heritage center can be found and we can also see the outlook tower from the terrace of which there is a beautiful view over the city complete with bagpipe music. In Edinburgh over 700 pubs can be found, most of them in Row Street which locals call the street of the pubs. And the pubs not only drinks but also food is served.

We can try a coco-leek soup, which is made from chicken, leek and rice, haggis which is stuffed with innards and are similar to a sausage, Aberdeen Angus steak and butterscotch tart with caramel as dessert. And they can be washed down with strong local beer. Castle Rock from where we can see valley of the river forth has been the residence of Scottish Kings since the 10th century. Cotton Hill is a hill rising 100 meters above the city and can be seen well from almost any point of the city. The 33-meter high tower was build in honor of Edward Nelson. There’s an unfinished monument on the hill in Athenian Parthenon style as well an old royal observatory.

Royal Mile is the center of the old town. Princess Street, which is parallel to it, separates the old town from the new town. In the deep valley between them a river flows. The railways is also here and the main railway station, Waverley as well. We can get a picture of the geography and history of the city at the Royal Museum of Scotland. Bobby the sky terrier wouldn’t leave away from his owners grave. For 14 years, Bobby went to have lunch at Great Fryers Pub but when he heard the gunshot at one, he returned to guard his master’s grave. After his death, he was buried next to his owner and a statue was made in his memory. The most important culture that live in Edinburgh is the festival held every August and the military tutu following it, which is a military parade.

Besides this, a book and film festival are also held at that time as well as French, which is a mini festival by amateur artist, musicians, mimes and acrobats. Deacon Brodie’s pub was named after city councilor William Brodie who was often here. The man who lived a double life gave Robert Lowe Stevenson the main idea to write his world famous novel Dr. Jeco and Mr. Hide. Brodie worked as an official by day but at night he rock in pillage. The irony of faith is that he was executed in the gallows that he had perfected.

Shops delight tourist with several typically Scottish souvenirs such as tart and clothes and textiles, as well as products made of good quality wool. And accessory the full custom is as pour on which is a kind of ornate purse and another was dirk which is a short knife. Glass manufacturing is also famous, ancient Celtic motifs are used to ornament glass as well as metal objects. We can choose from several kinds of Scottish whiskey but we can also buy Scottish beer, liquor and tea as souvenirs. Pipe smoker as pleased with the good tobacco from the highlands and short bread, which is a kind of biscuit, consumed with marmalade and tea is also popular.

Marmalade is a Scottish invention. The wife of a green grocer was the first to make it when her husband, were sold a large amount of unmarketable bitter oranges. Orange marmalade is sometimes flavored with whiskey, honey or ginger. It’s known that every clans kilts, ties and other garments are made with their own individual tartan. After the battle at—it was forbidden to ware the ancient costume for nearly 100 years, if you did, you will sent to prison. Mean while the patterns of large that have been forgotten and then a textile maker had the idea to make a new collection from which the leaders of the clans could choose and the chosen pattern would be reserved for them and named after them.

Since them there have tartans bearing the name of McDonald, Campbell, Kennedy, McCload, and McKenzie. At—exhibition in the huge hall shows how the plan is made. It’s a complete complex where we can learn everything about tartans and the costumed made of it called kilts. The kilt was first born by necessity. In the Scottish high lands where the weather is rigorous the costume of the people consist of the wool blanket which is wrap around their waist and across the shoulder and water proof by sheep towel. This costume is only worn at special occasions today, so it’s become quite ornate.

The members of the royal family also wear it when they visit Scotland. The huge square in front of the entrance of the castle in Edinburgh is the esplanade. It used to be the side of executions in military borides. Unfortunately, today when the ladder takes place in August during the military tutu. A rod iron well is located on the site where witches to be burnt. The ornate gate was built on the 100 years ago in place of a feature less entrance in the castle wall. In front of it there’s an honor guard changing every hour and visitors like taking photo’s of the ceremony. The castle itself was built on a 135 meter high based like cone of an inactive volcano, like almost every castle this also developed continuously.

King Edwin for whom the city was named may have had the first torches built in the 6th century. Robert Bruce had the pervious building destroyed in 1313 so that they wouldn’t belong to the English. Then the rebuilt castle was a royal residence for centuries. On the side of the rock exploded during construction a system of dungeons was established. It was use as a storeroom and prison. During the time of Napoleon many French soldiers were imprisoned here they're encryptions graved in the wall can be seen even today. The military prison was redecorated and its display is populated with wax figures. In the former building of the guards, the Museum of Royal Dragoons can be found.

The oldest building in the castle is the small Margaret chapel. The Princess for whom the castle was named was Edward Atheling’s daughter and she was brought up with her sister and brother, Christine and Edgar in the royal cord of the Hungarian King Saint Steven. Later she got married to the Scottish king Malcon II. They had a lot of children and four of their son sat on the thrown of Scotland. The castle has three rows of guns. A gunshot is shot at one o’clock from of the guns of Mills Mount. Why is the gunshot at one o’clock and not at noon? Because then they should shoot 12 and well we are in Scotland.

Jacob IV had the palace in crown square build in 1430. 130 years later Mary Stewart born his son here. The most beautiful room in the castle maybe the salon which, was build for royal ceremonies. It was also used for parliament sessions, it’s worth looking at its ceiling with beams which have been nicely redecorated and have a look at its plentiful collection of weapons. The crown jewels in the stone of destiny are also displayed in the palace. The Scottish royal crown with its rigid destiny is at least 400 years older than the English one.

The maze was last due in 1707 when the two parliaments were united. And then the crown jewels were locked in a case and walled up. Sir Walter Scott was allowed to bring them to light and display them only 111 years later. The stone of destiny was the Block of Stone that the Scottish kings put their feet on during their coronation ceremony. The English took it to West Minister Abby where it was a part of the English groom for centuries. In 1950 and it was stolen by Young Scott’s but they had to wait for 47 years until it was officially allowed to bring it back to Edinburgh. Many people think the original stone was ornamented with engravings and was hidden in 1296.

Legend has it that Scotland will regain its independence when this original stone is found. The Scott’s have always loved legends. We can encounter the memory of Robert Burns the best-known Scottish poet that many places in the country. He was born in Alloway and died in Dumfries but he spent the majority of his 37 years in Edinburgh. In August the whole city in the fever of the festival, there are six programs running parallel. It’s impossible to avoid the actress of the French even if we wanted too but why would we want too.