The city of Edinburgh has remained at the pinnacle of Scotland’s history for generations, becoming one of the most visited destinations across the country.
For 500 years, it has stood as the capital of Scotland since stripping Scone of the prestigious honour in 1437.
Sweeping around every corner of the vibrant city lies a rich piece of history, from its striking architecture to its monuments remembering just some of Scotland’s greats, such as novelist, poet and playwright Sir Walter Scott and philosopher Dugald Stewart.
However, with time comes the introduction of contemporary elements such as prospective new developments and businesses.
One such business thriving in the midst of Edinburgh’s everlasting history is the Radisson Collection Hotel.
Located on the Royal Mile, the five-star hotel offers top-class accommodation for today’s intrepid explorers.
Towering above Edinburgh’s Old Town, the Radisson provides captivating views across the city and the vibrant streets below.
The hotel, which boasts 136 bedrooms and suites, is the only five-star hotel on the Royal Mile, providing guests with a contemporary restaurant, flagship bar and spa.
During my recent visit, I was lucky enough to enjoy a room on the fifth floor offering panoramic views of Arthur’s Seat and beyond. The twin room was finished to an impeccably high standard, offering a range of modern features.
From the friendly staff to its exquisite ambiance, this boutique hotel is the perfect home away from home for visitors seeking the best of what Edinburgh has to offer.
With the heart of the bustling city on your doorstep, there are endless possibilities of things to do, places to see and hotspots to visit. For intrepid explorers who enjoy absorbing the culture and atmosphere of their chosen destination, Edinburgh’s city bus tours are the perfect opportunity to absorb all the city has to offer in one go.
A variety of tours are on offer each day ranging from Edinburgh City Sightseeing tours – taking in the Scottish Parliament, Holyrood House and the captivating Edinburgh Castle – to the majestic tour, transporting you outwith the busy city to the tranquil surroundings of the Royal Botanic Gardens, the Royal Yacht Britannia and Leith’s stunning shoreline.
During my trip, I boarded the hop-on hop-off City Sightseeing bus giving you an hour’s tour of some of Edinburgh’s most pivotal points.
From the Old Town to Edinburgh Castle and the hustle and bustle of Princes Street, I was transported through time via the multilingual commentary onboard.
This tour enabled me to see parts of the city I didn’t know existed and gave me a greater appreciation of Scotland’s capital.
If you are looking for something quirky and a little different to brighten up your trip, then visiting the Museum of Childhood is an absolute must.
Located just 500 yards away from the hotel, the museum showcases around 60 rarely seen objects from across the generations relating to childhood life, learning and play, transporting you back to the happy memories of your past.
If history is your thing, there are several monuments across the city just waiting to be explored.
Situated within Princes Street Gardens is the Scott Monument, constructed in the 1840s in honour of Scottish writer Sir Walter Scott.
The gothic-style monument is one of largest of its kind in the world. Meanwhile, towering above Edinburgh’s city centre is its famous castle.
The 12th Century fortress resides on Castle Rock, which was formed after a volcano erupted more than 340 million years ago.
More than one million people visit the castle each year, to capture a slice of Scotland’s rich history through a series of timeless buildings including the National War Museum, The Great Hall and the Honours of Scotland: The Scottish Crown Jewels.
If retail therapy is your idea of a great day out then you are not going to be disappointed either.
With a range of retailers situated in the city’s Waverley Mall and the length of Princes Street, visitors can shop till they drop across a range of national brands and local retailers.
Food enthusiasts are well catered for in the capital too. Situated just yards from the Traverse Theatre and The Usher Hall, Dine lies at the centre of the city’s best entertainment.
The contemporary brasserie, champagne and cocktail lounge offers mouth-watering delicacies across both its a la carte and lunch menus, accompanied by a selection of tempting desserts.
The restaurant exudes class and elegance, leaving diners spoilt for choice.
With a wide selection of delicacies to choose from, I opted for the restaurant’s roast breast of corned chicken accompanied with burnt onion puree, grilled mushrooms, confit leek, fondant potato and confit leg bon bon.
The meal was cooked to perfection, with polite and friendly staff on hand to assist at any given time.
It was the ideal way to end our action-packed stay in Edinburgh.
The holiday
- Radisson Collection Hotel, Royal Mile Edinburgh, 1 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh EH1 1AD
- Phone: 0131 220 6666
- Visit: www.radissonhotels.com
- A Collection Premium Room, with Skyline View, costs £139.50 per night