The Best of Britain: Edinburgh and East Coast Scotland: Accessible, contemporary guides by local authors: Accessible, Contemporary Guides by Local Experts [Paperback]

Entertaining and revealing --The Mail on Sunday Brimming with local insider knowledge... it makes you feel like you have been let in on a local secret --Western Morning News Informative and packed with practical information --Which? Magazine

Revealing the true beauty of Edinburgh

Every year, more and more people are choosing to snub the long-haul flights and rigorous security checks and holiday in Britain. Edinburgh has been voted favourite UK city for eight years running by the Guardian and Observer and this book not only covers the capital’s stylish attractions, but also everything around, from the up and coming Kingdom of Fife, to Perthshire, East Lothian and the Scottish Borders, all written by a local writer who knows the area like the back of her hand. The Best of Britain series uniquely brings together local knowledge of the area and expert advice, to make sure you get the most out of your visit. The guide includes: - The best attractions for young couples, families and groups of friends - Recommendations from local characters and celebrities - Where to find fresh organic and local produce and tucked-away farm shops and delis - Recommended places to eat out – from quirky cafes to Michelin-starred restaurants - Wet-weather options – for when the unpredictable British weather lets you down - Great things to do with children (and where to go to get away from them!) - The best places to stay – from cosy cottages to boutique hotels - Local legends, festivals and pubs

We think this is the best guide to Edinburgh and East Coast Scotland available - and not just because we've gathered all the essential up-to-date info - but because we've really thought about what YOU want from a modern British holiday: DISCOVER comprehensive, locally sourced information from an acclaimed author who knows the area like the back of her hand LEARN local secrets about Leith, St Andrews, North Berwick, Pitlochry and Peebles from local characters who know their stuff and speak their mind SAVE time and money with our carefully selected recommendations of attractions, restaurants, pubs, hotels and local producers FOLLOW in the footsteps of the region's famous faces from JK Rowling, Irvine Welsh and Iain Banks, to Ewan McGregor and KT Tunstall ENJOY the easy-to-use design, great pictures and clear, handy maps

All of The best of Britain titles are written by local experts who are passionate about the area and really know their stuff. Vivien Devlin is an arts, lifestyle and travel writer living in her home town of Edinburgh. She specialises in writing about Scotland for a range of media including The Scotsman and The Herald. She is also a judge on the annual Scottish Hotels of the Year Awards.

The first question to ask is: Why do nearly 16 million people choose to visit Scotland each year? Scenic beauty, ancient castles, the Edinburgh Festival, golf, whisky, seafood, hill climbing or perhaps its magical touch of romance. Scotland, especially in the imagination, is an artistic tapestry of proud historic cities, towns and villages, a rural landscape of lochs, glens, forested mountains and painterly seascapes of white sand beaches, clifftops and islands - everywhere coloured by its own distinctive heritage, character and culture. `Scotland is indefinable', believed Robert Louis Stevenson, `it has no unity except upon the map'. The map for this travel guide covering southeast Scotland has been roughly drawn in the shape of a heart with Edinburgh in the centre, spanning out east, south and north to East Lothian, the Border country, the Kingdom of Fife and Perthshire. Whether you stay in the capital with a few day trips, or plan a two or three-location vacation, you can combine city attractions with a breath of fresh air in the country and beside the sea. The aim of this book is to take the reader on a richly illustrated journey to entice you to visit the very best historic sites, explore off-the-beaten-track treasures, indulge the taste buds and experience outdoor adventures. Stevenson described Edinburgh as a `profusion of eccentricities, this dream in masonry and living rock, not a scene in a theatre but a city in the world of every day reality'. Edinburgh Castle, standing defiant and indestructible above the rugged rockface, is an iconic trademark worldwide. The `Athens of the North' is a city of architectural fascination and conservation, juxtaposing the PM medieval Old Town with the Georgian New Town. As the first ever Unesco City of Literature it proudly celebrates its long-standing literary tradition from classic writers Scott and Stevenson to present-day best-selling novelists, JK Rowling and Ian Rankin. Edinburgh of the 21st century is an inspiring city of contrasts. Its Royal Palace and Castle, cobbled wynds, elegant crescents and gardens are complemented by its image today as a contemporary and cosmopolitan European capital. There are more restaurants per head of population than any other city in Britain, smart shopping boulevards, and a choice of designer boutique city-centre hotels and smart apartments. As well as the famous International and Fringe Festivals in August, you'll find a diverse and dynamic cultural scene year round with world-class museums, literary walks and ghost tours. Due to the huge university student population, expect a colourful nightlife in this lively party town. From Easter to Christmas, visitors come season by season, from springtime to winter, for a feast of festivities, sporting events and family attractions - the Taste food festival, rugby internationals, Science and Film festivals, Winter Wonderland with outdoor skating rink, Ferris wheel and Hogmanay fireworks at New Year. During your visit to Edinburgh, take time to tour further afield. You cannot afford to miss a trip to see the magnificent twin Forth Bridges, spanning the river between South and North Queensferry; stroll along a white sand beach in East Lothian; visit a whisky distillery; taste the freshest fish and chips at Anstruther in Fife; play golf on the famous Old Course, St Andrews; or be pampered at Stobo Castle Spa resort near Peebles in the Scottish Borders. The Border Country is a picturesque, tranquil region for golfing, fishing on the Tweed, mountain biking and long walks on the Southern Upland Way. Scotland is renowned for its breathtaking unspoilt scenery, and it's lochs, rivers, hills and seashore, and it's a natural dventure playground for a hike or bike ride. Go sailing, surfing and kayaking, while hill climbers should head to Perthshire to `bag' another Munro mountain. Wherever you travel, enjoy the opportunity to sample the local delicacies - Buccleuch beef, Eyemouth lobster, seafood and venison from Fife, Perthshire lamb, Loch Fyne kippers, artisan cheese. Follow the new Visit Scotland Café Trail to sample the best cup of tea or shortbread. Every region offers their own specialities, with smokeries, farmers' markets, and annual food and drink festivals. With the fi nest Scottish smoked salmon on your plate, when eating and drinking around East Coast Scotland, the world is, literally, your oyster. Browse through this guide to find a fabulous wealth of experiences and excursions for all ages and interests. Here's the lowdown on everything you need to know to enjoy the romantic charm and cultural buzz of Edinburgh, to the get-away-from-it-all peaceful wilderness of green hills, lochside and coastline around the Lowlands of Scotland. 00front section.

The first question to ask is: Why do
nearly 16 million people choose to
visit Scotland each year? Scenic
beauty, ancient castles, the Edinburgh
Festival, golf, whisky, seafood, hill climbing
or perhaps its magical touch of romance.
Scotland, especially in the imagination, is
an artistic tapestry of proud historic cities,
towns and villages, a rural landscape of
lochs, glens, forested mountains and painterly
seascapes of white sand beaches,
clifftops and islands - everywhere coloured
by its own distinctive heritage, character
and culture. `Scotland is indefinable',
believed Robert Louis Stevenson, `it has no
unity except upon the map'.
The map for this travel guide covering southeast
Scotland has been roughly drawn in
the shape of a heart with Edinburgh in the
centre, spanning out east, south and north
to East Lothian, the Border country, the
Kingdom of Fife and Perthshire. Whether
you stay in the capital with a few day trips,
or plan a two or three-location vacation, you
can combine city attractions with a breath of
fresh air in the country and beside the sea.
The aim of this book is to take the reader
on a richly illustrated journey to entice you
to visit the very best historic sites, explore
off-the-beaten-track treasures, indulge the
taste buds and experience outdoor adventures.
Stevenson described Edinburgh as a `profusion
of eccentricities, this dream in masonry
and living rock, not a scene in a theatre
but a city in the world of every day reality'.
Edinburgh Castle, standing defiant and indestructible
above the rugged rockface, is
an iconic trademark worldwide. The `Athens
of the North' is a city of architectural fascination
and conservation, juxtaposing the PM
medieval Old Town with the Georgian New
Town. As the first ever Unesco City of Literature
it proudly celebrates its long-standing literary
tradition from classic writers Scott and
Stevenson to present-day best-selling novelists,
JK Rowling and Ian Rankin.
Edinburgh of the 21st century is an inspiring
city of contrasts. Its Royal Palace and
Castle, cobbled wynds, elegant crescents
and gardens are complemented by its image
today as a contemporary and cosmopolitan
European capital. There are more
restaurants per head of population than any
other city in Britain, smart shopping boulevards,
and a choice of designer boutique
city-centre hotels and smart apartments. As
well as the famous International and Fringe
Festivals in August, you'll find a diverse
and dynamic cultural scene year round with
world-class museums, literary walks and
ghost tours. Due to the huge university student
population, expect a colourful nightlife
in this lively party town.
From Easter to Christmas, visitors come
season by season, from springtime to winter,
for a feast of festivities, sporting events
and family attractions - the Taste food festival,
rugby internationals, Science and Film
festivals, Winter Wonderland with outdoor
skating rink, Ferris wheel and Hogmanay
fireworks at New Year.
During your visit to Edinburgh, take time
to tour further afield. You cannot afford to
miss a trip to see the magnificent twin Forth
Bridges, spanning the river between South
and North Queensferry; stroll along a white
sand beach in East Lothian; visit a whisky
distillery; taste the freshest fish and chips
at Anstruther in Fife; play golf on the famous
Old Course, St Andrews; or be pampered at
Stobo Castle Spa resort near Peebles in
the Scottish Borders. The Border Country
is a picturesque, tranquil region for golfing,
fishing on the Tweed, mountain biking and
long walks on the Southern Upland Way.
Scotland is renowned for its breathtaking
unspoilt scenery, and it's lochs, rivers, hills
and seashore, and it's a natural adventure
playground for a hike or bike ride. Go sailing,
surfing and kayaking, while hill climbers
should head to Perthshire to `bag' another
Munro mountain.
Wherever you travel, enjoy the opportunity
to sample the local delicacies - Buccleuch
beef, Eyemouth lobster, seafood and venison
from Fife, Perthshire lamb, Loch Fyne
kippers, artisan cheese. Follow the new
Visit Scotland Café Trail to sample the best
cup of tea or shortbread. Every region offers
their own specialities, with smokeries, farmers'
markets, and annual food and drink
festivals. With the fi nest Scottish smoked
salmon on your plate, when eating and
drinking around East Coast Scotland, the
world is, literally, your oyster.
Browse through this guide to find a fabulous
wealth of experiences and excursions for
all ages and interests. Here's the lowdown
on everything you need to know to enjoy
the romantic charm and cultural buzz of
Edinburgh, to the get-away-from-it-all peaceful
wilderness of green hills, lochside and coastline around the Lowlands of Scotland.
00front section.