Edinburgh.
It is a city of contrasts, and ancient. It is full of beautiful architecture, dark secrets, intellectual giants, and inner stubborn strength.
Humans lived in the area for thousands of years. There is evidence of a settlement from 8500 BCE. Bronze and Iron Age peoples lived there, on Arthur’s Seat, Pentland Hills and Castle Rock. The Romans discovered a Britonnic tribe in the 1st century CE. The fort was called Din Eidyn, likely on Calton Hill or Arthur’s Seat, one of the seven hills of the city.
The Angles took charge of the area in the 7th century and held it for nearly 300 years, and then passed to the Scots. It became a royal burgh under King David I in the 12th century, and has been central to Scotland ever since.
As a result of this rich and varied history, the architecture of the city is delightful and fascinating, earning it a UNESCO designation. Some of the highlights include St. Giles Cathedral, Calton Hill, Edinburgh Castle, Holyroodhouse and Holyrood Abbey, the Scott Monument, Mary King’s Close, John Knox House, Riddle’s Court, New Town and the much-debated Scottish Parliament House. Walking tours abound in each area, and you can wander to hidden places down cobblestone alleyways.
The highlight of my own trip was walking up Arthur’s Seat to see the city laid out below me. It was quite a hike for me, as I was quite out of shape, but it was well worth it.
Most tourists start – and end – with the Royal Mile, but there is so much more to the city than that small area. Explore, wander, have a pint, and enjoy the city!
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Don’t miss information on Celtic myth and history, as well as practical travel planning tips, and hidden places, in my travel books.
– Stunning, Strange and Secret: A Guide to Hidden Scotland
– Mythical, Magical, Mystical: A Guide to Hidden Ireland
More info at Green Dragon Artist :: Home ,
Christy Jackson Nicholas, Author , and
Tirgearr Publishing – Christy Nicholas
Celtic Fairies, Fables, and Folklore! Bestselling author (top #100 Amazon Canada, #1 in Paranormal Fantasy, Amazon Canada) Christy Nicholas, also known as Green Dragon, is an author, artist and accountant. After she failed to become an airline pilot, she quit her ceaseless pursuit of careers that begin with 'A', and decided to concentrate on her writing. Since she has Project Completion Disorder, she is one of the few authors with NO unfinished novels. Christy has her hands in many crafts, including digital art, beaded jewelry, writing, and photography. In real life, she's a CPA, but having grown up with art all around her (her mother, grandmother and great-grandmother are/were all artists), it sort of infected her, as it were. She wants to expose the incredible beauty in this world, hidden beneath the everyday grime of familiarity and habit, and share it with others. She uses characters out of time and places infused with magic and myth. Combine this love of beauty with a bit of financial sense and you get an art business. She does local art and craft shows, as well as sending her art to various science fiction conventions throughout the country and abroad. Facebook: www.facebook.com/greendragonauthor Homepage: www.greendragonartist.com Blog: www.greendragonartist.net Twitter: www.twitter.com/greendragon9
Historical fantasy, time travel adventure, and urban fantasy 
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