Tour of Edinburgh

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Visiting Edinburgh from Ayrshire is easily done by train. Trains run between Ayr and Glasgow Central every 20 minutes. Trains call at Prestwick, Troon and Irvine on the 50 minute journey. A short walk from Glasgow Central Station to Glasgow Queen Street Station allows you to catch one of the trains that run every 15 minutes between Glasgow Queen Street and Edinburgh Waverley Stations, 40 minute travel time. Day return tickets can be bought from the station on departure or on the train itself, no need to book in advance. There are also regular coach tours from Ayrshire towns to Edinburgh, see Coach Tours for more information.

The exit from Edinburgh Waverley leads to Princess Street and vast Gardens with views of Edinburgh Castle as seen below. There are hop on hop off buses at the train station that allow a fast tour of the old city. Alternatively, you can walk up the road or trails from Princess Street Gardens to the castle. From the castle, you can walk down the Royal Mile where many of Edinburgh's main attractions and souvenir shops are situated.

At the bottom of the Royal Mile are the splendid Palace of Holyroodhouse from the 1500s and Scottish Parliament building completed in 2004. The parliament building attracts many visitors, many of which are unsure if its modern design is suited to this historic part of Edinburgh.

The reign of Malcolm III (1058-1093) saw the first stone fortification built on this volcanic outcrop that sits high above the Scottish capital city of Edinburgh. One of the oldest remaining stone buildings in the present day castle is St Margaret’s Chapel built by David I (1124-1153). Edinburgh Castle is the UK's second largest tourist attraction, only the Tower of London has more visitors.

The Military Tattoo and Edinburgh Festival is held over a three week period each year in the month of August. They attract a wide range of military bands and acts from around the world.

A short distance down the Royal Mile from the castle is a street on the right named George IV Bridge. A short walk along this street leads to the statue and graveyard of Scotland's most loyal dog (Greyfriers Bobby). When this Skye Terrier's master died in 1858, Bobby visited his grave every day until his death in 1872. See bottom of the page for the full story.

Back to the Royal Mile and a short distance further down the hill is Edinburgh's ancient cathedral. Known as the High Kirk of St Giles, its main features are the Crown Tower of 1500, extensive medieval work and the Thistle Chapel of 1910. Behind the cathedral, on its former burial ground, is Scotland's original Parliament House, dating from around 1635, but refaced in classical style. Also in Parliament Square are the Signet Library, a 1685 equestrian statue of King Charles II and the city's Mercat Cross from which proclamations are still sometimes read.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse (Edinburgh's present-day royal residence) is probably the number two 'must-see' place in Edinburgh. The oldest part is the north-west tower, dating from 1529; the rest is late 17th century work. Adjoining the palace are the remains of the 12th century Holyrood Abbey, in its present state because of a roof collapse in 1768. The Palace is open daily from 9.30am to 5.15pm from April to October and from 9.30am to 3.45pm from November to March.

Late Rooms is an excellent website for booking hotels in Edinburgh. Simply click on the banner below and view rates for hotels over the next few days. To view dates up to three months in advance, Click on the Hotels Details then use the Search Engine to view the dates you require. Rooms can then be booked using the secure online booking system.

Greyfriers Bobby

Bobby was a shaggy little Skye terrier owned by a Midlothian farmer known as Auld Jock. Bobby used to accompany Auld Jock to the market in Edinburgh each Wednesday. Auld Jock and Bobby would regularly have some refreshments in a small restaurant owned by John Traill in Greyfriers, arriving at one o'clock when the gun at the Castle went off to announce the time. The eating- place had a cosy little corner where Auld Jock and Bobby could partake of some warm food and where Bobby could curl up between the boots of his beloved master and have a sleep.

Auld Jock's death on one such visit to the market led to arrangments being made for his burial in Greyfriers Churchyard. Bobby, being totally devoted to his master, refused to leave his side. After he was buried in the churchyard, Bobby found a way in and lay on his master's grave. With dogs not allowed in Greyfriers Churchyard, the caretaker strictly upheld the rules. Bobby was soon rooted out and sent packing.

Three days after the funeral, as the time gun sounded one o'clock, Bobby who had been wandering the streets, now hungry and unkempt, arrived at the restaurant in the time honoured way. The sound of the one o'clock gun had reminded him of an old routine he had been used to. Taking pity on the little dog, the owner gave him a bun. Trying to coax the little dog to stay in the warm, Traill gave Bobby a place by the fire and the offer of a home. Bobby ran off but returned the next day at the same time. This happened every day. After a while, Traill decided to follow Bobby to see where he went. To his surprise, he found Bobby was going back to his owner's grave. Somehow he had found a way into the churchyard to be with Auld Jock and sleep on his grave. Bobby had been living there since Auld Jock's death.

Bobby began to be a celebrity in Greyfriers. People would recognise him and take time to speak to him. At the back of the churchyard was an old building that had been a hospital, but in Bobby's day, had been turned into a children's home. Bobby became a favourite with them and they kept an eye on him and Bobby in turn, became fond of them. Bobby became an important part of the children's lives because he played with them every day. Each night they would call out to him from the windows of the home that overlooked the churchyard, 'a good night to you Bobby' before they retired to bed. He became especially close to a little crippled boy named Tammy. Although the caretaker of Greyfriers tried to exclude Bobby from the graveyard, he failed. Thinking he would get the law on his side, the caretaker went to the magistrate to have Bobby dealt with like a homeless dog and removed. John Traill went to court to explain that he fed Bobby daily and that he lived on his master's grave. The orphaned children from the home went to the magistrate to plead for Bobby as well. After a lengthy argument, Bobby was granted freedom of the city and was allowed to continue living in the churchyard.

In time a little shelter was erected so he had cover from bad weather. Even through all the bad winter weather, Bobby refused to live in anyone's home. The caretaker offered a warm fire and bed regularly, only to be refused. Bobby and the caretaker had become friends. The gate of the churchyard was left off the latch so Bobby could always get back in to be by his master's grave. Auld Jock had died in1858; Bobby lived by his master's grave until he died in 1872. He had stayed with his master for fourteen years. By the time Bobby died, he was famous and well loved by the community. He is also buried in Greyfriers churchyard near his beloved master. His grave and little statue can still be seen in Greyfriers.