I love festivals: apple festivals, music festivals, art festivals -- anything that brings a conglomerate of entertainment. I also love historic cities, complete with castles and storied pasts. For these reasons, I had always wanted to visit Edinburgh, Scotland, the world-wide home of festivals, with an imposing castle overlooking its city, and a storied past involving one former Queen of Scots.
Edinburgh is a fantastic European city to explore with families. The English-speaking country (albeit it there were times I could barely understand my quick-tongued Scottish friend's accent) is easy to maneuver and filled with lots of attractions that are friendly to both parents and children. One may never even have to leave Old Town, which begins at Holyroodhouse palace, former home of Mary, Queen of Scots and current home to Queen Elizabeth II, and climbs up a historic Royal Mile (literally one mile to its end), where the imposing Edinburgh Castle awaits. It is in this castle fortress that one of the biggest annual festivals in the world occurs: the Military Tattoo. Thousands descend upon Scotland to watch the parades of Scottish clans with their bagpipes and drum fifes, as well as arts, books, comedy, music, science, theater and other festivals that welcome the world.
Scotland is filled with friendly people, eager to open their country to foreigners, especially those with a bit of Scottish in them looking to find their heritage. Stores a plenty feature tartans of Scottish clans, as well as other tributes to the Scottish heritage (it made me wish I was Scottish!). Families will love the friendly faces, the bagpipe music, the festivals, the old and new attractions, and a quiet reprieve on Arthur's Seat, with Edinburgh spread out before them, beckoning for more exploration.
Edinburgh Family Vacations
Edinburgh Family Vacations
Families will love:
- Fun family-friendly festivals
- Castles and parks
- The Military Tattoo and bagpipes galore
Written by Lissa Poirot
Read more about Edinburgh Attractions
Best Edinburgh Family Hotels
© Copyright 2012. The Independent Traveler, Inc.
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All rights reserved. This file may be downloaded for personal
use only. Other copying or reproduction is expressly prohibited.
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