It’s August, and we know what has lured all of you to Edinburgh—the neoclassical architecture!
While you’re here enjoying the Fringe, take some time to get to know the real city—it’s so much more than just a festival venue.
Whether you’re a regular tourist, Fringe-goer or resident, Cobble Tales' Architecture Tour of New Town will inspire you to see the city in a whole new light. Focused specifically in the New Town, this two-hour walk covers the National Records of Scotland building, Royal Bank of Scotland's main branch, Thistle Court, the Queen Street Gardens, Heriot row, George Street and the First Minister’s House at Charlotte Square.
If you’ve ever wandered down George Street admiring the sandstone uniformity, mysterious basements and majestic columns, this tour will give you enough background information to appreciate the well-thought out planning that went into creating our unique city. Two hours barely brushes the surface of even this small portion of Edinburgh, but Cobble Tales do an admirable job of covering the history, central figures and main architectural features of the area.
Although the tour is given with the assumption that most participants have some knowledge of architecture, with a lot of terminology thrown around that might as well be pig Latin to the novices amongst us, they also make an effort to explain the relevant characteristics of the neoclassical style more common to New Town. Using portraits, sketches and blueprints, our guide constantly refers back to the information we have received so far, helping us to place ourselves clearly within the modern map and historical timeline of the city.
Edinburgh is a truly fascinating place. The contrast between the haphazard, winding cobbled streets around the Royal Mile, and the deliberate, gridiron plan of New Town gives each visitor to the Scottish capital a completely unique experience. While you’re here enjoying the Fringe, take some time to get to know the real city—it’s so much more than just a festival venue. And citizens of Edinburgh, this is your chance to finally get into those private Queen Street Gardens! Need I say more?
