things to do & see in edinburgh

Edinburgh has something for everyone: the world's biggest penguin pool; star gazing and planet watching; outstanding international museum collections; exotic butterflies; an aquamazing underwater adventure with sharks; a fantastic journey of discovery of the Earth; a magic gallery and hands-on illusions; 70 beautiful acres of stunning gardens and glasshouses; superb city walking and cycling; a trip into a real coal mine; state-of-the-art interactive cameras which zoom into a haven for wildlife; and the annual Easter extravaganza of science and technology, the Edinburgh International Festival, Science and Film Festival – and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

Key Shopping Streets: If you do one street, it has to be Princes Street. Shops line one side (including Jenners, the oldest independent department store in the world). The other side are gardens with fabulous castle views. George Street is the place for designer fashion and home to upmarket department store, Harvey Nichols. The Royal Mile is tourist tat central, Grassmarket is arts and crafts while Victoria Street has specialist interest shops (lace, brushes, cheesemonger, jewellers). Sunday's Ingliston Market at the Royal Highland Showground (near the airport) is a glorified car-boot sale. State-of-the-art Ocean Terminal, a leisure and retail complex designed by Sir Terence Conran, is located in Leith next door to the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Specialist Shopping :Before you leave, stock up on whiskey at the award-winning Royal Mile Whiskeys, soft and crumbly Edinburgh Rock, haggis from Crombie's (Broutheon Street, near Princes Street) and contemporary kilts from Geoffrey (Tailor) Ltd, 57-59 High Street, on the Royal Mile. Geoffrey's kilts are sported by the likes of Robbie Williams and Ewan McGregor.