A CAPITAL FOR ALL SEASONS

SCOTLAND'S capital has one of the most stunning skylines in the world and justifiably attracts thousands of tourists a year. The view of the dominating Edinburgh Castle and the Old Town finds its way into millions of photographs, but while the city centre - including Princes Street and its gardens - provides the main draw for the visitor, there are many other attractions to reward the more adventurous.

Festival time in August is best to see the city at its liveliest but accommodation can be very difficult to come by. Edinburgh's Hogmanay has also developed into a major draw for visitors from all over the world who want to enjoy the revelry of a Scottish New Year. Again accommodation is at a premium, but it is well worth making the effort, especially for the spectacular midnight firework display that heralds the new year.

But with so many interesting attractions, most within easy walking distance in the city centre, Edinburgh provides a year-round tourist haven whether for a lengthy stayor a brief weekend visit. As Scotland's cultural, financial and political centre, Edinburgh is fast becoming a mecca for gay travellers from all over the world. Many visitors come simply to immerse themselves in the history that Edinburgh has to offer, and to view the stunning cityscape.Others come to enjoy our varied nightlife and theatrical offerings, or visit the numerous museums and galleries which are among the finest in the country. Edinburgh's gay centre is vibrant and exciting, with the choice of gay venues ever-growing. Visitors are assured a warm welcome and rewarding experience.Whatever your reason for coming to Edinburgh, you will find a city that is both walkable and safe.

CITY HIGHLIGHTS

The Castle is an obvious starting point not only for its historical points of interest www.historic-scotland.gov.uk but also for the superb view it gives over Princes Street and beyond. The walk down the Royal Mile to the Palace of Holyrood house provides a step back in time with such notable buildings as the High Kirk of St. Giles but before reaching there make sure to take a detour along George IV Bridge to visit the statue of Greyfriars Bobby (right) as well as the National Museum of Scotland www.historic-scotland.gov.uk and the adjoining Royal Museum of Scotland in Chambers Street.

At the foot of the Royal Mile is Holyrood and the royal palace as well as the still to be completed Scottish parliament building while nearby, in Holyrood Road, is another of Edinburgh's newer attractions Dynamic Earth www.dynamicearth.co.uk , an imaginative millennium project which looks at the history of life on Earth From Dynamic Earth a walk into Holyrood Park is another essential for the visitor. The climb to the top of the 823 ft Arthur's Seat should take no longer than an hour and the view from the city's highest point provides its most dramatic view. Another famed view of the city is that from Calton Hill looking along Princes Street and across to the Castle and the Old Town while another excellent vantage point for the photographer is the Scott Monument in Princes Street. For the admission price of ? you can climb the 287 steps to near the top of 200ft tribute to the author Sir Walter Scott and get a bird's eye view of Edinburgh's main thoroughfare.

GALLERIES

Nearby at The Mound are two of Scotland's main art galleries, the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery of Scotland which are currently the subject of a major renovation with the building of an underground connection between the two. Edinburgh also houses two other national art collections at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Queen Street and the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the adjoining Dean Gallery at Belford Road in the city's West End.

Conveniently for the visitor a free hourly bus service connects the galleries between 11am and 5pm. Add on the various exhibitions at the likes of the City Art Centre in Market Street and other local galleries and you have a city that is a perfect haunt for any art lover.

BRITANNIA

A bus service is also available at Waverley Bridge to take tourists to another of Edinburgh's top draws, the former royal yacht Britannia, at the port of Leith. Begin at the visitor centre where you obtain an audio handset to help guide you round the vessel www.royalyachtbritannia.co.uk . The Britannia bus tour also stops at the Gallery of Modern Art and the Royal Botanic Garden.

GARDEN and ZOO

The visit to Britannia means a trip away from the city centre as it also does for two other well-visited attractions, the Royal Botanic Garden and Edinburgh Zoo. The Botanic Garden at Inverleith lies in 72 acres of landscaped grounds and is acknowledged to be one of the best in the world. It includes various glasshouses, including ritain's tallest Palm House, as well as a world-famous rock garden, a well-stocked souvenir shop and a terraced cafe with excellent views of Edinburgh.

The zoo is on the road to the airport at Corstorphine Hill and is noted for its large collection of penguins in the world's biggest zoo pool. The penguin parade where they leave their enclosure is one of a daily programme of events and another one of those Edinburgh must-sees www.edinburghzoo.org.uk

GAY TRAVELLERS 

Edinburgh has become a mecca for gay travellers around the world, with its vibrant gay scene and community. The Broughton Street area just east off Princes Street and close to all the  apartments has a trendy scene with fabulous shops, boutiques, cafes, bars, clubs and restaurants. Recomended  for tasty food and great coffee in Broughton Street is the Blue Moon Cafe www.bluemooncafe.co.uk for its relaxed atmosphere and friendly staff.