ROSLIN, EDINBURGH AND SCOTLAND
Also in the village is a memorial cairn marking the site of the Battle of Roslin, where on 24 February 1303, 8000 Scots (including Sir William Wallace) faced an English army of 30,000 men. Three bloody encounters later, incredibly, the battle ended in victory for the Scots, and gave the country new hope for independence from England 11 years later (through King Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314).
And it wouldn't be Scotland without a castle! Roslin has one in the shape of the picturesque 15th century Rosslyn Castle, which sits high above a bend in the River North Esk and the deep, wooded Roslin Glen. (The castle also features in one of the final scenes of The Da Vinci Code film.) Dorothy Wordsworth (sister of the English poet William) wrote after their visit to Roslin Glen in 1803: "I never passed through a more delicious dell than the Glen of Rosslyn". And she's right - it's a beautiful place to walk in. Roslin was also the birthplace of Dolly the sheep in 1996 - the world's first cloned animal.
In the county of Midlothian itself there are many other things to see and do and you can read more here.
Whatever happens you'll have a GREAT holiday in Roslin, enjoying the close proximity to a truly historic and beautiful Capital city and all its attractions, whilst at the same time being able to escape, at the end of the day, back to the quiet of Scottish village life.
Click here to see the Rosslyn Chapel website.
Click here to see a Roslin information page.
With a population of just over 480,000 people, it's a small city in world terms, but it has an incomparable position, situated between the sea to the front, and high hills behind. Its superb architecture ranges from 10th century chapels to monumental Georgian and Victorian masterpieces, all dominated by Edinburgh Castle, the symbol of Scotland.
The whole city centre area is a World Heritage Site and has two distinct parts to it. The "Old Town", with its crowded tenements, centred on the Royal Mile (High Street), stands in contrast to the orderly grid of the 17thC "New Town". There are wonderful views from every street and the whole city is a photographers paradise.
Edinburgh Castle dominates the city. It's a fantastic castle to visit and has much to see within its walls - especially the ancient Scottish Crown Jewels . From the Castle ramparts, the views of the city, hundreds of feet below, are amazing.
During August, the Castle's Esplanade also plays host to the spectacular Edinburgh Military Tattoo (you have to buy tickets for it in January each year, as demand is so high). The Tattoo forms a part of The Edinburgh International Festival & Fringe (the world's biggest arts festival).
Museums and art galleries abound and all are FREE to get into. Other attractions include the new Johnnie Walker Whisky Visitor Centre on Princes Street - Edinburgh's main street; the Scottish Parliament building; the time-travelling `Our Dynamic Earth` attraction; Edinburgh Zoo; The Royal Botanic Gardens; and Holyrood Palace (The King's official residence in Scotland).
The Royal Mile in the Old Town is crammed with places to see including St. Giles Cathedral, Gladstones Land (a recreation of what life was like in 16thC Edinburgh), The Scotch Whisky Visitor Centre and the haunted Mary King's Close as well as lots of tartan shops.
All in all, you're going to love visiting Edinburgh!
As a family we don't just see the world, we also love to tour around Scotland, so can give you lots of advice about where to go if you wish.
You should definitely consider going on a day trip to the Highlands whilst you are here, as the scenery really is spectacular! We'd certainly recommend a day trip to The Trossachs.
The Highlands actually start only 1 hour drive away from the house: where all the classic Scottish scenery can be found: lochs, mountains, whisky distilleries, castles and deserted white sandy beaches,
To the south of us is the romantic Scottish Borders area, rich in grand historic houses, ruined abbeys, beautiful gardens, high rolling hills, and pretty towns and villages with quaint shops.
We're also situated less than an hours' drive from the cities of Glasgow and Dundee and three hours' drive from Inverness and Aberdeen.
Sporting opportunities abound in Scotland. There are 27 golf courses alone within Edinburgh and hundreds more dotted around the country. Fish in some of the best trout and salmon rivers in the world including the Tay and the Tweed, only an hour away from the house.
Scotland is all waiting here for you. What are you waiting for?
