Latest news with #StGiles'Cathedral
The National
17-07-2025
- The National
Edinburgh Victoria Street targeted by vandals as police investigate
At least 10 shops on Victoria Street in Edinburgh's Old Town had graffiti tags sprayed on their windows, stone walls and doors over the weekend. Police Scotland said it had received a report of the vandalism and inquiries were ongoing. Victoria Street is popular among tourists and influencers for its colourful buildings and cobblestone pavement. (Image: Getty Images) It is often cited as an inspiration for the fictional Diagon Alley in the Harry Potter series. Shopkeepers have said that the street, which links George IV bridge and the Grassmarket, has been "wrecked" after the "absolutely mindless" vandalism. Andrew McRae, who owns three shops on Victoria Street, told BBC News: "I've been doing business in the Old Town for a number of years and I've never seen anything on this kind of scale before with one street being so badly targeted and damaged. READ MORE: Dog owners warned of 'toxic bacteria' after Scotland heatwave "Victoria Street is one of the most picturesque and beautiful streets in the city if not Scotland and a great deal of time and effort is spent by the independent business owners to keep it in that condition. "So to come in to work and see this trail of destruction – I was very shocked and it was very demoralising." Another shop owner, John Bowman, told the broadcaster: "I was annoyed like everyone else would be when I saw the graffiti. I've had to buy paint to cover it up as it won't clean off. "It's not good for tourism. The authorities should do something about it but they won't." Part of the graffiti attack at the weekend saw the 900-year-old St Giles' Cathedral targeted as well as other monuments and stone buildings in the Old Town, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Removing graffiti from historical buildings is a difficult task and can require specialist equipment and knowledge to do so without damaging the building. READ MORE: Warning not to swim in two Fife beaches due to pollution Stephen Jenkinson, City of Edinburgh Council's environment convener, said: "First and foremost, defacing any building with graffiti is a criminal offence and I'd encourage anyone with any information on the culprits to contact the police. "This type of mindless behaviour damages the local environment for everyone, whether they be residents or visitors, and wastes time and money on removing it. "We've invested in a dedicated graffiti team who will be happy to offer advice to private owners on how best to deal with it and, if requested, to remove it (on a cost recovery basis)."
Scotsman
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
From the Royal Mile to Arthur's Seat: Exploring Edinburgh's Icons
If you're taking a short city break to Edinburgh, there's a lot you can do in just a few days. Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... At times it can feel as if the Scottish capital boasts a monument a minute as you take an Edinburgh free walking tour and take in the city's sights. With everything from a Hogwarts-inspiring castle to a historic hill sporting views of the city, you'll find plenty to keep you entertained when staying in Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Edinburgh Castle: The Crown of the City Edinburgh Whether or not you choose to believe that Edinburgh Castle inspired Hogwarts Castle from the Harry Potter franchise, the castle is one of Edinburgh's most famous landmarks and towers above the city. Dominating the city's skyline, Edinburgh Castle isn't just sat atop a hill at the end of the Royal Mile, it's perched upon an extinct volcano which is believed to be more than 350 million years old. The castle's strategic position atop Castle Rock is what made it such an important military stronghold during Scotland's turbulent past. Visiting the castle, you'll get the opportunity to explore many of its historic rooms, halls, and chambers at your leisure. For example, there's the Great Hall, where Scottish monarchs would once host lavish ceremonies Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You can also watch the daily One O'clock Gun salute if you time your trip right, which dates all the way back to 1861, when it was first used to help ships sync up their maritime chronometers in the Firth of Forth. Plus there's the impressive Scotland Crown Jewels on display, as well as the Stone of Destiny, which would have been once used to adorn and distinguish Scottish monarchs. The Royal Mile: A Journey Through Time On your way to and from the castle, you'll find yourself on The Royal Mile. A collection of streets that make up the Old Town thoroughfare of Edinburgh, you'll find plenty to keep you entertained on this stretch. The historic street is just longer than a mile at 1.81km, and is home to many of Scotland's most important historical buildings. The imposing tenement structures, known as 'lands', give it its distinctive character, buildings which were once used as places of residence to bring together people from all social classes under one roof. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad You'll also find St Giles' Cathedral on The Royal Mile, which is an excellent example of Scottish Gothic architecture along with the Thistle Chapel that's home to impressive emblems and wooden carvings. Don't forget to stop off at one of the city's many whisky distilleries, shops, and experiences while you're on The Royal Mile to sample some local scotch whisky. Arthur's Seat: Edinburgh's Natural Wonder Seemingly opposite Edinburgh Castle lies Arthur's Seat, a dramatically beautiful ancient volcano that offers visitors incredible panoramic views of the city below and Edinburgh Castle in the distance. If you're in the mood for some moderate physical activity and you're prepared to face the bracing winds, you can climb Arthur's Seat to be more than 251 meters above sea level and enjoy various walking routes around the volcano. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The best place to trek up Arthur's Seat is arguably near Holyrood Palace, as you'll get to experience diverse terrain and geology on your hike. On a clear day, you might even be so lucky as to see the Scottish Highlands way off in the distance. Enjoy the Sunset from Calton Hill Offering another unique perspective of the city from above is Calton Hill. Sporting some of the best views of the city, as well as several important monuments such as the Dugald Stewart Monument which you can see from the city, Calton Hill is a fantastic place to take in the sites you've already visited and enjoy a sunset over Edinburgh. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad This is one of the best spots to take photos of the city and surrounding areas, so be sure to bring your camera for the trek. Enjoy the Blend of Nature and Architecture in Edinburgh Edinburgh is a city that offers something for everyone, whether you're looking for a demanding hike with rewarding urban views, or stunning architecture and ancient monuments.
