Edinburgh Vacation Ideas

Edinburgh, the cosmopolitan capital city of Scotland, is known as the 'Athens of the North'. The nickname was gained because of the number of classical style buildings found in it's Georgian New Town and the many other historical buildings which can be found around, virtually, every corner of the city.

Edinburgh is the most popular vacation destination in Scotland and one of the most popular in the whole of the United Kingdom, with Edinburgh Castle of of Britain's most popular tourist attractions. The city has a rich and colorful past with a history steeped in murder and intrigue. So many of the world's most famous people are of Scottish descent and some of the most infamous characters can be found in Scotland's history.

With such a deep and disturbing past it will come as no surprise to find that Edinburgh has countless ghosts, ghouls and spirits. Paranormal events occur almost daily and are reported from all sectors of society. Some reports are, obviously, more credible than others, Edinburgh has a large student population and, after a good night out, students often report strange and spooky happenings which they have witnessed on their walk home. However suspicious such reports sound few can deny the sincerity of reports of ghosts witnessed by the likes of the governor of Edinburgh castle.

Just before Cromwell's troops besieged Edinburgh Castle, a ghost of a drummer drumming a warning of an attack was witnessed by many of the castle's guards including the governor himself. The castle has several other famous ghost's including a phantom piper who can be heard piping along the Royal Mile, strangely the sounds appear to emanate from below the ground. Apparently a piper had been sent along a recently discovered tunnel while soldiers followed the sounds above ground. When the sounds suddenly stopped, rather than investigate, they bricked up the entrance and spoke no more if the incident, that is, until reports of a ghostly underground piper began to surface.

At the foot of Edinburgh's Royal Mile can be found the Palace of Holyroohouse which has two well known supernatural phenomena associated with it. One of these is associated with the secretary, and close friend, of Mary Queen of Scots, David Rizzio, who was brutally murdered in her room. Pregnant at the time she fainted at the sight of a manic crowd stabbing him endlessly and the ceaseless pools of blood that the furor created. Apparently, even though countless attempts have been made to remove the blood stains, every now and again they reappear, to be scrubbed away again only to reappear again.

The shear number of ghosts and supernatural phenomena experienced in various locations throughout Edinburgh has created a great deal of interest. To satisfy the great demand several companies offer ghost tours of the city. If you are planning a vacation to Scotland and are in the process of booking an Edinburgh hotel, consider making some enquiries about these ghostly tours as we are sure it will add an exciting edge, which can be enjoyed by all of the family.

Phil Hamilton writes extensively for travel and accommodation sites about the U. K. (United Kingdom) where he has lived for the past 35 years. Although Phil spends most of his time staying in England hotels he also travels extensively in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.