Scottish beauty — Edinburgh

The capital of Scotland is an unparalleled beauty as the city is full of Georgian and neoclassical architecture. Edinburg has two distinguished parts, just like as we have old and new Dhaka, and both these parts boast specific sites worth visiting.

The city, a world heritage site, is roughly around 100 square miles, with an elevation of almost 50 meters above sea level. The natural beauty blending with the architectural heritage makes it among the most beautiful cities.

As a tourist, it takes at least two days to do justice to the capital seeped in traditional, iconic buildings. The fact that almost all the attractions are in close proximity to each other, which takes away the hassle of commuting great distances.

It is best to have an early breakfast, as the Scots are early risers and mornings are rush hours at restaurants and eateries. Once you are done with the meal, get a city map and study which places to go to first. If you are undecided, get on a hop-on-hop-off bus available throughout the city. Tickets are valid for a day and within this time you can use the bus as many times as you want.

The entire route has 14 tourist destinations. Hop off at each of the places, visit it and hop on another bus. An added bonus of the bus ride is the audio rendition on the places as the bus pass by them.

The must-see spots are Edinburgh Castle, Scott Monument, Scottish National Gallery, National Museum of Scotland, Museum of Childhood, John Knox House, Museum of Edinburgh, Scottish Parliament, First Minister's Residence, the Palace of Holyrood house, Nelson Monument, etc.

The Calton Hill is also a must-see place for those who want a bird's-eye view of the city from the height of more than 103 feet from the ground. Most of the photos and paintings of Edinburg, as we see on television and movies, are taken from this hill.

After sundown, the city reveals another finer aspect. The well-lit roads and the evening breeze makes the long stroll down the city street an enchanting experience. If you are a keen observer, on cloudless nights you can even see the aurora borealis, better known as northern lights! On weekends, the streets take new forms and it is perhaps the best time to get the true taste of an urban living at the Scottish capital.

Souvenir shops are aplenty but it is best to leave it for the last, as extending stay in the capital can be quite expensive.

Edinburgh, unlike most capitals around world, is neither the biggest nor the most densely populated city in Scotland; that 'honour' goes to Glasgow! Yet, Edinburgh justifies its position as capital due to the administrative offices, the historical buildings, the monuments and the cultural attractions. As the Scottish weather varies immensely with the seasons, the best time to be there is between July and September.

Photo: Samiul Raijul