Journey Through Scotland and England

Edinburgh, (èd´n-bûr´e) capital city (1991 pop. 421,213) of Scotland and royal burgh. The city is divided into two sections: the Old Town, on the slope of Castle Rock, dates from the 11th century; the New Town spread to the north in the late 18th cent. Edinburgh is a government, finance, and tourist center. Most industry, which includes brewing and distilling, publishing, and paper milling, is situated near the city’s port, Leith. Edinburgh grew up around its 11th-century castle and became Scotland’s capital in 1437. It blossomed as a cultural center in the 18th and 19th century, with such figures as David Hume, Robert Burns, and Sir Walter Scott. It remains a cultural and educational hub and hosts an annual international arts festival.

The City is a vibrant and exciting place to visit and a warm “Liverpool” welcome is always guaranteed. The centre is alive with theatres, restaurants, clubs and attractions that are able to provide something for everyone. It is one of the world’s most famous and historic cities and its distinguished life as a centre for world trade and commerce is clearly reflected in its rich culture and architectural heritage, a fact re-inforced by being shortlisted for the City of Architecture and Design 1999. Liverpool is also host to many sporting and spectator events throughout the year, a selection of which are detailed in this
guide.

Over 2500 listed buildings are located within the area and many are built to classical designs. William Brown Street is home to a number of the city’s finest buildings including the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool Museum and Central Libraries. Nearby St. George’s Hall, constructed in an age when size and grandeur were of paramount importance, is widely
regarded as the finest neo-classical building in Europe. The Town Hall is the jewel of Liverpool’s historic buildings with its Golden Minerva sitting proudly atop the golden dome. Both of these magnificent buildings have been refurbished and feature a programme of events, public openings, exhibitions, conferences and business and private functions.

The City can also boast to being one of the greenest Cities in Britain. Relax and enjoy the pleasant surroundings of the 2400 acres of parklands and open spaces. Croxteth Hall and Country Park Estate is set in 500 acres of woodland with a working farm animal collection, miniature railway and adventure playground. The historic mansion contains period
rooms and character figures and welcomes visitors throughout the summer.

Restless, enduring and wonderful, London is Europe’s largest city. And surely, if you have the choice to visit only two or three cities of the world in your lifetime, by all means make one of them London.

The Romans started it all. The city they developed was “the square mile,” – and Londoners still hunt for Roman relics in the Thames. History is everywhere you look in London, yet today the city is as modern and metropolitan as any city on earth.

By day, London is buzzing with the frenetic pace of commerce not even Dickens could have imagined. By night, the excitement and glitter of theatres, cinemas, pubs and restaurants beckons throngs of travellers from around the world. But there is another London, a peaceful London of cool museums, quiet tea rooms, immaculate gardens and hushed churches.

There is Royal London – ancient pageantry in a modern kingdom – with its palaces, pomp and precise manoeuvres at the Changing of the Guard. And there’s outrageous London, the urban gathering ground for Cockney pitchmen, “fringe” theatre and the city’s youth, with their own distinctive style.

There is also Greenwich, easily accessed from central London by public transport, or take a more scenic route and arrive by riverboat. Notable for both its maritime history and royal heritage, it is perhaps best known for giving its name to the Greenwich Meridian (0° longitude) and Greenwich Mean Time, based at the Royal Observatory.

London, this extraordinary city of contrasts, holds a stunning abundance of hidden-round-the-corner surprises. You owe it to yourself to explore them all. Here, then, is the London you’ll come to know and remember.