In August there are two main events: the Military Tattoo and the Festival. The first is held at the entrance tothe castle and is an amazing historical parade. The second takes place in Edinburgh with all kinds of artist, particulary musicians and actors. If yuo want to see the Military Tatoo it is better to book in advance(you can book online).

The following lists some of the main attractions.

- In the castle, (built 800 years ago), you can see the statues of William Wallace and Robert the Bruce. In the Crown Room the Honours of Scotland and the Stone of Destiny are on display, where the sovereign of Scotland was crowned. You can see the Scottish National War Museum too. Behind the museum the oldest building of Edinburgh: St Margaret's Chapel (XII Century). At 1.00 p.m. the traditional gun shot rings; it was estabilished in the XVII Century to indicate the time to the ships in the Firth of Forth. The views from the castle are spectacular and moving, perfect for pictures. Another museum is present in the castle: the Scottish United Services Museum.

- Holyroodhouse is the official residence of the Queen, built for James IV in 1498. You can visit it during most of the year.s the official residence of the Queen, built for James IV in 1498. You can visit it almost the whole year.

- The Royal Mile  links the castle to Hollyroodhouse. It is the most famous and characteristic street of Edinburgh with shops, restaurants, pubs and historical buildings. Here, during the Festival, you can see the many artists and entertainers; they made our visit very enjoyable.

- In 1120 St Giles Cathedral was built, a Gothic monument on the Royal Mile. Within it are beautiful stained glass windows, the organ and the Thistle Chapel, seat of the Order of the Thistle, supreme Scottish order of chivalry.

- Along the Royal Mile there is the Old Tolbooth Tower one of the oldest buildings of Ediniburgh. It has been a jail and now is the location of a little museum (People's story) dedicated to the common people that have lived in Edinburgh.

- The Scottish Parliament is along the Royal Mile too. It convened for the first time in 300 years in 1999.

- Grassmarket has been a central place and market-place for 500 years. Here public capital punishment was carried out with the Maiden. Today its premises and pubs give it a particular night spell.

- At the Museum of Scotland thousand of pieces are displayed: from treasures of the national patrimony to common articles.

- The Our Dynamic Earth is a show about the geography and geology of the world. The best attractions are the earthquakes simulator, the time machine, the shaking floor and the model of a pluvial forest.

Let me suggest an excellent B&B in Blackburn near Edinburgh: Cruachan Bed and Breakfast, you can visit it at www.cruachan.co.uk