I Permanent attractions
There’s more to Edinburgh and the surrounding area than just the Hogmanay celebrations. Check out Scotland’s history and culture at a host of excellent attractions open all ear round. The followin
we come in the public on Frida 1 and/or Saturday 2 January. Ma e the most of your trip to town.
Camera Obscura (‘as‘tlehill (Royal Mile). no 370‘). l()am~5pm (27-30 Dee). l lam ()pmtl Jan); 10am—5pm (2 Jan); £3.95 (£I.‘)5-—£3.|5). Pick up a pedestrian in your hand at this attraction. which gives visitors a real-time. 360" image of the city. There is also an exhibition devoted to holographs and photography on the lower floors. Deep~Sea World North Quecnsferry. l-‘ife. ()l383 41l880. I()am bpm (27 Dec). Ham—5pm (28 31 Dec). l()am~6pm ( l--2 Jan). £6.15 (£3.55/L‘425). Famous for its underwater tunnel. which brings visitors face-to-face with a huge collection of fish native to our coastlines. Deep-Sea World also houses an Amazonian rain forest display. a touch-pool and educational facilities. lixpert staff are on hand to answer questions and. thanks to the latest communications technology. visitors can even talk to divers as they feed the animals in the aquarium.
Edinburgh Castle 225 9846. 9.3- am—5pm (27~-3| Dec). I230 4pm (1 Ian); 9.30am -5pm (2 Jan). £6 (£1.5()~£-l.5()). Although much of the
Without a doubt one of the finest examples of contemporary architecture in Edinburgh, The new Museum Of Scotland (extended from The Royal Museum Of Scotland) houses thousands of exhibits comprising an
(‘astle's medieval character was lost when it was converted into barracks in the l‘)th century. continuing excavations aim to redress this. ()ther attractions include James IV‘s famous cannon. Mons Meg. lots of military silverware and. of course. The Stone Of Destiny. linked to : the coronation of Scottish kings from way back in time.
Royal Museum of Scotland (incorporating the new Museum of Scotland) Chambers Street. 2-17 421‘). noon —5pm (27 Dec). l()am--5pm (2‘) 3| Dec). noon 5pm ( 1 Jan); 10am 5pm (2 Jan). £3 £5 (_£l.5()r-£2.5()). A l‘)th century museum housing international collections of natural history. geology. science. technology and the decorative arts. plus two permanent exhibitions: Art & Industry and The Ivy Wu (iallery. The new Museum of Scotland. opened to the public by the Queen on St Andrew‘s Day this year. contains a thematically arranged. chronologically structured exploration of Scotland's history. It’s also worth checking out the magnificent architecture of the building's exterior. Royal Botanic Gardens lnverleith Row (access also front Arboretutn Place).
()l3l 552 7l7l. 9.30am 4.30pm (closed
1 Jan). ()ver 28 hectares of landscaped gardens with themed sections. plus a huge glasshouse containing fascinating and exotic plants from around the world. National Gallery of Scotland The Mound. ()24 6200. noon 5pm (27 Dec). l()am-5pm (2‘) -3l Dec). noon 5pm (I Jan); 10am -5pm (2 Ian). A collection of
Antonio Canova's The Three Graces, on display at The National Gallery Of Scotland
works from the Renaissance to Post- lmpressionism. including Raphael. Rembrandt. Poussin. Degas and Van (iogh. Recently returned to display is Titian’s Diana Ami ('ullixtn and Antonio ('anova's famous sculpture The Three (irtlt‘t's’.
Royal Yacht Britannia ()cean Drive (Leith Docks). 555 5566.
10.50am 3.50pm (27 Dec).
l().5()am 3.30pm (28 30 Dec).
l().5()am 2.|()pnt (3] Dec).
l2.5()am 2.30pm | Jan).
ll.l()am 3.50pm (2 Jan). £6.50
(£3.75 £5 ). The former Royal Yacht has recently opened its doors to members of the public after a £25 million refit. The on-shore visitor centre contains historical information on the boat and its furnishings while. on the yacht itself. members of the public can have a good nosey round the royals‘ former quarters. Scotch Whisky Heritage Centre 354 ('astlehill (Royal Mile). 220 0441. 9.30am 4.30pm (27 31 Dec).
l 1.30am 4.30pm ( l Jan);
9.30am 4.30pm (2 Jan). £4.50
(£2.50 £3.50). Take a romp through the traditions and history of your national drink at this fully interactive attraction. Highlights include a lesson from a ghost master-blender. a barrel-car ride through whisky history and a well-stocked bar in which to test your newly acquired expertise.
Scottish National Gallery Of Modern Art Belford Road. 62-) (i200. noon 5pm (27 Dec). l()atn 5pm (2‘) .ll Dec). noon 5pm ( 1 Jan): l()atn 5pm (2 Jan). An itnpressive collection of 20th century art. including works by Picasso. Matisse. Moore. Hockney. Bellany. plus a selection of Dada and Surrealist paintings.
Scottish National Portrait Gallery Queen Street. (:24 (1200. noon 5pm (27 Dec). |()am 5pm (2‘) 3| Dec).
noon 5pm ( l Jan); l()am—- 5pm (2 Jan). A collection of portraits of famous faces from the loth century to present day. plus the national photography collection.
HOGMANAY FOOD
Before that New Year resolution to et your tummy in trim comes into orce, wh not sample some of the
best foo Edinburgh has to offer?
Many of the city’s eateries -
offering everything from top-of-
the-range Scottish cuisine, curries, pastas and stir fries - remain (zen
during the celebrations, with II
menus available for revellers. A list
of those restaurants, cafes and pubs open on New Year’s Day and over the Hogmanay period are available from the Edinburgh and
Scotland Information Centre,
Waverley Centre Plaza, Princes
Street. Tel: 0131 473 3800.
extensive cultural and social history of Scotland.
THE LIST GUIDE TO EDINBURGH'S HOGMANAY 1998/9913