Celebrate Hogmanay without the hefty price tag

November 26, 2015 By pure

Visitors who want to ring in 2016 with the Hogmanay celebrations in the Scottish capital might balk at the cost of joining in the festivities. However, if you do your research and stay slightly outside of the city, there are some great value vacation rentals to be found. You don’t have to spend a lot of money on sightseeing; Edinburgh has many budget-friendly attractions.

Explore the Gilmerton cove

If you want to get a different view of Edinburgh, you should visit Gilmerton cove, which consists of underground chambers and passageways. It is not entirely clear what they were originally used for, but they make for an interesting experience.

Take a ghost tour

One great way to see the city at night is to take a free ghost tour. There’s a spooky atmosphere and the chance to explore a gothic and creepy past while being entertained by your guide.

Climb a volcano

Many tourists don’t realize that Arthur’s Seat, the highest part of Holyrood Park, is actually a dormant volcano. Climbing up to the top gives you stunning views across the city. You should be prepared for a significant hike, but it’s definitely worth the effort, especially at sunset or sunrise.

Explore the suburbs

You don’t have to stay in the city center. In the northwest suburbs, you’ll find the beautiful area of Dean Village. The village is full of Tudor houses and waterfalls, with plenty of spectacular walks. There’s also the free Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art just five minutes away.

Edinburgh topless demo aims to “Free the Nipple”

August 25, 2015 By pure

The Free The Nipple protest in Edinburgh was billed as a Royal Mile Topless Takeover, and a hundred people showed up in support of the right for women to go topless in public.

The demo was held along with similar events in 60 cities around the world as part of the 8th annual GoTopless Day.

With the city in the hold of the annual Fringe festival, comedian Samantha Pressdee from Darlastan in the West Midlands was one of those taking part.

“We all came together to celebrate equality,” she said of the movement, which aims to relax worldwide laws to allow women to go topless whenever they choose.

Criminal act

US actress, director, and activist Lina Esco started the Free the Nipple campaign as a protest against the fact that it is a criminal act for women to be publicly topless in 37 American states.

High-profile support has come from celebrity Miley Cyrus. The turnout in Edinburgh indicates that the idea is catching on with women around the world.

Sunbathing session

With Edinburgh full of visitors taking advantage of cheap apartments for Fringe, it is estimated that between 50 and 100 women took part in the actual demo, which ended with a two-hour topless sunbathing session outside St Giles’ Cathedral.

GoTopless spokeswoman Rachel Jessee commented: “It’s liberating and empowering for women to free their bodies from repression. Freeing nipples and bodies frees minds as well, restoring self-image and self-esteem.”

Tour beautiful Scotland when you stay in Edinburgh

June 5, 2015 By pure

No tour of the UK is complete without a visit to the beautiful country of Scotland, and Edinburgh is the natural choice for vacation rentals. Your stay in Scotland’s capital city will provide you with a combination of culture and exciting leisure activities, together with tours of the wild Scottish Highlands and the beautiful countryside. Traveling around Scotland is easy if you rent a car, as away from the main centers of population the roads are generally quiet. The convenience of a hire car will allow a visit to Loch Ness to watch for the elusive monster, and to reach places of interest that are inaccessible by public transport. Scottish castles are plentiful in this land of the clans, and there are historic battle sites to visit where the numerous conflicts between the proud Scots and the English took place.

A trip to Edinburgh Castle allows you to enjoy a panoramic view of the city from the highest point. While at the castle, you can also check out the Honours (the Scottish Crown Jewels) and other historic Scottish artifacts. Do not limit your exploration of Scottish castles to just Edinburgh Castle, as you will discover a host of fascinating castles dotted throughout the countryside.

For instance, take a day trip to visit the spectacular Eilean Donan Castle, situated on the west coast near the picturesque village of Dornie, and you will appreciate why Scotland is something of a hidden gem. This beautiful monument is on an island in the loch and is accessed via a pedestrian bridge. The castle is a lovely tourist destination at any time of the year. The brooding Highlands surround the castle, and you can tour most of the rooms in this historic monument. If you enjoy learning about history, a trip to Eilean Donan Castle will offer a glimpse of Scottish life throughout the centuries. Other popular tourist attractions worth considering for a visit include Fort Augustus and the Isles of Skye and Mull.

You will discover a range of vacation rentals to provide you with the best accommodations to suit your budget. Cheap sleeps and luxury short-term rentals are available in a number of locations in and around Edinburgh.