Edinburgh and me

My name is David Heriot and I’m your guide to all things interesting about Edinburgh.

I was born here and have lived here for a lot of my life. Since moving back to Edinburgh I’ve been a tour guide for Edinburgh Bus Tours and Mercat Tours so I know my way around my city.

What do I love about Edinburgh? I love the two towns, of course – the Old Town and the New Town. I love that the old town is still whole, intact, still the beating, lived-in, heart of the city. I love its old surprises, such as when you turn down a street and find a 16th century town house belonging to the Earl of Morton, that’s now a hostel. I love the gorgeous symmetry of the new town and the rather odd fact that the new town is now older than the old town!

I love the elegance of the new town. I love it that James Craig’s original design can still be seen at the Edinburgh Museum, complete with annotations made by someone in 1760. And talking of museums, the Museum of Edinburgh is my favourite. As you explore its little passageways, it pulls you gently through Edinburgh’s story, throwing in some amazing artefacts and exhibits along the way, like wooden water pipes or Greyfriars Bobby’s little collar or James Craig’s amazing plan of the new town.

But Edinburgh is also a modern city, famous for its Festivals, like the Festival Fringe, the world’s biggest arts festival, the Film Festival, the Edinburgh Festival and the Edinburgh Military Tattoo. It has two football teams. It has parks and hills and beaches.

Edinburgh is a great place. And I love it that I was born here and live here.

David

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