A spell on you.

Edinburgh. I can never get enough of the capital city. The magnetic attraction this city exerts upon me is astonishing, as if telluric forces would draw me to eagerly weave through grandiose squares, solemn stone buildings, cobbled pavements, wynds, and alleys, invoking the literary past that has inspired over 500 novels since the times of R.L. Stevenson's Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde story to Irvine Welsh's Trainspotting film.

 R.L. Stevenson

Literary legends have dwelled in the city and so have the characters of their literary creations. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, writer of Sherlock Holmes stayed in Edinburgh; Robert Louis Stevenson, author of Jekyll and Hyde and Treasure Island, was born in Edinburgh. Sir Walter Scott, best known by his Ivanhoe and Rob Roy and Robert Burns, Scotland’s national bard also lived and worked in this city of magnetic appeal to the creative minds.

Sir Walter Scott

It wouldn’t come as a surprise then when Edinburgh was granted the title of City of Literature by UNESCO back in 2004, and the city today is a living centre of artistic creation.


Edinburgh Academy, George Watson's Ladies College, Fettes College, James Gillespie's School for Girls have educated and inspired authors, with famous literary characters having ‘studied’ in Edinburgh, like Muriel Spark's Miss Jane Brodie and Ian Fleming's James Bond.

Edinburgh Academy

George Watson's Ladies College

The literary presence and heritage of Edinburgh is symbolized perfectly by the monument to Sir Walter Scott, and those who arrive at Waverly Station (named after Sir Walter Scott’s Waverly) into Princes Street are welcomed by this Victorian monument to the prominent Scottish historical novelist, playwright and poet.

Princes Street with monument to Sir Walter Scott

In modern times Sir Walter Scott would be a truly Edinburgh Makar, a newly adopted title for the Poet Laureate in our modern age Edinburgh City of Literature. The Scots word makar means ‘one who fashions, constructs, produces, prepares, etc.’ according to the Dictionary of the Scots Language. In the context of literature, a skilled, versatile worker in the craft of writing is a ‘makar’.

Literary destinations, useful links.

Celebrating writers, we have literary destinations like Makars Court, at the top of the Royal Mile, a courtyard with carved paving stones dedicated to writers from the 14th century to the present day.

You can find here The Writers Museum, containing portraits and the works of some of Scotland’s great writers including Robert Burns and Robert Louis Stevenson.

Lady Stair's House, The Writer's Museum

Scottish Storytelling centre

The Scottish Storytelling Centre, also in the Royal Mile, with its modern architecture in contrast to its historical counterparts.  An award winning public building, it includes a theatre, book and gift shop and storytelling café.   It runs a full program of events for those wishing to cultivate their storytelling, music-making, singing and dancing skills.






The Scottish Poetry Library  welcomes budding poets and has an extensive range of poetry books and leaflets, regularly hosting poetry evenings.

Scottish Poetry Library

The National Library of Scotland is Scotland’s largest library situated on George IV Bridge.  Hosting world-class collections, it is a major research library. The library runs a regular program of talks, workshops and events.

National Library of Scotland

Literary Tours Edinburgh

Entertaining and amusing, here are several links that bring Edinburgh’s literary appeal and impressive scenery together:

For a start, having a look to the Edinburgh City of Literature  website will give us an overview of the latest events and tours.

A popular, informative and entertaining one is the Edinburgh literary pub tour, conducted by professional actors.

The Ian Rankin’s Rebus Tour  explores Edinburgh through the perspective of the fictional character of Rankin’s books.

Edinburgh Book Lover’s Tour  covers 500 years and penetrates the capital’s ancient wynds, closes and graveyards.  From historical writers to modern writers, the timeline of literary history is fully appreciated in this tour.

The Scottish Parliament Literature Tour introduces visitors to its connections with literature over the years from renowned, historical writers to today's popular authors.

Scottish Parliament

The Edinburgh International Book Festival in August is an absolute must for literary fans and a highlight of the year.

Edinburgh buzzes with life at every corner, exhilarating to your senses, and your imagination runs wild among the characters and spirits of the unfathomable number of stories that have and will take place is this wonderful eternal city.

You are always close to  Edinburgh with A1 Coaches. Plan your day out with us, just call 01592 713443 or e-mail info@a1coaches.com or visit www.a1coaches.com

Day Trip: Stirling Castle and High Tea at the Garden Centre

Treat yourself to a fun day out to Stirling, where we will be visiting the castle, reviving its history and significance, a wonderful day out with a real taste of Scottish heritage, the perfect location for an illustrative day out with family and friends.

Stirling Castle

Stirling castle, a building of magnificent architecture and historical importance sits on top of Castle Hill, a geological formation with steep cliffs that provide a natural defensive position.

Strategically situated on the crossing of the river Forth, it has been a stronghold since early ages.

The current castle’s early buildings date back to the fourteenth century, most of the principal buildings are from the fifteen and sixteenth centuries and the exterior fortifications are as recent as the eighteenth century.

Rich history, kings and queens of Scotland have been crowned in this castle.

Complimentary guided tours of the castle and Argyll’s Lodging are included with your entry ticket.

These guided tours take place throughout the day and are led by experienced and well informed guides. Audio guides, available in six languages, can be hired on the day.

On the way back, a stopover for High Tea, where we will also enjoy strolling through the beautifully assorted Dobbies Garden Centre, with a sublime Bakery to Go, a Delicatessen full with Scottish and international delicacies, Local Produce store, Local butcher, and amazing offers on the foodie section.

One delicious dessert at Dobbies

A delicious afternoon tea prepared by the award winning restaurant in Dobbies will be the perfect brooch for our day before we settle down comfortably in our seats for our journey back home.

Enjoy a Day Trip with A1 Coaches. Organize your day by calling 01592 713443 or e-mail info@a1coaches.com or visit www.a1coaches.com

The Falkirk Wheel

The Falkirk Wheel

An inspiring tribute to the canals and to the ingenuity of British Engineering, The Falkirk Wheel  links together the Forth & Clyde and Union Canals.

Waterways and canals have seen a renowned interest in them, a renaissance in their role of communication. 

Today’s canals bear the essence of our industrial heritage while rendering the fruits of years of work and progress: 

Canals thrive with life, they are at the centre of people seeking outdoors activities, developers have found canals to increase property value and a there is a happy community of people who live in the canals. Some have made it their way of life, and people from all walks of life have joined this peculiar community of boat dwellers.

The Falkirk Wheel is the only rotating boat lift of its kind in the world, and one of two working boat lifts in the United Kingdom.

The Falkirk Wheel, rotating.

A  21st century engineering marvel, takes its name from the nearby city of Falkirk.

In 2002, the world’s first and only rotating boat lift was opened by Her Majesty, The Queen, and more than 5.5million visitors have taken a trip to visit The Wheel since it opened.

Before the wheel these two canals were linked by a staircase of 11 locks which took nearly a day to transit. These were dismantled in 1933.

Entrance to the visitor centre is free, and inside you will find a range of background material on the Millennium Link and on the Falkirk Wheel itself. 

You will also find a large shop and a cafe selling a range of good value food.

And while some will enjoy just watching the wheel and having a break at the visitor centre, it’s the actual workings of the wheel that attracts many visitors, with its 35m or 115ft high, the height of eight double-decker buses, each gondola contains 300 tonnes of water, meaning that the wheel moves 600 tonnes on each lift, and because the gondolas are always in balance (because boats displace their own weight of water) moving them takes surprisingly little power. Up to eight boats can be carried at any one time.

To get the full experience of the wheel, it is recommended that you board your hour long trip in front of the Visitor Centre before being lifted in the wheel to the length of canal through Roughcastle Tunnel. Beyond the tunnel your boat turns, before returning through it and descending via the wheel. 

Advance booking of boat trips is highly recommended. 

The Falkirk Wheel is the epicentre for a lot of activities associated with the canals and the big net of towpaths, paths and parkland. 

With activities for children like waterwalking, or enjoying a ride by the canal bank, or be it a trip on a boat, the Falkirk Wheel has something for everybody. 

If you want to dig deeper in history, you are also ideally located to explore footpaths from the Falkirk Wheel that will take you a little over half a mile to Rough Castle Roman Fort, complete with one of the best preserved stretches of the Antonine Wall.

       

On the way back, we will get to see the impressive Kelpies, famous monumental statues celebrating the working horses in Scotland and their relation to the canals and the development of the early industries.

  

The Kelpies

You can tailor your day trip to best suit your preferences according to your group’s particular requirements. 

A1 Coaches Day Trips.  Just call 01592 713443 or e-mail info@a1coaches.com or visit www.a1coaches.com

Walking, Hiking, Munro Bagging

Whether for a family day out or for those of you who like to enjoy “firsthand” the sheer natural beauty of the British Isles trail walking, mountain walking or both, in Scotland there are as many as 26 marked trails, and bens, Munros and Grahams will challenge you to do some “Munro bagging”, that is, climb to the top and you will be able to claim you have “bagged a Munro”.

Bagging Munros is a trend started by Hamish Brown in 1974, completing the first round of Munros (Munros are Scottish mountains over 3,000 feet).

For a friendly approach to trail walking, among all the famous 26 way marked trails in Scotland, in Fife we have the Fife Coastal Path, which can be undertaken in eight different sections, as follows:

The Kincardine to Limekilns section offers a varied landscape from industrial activities to cultural heritage, natural reserve spaces and historic architectural icons, including beautiful bridges. Stretching for 11 miles or 17.5km, allow 4 - 5 hours to complete the whole route.

Limekilns to Burntisland. Impressive scenery, nature reserves and WWII historic sites can be found on this 17 mile/27.4km section of the path.  Allow 6 - 7 hours.

Burntisland

Burntisland to Buckhaven. Starting at Burntisland, a 14 mile (22.5 km) stretch of path with historic towns, botanically significant coastal grasslands and interesting geological features.  Allow 5 - 6 hours.

Buckhaven to Elie.  A 13 miles long (20.0 km) section, modern towns, picturesque villages, historic monuments, and varied wildlife will captivate your attention throughout the path. Allow 4 - 5 hours.

Elie to Cambo (also known as Kingsbarns) section is 16 miles long (25.8 km) and can be rough underfoot. It has geological, historical and wildlife interest, but it also has short sections of stone steps that may be uneven or slippery. This path will also lead you through quaint little fishing villages. Robust footwear is recommended, particularly in winter. Allow 5 - 6 hours.

The Cambo Sands (also known as Kingsbarns Beach) to Leuchars stretch of the Fife Coastal Path follows the coast over some rough terrain. The coastal path is tidal in places so please check tides before setting off and be aware that dogs should be kept under control as livestock will be present in some areas. A challenging and rewarding 14 miles (22.5km) which should take around 5 - 6 hours.

Leuchars to Wormit Bay.  This section of the Fife Coastal Path is 16 miles (25.8 km) long and goes along some beautiful areas.  It takes in the Tentsmuir National Nature Reserve, passes through Tayport village and finally arrives at Wormit Bay after passing the Tay Road Bridge.  Allow 6 - 7 hours.

Wormit Bay to Newburgh. A 15 mile (24.1 km) section passing over rough terrain and culminating at the commemorative Arch at Mugrum Park, Newburgh.
For convenience, split it in two sections as the landscape and path quality is very different in each. Allow 3 - 5 hours.

The Wormit Bay to Balmerino 2.6 miles (4.2km) section starts at Wormit Bay Car Park and weaves a lovely undulating route which runs just above the shoreline of the Tay leading to Balmerino. Passing through fields and woodland, some sections are steep although not very long.

The Balmerino to Newburgh 11 mile (17.5km) section is a long and quite strenuous passing through a length of the path that almost reaches the summit of Normans Law.

There is an ample choice to select from the 26 way marked trails in Scotland, all of them offer everlasting impressions of Scotland’s essence.

A very iconic trail is without any doubt the Arthur’s Seat, in Edinburgh.

Arthur’s Seat, in Edinburgh a friendly path for casual walkers, this cosmopolitan trail is located in the middle of Scotland’s capital city, where nature blends with the city in a very harmonious manner. Arthur’s Seat is the remnant of an extinct volcano and stands 251m tall. There’s a gentle road for casual walkers who don’t mind missing out on the very peak, while experienced hikers will prefer to take the more difficult route right to the summit.

Hiker's club: you can easily organize your trail walking trip to any trail of your choice.

A1 Coaches Day Trips.  Call 01592 713443 or e-mail info@a1coaches.com or visit www.a1coaches.com

Day Trip: Gardens in Edinburgh

Gardens are spots where nature meets civilization, places where the best of both worlds come together in harmony, and very much like architecture or arts, they go beyond what our eyes can see, fulfilling all our senses and touching our souls. 

Gardens have their personality, as they are the fruit of the creativity of their owner or designer; gardens are like temples where the soul can find solace in the connection with nature and the “message” expressed by the artist that designed them.

Yes, I believe gardens are an expression of art itself. 

A garden will nourish your senses and your soul independently of the state of mind you are in: A garden will bring you sobriety if you are sad, a garden will enhance your joy if you are happy, a garden will give you advice if you are thoughtful. 

A garden is an oasis of peace within a city, and will whisper its secrets in your ear if you listen. 

Or it may be your lover who whispers in your ear, because gardens have a lot to do with love: A love for beauty and harmony moved someone to create a garden, where lovers find a quiet spot and listen to their hearts... 

Sometimes, in the soothing silence of a garden, we feel our love and heartbreak for those who left us. 

Edinburgh has gardens with a unique essence to them, spaces with a distinct personality of their own. 

Here’s my Edinburgh’s garden tour, I hope you will enjoy them as much as I do:

ROYAL BOTANIC GARDEN 

Palm House, Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh

The Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is a world renowned botanic garden for its excellence in horticulture, with over 70 acres, it captures the imagination of everyone who visits. It has a rich history and it is a living part of the city, being an ideal destination for a family day out, with plenty to see. Entrance to the gardens is free, although charges apply to the Glass Houses. The recommended visit time is 2 hours. Arboretum Place, Edinburgh 

PRINCES STREET GARDENS

Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

West Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

    

This park is in a most scenic location, one sees the castle, the old town the new town and many famous buildings. Two straight walks form the basis of the design. The floral clock and the Victorian iron fountain are notable features. There is West Princes Street Gardens and East Princess Street Gardens. 

Princes Street, Edinburgh

SCOTTISH NATIONAL GALLERY OF MODERN ART

"Land Sculpture" Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art

In the front lawn of the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, designed by the renowned contemporary artist architect, landscape designer, Charles Jencks,  this garden relates closely to modern art in its original lay out, inspired by patterns of nature, meteorological effects and even the Chaos Theory. 

Belford Road, Edinburgh

EARL OF MORAY’S PLEASURE GROUNDS – DEAN BANK GARDENS

Water of Leith Walk Way

Water of Leith Walk Way

Water of Leith Walk  Way

The Earl of Moray's Pleasure Ground now forms part of Dean Bank Gardens. It is distinguished by the circular temple known as St Bernard's Well. The Earl of Moray's Pleasure Ground is now a section of the Water of Leith Walkway - an eighteenth century landscape garden and part of a modern urban greenway.

Stockbridge, Edinburgh

 

HOLYROOD PARK

Holyrood Park

Holyrood Park is the most dramatic natural urban park in the British Isles. Its main feature is the core of an extinct volcano, known as Arthur’s Seat. The vegetation is semi-natural. 

Queen's Drive, Edinburgh

DR NEIL’S GARDEN

Dr Neil's Garden

The garden was started in 1960s by Drs Nancy and Andrew Neil.

Entrance fee Free (donation appreciated)

Old Church Lane, Duddingston Village, Edinburgh

A day out in the city, exploring its gardens, with the opportunity to wander around, enjoy food and drink, do some shopping  and be back home for your favourite TV show. 

 A1 Coaches’ Day Trips.

Call 01592 713443 or e-mail info@a1coaches.com or visit www.a1coaches.com