51^st International Congress on Nursing Care August 24-25, 2020 Beijing, China

Why You Must Hold Your Next Event Nursing Care 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland

Wherever you're based mostly within the Edinburgh, Scotland, or the globe for that matter, you must think about holding your next event Nursing Care 2020 in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Conferenceseries from outside the capital are missing out on the exceptional event and conference facilities it's to supply.

‘Why?’ we hear you ask…

As Conferenceseries recognizers specifically make what you need from a conference venue and lots of places native to you'll meet these necessities.

Yet to take your Nursing Care event to the next level and ensure it has genuine impact, it all comes down to the little extras, the above-and-beyond, and those wow factor moments.

Where is Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is in Scotland, which is the northern part of the United Kingdom. It’s in the southeast part of Scotland, around 60 miles north of the Scotland – England border, and around 50 miles east of Glasgow, which is Scotland’s largest city.

Best times of year to visit Edinburgh?

Edinburgh is a city that you can visit year round, with plenty going on throughout the year. If you are hoping for warmer, drier weather, then the months of May to September will be your best bet, but the weather in Scotland is fickle, so the best plan is to pack layers and be prepared for at least a little rain.

If you’re interested in the Edinburgh festivals, then you may want to visit during August, when some of the biggest festivals take place. Christmas in Edinburgh and the Scottish New Year’s celebration, Hogmanay, is also a very popular time to visit. Note though that during this time the city is a lot busier than usual, and accommodation is both pricey and hard to come by so book in advance.

If you are not interested in attending the August festivals or Hogmanay, we would recommend avoiding Edinburgh at these times to save money and avoid the crowds.

Here are 10 reasons why Nursing Care 2020 Conference at Edinburgh, Scotland is that the best place to carry your next conference or event:

Best Things To Do in Edinburgh

When you think Edinburgh, you might quickly conjure up images of grassy hills, rowdy pubs, a sea of tartan – but this ancient city has so much more to offer. Take a walk down Old Town's Royal Mile and you'll find yourself face to face with the iconic Edinburgh Castle. Explore the nearby seaside and you're likely to stumble upon the Royal Yacht Britannia. And if you're visiting Holyroodhouse Palace, you might suddenly fancy a wander up the adjacent Arthur's Seat or Calton Hill for some magnificent Scottish views. And come festival season in August, expect the city to be alive with libations as Edinburgh celebrates the beloved annual Military Tatto, Fringe Festival and the Edinburgh Festival.

1. Edinburgh Castle

Hoisted high atop Edinburgh, almost as if it's monitoring its city below, Edinburgh Castle is not only one of Scotland's most recognized landmarks, but one of the country's most-visited attractions. Not only has the castle housed various royals throughout history, but also once housed military prisoners and was the site of a back-and-forth capture with the English. Inside its stone walls (which survived a World War I bombing), some of the attractions available for visitors to view are the Honours (or crown jewels) of Scotland, St. Margaret's Chapel (Edinburgh's oldest building), Mons Meg (considered one of the greatest guns in medieval Europe), the National War Museum, The Great Hall and the vaults that once held prisoners of war (located under the Great Hall).

2. Walk down the Royal Mile

Stretching from the high-on-a-hill Edinburgh Castle to the Holyroodhouse Palace, the Royal Mile is both Old Town Edinburgh's main thoroughfare and one of the city's main streets. Here you'll find top attraction after top attraction, including the Scotch Whisky Experience and Camera Obscura and World of Illusions, as well as a big concentration of shops, restaurants and pubs housed in stunning architecture along this cobblestone street. Most travelers note the Royal Mile's propensity toward tourist traps; they also say it's a must-do considering all its amenities. The Royal Mile is seen by many as the center of the city, so be prepared for crowds at all hours.

3. Camera Obscura and World of Illusions

If you're traveling with kids, there is no better place in Edinburgh to bring them than Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. Located at the top of the heavily (tourist) trafficked Royal Mile, Camera Obscura is filled with enough colorful puzzles, games and optical illusions to keep the kids entertained for days. It's also the city's oldest attraction, having opened in 1835.

sInside this Victorian tower of a building, visitors will find the 175-year-old Camera Obscura show, which is led by a (usually funny) tour guide. There's also a mirror maze and photogenic vortex tunnel in Bewilderworld, Light Fantastic, the U.K.'s only permanent gallery on the science and art of holography and the hands-on Magic Gallery, where visitors can catch their shadows, shake hands with their ghost and even walk on water. There's also something for the history buffs; the 3-D Edinburgh Vision exhibit takes you through the city from the 1850s to present day.

4. Scotch Whisky Experience

If you're interested in broadening your whisky repertoire, you might enjoy spending time at the Scotch Whisky Experience. The Scotch Whiskey Experience features a variety of tours varying in price. The standard Silver Tour includes a whisky barrel ride through the production of scotch whisky, introductions to whisky aromas, a dram of whisky and a glimpse into the largest collection of scotch whisky (more than 3,300 bottles!). There's also a Gold Tour and Platinum Tour, which includes all that is offered in the Silver Tour as well as extras, including tastings of single malts. If you don't want to necessarily go on a tour but still want a taste of the experience, visit Amber Restaurant, located on-site.

Whisky connoisseurs and casual drinkers both found this tour to be fun and fascinating. Travelers especially enjoyed learning how the whisky is produced and appreciated the friendly and knowledgeable staff. The Silver Tour is 14.50 pounds (about $21) and 50 minutes long, the Gold Tour 25.25 pounds (about $37) and 70-90 minutes long and the Platinum Tour is 35 pounds (about $51) and 90 minutes long. Hours are seasonal but generally the attraction is open from 10 a.m. to 5 or 6 p.m. year-round. You can find the Scotch Whisky Experience on the Royal Mile, right next to Edinburgh Castle and Camera Obscura and World of Illusions. For more information, visit the Scotch Whisky

5. Mary King’s Close

Did you know that there’s a hidden part of Edinburgh underneath the city streets? Well, there is. One of the best places to find out more about, and visit this hidden part of the city, is to take the Real Mary King’s Close tour.

Covered over by construction in the 19th century, Mary King’s Close was previously one of the busiest streets in the medieval city, located just off the Royal Mile. It was named after Mary King who was a business woman who lived in the close in the 1630’s.

The 1 hour guided tour of Real Mary King’s Close aims to provide information and examples of what life would have been like in Edinburgh between the 16th and 19th centuries. The tour takes you into a warren of what were bustling streets, shops, animal pens, and homes that sit just below the current street level.

Note that photography is not allowed during the tour at the time of writing. Best to book ahead to be sure you get the time you want.

6. St. Giles Cathedral

Near Mary King’s Close and a fixture in Edinburgh’s skyline is the beautiful St. Giles Cathedral with its crown shaped steeple. If you are only going to visit one church in Edinburgh, this would be our recommendation. St. Giles, also known as the High Kirk of Edinburgh, is the principal place of worship for the Church of Scotland and the church itself dates from the 14th century.

Our favorite part of the church interior is the Thistle Chapel, built in 1911 for The Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle, which is the most important Order of Chivalry in Scotland. This order was established in 1687 and is presided over by the Queen. The Thistle Chapel is small, but the ceiling is absolutely beautiful, as are the sixteen stalls, one for each Knight of the Order.

Guided cathedral walking tours and rooftop tours are also given on certain days for a fee. The guided walking tours can be booked in advance but the rooftop tours can only be booked same day at least check. Note that the rooftop tours offers a nice view over the city but does not go onto the top of the tower.

Admission is free to the cathedral although a donation is requested. The church has regular worship services and also regularly hosts choir concerts and holiday events. There is a small gift shop and there is also a cafe located in the rear of the cathedral.

Photography of the interior is not permitted without a photography permit which is £2.00 and can be obtained from the Information Desk. Purchasing a permit is a worthy investment in our opinion and a great way to contribute to the upkeep of this beautiful church.

7. Holyrood Palace

If you're one for the royals, a stop at the Palace of Holyroodhouse is a must. The palace is the official Scottish residence of the queen and has housed many other notable royal figures throughout history, including King George V, Charles I and Mary, Queen of Scots. When the current queen isn't home (she tends to visit during Holyrood Week, which takes place from the end of June to early July), visitors are welcome to tour parts of the property. Visitors are able to explore Mary, Queen of Scots' Chambers and the State Apartments, which include the Throne Room, the area where new knights are decided, the Morning Drawing Room, where the queen entertains private audiences and the Great Gallery, which houses portraits of all the kings of Scotland. During the summer months, travelers also have the opportunity to tour The Abbey by wardens dressed in ancient hunting garb

8. National Museum of Scotland

If Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Yacht Britannia and Holyroodhouse Palace don't quench your thirst for some Scottish history, take a trip to the National Museum of Scotland. The museum houses a whopping 20,000 historical artifacts spread out through its numerous, diverse galleries. Here, visitors will find exhibits dedicated to art and design, the natural world (which features a giant T. rex skeleton), history, archaeology and world cultures. And don't leave without visiting the Dolly the sheep display (named after Dolly Parton), the first mammal to ever be cloned from an adult cell.

9. Try some traditional Scottish foods 

In addition to visiting all the wonderful attractions and museums, you’ll want to try some traditional Scottish foods during your stay in Edinburgh. Haggis is the national dish of Scotland and a must try for all visitors. Haggis is traditionally made of sheep parts (heart, liver, lungs) that are mixed with onion, spices, fat, oatmeal, stock, and spices and then stuffed in a sheep’s stomach. It was a food eaten by the poor and similar foods have been eaten since ancient times.

Although honestly, most restaurants cater to modern palates and finding a truly traditional haggis is difficult (especially those encased in a sheep’s stomach); however, the more modern haggis versions are more tasty in most visitor’s views. Haggis is typically served with “neeps and tatties” which are mashed turnips and potatoes, and sometimes with a side of whisky sauce. You can even get “vegetarian haggis” at many places, although we’re not sure you can still call it haggis!

Other dishes to try in Scotland include local Scottish Salmon, black pudding (Stornoway is famous for its black pudding), cullen skink (smoked haddock, potato and onions soup), stovies (potato dish), sausage, beef, and lamb dishes. We often just ask for what is local and fresh at restaurants.

Dishes enjoyed throughout the UK, like fish and chips, large breakfasts (try a full Scottish breakfast and you won’t need to eat lunch!), meat pies, and traditional Sunday roast dinners are also popular throughout Scotland. Scottish sweets and desserts include cranachan, fried Mars Bars (about anything can be fried by the Scots it seems!), tablet, shortbread, and Dundee cake.

For drinks, there is of course whisky, but black tea is probably the most widely drank beverage. Be sure to try the popular Irn Bru (an orange carbonated soda). You can also try a number of Scottish gins (Rock Rose, Pickering’s, and Edinburgh Gin are a few brands) and beers (Tennent’s, Stewart Brewing, and Cairngorm Brewery Company are a few Scottish breweries) at many of the local bars.

If you enjoy food tours, you’ll find a few of them in Edinburgh such as this popular 3 hour secret walking food tour. This tours includes 6 stops for tastings and the guide helps explain the history of many traditional Scottish foods and drinks like haggis, tablet, and whisky.

Looking for something sweeter? Consider learning more about chocolate making and tasting lots of chocolate (including many Scottish made chocolates) by taking a chocolate tour at the Chocolatarium.

10. Scott Monument & Princes Street Gardens

Edinburgh is a UNESCO City of Literature, and the most famous Scottish writer is Sir Walter Scott. He wrote poems, plays, and novels, and is credited with inventing the genre of historical fiction and is best known for his works such as Ivanhoe, Waverley, The Lady of the Lake, and Rob Roy. He is definitely a well-known and much-loved figure in Scotland and even Edinburgh’s main train station is named after his first novel Waverley.

As such, there are a number of monuments to him with the most significant being the huge Scott Monument (the largest monument to a writer in the world!), which sits on Princes Street, just above the Princes Street Gardens.

Get up close to the monument and you’ll see figures from Scott’s novels, as well as other famous Scottish writers, poets, and figures. This iconic monument is open to the public, and you can climb to the top for a good view of Edinburgh for a small fee. Just be aware there are many steps and a narrow spiral staircase! There’s also a small museum room on the first level of your climb, within which you can find information on the life and works of Sir Walter Scott.

We’d also recommend visiting The Writers’ Museum (just off the Royal Mile) if you’d like to learn even more about Scott and other famous Scottish writers. If you are a real Sir Walter Scott fan we’d recommend a trip out to the beautiful Scottish Borders, where Scott drew a lot of inspiration and where he built his home and is buried.

Just below the monument is the Princes Street Gardens. Once a marshland, the area was later turned into an artificial lake called the Nor Loch that was used as a defensive barrier to Edinburgh Castle and as a dumping spot for the sewage and trash of medieval Edinburgh.

Beginning in the 1760’s, the Nor Loch was drained over time and turned into gardens, with two gardens being formed – Princes Street Gardens East, and Princes Street Gardens West, separated by a man-made hill known as “The Mound”, which was formed from the excavation of the New Town.

Today the public gardens are a popular spot for visitors and tourists alike, and there are often outdoor events taking place in this area. It is a good place for getting nice views of Edinburgh Castle and for savoring a sunny Edinburgh afternoon (they do happen, I swear!).

11. Climb Arthur’s Seat

Arthur's Seat, located in the verdant Holyrood Park, affords one of the best views of the city. Standing 800 feet above sea level, Arthur's Seat is the highest point in the park, providing panoramic views of the sea and nearby sites, including attractions like Edinburgh Castle and the Scott Monument. If you're wondering how Arthur's Seat got its name, chances are you may never get a clear answer. Legend has it that it was the site for Camelot while others claim William Maitland, a Scottish politician, believed the name was derived from Ard-na-Said, a Gallic phrase meaning "height of narrows." The attraction was also a former volcano. Trails are accessible off of Queen's Drive near Holyroodhouse Palace, which is located at the base of Arthur's Seat.

12. Edinburgh Zoo

Edinburgh Zoo is popular with families wanting to get up close to over 1,000 animals. Some of the most popular attractions are the penguin walks and getting to see the resident giant pandas (note that you usually get a set viewing time slot as they are so popular!). Other animals we’ve enjoyed seeing here are the tigers, lions, wallabies, chimps, red panda, and monkeys.

Note that many visitors are disappointed at not seeing the pandas (or other animals) but they are often in parts of the enclosure where you can’t see them or sleeping; this is actually a very good thing that animals are not being forced to always be on view to the public.

Check out the zoo’s website for the live camera feeds to watch the current activities of the Giant Pandas, penguins, tigers, and squirrel monkeys! There are also a number of educational talks, events, and activities offered at the zoo throughout the year. There is also a food court, casual restaurant, coffee shop, picnic area, and gift shop.

For those with reduced mobility, Edinburgh Zoo has some steps and steep hills in certain areas but offers an accessibility route, the free rental of manual wheelchairs (first come, first serve), and a mobility vehicle.

The Edinburgh Zoo is a bit out of the city center. There is a dedicated parking lot for the zoo but there is a parking fee and spaces are limited. You can also easily get a bus from the city center. There are two bus stops near the zoo, and they are currently served by Lothian buses 12, 26, and 31 as well as some of the CityLink routes.

13. Scottish National Gallery

If you love art, you’ll want to save at least an hour or two to stroll the Scottish National Gallery, one of many excellent free museums in Edinburgh. Located on The Mound near Princes Street Gardens and the Scott Monument, Scotland’s National Art Gallery houses a large collection of paintings and other art from the Renaissance up to the start of the 20th century, with both Scottish and international artists represented.

The collection is housed in a neoclassical building designed by William Henry Playfair that dates from 1859. If you are more of a modern art lover, you might want to head to the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art instead.

Laurence is drawn to the landscape paintings and I to the 18th century Italian and Impressionist paintings. In our two short visits we’ve never had enough time to see the full collection and there are always new temporary exhibits to view (great Impressionism exhibit over the summer!).

If you need a break after looking at all that art, there is a coffee shop and restaurant. There is also a gift shop if you need some retail therapy.

The museum is free to visit although donations are very much appreciated.

14. Scottish National Portrait Gallery

If you like your art of the portrait variety, then the Scottish National Portrait Gallery has you covered. Situated in the first building in the world that was purpose-built as a portrait gallery (in 1889), the gallery exclusively houses portraits of Scottish people, although not all the artists are Scottish.

Highlights include portraits of Stuart monarchs and family members, including portraits by Dutch painter Arnold Bronckorst. My favorite galleries contain the “Scots in Italy” collection. In addition to portrait paintings, the museum also includes a collection of prints, photographs, and statues.

The building itself, in a Gothic style, is quite beautiful and the entrance hall is well worth spending some time in. As you enter, you’ll be greeted by a statue of Robert Burns, beautiful murals depicting notable Scots, stained glass windows, and several busts.

We did a filming project here with Sky TV and spent a lot of time looking at the Scottish Royal portrait paintings. We are not exactly portrait experts or lovers, but after spending several hours here over two days, we came to really appreciate the collection and the beautiful building.

There is also a nice cafe on the ground floor which is a great place for lunch or a coffee break. The museum is free to visit although donations are very much appreciated.

15. Check out Harry Potter sites

Nicolson’s Café was a first floor restaurant on the corner of Nicolson and Drummond Street and it was here that J. K. Rowling as a newly single mother is said to have written a large part of her first Harry Potter novel. The location has since been turned into a Chinese buffet and now back into a bistro named Spoon.

The Elephant House was where she penned later Potter novels and is probably the best known of the Harry Potter locations. If you want to see the inside of The Elephant House, you’ll need to order food or a drink or pay a small fee for photographs.

If Harry Potter writing locations are of particular interest to you, and you are not traveling on a budget, then you might consider also staying at the popular and historical Balmoral Hotel in the J. K. Rowling suite. It was here in suite 552 that Rowling finished the last book in the Harry Potter series. In celebration of doing so, she autographed (graffitied?) a marble bust, which is still in the room today.

Other Edinburgh locations which are believed to have served as inspiration for the books include Greyfriar’s Kirkyard (an old cemetery that contains graves that may have inspired the names of some Harry Potter characters such as Thomas Riddell’s Grave), George Heriot’s School which is Hogwarts-esque, and Victoria Street which is thought to have inspired Diagon Alley.

You can put together your own self-guided tour or book a fun tour and join other Harry Potter fans on a guided tour such as this free tour (free but tips are strongly recommended) or this longer 2 hour walking tour.

Those visiting in August should also make time for the Edinburgh International Book Festival, it was one of the first venues that an unknown J. K. Rowling (listed as Joanne Rowling) gave a reading to a small group of children from her first Harry Potter book in 1997 and would return years later in 2004 to massive crowds.

If you are really interested in visiting all the Harry Potter sites in Edinburgh, I’d check out this comprehensive Harry Potter Edinburgh guide. If venturing outside of Edinburgh, you can read our guide to finding the Harry Potter film locations in Scotland

16. Attend a Festival in Edinburgh

Speaking of festivals, if you like festivals then Edinburgh is the place for you. To be honest, even if you don’t normally like festivals, chances are that Edinburgh is still going to have a festival that you’d enjoy. Edinburgh is known as the World’s Festival City, and the city is host to 11 major festivals throughout the year, celebrating art, music, film, theater, storytelling, books, military tattoos, science, and even the arrival of the New Year.

Four of the most well-known festivals are probably Hogmanay, the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, and the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, although we have come to especially appreciate the lesser known festivals throughout the year.

The festival atmosphere ranges from being fairly low-key (e.g., Edinburgh Science Festival, Film Festival, Storytelling Festival) to a heightened festival frenzy as loads of visitors pack into the city during the month of August. At the height of the festival season, mid August, you are likely to find over 1,000 performances taking place in over 100 locations each day!

If you want to learn more about all the Edinburgh Festivals and figure out which one is right for you, check out the official Edinburgh Festival website which provides up-to-date details on all of the major festivals. If you are thinking of visiting in summer, check out our planning guide to the five August Edinburgh festivals.

There are also smaller festivals and local festival events happening throughout the year in Edinburgh (including the Edinburgh Mela and Edinburgh Food Festival) and you can find a full list here. There are also events around St. Andrew’s Day (Scotland’s patron saint) and Burns Night (celebrating poet Robert Burns).

17. The Edinburgh Dungeon

The Edinburgh Dungeon, located a 2-minute walk from Waverley train station, provides a quick 80-minute tour of Scotland’s history as visitors walk through 11 live actor-led shows and 2 short underground rides. It focuses on the darker and more gruesome aspects of Scotland’s history (e.g., plague, murder, cannibals, witches) and uses plenty of special effects and some scare tactics to give you some chills.

The Edinburgh Dungeon is often voted and ranked as one of the top city attractions in Edinburgh and seems particularly popular with families with older children (recommended age is 8 years or older). We just recently visited to take a special nighttime tour where they introduced a new show (The Witch Hunt) and it was a lot of creepy fun. Our favorites were the the Witch Hunt, The Green Lady, and the drop ride.

18. Pay a Visit to Greyfriars Bobby

One of Edinburgh’s most famous historical figures is a small dog, known to the world as Greyfriars Bobby. Legend has it that Bobby was a Skye Terrier who belonged to a night watchman in Edinburgh named John Gray. When John Gray passed away and was buried in Greyfriars Kirkyard, it is said that loyal Bobby sat by his master’s grave for fourteen years, before being buried beside him.

This story has been popularized in books and by the 1961 Disney film. The veracity of the story has been challenged by several people, but it remains a popular enduring and heartwarming tale nonetheless and it is likely that the story is at least partially based on truth.

You can visit the small statue of Bobby, which is located across the road from the National Museum of Scotland, and also see the graves of Bobby and his owner in the graveyard. The statue is a popular spot for a photo, and it is definitely worth a few moments of your time to learn the feel-good story behind this little dog.

If you want to know more about Greyfriars Bobby, we’d also recommend a visit to the informative (and free) Museum of Edinburgh which has an exhibit dedicated to Greyfriars Bobby.

19. Climb Calton Hill

If you're like the writer Robert Louis Stevenson, you might enjoy the view from Calton Hill; this spot was a favorite of his. One of the most popular vantage points for photo ops (and included in the city's UNESCO World Heritage site distinction), Calton Hill affords a majestic panorama of the city below – so don't forget to bring your camera, or make sure your phone is charged. Located east of New Town, Calton Hill is one of the country's first public parks, founded in 1724. Today, the hill supports several iconic buildings and monuments, so much so that it has been nicknamed the Athens of the North. Some of these structures include the Burns Monument, erected in honor of Scottish writer Robert Burns, the Nelson Monument, designed by Robert Burns, and the National Monument, modeled after the Parthenon but given the name "Edinburgh's Disgrace" for never having been completed.

20. Royal Botanic Garden

If you're looking for some peace and serenity after a long day on the Royal Mile, the Royal Botanic Garden is the perfect place to rest your feet. This garden, which covers 70 acres, brims with so much beautiful foliage you're likely to forget that you're in one of Scotland's biggest cities. The Royal Botanic Garden houses 3,000 exotic plants from around the world, spread out among its 10 glasshouses, each with a different climatic zone. The garden is also very famous for its rhododendron flowers. The Royal Botanic Garden's collection of the flower is considered the world's richest assemblage of species rhododendrons, and the Edinburgh location has been seen as a major center for study since the late 19th century. After you've visited these famous flowers, take a stroll through the giant redwood trees in the Woodland Garden, or view the contemporary art gallery in the adjacent Inverleith House

21. Royal Yacht Britannia

Did you know Princess Diana and Prince Charles honeymooned aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia? You'll find the impressive yacht anchored at the Leith Docks, just north of central Edinburgh. Along with serving royal honeymooners (the Duke and Duchess of York used it as well), this yacht served as a residence for the royal family for more than 44 years. Throughout that time, the Royal Yacht Britannia traveled to 600 ports in 135 countries, clocking in more than one million nautical miles for 968 state visits. This not only made the queen the most traveled monarch in the world, but the total distance traveled is equivalent to circling the globe once a year. Visitors can now come aboard and tour the boat fit for a king, or rather a queen; everything from the crew's quarters to the State Apartments, which have housed the likes of Nelson Mandela and Ronald Reagan. You can even have tea in the Royal Deck Tea Room, the same place where the royals used to dine.

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