3. After the union of England and Scotland in 1707, Edinburgh lost its political importance, but it has kept its cultural importance. Edinburgh is the capital of Scotland. Edinburgh is the second largest city in Scotland. The first largest city in Scotland is Glasgow. Edinburgh became the capital of Scotland in 1437.
4. In the centre of the city there is the famous Edinburgh Castle. It was built on a high basalt hill.
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6. In Edinburgh Castle you can see the "Honours of Scotland", which consist of the sceptre, sword and crown, made of gold, pearls, diamonds and other jewels.
7. The parade ground of Edinburgh Castle is the place where the famous Military Tattoo is held annually for three weeks in August and September. This illuminated exhibition of marching with military bands playing belongs to the events connected with the Edinburgh International Festival of Music and Drama.
8. The national dress of Scots is the kilt , which was originally worn by men. The Scottish musical instrument is the pipes or bagpipes.
9. The Castle Rock is connected to the 16th-century royal Scottish residence of Holyrood Palace by a road known as the Royal Mile.
10. The Palace of Holyroodhouse took over in importance from the Castle as the home of the royal Stuarts. The Palace is still the official royal residense in Scotland, and the Queen stays there when visiting Edinburgh.
11. Princess Street is the centre of Edinburgh. There is a lot to see in Princess Street. It has a lot of gardens on one side and it is also Edinburgh is popular shopping centre. Princess Street is connected with the name of the famous writer, Sir Walter Scott.
12. It is a Gothic spire 200 feet high. Inside it there is a statue or the writer, and of his favorite dog. Outstanding in every sense is the Scott Monument.
13. Not far from the Scott Monument there is the neoclassical home of the Royal Scottish Academy. It was founded in 1826 to encourage fine arts. Behind the Academy stands the Scottish National Gallery.
14. Not far from the Scott Monument there is also the famous Mound, the embankment connection between the Old Town and the New Town.
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