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Drummohr is an ideal Edinburgh campsite, with easy access by both bus and train into Scotland’s capital city. On our website www.drummohr.co.uk you will find plenty of information on Edinburgh Attractions and in this blog we share some of the more unusual facts about Edinburgh, including Edinburgh history, Edinburgh Castle facts and Edinburgh Zoo facts.
Our first interesting fact about Edinburgh history is that Edinburgh wasn’t always Scotland’s capital city. It was originally Scone, near Perth. Glasgow has never been the capital of Scotland despite being the largest city in Scotland by both area and by population. The throne was moved from Scone Palace to Edinburgh Castle after King James I of Scotland was brutally murdered by assassins in Perth in 1437. Edinburgh then became the official capital of Scotland in 1452, a crucial Edinburgh history date.
Edinburgh is said to have the most listed buildings in the world. Over 4,500 Edinburgh buildings are listed, greater than 75%. You can enjoy the buildings for free simply by lifting your eyes as you walk around the Edinburgh Old Town. One of Edinburgh’s most famous streets is the Edinburgh Royal Mile, where most of Edinburgh history is contained, stretching from Edinburgh Castle to the Palace of Holyroodhouse. Another interesting fact about Edinburgh is the Edinburgh Royal Mile isn’t exactly a mile long, it’s 1 mile and 107 yards!! Edinburgh’s New Town is still over 200 years old.
In August Edinburgh comes alive with a multitude of events and festivals including the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the Edinburgh Fringe, Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh International Festival. That’s why Edinburgh is known as the world’s leading Festival City. One of the more fun facts about Edinburgh is that the Edinburgh Fringe is the largest arts festival in the world, with 3000 shows staged across 300 venues with a total of 50,000 performances. The population of Edinburgh doubles over the festival season. Drummohr is an ideal festival campsite near Edinburgh, but we do fill quickly for the month of August so please book early to ensure availability.
Some of the most famous people born in Edinburgh include Sean Connery, Alexander Graham Bell, the “fifth Beatle” Stuart Sutcliffe
JK Rowling wrote the first of her Harry Potter novels in various cafes across Edinburgh, with little money to even buy a cup of coffee and there are a number of other landmarks claiming a connection with the famous novels. Edinburgh was used as a filming location for the Harry Potter movies and there is a free Potter Trail, a walking tour for Harry Potter enthusiasts.. Drummohr Camping and Glamping site have a number of Themed Hexi Glamping Pods including a wizard themed pod.
Edinburgh Castle is one of Scotland’s most famous landmarks in Edinburgh and the backdrop to the spectacular Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and Hogmanay fireworks. Please note that Edinburgh Castle tickets sell out fast during the Summer months and it is advisable to book ahead. There are plenty of Edinburgh Castle facts. Edinburgh Castle sits atop an extinct volcano Castle Rock, formed from an explosion millions of years ago. The other Edinburgh volcano Arthur’s Seat sits at the other end of the Edinburgh Royal Mile and is a popular walk and city viewpoint.
St Margaret's Chapel, in Edinburgh Castle, is the oldest surviving building in Edinburgh; constructed in the 12th century it is a category A listed building. St Margaret’s Chapel is an important piece of Edinburgh Castle history as it was the only structure to be spared from destruction by Robert the Bruce when he captured the castle in 1314. Edinburgh Castle is the most besieged place in Great Britain, facing down hostile forces an incredible 23 times, another important fact about Edinburgh Castle history.
One of the most popular visitor attractions in Edinburgh Castle is the Scottish crown jewels, known as the Honours of Scotland. They comprise of the Crown, the Sceptre and Sword of State used in the coronation of Scottish monarchs. However, after the 1707 Union – which united Scotland and England under one crown – the Honours were locked in a chest in Edinburgh Castle and forgotten about for nearly a century, until they were rediscovered by Sir Walter Scott in 1818.
Edinburgh Zoo opened to the public in 1913 and is Scotland’s second most popular paid-for tourist attraction, after Edinburgh Castle. Edinburgh Zoo was the first zoo in the world to house and to breed penguins in 1919. This explains why Edinburgh’ Zoo’s logo and crest feature a king penguin. The world’s one and only knighted penguin Brigadier Sir Nils Olav lives at Edinburgh Zoo, knighted by King Harald V of Norway. The now famous penguin parade began by accident in 1950 with the escape of several birds.
Edinburgh Zoo is also the only zoo in Britain to house Queensland koalas and giant pandas, on lease from China until the end of 2023. This means that you have just 12 months to see the male Yang Guang and the female Tian Tian before they begin their journey back to China. So, why not book a family friendly glamping stay at Drummohr in 2023?
