The best city hikes and walks around Firrhill

Greyfriars Bobby was a Skye Terrier from 19th century Edinburgh. He became famous because, according to legend, he guarded the grave of his owner in Greyfriars Kirkyard for fourteen years. Bobby himself died on January 14, 1872. The story is still very well known in Scotland. Books and films have been made about it, and a statue of Greyfriars Bobby is a popular attraction in Edinburgh. (Wikipedia)

The gallery is open daily from 10 AM to 5 PM, with minor exceptions, but this can be checked on the website https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit Admission is free, you have several galleries to choose from: the national, modern 1 and 2, or the portrait gallery.

National Galleries of Scotland (formerly Scottish National Gallery) is the national art gallery of Scotland. It is located on The Mound in the centre of Edinburgh, close to Princes Street. The building was designed in the neoclassical style by William Henry Playfair and was first opened to the public in 1859. The gallery houses Scotland's national collection of fine art, encompassing Scottish and international art from the early Renaissance to the early 20th century. The National is run by National Galleries Scotland, a public body that also owns the Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art and the Scottish National Portrait Gallery. Due to architectural similarity, The National is often mistaken by visitors for the adjacent Royal Scottish Academy Building (RSA), a separate institution that works closely with The National.

The founders of the RSA also had a strong desire for Scotland to have its own National Gallery, and as they continued to expand and make demands on space at the Royal Institution, it was clear that new premises were required. So when a new gallery was designed and built in 1850, the Royal Scottish Academy, to which it moved with the newly established National Gallery of Scotland (today part of the National), hosting its exhibitions in the gallery, as well as having a columned hall, library and school of life in the building. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/royal-scottish-academy-building

The Academy held its first exhibition in 1827, and in 1835 obtained permission to lease space in the Royal Institution building for an annual exhibition. In 1838 the Academy obtained its Royal Charter (and was now known as the Royal Scottish Academy) and continued to grow in importance and status throughout the 19th century, training young artists and caring for its collection for the benefit of students and the wider public. https://www.nationalgalleries.org/visit/royal-scottish-academy-building

The Scottish Academy of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture was founded on 27 May 1826 at Stewart's Rooms, Waterloo Bridge. The 13 founding artists consisted of 11 painters, one architect and one sculptor. Originally named the Scottish Academy, it became the Royal Scottish Academy following the granting of a royal charter in 1838. The RSA maintains a unique national position as an independent institution led by distinguished artists and architects to promote and support the creation, understanding and enjoyment of the visual arts through exhibitions and associated educational events. https://www.royalscottishacademy.org/about/history/

To climb to the top of the tower, you must climb 287 steps, which are divided into four levels, where you can pause and rest if you wish. As you continue up the spiral staircase, the climb becomes increasingly challenging as the walls become narrower and the steps become unstable. Although the climb may seem endless and a bit tiring, the effort will be worth it once you reach the top. Here, you'll be able to enjoy some of the best views of Edinburgh. Simply stunning views. If you don't suffer from claustrophobia or have a condition that prevents you from climbing to the top of the Scott Monument, we highly recommend climbing to the top to enjoy the breathtaking views. https://www.introducingedinburgh.com/scott-monument

The history of the monument, and much more, is told in the monument's museum hall on the first floor. Visitors can learn more about Scott himself, his eventful life, his legacy in international literature, and the monument built in his honor. Audio points allow visitors to listen to excerpts from his writings. https://www.edinburghmuseums.org.uk/venue/scott-monument