Ross Band Stand Tourist Attraction in Edinburgh

Reviews

1. En Yin Liew ★★★★★

   Princes Street Gardens is a large public area, which sits along the south side of Princes Street, beneath Edinburgh Castle. The park is a peaceful haven right in the city centre. The gardens are actually made up of two adjacent parks, East Princes Street Gardens and West Princes Street Gardens. East Princes Street Gardens has always been a public park, while West Princes Street Gardens was privately owned until 1876. The Gardens lie in the valley between Edinburgh's Old Town and New Town, on the former site of the Nor Loch. This polluted loch or lake was drained in the 1760s and work began on the gardens around ten years later. Today, Princes Street Gardens are popular with tourists and local residents as a place to walk and picnic. There's a lot to see over 37 actes of parkland, including many monuments and statues. Several annual events are held in the gardens too. Princes Street Gardens is one of the most important urban parks situated in the heart of Edinburgh. It separates the Old Town from the New Town. The gardens are over 37 acres (150.000 m²) and are divided into two parts by The Mound, an artificial hill that connects Edinburgh’s New Town and Old Town and where the Scottish National Gallery is located. Garden History Princes Street Gardens was created by draining Edinburgh’s largest loch, the Nor Loch. Nor Loch, which was first a marshland on the north side of Edinburgh had initially been used as a natural Medieval defence along with Edinburgh Castle. With the north and west parts of the town protected, Edinburgh only needed a fortification on the east and south sides of the city. From the Middle Ages until the nineteenth century, it is believed that the Nor Loch was where “witch ducking” would take place (this was a way of discovering if a suspect was guilty of witchcraft), an ideal place to make dead bodies disappear, where water waste was thrown out and some historians believe that despite this many citizens would even go to the Loch for fresh water. Princes Street Gardens were designed first in the 1770s but were inaugurated in 1820 when the lake was completely drained. Beautiful All Year Round The Gardens are beautiful all year round. It is where many locals meet up, especially at the Ross Fountain, the park's most important monument. This cast iron structure was installed in 1872 after having been an exhibit at the Great Exhibition of 1862 in London. Every year at Christmas, part of the Gardens is transformed into the “Winter Wonderland” with a Christmas Market, an ice rink and many other fun attractions, including a Ferris wheel that stands 108 ft (33m) tall, often called The Edinburgh Eye.

   1 year ago
2. Andreas Hobi ★☆☆☆☆

   Ah, Edinburgh at Hogmanay – what a treat! Or at least that’s what I thought when I traveled all the way from Switzerland, armed with my finest waterproof jacket, ready to embrace the Scottish New Year in all its (alleged) glory. Little did I know that the Scots apparently have the meteorological resilience of a damp tissue. Picture this: It’s December 31st. A light drizzle falls. The occasional breeze rustles through the streets. In Switzerland, we’d call this Tuesday. But in Edinburgh? It’s apparently a full-blown apocalypse! So much so that the entire Hogmanay celebration – street party, concert, fireworks – was cancelled. Why? Because of “weather conditions.” Seriously? Let me clarify: this was not a hurricane, a monsoon, or even a proper storm. In Switzerland, on the Jungfraujoch, we’ve been known to host concerts in snow so thick you can’t see your own boots, let alone a stage. But in Edinburgh? A few gusts of wind, and it’s time to batten down the hatches and call mum. The irony? At the very same time, the Christmas market—complete with a massive Ferris wheel and a 60-meter-high chain carousel—was operating just fine. While the brave souls who run the rides didn’t seem fazed by the weather, the Hogmanay organizers apparently took one look at the sky and decided it was an apocalyptic event. So if you're thinking of attending a concert in Edinburgh's Ross Band Stand, don't. If they find a drop of rain anywhere within 100 kilometers of the city, they'll cancel the event. Now, Edinburgh, you can see the whole city in a day. Which, by the way, is exactly what you’ll end up doing if you’ve come for the canceled festivities. After 8 hours of exploring the Royal Mile and snapping pictures of the castle, you’ll find yourself sitting in your overpriced hotel room, wondering why you didn’t just stay home and watch the New Year’s fireworks from elsewhere on TV. But wait, there’s more! I was promised a full refund for my Hogmanay tickets. Lovely gesture, right? Except… I haven’t seen a single penny. Maybe the Scots are waiting for fairer weather to process refunds? It seems that while Scotland can’t handle a bit of weather, they’re quite comfortable holding on to other people’s money. Auld Lang Syne, indeed. Here’s a thought, Edinburgh: If you’re going to invite the world to your doorstep, at least pretend you’re happy to see us. Or is this part of the UK’s new tourism strategy? “Go home; we don’t want you here.” Message received! Fine by me! If you don’t want my money, I’ll spend it in places where tourists are actually welcomed—and where a little rain doesn’t send the entire country into meltdown mode. For those considering Hogmanay in Edinburgh: Save yourself the hassle. Unless you’re keen on watching locals cower at the first raindrop, there are better places to ring in the New Year. And as for me? I’ll stick to countries where the locals don’t cry for their mums when the weather gets interesting. Sure, I might still visit London or check out a theme park or two in the UK, but as for the rest of the UK? No, thanks. If I wanted to spend time with people who’d rather hide in a bunker than face a drizzle, I’d organize a family reunion. (P.S. See the attached photo of the “stormy” conditions that apparently justified canceling an entire city-wide celebration. I’ll wait while you laugh.)

   1 year ago
3. Samantha ★★★★☆

   We sang here with Sing In The City to open the festival. We had Great weather, Fantastic atmosphere with the public participation. An overall Hreat day had by All

   almost 3 years ago

1. Akshata Khochare ★★★★★

   Fantastic backdrop Stage is well managed And what a Diwali 2022 function with firecrackers

   almost 3 years ago
2. JOHN KERR ★★★★★

   Florence and the Machine & Primal Scream. Summer Sessions gigs.

   more 6 years ago
3. Neil Walkingshaw ★★★★☆

   Good atmosphere, nice people, not the best weather but at least it didn't rain, fantastic setting....

   more 7 years ago

1. Martin Ryan ★★★★☆

   Here for Tom Jones, excellent night. Great view from all around, need to be there early to get into the sectioned off area Infront of the stage. Slightly annoying having to stand on a hill the whole time but this does allow you a great view.

   more 7 years ago
2. Leslie Jones ★★★★☆

   The theatre has just been refurbished and was used as the destination venue for the Edinburgh Festival Carnival parade along Princess Street. Acts from the Jazz Festival were on site, and the sound system performed well in the open air theatre. Sat on a folding chair for over an hour led to a numb bum, so if you're going there for a longish performance take a cushion! McDonalds is over the road for refreshments!

   more 7 years ago

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