Edinburgh Castle, a royal residence since the 11th century, dominates the medieval skyline of Scotland’s capital. Literary giants Robert Burns, Sir Walter Scott and Robert Louis Stevenson are as important to this great city as her majestic crown jewels, which are older than England’s. History abounds as you stroll down the Royal Mile toward Holyrood Palace, past quiet courtyards that beckon via narrow passageways. Evenings provide lots of lively pub entertainment, complete with traditional folk music, bagpipes, kilts and haggis.