{"id":4719,"date":"2015-12-23T08:06:28","date_gmt":"2015-12-23T08:06:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/news\/?p=4719"},"modified":"2024-04-04T16:09:09","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T15:09:09","slug":"edinburgh-in-books","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelodge.co.uk\/blog\/trips-for-two\/edinburgh-in-books\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Edinburgh spots in famous books"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Edinburgh,

New view on Edinburgh<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Edinburgh: its story-rich streets have featured in poems and books for hundreds of years. And that means there are plenty of spots that book and film fans should have on their hitlists. So why not get to know the sights through the eyes of the great authors the city inspired?<\/p>\n

1.<\/strong> The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark (1961)<\/strong><\/p>\n

One of the most famous books set in the city, the evocative streets of Edinburgh become a character in this classic novel about an eager school teacher at the prime of her life. Walk in the footsteps of Miss Jean Brodie with a visit to the historic Grassmarket, home of a bustling old marketplace and numerous taverns as well as the occasional public execution. Today, you can still make your food and drink pit stops here. The ominously named The Last Drop<\/span><\/a> pub serves real ale and hearty pub grub. And you don’t need to trek far; our Travelodge <\/span><\/a>at Waterloo Place is just a short walk away.<\/p>\n

2.<\/strong> <\/strong>Trainspotting, by Irvine Welsh (1993)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"View

Leith Docks<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Trainspotting<\/em> uses the port area of Leith as its rough and ready backdrop. At the time the book was written, Welsh chose the setting for its gritty reputation. These days things have started to change and a new wave of tourist-friendly pubs and restaurants have appeared. The Volunteer Arms pub, where Begbie and his friends hang out, is now the Cast and Still. You’ll find a wide selection of whiskies and cask ales here.<\/p>\n

You can even take a Trainspotting Tour with Tim Bell of Leith Walks<\/span><\/a>. He’s most popular during the Leith Festival and through August.<\/p>\n

The beautiful Edinburgh Meadows, where Sickboy, Renton and Spud hang out, are also well worth a visit on a sunny day.<\/p>\n

3.<\/strong> One Good Turn, by Kate Atkinson (2006)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit Edinburgh in August and you’ll get swept up in one of the world’s largest arts festivals. Kate Atkinson chose the heady atmosphere of the Edinburgh Festival as the backdrop to One Good Turn<\/em>, her detective novel in which Jackson Brodie (no relation to Miss Jean) gets embroiled in a murder mystery.<\/p>\n

Brodie’s first experience of Edinburgh during the festival is arriving on the train at the glass-domed Waverley Station. Later in the book he takes a morning walk along the Royal Mile, the heart of the action during the festival and worth visiting year-round.<\/p>\n

The Royal Mile is home to tourist shops selling whiskies and novelty goods, as well as pubs serving traditional haggis and quaint caf\u00e9s selling home-made shortbread or fudge made in front of your eyes. Stay nearby; our Central Travelodge<\/span><\/a> is less than 200m away.<\/p>\n

4.<\/strong> One Day, by David<\/strong> Nicolls<\/strong> (<\/strong>2009)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Dexter and Emma both graduate from Edinburgh University. Head to Bristo Square to check out the student area and find the place where they met. After Emma’s tragic death, Dexter travels back to the city with his daughter to climb Arthur’s Seat, the beautiful mountain that looms over Edinburgh, offering spectacular views across the city.<\/p>\n

5. Harry Potter, by J.K Rowling (1997)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"View

Edinburgh Castle<\/span><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

It’s not technically set in Edinburgh, but writer J.K Rowling notoriously wrote the first book in the series in the Elephant House caf\u00e9<\/span><\/a> because she couldn’t afford to turn up the heating in her nearby flat. Grab a cup of tea and a cake and enjoy the same view across to Edinburgh Castle that J.K enjoyed as she dreamed up the airy halls of Hogwart’s School.<\/p>\n