New look bus launched for World Heritage Day

April 17, 2013 3:52 pm

Edinburgh Bus Tours has unveiled the new-look Edinburgh World Heritage Official Tour: A City of Contrasts to coincide with World Heritage Day, 18 April. The five-star bus tour guarantees to showcase more of Edinburgh than any other bus tour, and brings Edinburgh’s unique history – a story of contrasting themes – to life.

With specially trained English speaking guides, Edinburgh World Heritage Official Tour: A City of Contrasts tells tales of Edinburgh’s dramatic past and present, good and evil, nature and architecture, and fire and ice.

As well as offering dramatic tales, dramatic sights include Fettes College – where James Bond was supposedly educated – and Dean Bridge. The new extended tour route also visits favourite sites including Edinburgh Castle, The Palace of Holyroodhouse, and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. The tour lasts approximately one hour and twenty minutes.

Edinburgh World Heritage Official Tour: A City of Contrasts has been developed in conjunction with Edinburgh World Heritage, the charity dedicated to conserving, protecting and promoting the city’s World Heritage.

The 18th April is designated UNESCO World Heritage Day. Projects, events and exhibitions take place annually all over the world to raise awareness of World Heritage Sites. Edinburgh Old & New Towns were jointly awarded World Heritage Site status in 1995. The Edinburgh site contains around 4,500 buildings, with a high proportion of listed buildings and scheduled monuments.

David Hicks of Edinburgh World Heritage commented: “We are delighted to work with Edinburgh Bus Tours to bring the stories of the city’s World Heritage Site to life. The tour is specially designed to show the unique contrasts that are at the heart of the Edinburgh’s character, and some stunning panoramic views across the city’s skyline.

“Plus with hop-off, hop-off tickets this is a great facility for visitors to explore all of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Sites at their leisure.”