The Best Historic Sites

Gladstone's Land, owned by the National Trust for Scotland, is a 17th-century merchant's house near Edinburgh Castle. Visit it to get an impression of just how cramped living conditions were--even for the rich--some 400 years ago. On the second floor, you can also see the original exterior facade with its classical friezes of columns and arches, as well as the painted timber ceiling. Across town, the Georgian House is on Charlotte Square, which was designed by the great Robert Adam around the time of the American Revolution. This town house is set out and decorated in the manner of the 18th century.