Edinburgh’s Architecture of Money: A Self-Guided Audio Tour

Edinburgh’s architecture tells a fascinating story of the city’s economic and political history. The "Edinburgh’s Architecture of Money: A Self-Guided Audio Tour" invites visitors to discover this captivating narrative through the grand Georgian designs of the New Town. Led by an expert, the immersive experience delves into how the union between Scotland and England shaped the area’s iconic landmarks and cultural landscape. With GPS-enabled playback, participants can uncover the hidden significance behind the city’s unique villas and planned squares, all while appreciating the enlightened era that inspired their creation. This self-guided tour promises an enriching journey into Edinburgh’s architectural legacy.

Key Points

• The self-guided audio tour provides an immersive exploration of Edinburgh’s architectural history, with a focus on the classical beauty and Georgian heritage of the New Town.
• The tour highlights the 1767 masterplan by James Craig, which established the grid-like layout, and the contributions of renowned architects like Robert Adam and William Playfair.
• The architectural legacy reflects the economic and political influences of the Scotland-England union, including the rise of banking and finance, and the Enlightenment ideas that promoted rationality and order in urban planning.
• Key architectural elements such as unique villas, early semi-detached houses, and the first planned square are examined, providing insights into the pioneering housing concepts and orderly urban layout.
• The tour offers a hassle-free experience with a free cancellation policy, turn-by-turn directions, and lifetime access, allowing for customized exploration of Edinburgh’s architectural symphony.

You can check if your dates are available here:

Tour Overview

The Edinburgh’s Architecture of Money tour offers a self-guided audio experience that explores the city’s classical beauty and Georgian past.

Priced at $11.99 per person, the 1.5-hour tour is available in English and features GPS-playback, unlimited access before and after booking, and a virtual tour option.

Insight comes from producer Olga Gogoleva, an architecture tutor and tour guide, who delves into the 1767 masterplan by James Craig and works by architects like Robert Adam.

Key locations include the only villa in New Town, one of the first semi-detached houses in Scotland, and the first planned square in the city, showcasing architectural details like fanlights, ironwork, and preserved Georgian buildings.

Experience Highlights

This self-guided audio tour offers an immersive experience that delves into Edinburgh’s architectural history, focusing on the classical beauty and Georgian past of the city’s New Town. Led by producer Olga Gogoleva, an architecture tutor and tour guide, the tour provides insights into the 1767 masterplan by James Craig and the works of renowned architects like Robert Adam. Discover the cultural context of the Scottish Enlightenment and the economic-political influences of the Scotland-England union.

Architectural Highlights	Cultural Significance
The only villa in New Town	The Scottish Enlightenment
One of the first semi-detached houses in Scotland	Scotland-England union
The first planned square in the city	Georgian architectural elegance
Preserved Georgian buildings, fanlights, and ironwork	Economic and political influences

Key Architectural Elements

What’re some of the key architectural elements highlighted in this tour?

Visitors will discover the architectural gems of Edinburgh’s New Town, including:

• The only villa in New Town, showcasing grand classical design.

• One of the first semi-detached houses in Scotland, a pioneering housing concept.

• The first planned square in the city, demonstrating the city’s orderly layout.

• Preserved Georgian buildings adorned with distinctive features like fanlights and intricate ironwork.

The tour provides insight into the cultural and economic context that influenced the city’s architectural development during the Scottish Enlightenment and the Scotland-England union.

Masterplan and Architects

A 1767 masterplan by architect James Craig laid the foundations for Edinburgh’s New Town, introducing a grid-like layout and classical architectural styles that would come to define the district. Craig’s plan was later realized through the work of renowned architects such as Robert Adam, who designed several iconic buildings in the area. The table below highlights some of the key architects and their contributions to the New Town’s architectural landscape:

Architect	Notable Works
James Craig	Masterplan for New Town
Robert Adam	Charlotte Square, Register House
William Playfair	National Gallery of Scotland, Royal Scottish Academy
William Henry Playfair	Dugald Stewart Monument, Royal Institution
Thomas Hamilton	Royal High School

This architectural legacy reflects the cultural and economic influences of the Scottish Enlightenment and the Scotland-England union during this period.

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Economic-Political Influences

The architectural legacy of Edinburgh’s New Town reflects the profound economic and political influences that shaped its development. The Scotland-England union in 1707 ushered in a period of prosperity and stability, fueling the city’s transformation.

Key factors include:

• The rise of banking and finance, as Edinburgh became a hub for trade and commerce
• The need to project an image of power and wealth through grand civic architecture
• The influence of Enlightenment ideas, promoting rationality and order in urban planning
• The ambition to rival and surpass the architectural grandeur of London
• The political maneuvering between Scottish and English interests in shaping the city’s character

These economic and political dynamics underpin the stately elegance of Edinburgh’s New Town, a lasting testament to the turbulent forces that forged its unique identity.

Tour Details and Requirements

Typically, the tour begins outside the City Chambers on the Royal Mile, facing the Mercat Cross. Participants will need a charged smartphone and headphones, as well as the VoiceMap app downloaded before starting.

The self-guided audio tour can be accessed through the app, providing turn-by-turn directions along a set route, available only in English. Downloading the tour beforehand ensures an optimal experience, with offline access to the audio, maps, and geodata.

The tour lasts approximately 1.5 hours and includes lifetime access, allowing visitors to revisit the content before and after their trip. Cancellations are accepted up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund.

Free Cancellation Policy

Visitors can cancel their tour booking up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. This policy provides flexibility and peace of mind for those planning their Edinburgh visit.

Key benefits of the free cancellation policy include:

• Ability to reschedule or change plans without financial penalty
• Confidence in booking the tour without risk of losing money
• Convenient for last-minute changes or emergencies
• Hassle-free refund process if unable to attend
• Option to explore the city on one’s own schedule

This flexible cancellation policy aligns with the self-guided nature of the audio tour, allowing travelers to customize their Edinburgh experience.

Exploring New Town’s Beauty

Amidst the grandeur of Edinburgh’s New Town, visitors are met with a remarkable architectural symphony. This self-guided tour delves into the classical beauty and Georgian heritage that define the area.

Explore the 1767 masterplan by architect James Craig, which shaped the harmonious grid layout and stately townhouses. Discover the cultural context of the Scottish Enlightenment, where philosophers and intellectuals flourished.

Marvel at notable features like fanlights, intricate ironwork, and beautifully preserved Georgian buildings. The tour also highlights key landmarks, such as the only villa in New Town and one of Scotland’s first semi-detached houses.

Through this immersive experience, travelers gain a deeper appreciation for the economic and political influences that shaped Edinburgh’s architectural landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Share the Tour With Others in My Group?

No, the tour can’t be shared with others in the group. It provides lifetime access for only the purchaser and is not transferable. However, the tour can be enjoyed by multiple people using one device.

Will I Need a Data Connection During the Tour?

According to the information provided, the tour can be accessed offline using the VoiceMap app, so users won’t need an active data connection during the tour. The audio, maps, and geodata are all available for offline use.

What if I Have Trouble Accessing the Tour on My Device?

If the user has trouble accessing the tour on their device, they can contact the tour provider for assistance. The provider offers support and can help troubleshoot any technical issues to ensure the user can enjoy the tour.

Are There Any Discounts or Promotions Available?

The tour currently does not offer any discounts or promotions. However, customers can take advantage of the free cancellation policy up to 24 hours before the start of the tour for a full refund.

Can I Join the Tour at Any Point Along the Route?

No, participants must start the tour at the specified meeting point outside the City Chambers. The tour follows a set route with turn-by-turn directions, so it’s not possible to join at any random point along the way.

Recap

Edinburgh’s Architecture of Money offers an engaging audio journey through the city’s New Town, showcasing the grandeur of its Georgian designs. Guided by an expert, participants can discover the economic and political influences that shaped this architectural heritage, while appreciating the cultural context of the Scottish Enlightenment. With GPS-enabled playback and unlimited access, this 1.5-hour tour provides an immersive experience for exploring the beauty and history of Edinburgh’s iconic landmarks.

You can check if your dates are available here: