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Now just a ruin in the grounds of the Palace of Holyroodhouse, Holyrood Abbey was an Augustinian monastery founded by King David I in 1128.

Legend has it that whilst out hunting one day, David was attacked by a stag and thrown from his horse. However he was saved when a cross, or "rood", appeared in his hand. In order to thank God for saving his life David founded the Abbey, naming it after the "rood" that saved him. For several hundred years the Abbey was a thriving monastery. However, the decline of the Abbey began in the 16th century when it was attacked by the English in 1547. Then it fell victim to the reformation with many parts of the Abbey being destroyed.

Efforts were made to rebuild it in the 18th century, but these weren't successful and so the Abbey was left in ruins. Most of the remains that you can see today date from the 13th and 14th centuries, the only surviving part of David's original Abbey being a doorway in one corner.

Charlotte Square was part of Edinburgh's original New Town development, and today it is still one of the city's most beautiful squares. This elegant square, named after George III's wife Queen Charlotte, is the square that lies at the eastern end of the New Town development of Queen Street, George Street and Princes Street. The square was originally a much sought out residential area, however it is now predominantly commercial and administrative. One of the most important buildings in the square is Bute House which is the official home of the Secretary of State for Scotland.

Also of interest is the refurbished Georgian House at number 7, which has been decked out as a typical 18th century Town House. As well as the usual collection of furniture, furnishings and crockery there is an interesting array of 18th century gizmos and gadgets. The Georgian House is open daily between April and October. However for tourists who have Scottish blood in them the most interesting buildings in Charlotte Square has to be the Scottish Record Office, housed in St George's Church. Here you will find everything from church records and property records to personal wills so it is a great source if you are trying to trace your ancestors. The Office is open from 9am to 4.30pm Mondays to Fridays. Admission is free.

The centre of Charlotte Square is laid out with well kept gardens, the focal point of which is the Albert Memorial in the middle. An excellent example of Georgian town planning, even if you aren't visiting for a specific reason Charlotte Square is a delight to just wander around.

As the city grew in the 18th and 19th centuries, it gradually absorbed several surrounding towns and villages into its boundaries, one such village being Stockbridge.

Stockbridge is situated to the north west of the city centre, on the banks of the Water of Leith. The name of the village comes from the bridge that once spanned the river here and over which cattle used to make their way to grazing. Originally Stockbridge was just a small rural hamlet situated a few miles from the city centre. But the village then expanded rapidly in the 19th century as a popular residential area and so a lot of the houses date from this period.