Edinburgh enjoys 'good year' in 2009

VisitScotland has revealed that Edinburgh enjoyed a "good year" despite the many challenges facing the British tourism industry in 2009.

Overall, visits to the Scottish capital's attractions between January and October 2009 were up by 4.2 per cent from the same period in the previous year.

Edinburgh Castle, the Scotch Whisky Experience and Camera Obscura were among the leading highlights for tourists, VisitScotland revealed.

Sinead Feltoe, the agency's director for Edinburgh and East Central, said: "Visitors are spoilt for choice when they come to Edinburgh and the surrounding area."

She pointed out that tourists can "explore the many museums and art galleries in the new and old towns or find the perfect spot on Arthur's Seat to take in the city with its stunning views across the Forth".

People planning to venture out of the capital can visit nearby attractions such as Rosslyn Chapel and the award-winning Seabird Centre at North Berwick.

Edinburgh was the only Scottish city to report an increase in hotel occupancy in November 2009, according to a recent report from business advisory firm PKF.

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